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Chapter 64: Image And Transformation
Yuuma then resumed his attempt to defeat the dumpling insect a few more times after that, alas it was also a failed attempt.
Even when he changed his target to the earthworm-like monster, its tough skin could easily block his pickel again.
He then tried the armadillo, only to encounter an even more hopeless situation.
「Huff
 Huff
 President, I’m so dead tired.」
「What? Tired already? Get a grip on yourself, young man!」
The president shrugged his shoulders and picked up a dumpling insect.
「Oi, Yuuma. I’ll give this guy enough damage for you to finish them off.」
「Yes! Please do so, President.」
Yuuma decided to agree with the president since he knew that the one who delivered the finishing blow was the one who got the most mana from the monster they killed.
The president stepped on the dumpling insect and struck lightly with his hexagon staff.
Crush――
「Ah!」
The insect ended up squeezed to death.
「You muscle brain!! So you don’t even realize that you can’t even adjust your own strength!?」
“Sorry
” Said the president as Aisha strangled his neck which made the situation quite comical.
◇◇◇
「But, this is a troublesome situation indeed. We met a stumbling block as soon as the experiment to confirm the drop rate of 『Magic Ore』 began.」
Aisha grumbled as she saw Yuuma and the president’s struggle.
「Yuuma’s lack of physical strength is worse than I expected. Really, young people nowadays
」
Yuuma on the other hand was also feeling vexed since it seemed like the president used himself for the standard of a normal Explorer which actually quite a problem itself.
「My strength alone isn’t enough to defeat it.」
Aisha touched her chin, seemingly pondering about something, and then her expression brightened right in the next moment as if she just realized something.
「Ah right! Yuuma-kun, use your 『Metallization』.」
「Metallization?」
Yuuma was bewildered by her sudden suggestion.
「Yes, if two metals were to collide, the less tougher one would be crushed. And since no one else is in this place but us, you don’t have to worry about your secret being discovered. Try it out for now.」
「I see
 Then let’s do it.」
Yuuma then clenched his fist, transforming his body into metal. His body color turned metallic black and it probably won’t hurt even if he struck metal with his own fist.
「That’s really awesome ability no matter how many times I see it.」
The president spoke in admiration. Yuuma, whose mood got better after hearing the president’s praise, caught a dumpling insect immediately.
「By the way, do you know the official name of this dumpling-like insect, Aisha-san?」
「Well, the monsters in the other dungeons might have their own name but many monsters in the black dungeon don’t have an official name. Personally, I called them dumpling insect, earthworm, and armadillo.」
Even Yuuma ended up getting himself dumbfounded upon hearing that. He somehow got the feeling that the dungeon itself suffered from the same case since they literally got called by colours.
He then lowered his gaze at the dumpling insect beneath his feet.
He clenched his fist, and punched down at that insect.
Though he had some expectations as the sound of metal clashing against each other resounded in the cave, the said dumpling insect turned out to be still alive and kicking.
「Aaa~h, failed again
」
He then caught the dumpling insect that managed to get away, observing it. He saw cracks on the insect body but his punch was still not strong enough to kill it.
「U~hm, So it’s really lacking strength huh.」
Even Aisha looks rather dejected seeing the result.
「Now we can hardly confirm the 100% drop rate of magic ore.」
Even though Yuuma felt sorry for Aisha, he then tried to change the topic by looking at the dumpling insect. And right at that moment, he felt something click in his head.
「Oh right. If that’s the case――」
His metallic hand wobbled as he imagined the image of 『Short Sword』 that he was familiar with, and his hand really did transform into a short sword.
He placed the dumpling insect on the ground and stabbed from above with his short sword hand.
Thunk――
Yuuma’s short sword hand sliced the iron shell of the dumpling insect as if it was made of tofu. The insect’s legs twitched for a second before it turned into sand.
「OOOH, AWESOME, YUUMA-KUN!」
「You did it, Yuuma!」
The two seem to be really surprised seeing how easily Yuuma defeats the dumpling insect.
Aisha hurriedly approached and touched Yuuma’s transformed right hand, observing it really carefully.
「I see
 The slashing attack works better than the blunt attack if it’s from tougher material
 That makes sense.」
「E-Eh
 Thank you.」
「But, the sword’s blade isn’t smooth. Is your imagination not strong enough?」
「Yeah, that seems to be the case.」
「You might be able to create an even sharper and smoother edge if you have a proper image.」
Aisha was grinning ear to ear as she spoke. It seems she become more and more interested on Yuuma’s body.
At that moment, the president noticed something rolling under Yuuma and Aisha’s feet.
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「Oi, look at your feet!」
Both Yuuma and Aisha looked down at their feet. And saw something hidden within the sand.
It was a tiny metal ball around 1 cm in diameter.