Chapter 217

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Shoulder Massage

Recap: Camellia Oil was good stuff.

“Then, I’ll distribute the Zen Sticks made by Sherry.”

Before moving to Floor 37, I hand the Zen Sticks out to everyone. It’s a flat, long and slender, wooden stick. Since it’s not as sturdy as a wooden sword, the power won’t be very high.

“This is?” “Since the Beep Sheeps will be appearing from Floor 37 on, wake up whoever falls asleep with this.”

Handing one to Roxanne followed by one to Sherry, I explain as Sherry waves it about. The attack power will be 0 if it’s swung as lightly as she did.

“With this?”

Roxanne waves the Zen Stick to check its condition. Hey, hey! You can’t put too much strength in the swing. It’s not a military baton, you know? “Okay, desu.”

Like I said, it’s not something you can brandish.

I think it’s alright.

I don’t think it’s alright. When Vesta waves hers, it produces an air ripping sound. Thank goodness she swung it with one hand. It has become such a deadly weapon already.

“It’s quite difficult.”

Rutina is cruel, too. She swings the flat side of the Zen Stick vertically. Even looking at it feels painful.

Girls, it’s not supposed to be used like that. It’s not supposed to be used like a sword. Can’t be helped. This humble servant of Buddha will have to put up a demonstration.

“This foolish bald offers to teach you how it’s used. Roxanne, come here.” (TN: 愚禿 A monk who shaves the foolish thoughts off his head refers to himself as such) “Bold?”

‘This foolish bald’ seems to have been strangely translated. Roxanne steps forward while tilting her head. When she tilted her head, her dog ears adorably swayed.

“It’s ‘this foolish bald’.”

I look at Sherry nodding. The word itself seems similar. Anyways, I have Roxanne turn 180 degrees.

“When your fellow falls asleep, strike their shoulder and wake them up. Grip the Zen Stick firmly in both hands. Raise it slowly, then bring it down. The trick is to turn your wrists in, like you’re wringing wet clothes, while you swing it. Don’t strike it with all your strength. If you did, it would lose power instead. Then, let’s have an illustration of the text. Roxanne, shall we?”

I mix some explanation on Kendo Stick in. Oh well, it’ll be fine. I haven’t used a Zen Stick either. I have no idea about discipline, nor how to use the stick. What’s important is the mood.

“Okay. Master, please.” “However, not just confused people are supposed to receive it. Should you meet Buddha, kill Buddha. Should you meet your forefather, kill your forefather.”

I create as solemn an atmosphere as possible and wave the Zen Stick. After briefly placing it on Roxanne’s shoulder, I raise it up and strike it down. A loud *pashin* resounds. Nice sound.

“Oo”

Everyone— Rather I—am surprised. Because of how it sounded.

However, I pretend as if I’m not surprised. What’s important is the mood. Must not be surprised. Must not be confused.

Must not look confused to others. Should I meet Buddha on the way, I must kill Buddha as taught. Should I meet my forefather on the way, I must kill my forefather as taught. Said Rinzai-san.

“It didn’t hurt at all, yet it feels like I have awakened.” “Are people supposed to receive nuisance?”

As Roxanne appreciates the Zen Stick, Sherry ponders over my words. Nevertheless, the mood is usual. Must not overthink.

Actually, won’t it instead of ‘should you meet Buddha, kill Buddha’ be ‘should you meet your master, kill your master’ in case of Roxanne and girls? As a matter of fact, it will. Seriously, though. It wasn’t nice of Rinzai to say such a thing.

“I believe in Amitabha.”\nTo create a solemn atmosphere, I clap my hands and pray. Unlike in Japan, the Buddhism in China and Taiwan isn’t branched into Tendai Sect, Rinzai School of Buddhism and Jodo Shinsu. They all believe in the same Zen of Buddhism. Apparently, the monks greet fellow monks in the temple with ‘I believe in Amitabha’. ly, there was a dubbed Honk Kong movie wherein a Shaolin temple monk greeted with ‘I believe in Amitabha’. I was wondering why they would recite the name of Buddha. Now I know why.

Therefore, it’ll be fine. Mood. What’s important is the mood.

In India, the home of Buddhism, they don’t bow to Amitabha anymore. They greet with Namaste. Teachings are the same, though. It may be the right mood.

“I believe in Mugi?”

While trying to repeat my rapidly fired words, Sherry’s tongue twists. She wasn’t referring to the Namamugi Incident where Richardson was killed by the Lord of Satsuma. Mood. Only the mood.

There’s no meaning. There’s no need to think. Just feel it.

“Well then, let’s take on the Beep Sheeps first. Whether it actually wakes someone up or not, we won’t know unless we try. Roxanne, please.” “Okay.”

Whether it really works or not, we won’t know until we try. We move to Floor 37 and take on the monsters. The three Beep Sheeps, which Roxanne guided us to, are greeted with a thunderous strike.

A None of the monsters has been paralyzed by the first combo of two Thunderstorms. All three monsters, safe and sound, turn to us. By any chance, are the monsters that deal Abnormal Status also resistant to Abnormal Status?

Oh well, it’s not like it can’t completely miss in case of three monsters, is it? With just one instance, it’s too early to draw any conclusion. Even though it appears as if a monster that can deal Abnormal Status has Resistance to it, too.

On the contrary, shouldn’t it rather be weak? I want it to be weak. Be weak.

It is so. One will be at a loss when the weapon they use is used on them. ‘The dyer wears white.’

We, for example, spam Abnormal Status in battles. However, we’re weak against monsters that inflict Abnormal Status. The moment Miria or I get done in, we’ll all be in a pinch. Nah, if Miria or I are unable to move, there’s Roxanne. If Roxanne fails, there’s Vesta. Sherry can skillfully use recovery medicines. If the monsters are small in number, Rutina’s magic can somehow deal with them. It looks fine.

The Beep Sheeps close in. Fortunately, they didn’t halt to use their skills. Then comes the second combo of two. Ara

This time, they get annihilated. Even though I say ‘annihilated’, they haven’t fallen. They’re paralyzed; unable to move. All three of them.

Uun So, is my theory that the Abnormal Status dealing Beep Sheeps are weak to Abnormal Status spot on? Oh well, it’s too early to draw any conclusion. In any battle, I’m unable to put my mind at ease.

As for the three paralyzed monsters, Miria petrifies them before they’re able to regain movement. They really are weak to Abnormal Status, aren’t they? Or is it normal for Miria to clean up three monsters?

Oh man. I’m never able to put my mind at ease. Thereafter, I harden my heart. Without thinking anything, I hunt monsters.

Without thinking anything. Without any thought. Free from worldly thoughts; my mind in a trance; my heart as calm and serene as still water. No thought at all.

“A”

When I confront monsters free from worldly thoughts, Rutina’s voice leaks.

“E?” “The monster fell.”

Although Rutina gives a simple reason, I don’t get the meaning. I mean, the monster is supposed to fall.

“Even though Rutina-san only shot one Water Storm this time, the Spice Spider fell quicker than when she didn’t shoot any at all.”

Sherry explains. Is that why? I see. One volley of my magic attacks is covered by Rutina’s one magic attack.

This time, however, I didn’t consider it since I was fighting free from worldly thoughts. Fighting free from worldly thoughts won’t do. Must think when I fight.

That said, for Sherry to promptly give an explanation, did she not find it suspicious that I hadn’t noticed? Whether it takes two magic attacks or four, there’s a possibility that it has roughly been found out by now.

No, it hasn’t been. I’m being paranoid. I have to look more dignified. It most likely hasn’t been found out.

“Umu. Well, Rutina is growing after all, so it’s an expected outcome. On Floor 37, Please use one magic attack against the groups of monsters.”

I command Rutina in a dignified manner.\n“Okay. Thank you very much. I may be able to use it against all the monsters if it’s one magic attack.”

Rutina looks happy. She’s happy, isn’t she? Miria often finishes the battle with Petrifaction of all the monsters. However, if Rutina can use one magic attack against every group of monsters, it’ll come handy in some way.

Besides, it’s for everyone to see that the battle duration has shortened. Despite the difference being just one magic attack, the battle duration has shortened considerably. Even though we have moved one floor up, the battles take the same time to finish as the floor below.

For shooting sometimes and not shooting the other times being the case, I had to go with the worst case scenario; that is, I had to calculate the number of magic attacks assuming Rutina didn’t exist. If she can shoot it on every group of monsters, it’ll be a given in the battles. The Rutina now can safely be included in the battle strength of our party.

Within the limitation of Floor 37, that is to say. Although it unfortunately won’t work on the Beep Sheeps that aren’t weak to any attribute, the Spice Spiders can be taken out quickly. Taking them out quickly means putting off Miria’s targets. Then, since the Beep Sheeps that roll out troublesome Sleep attacks can be targeted earlier, isn’t it better as it is?

“Un-un. That’s our Rutina. You’re so strong already, huh? Alright. Let’s advance down the floor.” “Okay.” “Well then, Roxanne, please.” “Very well.”

Rutina is already a Wizard Lv38. Gradually, she has grown up in ability. There’s nothing miraculous about it. Disgarding Rutina who mutters ‘the road to the Lords’ Assembly is getting closer,’ I ask of Roxanne to guide us to the next one.

We continue hunting on Floor 37 for quite a while. With Miria petrifying the Beep Sheeps as the Spice Spiders have been put off, the monster hunting proceeds well. None of us has fallen asleep. The Zen Stick hasn’t debuted yet.

However, after taking on a large number of Beep Sheeps, I have noticed that the resistance of the Beep Sheeps to Abnormal Status doesn’t differ much from other monsters’. Being weak to Abnormal Status due to dealing Abnormal Status doesn’t seem to be the case. Regrettably. Oh well, shouldn’t I be glad that they’re not resistant to Abnormal Status?

I welcome the group of five monsters, which showed up, with a combo of two Thunderstorms. Two of the monsters fall to Paralysis. Before the monsters are able to recover from the confusion, the vanguard led by Roxanne rushes.

When the confused monsters take a counterattacking stance, I supplement the combo with two more. Rutina’s magic, too, spits fire. Well, not exactly ‘fire’ since it’s Water Storm. Like last time, two monsters fall (to Paralysis) this time, too.

Everyone latches on the only remaining Beep Sheep. Roxanne stands in front, not letting any attack pass. Vesta hammers both the swords in from the side. Even the ram of the lunging sheep, that was as intimidating as the giant Vesta, cannot connect with Roxanne.

Moreover, Miria attacks it from rear. Sherry pricks the spear from a slight distance. Rutina, too, cautiously nears and hits it with her stick. It can already called a beating. Even if it’s an enemy, I feel sorry for it.

The Beep Sheep gets petrified in no time. Amen. However, even though one monster has been petrified, the battle isn’t over. Paralysis may wear off.

To counter such a situation, Roxanne and Vesta both move in front of different monsters. There’s a distance between the group paralyzed by the first combo of two and the group paralyzed by the next. In the meantime, the monsters close in on us to attack. To Vesta, who stops in front of a paralyzed monster, Roxanne says nothing and runs further ahead. Vesta seems to be in charge of the group on this side while Roxanne of the group further in. Their coordination up to now has been impeccable.

Sherry passes through the two monsters on this side and stops. She will be watching this group from rear. The group on this side receives fierce attack from Sherry, Miria, Vesta and Rutina. What’s more, they’re paralyzed; unable to move. A perfect punching bag.

They hit them recklessly as if they’re a practice dummy. A One of them seems to have been petrified.

“It’s moving.”

‘With one monster seemingly petrified, the four of them are focusing their attacks on the other monster,’ I brood. This time, however, that monster’s Paralysis wears off and it starts moving.

“This one seems to be moving, too.”

The monsters on Roxanne’s end seem to have their Paralysis worn off, too. When I see, I find the now moving Beep Sheep lunging at Roxanne with a ram. A pointless effort..

However, the monster having probably realized that it’s futile switches to using Skill attack. An Orange Magic Formation appears under its feet.

…… …… …………Haa

My shoulder is tapped; I wake up I fell asleep, it seems. The Beep Sheep’s Skill is as troubling as I thought.

“The monsters?”

My first words are the words of confirmation.

“This, last, desu.”

Miria replies while slashing a Peep Sheep. (TN: The author must have made a typo. Should be Beep Sheep) Has she petrified the rest? No, since she has stopped attacking, has she literally annihilated them? While I was asleep.

“I see. Thank you, too, Rutina.”

To Rutina, who was standing right behind me with the Zen Stick, I express gratitude. It must be Rutina. The Zen Stick does wake you up.\nI was sent to sleep by a monster. By the time I wake up, the battle was over. ‘Did I make a mistake by not setting the order of waking me up?’ I’ll remain silent.\n