Resolution

I manage to hurl the Great Ant's head that I was carrying above me and push back the charging ant's rear with both hands. Then, from the torn tip of its abdomen, a curved, sharp stinger emerges.

And from that severed tip, a thick, yellowish liquid splatters violently.

(Tch, this burning pain… poison!?)

"These things are venomous! Watch out— Guh…!"

I try to warn the other two, but the intense pain and the poison make my body stagger. Unable to endure it, I drop to my knees right in front of the enemy.

"Egetsu-san!?"

"C-Coach!!"

Now that I think about it, ants and wasps are closely related.

Ants evolved from wasps, adapting to underground life. That’s why some species still retain their stingers—a fact I’d completely forgotten.

(Damn it… the dizziness is getting worse. And I can’t focus… my magic—)

[CRASH! CLATTERCLATTER…!]

A strange noise erupts nearby. Then, the supplies that should’ve been stored in my spatial inventory are now piled up at the edge of my vision.

(No way… Have I lost control over my magic to the point where I can’t even maintain my inventory!?)

But before I can process it, the nausea and vertigo intensify. And as if that weren’t enough, another Great Ant slams into me, pinning me down under its weight.

(Damn it…! If these were termites, the authority of the Bug King might’ve worked…)

I struggle to push back the sharp mandibles snapping at me, but my arms are losing strength. Right before my eyes, those crude, mechanical jaws—capable of grinding scrap to dust—inch closer, gnashing with an eerie clatter as they try to swallow me whole.

I… I can accept death.

I’ve made my peace. Meeting the dungeon freed me from my thankless, miserable life. Even if it was only for a short time, I got to live as I pleased…

But what about them?

Serai-san and Nina-san still have so much ahead of them. They’re young, beautiful, and deserve to enjoy their lives to the fullest. I can’t let my failure drag them down with me.

(That’s right—no matter what happens to me, they must survive!!)

"RROOOOAAAGHHH—!!!"

With a furious roar, I muster every ounce of strength to push back the Great Ant’s mandibles.

I can’t die here. But mercilessly, my arms refuse to obey, and finally, the ant’s jaws descend upon me.

But then—

[SWISH! (Squelch…!)]

A strange shift in the air—and suddenly, the crushing weight vanishes. The Great Ant’s mandibles, moments ago clamped onto my head, now tremble spastically, devoid of strength.

[GA-GA-GA…!]

Confused, I look up—and there she is. The Pixie Queen, appearing out of nowhere, her outstretched hand wreathed in a swirling vortex of magic-infused vacuum.

(Q-Queen…! Did you just behead this ant for me…?)

"…… (Hmph)"

The headless Great Ant thrashes wildly, its body convulsing like a breakdancer gone berserk. Its flailing disrupts the others, throwing them into chaos.

I see. She came to my rescue—the Pixie Queen stepped in.

(Then I’m counting on you, Queen! Hold off these ants with the other pixies! I’ll use that opening to take down the boss!!)

Pulling out the pixies’ cards from my pocket, I focus on summoning them. Though my magic is failing, the Queen channels her own energy in my stead.

"…… (Hmph)"

"""Pipi-piiii—!!"""

The summoned pixies immediately understand, unleashing a barrage of dense magical fire at the Great Ants.

"Egetsu-san! Egetsu-san!!"

"C-Coach! Are you okay!?"

Ah… Even as they fight, their voices are hoarse from shouting my name in worry.

(That’s right—for their sake, too!)

"I’m going for the boss! Just hold out a little longer!"

Gritting my teeth, I crawl toward the pile of supplies. Grabbing two 20-liter jerry cans full of gasoline, I pop open my mask and clamp a smoke grenade between my teeth.

figcaptionattachment__caption""Yeah. With my strength and magic sapped by the poison, this is the only way left for me to fight.

(And as for transportation… I’ll use him!)

"Masaru! Carry me on your back and leap straight to the boss!!"

Masaru, startled by the sudden appearance of the pixies bombarding the enemy, obeys. Clinging to his back, I point him toward the boss and command him to jump.

That’s right, Masaru. You and I are settling this score—together!!