Using Gacha to Increase My Companions and to Create the Strongest Girls' Army Corps

After finishing organizing the equipment, Noru and I went to the Adventurer's Guild in Queres to report about yesterday.

We told the usual receptionist about the presence of Grandis in the bamboo grove.

"So it was indeed Grandis... To think you took it down with just your party. Are you actually A-rank, Ookura-san?"

"N-no, we're B-rank! B-by the way, do you know which monster drops this? It attacked us alongside Grandis. It was about the size of a goblin, had a similar vicious face, and flew with black wings."

I handed over the proof of Grandis's defeat and showed her the black horn and trident that Diabolos had dropped. I described its appearance, but the receptionist tilted her head while examining the items.

"A flying black monster similar to a goblin... I don't recognize it. And I've never received reports of monsters dropping such items. Let me investigate. Please wait a moment."

With that, the receptionist took the items dropped by Diabolos and disappeared into the back. I wondered if the guild had any information on that monster. It didn't seem like an ordinary monster... Where did it come from?

"If they can't identify it immediately, it might be a monster not found in this area."

"It was quite a formidable foe, wasn't it? Like Grandis, it might be a rare encounter."

Thanks to Noru and the others, we defeated it easily, but facing both Grandis and Diabolos at the same time was more dangerous than the large kobold battle. Especially Diabolos, who seemed weak because we overpowered it, but its stats were close to a dungeon boss's strength.

It couldn't be a common monster found outside, so it must have been something special.

While I was talking with Noru about various things, the receptionist returned.

"We checked past reports of similar monsters and items they dropped... but there's no record in the guild's documents. Therefore, we can't provide a reward for defeating this monster. We need to analyze the horn and determine the reward, so may we keep it for a while?"

"Yes, that's fine."

So, no information after all.

And if there's no precedent, they can't immediately provide a reward? I forgot to ask about the Behemoth I reported at the Capital's guild. I need to inquire next time.

But if analysis will reveal its value, there must be some tool to determine the monster's nature. There are shops that can appraise the quality of weapons and armor, and there must be people who can judge materials from monsters.

Maybe I should also ask about the black magic stone that Diabolos had.

"Excuse me, but this was also with the monster. Can the guild identify it?"

"Is that... a magic stone? The Adventurer's Guild doesn't specialize in analyzing magic stones. For detailed analysis, you might want to consult a laboratory in town."

"I see..."

It seems the guild has no expertise in magic stones.

Even if I want to consult a laboratory, I don't know where to take it... Should I ask Christian?

As I was pondering, the receptionist continued.

"If it's not inconvenient, the guild can take care of that magic stone and request an analysis from a laboratory. Since it's related to monsters, the guild will assist as much as possible."

"Really? Then please do!"

Oh, the guild will handle it. That's helpful.

They'll choose a suitable lab for the magic stone, so I'll leave it to them.

This magic stone seems related to the recent Trent outbreak, so it should be analyzed. Estel couldn't figure it out because it was shattered into 17 pieces, but a specialized lab might find something.

●

We left the black magic stone shards with the guild, received the reward of 6 million G for defeating Grandis and the investigation request, and left the Adventurer's Guild.

To keep track of any further sightings of Trents, I plan to visit the guild daily for a while. Additionally, I'll investigate the surrounding areas for any anomalies... especially dungeons.

"No luck, huh."

"No information even at the Adventurer's Guild. Could it be a monster like the Behemoth from the dungeon?"

"Who knows. Thanks to seeing its stats, we got some info, but it was still confusing."

"Now that you mention it, you didn't explain in detail. What were its stats like?"

I hadn't explained the stats of Grandis and Diabolos.

Grandis had the word "Temporary" next to its name. Its level was lower than the initial one, and all its stats were reduced. Diabolos had a "State" section that showed "Servant."

I explained these to Noru, who clasped her hands and pondered.

"Hmm, it is indeed mysterious. The temporary label on Grandis and the servant status of Diabolos."

"The servant part of Diabolos is easier to understand. But there's another problem with that."

Being a servant probably means it was under someone's control.

So, there might be someone behind this incident, controlling Diabolos and causing the trouble.

Based on the information so far, here's my simple guess:

Diabolos was given that magic stone, and with some spell embedded in it, Grandis was generated.

Grandis's emergence caused an abnormal spread of Trents, scattering them everywhere.

The second Grandis we fought was in its early growth stage, hence its lower level and stats.

If we had been a bit later, Grandis might have fully grown, and Diabolos would have left to repeat the same elsewhere.

If Diabolos is indeed the cause, the Trent incidents should end unless another one appears.

I shared this thought with Noru.

"A true culprit who can control such monsters and intentionally generate a grand-scale monster... Could such a person exist?"

"I don't want to think so, but it's possible. A magic stone affecting monsters isn't something you'd find just anywhere, and I doubt Diabolos could make it itself."

Diabolos's skills didn't suggest it could generate monsters.

Hiding inside Grandis must have meant it was up to something, and the only thing that comes to mind is that magic stone.

I can't imagine such a stone lying around, so someone must have created it.

The Kobold Lord had a skill for summoning servants, so maybe Diabolos was summoned similarly.

If someone can summon such a strong monster, I can't fathom how powerful they must be...

"Well, it's just speculation for now. But we should stay alert in case something else happens."

"Agreed. We should always be prepared for anything!"

It's all just my guesswork.

We won't know the truth until the magic stone's nature is revealed.

The lab might not even figure it out, so I can't rely on that.

We're thinking a lot about this, but it doesn't mean we must solve the problem.

But if we can help, we'll cooperate as much as possible.

If something dangerous is out there, it might disrupt our hunts. We need to eliminate any threats early.

And if we solve it, we might get another gacha reward... heh.

●

"Welcome back, onii-chan, Noru."

"Hey, we're back."

"We're back! Even Mofuto came to greet us!"

When we returned home after the report, Estel greeted us with a smile.

Mofuto also greeted Noru with a "puu puu" sound and was immediately picked up by her.

"So, how did it go regarding yesterday?"

"Nothing to report. But we left the magic stone shards for analysis at a lab through the guild."

"I see... I wish I could have analyzed it myself... I'm sorry."

Estel looked a bit down, her hand on her cheek.

She seemed to feel responsible for not being able to identify the magic stone.

She was confident in her magic skills, so failing to analyze it must have been a shock.

"Estel, you can't do everything. Don't worry about it. If we can ask specialists, we should."

"Indeed. Leave what others can do to them."

"Ufufu, you're right."

When I told Estel not to worry, Runa and Sisya joined the conversation.

Runa was sitting on Sisya's lap, eating the fruit we recently gathered, fed to her by Sisya.

Sisya had a blissful expression while feeding Runa.

"Runa, you should do more yourself. Sisya, aren't you spoiling her too much lately?"

"What are you saying! It's not nearly enough!"

"That's right, don't say unnecessary things."

"Sisya and Runa are very close, aren't they?"

Since they became friends, Sisya's pampering of Runa had escalated.

She even helped her change clothes, fed her meals, and bathed together.

It's great they're close, but I'm worried Runa might become completely dependent...

"Hehe, you're right. I'm a bit frustrated that I couldn't understand it, but it can't be helped."

"That's the spirit."

"But in return, I'll let onii-chan comfort me. Here I go!"

"Wait, whoa!?"

Estel, who had been quietly listening, suddenly smiled and hugged me.

Hey, why is it leading to this! I don't mind comforting you, but why the hugging?

"Estel is also clingy with Ookura-dono."

"Hehe, I missed my chance this morning, so I'll indulge now."

"Again with the bed, huh!"

"Ah, in bed, huh."

"Hmm, in bed."

I hadn't told them about Estel climbing into my bed this morning.

When she mentioned it, Noru was surprised, Sisya smirked at me, and Runa looked at me with interest.

Even though I was the one she climbed into bed with, why am I being looked at like this!

"I didn't do anything improper! I fell out of bed immediately!"

"That's a bit much just for cuddling."

"Falling out over cuddling... Are you like...

 Oh, I see."

"What are you agreeing with? Why are you turning away!"

"...Nothing."

Runa started to say something, then nodded to herself.

When I called out to her, she turned away.

Hey, what was this girl about to say? Even I would be hurt if she said that...

Despite being teased, we continued chatting cheerfully.

Despite the gloom from the gacha failure, talking with Noru and the others lifted my spirits.

------------------------

Author Notes: 

   I have posted information about the second volume in the activity report, so if you are interested, please take a look.

   This time, it includes the character designs of each character. I would appreciate it if you could take a look.

------------------------