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

Three days after we were tasked with the investigation.  

We finally arrived at one of the locations where Diabolos was sighted.

"So, this is one of the sighting spots?"

"What could it have been doing in a place like this?"

Today, we have come to a coastline a bit away from Sevarya.  

Monsters are roaming around the sandy beach, and there is a cave with a horizontal opening in the cliff nearby.  

I wonder if the monsters are coming out of that cave.  

It took us three days by magic carpet, so it would probably take five or six days one way if we came by horse.  

Even though this is one of the closer spots compared to the other reported sightings, it would be exhausting just to visit all of them.  

We quickly set up a beacon and contacted Sisya and the others, who were on standby at home, to come to the site.

"Hehe, it's been a while since we've had a new hunting ground! I'm pumped today!"

Sisya cracked her knuckles and gave a big smile, clearly ready to fight.

"Our main goal is the investigation. Focus on exploring rather than defeating monsters."

"Oh, come on! We're at a new hunting ground, so let's at least hunt for some rare species. And while you say 'investigation,' Ookura-san, aren't you also scouting for new spots to hunt magic stones?"

"You know me well! That's exactly right!"

"What?! Is that really what you were thinking?"

"Brother, you really are sneaky in these situations."

Noru gasped, and Estel touched her cheek, giving me a troubled look.  

Since we're already investigating the hunting grounds around Sevarya, it's only natural to look for new places to gather magic stones.

"Let's stop messing around and start the investigation. I want to finish this quickly and go home."

"Oh, sorry, sorry."

Runa, who had been silently listening to our conversation, finally spoke up.  

For the investigation, it would have been enough to bring just me, Noru, Estel, and Sisya, but the main goal is to find Diabolos.  

Last time, we managed to defeat it without much damage, but it was still strong.  

So, just in case, we also brought Runa and Freesia.

The association had issued a warning about the places where Diabolos was sighted, so the number of other adventurers coming here has significantly decreased.  

Thanks to that, we could bring these two along without worries.  

Though, just to be safe, I also kept an eye on our surroundings using the map app.

"But even if we’re investigating, what exactly are we supposed to do? Should we just find that monster and defeat it?"

"Wouldn't it be better to find out what it was doing here first? And if we do find Diabolos, with Freesia here now, we should try to capture it if possible."

True, what would it be doing on the coast?  

As Estel said, Freesia, being an archer, should be a specialist in aerial combat.  

Even if we have to fight it, it should be easier than last time, and if possible, capturing it could be an option.  

We might not be able to get any information out of it, but we could learn something.  

And what is Freesia, who we’re counting on, doing… She's staring silently toward the beach.

"Freesia, what are you looking at?"

"Hehe, I’m looking at that monster over there. It’s so funny; it just keeps walking sideways!"

"Oh, right, it’s a crab."

On the beach in front of us, there were several crabs that looked bigger than humans.  

They were covered in bright red shells, with long, thin legs and a massive claw only on the right side.  

They looked similar to king crabs.  

The monsters here must be… Cancer, I think?  

What an impressive crab!

"Judging by its appearance, it looks as tough as the scorpions in the northern cave."

"Bens-san also said they’re tough. Let’s check their stats first."

According to the branch manager, Cancer is strong against physical attacks.  

So, like with the scorpions, we might have to rely on Estel again…

――――――  

● Species: Cancer  

Level: 50  

HP: 2500  

MP: 0  

Attack Power: 500  

Defense: 2000  

Agility: 50  

Magic Resistance: 0  

Unique Ability: None  

Skill: Mighty Blow  

――――――

"We could defeat these with regular attacks, not just Estel's magic."

"Oh, too bad. I was hoping for a chance to shine."

The level isn’t very high, and the defense is only around 2000.  

We could easily pierce through with our physical attacks.  

Even Freesia's arrows should penetrate easily.  

Estel says there’s no opportunity for her, but since she’s been working hard in the northern caves, it’s good for her to take it easy here.

"So, where exactly was Diabolos sighted?"

"Let’s see, according to the memo, it was somewhere near this beach. It was spotted by an adventurer while they were gathering rare seaweed. They didn’t know where it came from, but it flew off toward the sea."

"That report doesn't clarify if it was outside or inside the cave."

"We’ll have to check both. What a hassle."

At a glance, there doesn’t seem to be anything suspicious on this beach.  

There are no abnormal monsters or strange objects.  

It’s possible it was further away from the coast, but… the cave looks suspicious.  

Either way, we should check around outside first.  

If we don’t find anything, we’ll have to go into the cave.

"Hehe, if we defeat those crabs, do you think they’ll drop shells like the scorpions? I wonder if they’re full of meat. I’d be happy if they stayed intact after we defeat them…"

"You’re planning to eat that monster too…?"

"Haha… But yeah, if a crab that big stayed intact, we could eat a lot of it."

This silly knight is thinking about food again… Though, I did briefly wonder if it might remain intact.  

Eating monsters still feels odd to me, but considering we’ve already eaten plenty of Orc meat and mushrooms dropped by monsters, it’s too late to complain.  

If the crabs are that big, how many people could they feed…? It’d be an all-you-can-eat crab feast.  

With everything set, we started exploring the coastline while defeating the monsters.

"They only move sideways, so they’re easy to hit. Even though they’re covered in shells, they’re fragile."

"Indeed, I can easily pierce them with my spear."

"Looks like Runa and Freesia alone are enough."

"Right. Having ranged attackers really helps."

Without even needing to get close, Runa’s spear throws and Freesia’s arrows are taking down the Cancers.  

Their attacks hit, and the crabs are nearly blown in half, turning into particles of light.  

Runa may be a recluse, and Freesia may be a wild card, but when they join us for exploration like this, it’s reassuring.  

Our party balance seems to be getting much better.

"Estel, you can do similar things, can't you? Ah, I wish I had a ranged weapon too."

"How far do you plan to specialize in combat, Sisya…?"

"As far as I can, of course!"

With a smug look and a thumbs-up, Sisya declared her intent, leaving Noru speechless and exasperated.  

She’s already like a berserker, but now she wants to add ranged attacks…  

And on top of that, she’s a competent priest; what a troublesome combination.

After that, we continued our exploration, fighting Cancers along the way.

"Take this!"

Timing my attack just as a Cancer raised its massive claw, I quickly moved in and stabbed its body with Excalibar.  

That one blow didn’t just take out half; it blew away nearly 80% of its body, and the Cancer disintegrated into particles of light.

"Phew… these guys’ movements are simple, and their attacks are easy to predict."

I wouldn’t take any damage even if I took a hit from them now, but letting my guard down could lead to getting caught off guard again.  

So I’ve been consciously practicing dodging lately, partly as training.

"To time your counterattacks so well against a new type of monster, you’ve really come a long way, big brother."

"I’ve been hunting enough to get the hang of it. Though… compared to them, I’m still not quite there."

I glanced over at the priest who was racing down the beach, holding a long, glowing stick.  

When a Cancer noticed Sisya and raised its claw, she closed the distance in an instant, severed the claw at the base with a Magic Blade, then sliced off several legs, finishing by smashing its body with her staff, turning it into particles of light.  

After defeating the Cancer, Sisya returned with a slightly dissatisfied frown.

"These monsters are less challenging than goblins. Are those big claws just for show?"

"You cut them off right at the start and then say that…"

"Sisya is the same as always."

Even though they’re monsters, it feels a bit sad to hear her say that after disarming them…  

While I was feeling exasperated, Noru shouted from a distance, rushing back.

"Ookura-dono! The meat, the meat is filled with it!"

"Huh? Seriously… What is it?"

"It’s the legs!"

Noru held out a long, red object

.  

It was a straight crab leg covered in joints and shell.  

It was almost a meter long.  

It might be edible, but just the legs look kind of strange.  

Then Runa and the others returned, carrying something else.

"Heiha, we found a claw too. There’s meat in this one as well."

"The body shell also dropped! It’s huge!"

"Hehe, Ookura-dono! We should definitely place a beacon in this hunting ground!"

So, the claws drop too… I wonder what they taste like.  

After calming down the excited Noru, we continued our exploration of the coastline.