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

The purple monster that burst through the wall was as massive as the sacred relic of Testudo-sama seen at the temple. Its entire body shone with a slimy, glossy texture, and it resembled a soft-bodied creature, like a giant slug, with two antennae protruding from what seemed to be its head. What kind of creature is this... could it be a demon...?

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**● Grandoris**  

Species: Doris  

Level: 95  

HP: 256,800  

MP: 12,000  

Attack: 6,800  

Defense: 2,000  

Agility: 20  

Magic Resistance: 140  

Special Abilities: Status Ailment Immunity, Ability Decrease Immunity, Theft Cnidocyte  

Skills: Deadly Poison Liquid, Spray  

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Oh no, this is way too strong! Seriously, this is bad. It may not be a demon, but it’s an incredibly dangerous monster. Its appearance doesn't match how high its stats are. And with those "Deadly Poison Liquid" and "Spray" skills... oh, this could be really bad. If it sprays poison mist in this cave, there won’t be any way to escape. Noru and I might be fine, but Estel and Irina-san are here; we can't let that happen. Luckily, the Diabolos and Grandoris haven't moved yet, just standing there facing us without showing any signs of attacking.

"... They’re not attacking. What's going on?"  

"Maybe they're waiting to see what we'll do? It’s better not to make any sudden moves."  

"Ookura-dono, what should we do?"  

"... We run."

Trying not to provoke the Diabolos, I clenched an item from my pocket — a square box with a recessed red button in the middle. It's an escape device I got from the gacha. Whenever entering a cave or labyrinth, I've always kept it ready in case of emergencies. Even if Irina-san and the others weren't here, fighting six Diabolos here is way too risky. We also need to restore the shrine's function, which means we must defeat them all. To do that, we need to get outside first and call Runa and Freesia.

I immediately pressed the button on the escape device in my pocket... but nothing happened. I tried pressing it again, but there was no response, and no escape started. What's going on!? ... Could it be that this thing won't activate if monsters are nearby...? Crap, we can't escape this way. But fighting here isn't an option either, and if we try to run, they’ll definitely attack. … There's no choice.

"Noru, take this and get Irina-san out of here."  

"This is… an escape device, isn’t it? Then we can use it right now… Oh, it doesn’t work."  

"Yeah, it might work if you get further away from them. I'll buy you some time, so Sisya and Estel, go with them."

I handed the escape device to Noru. The plan was to have her get Irina-san and the others out first. However, Noru, not satisfied with this, began to protest.

"No, that’s not right! If someone has to stay, it should be me!"  

"No way. You’re the best choice to protect Irina-san and the others. I’m the better decoy."  

With my high defense and status ailment resistance, I should be able to handle being the decoy. … Even if it hurts like hell. As long as I’m careful about Grandoris' attacks, I can withstand Diabolos' strikes. Also, Noru protecting Irina-san and the others is a better plan than me leading them.

"Then I’ll stay too. I’m worried about leaving it all to you, Onii-san."  

"No, I’ll stay with you. I’m just as tough as Ookura-san."  

"You guys… please, just go with Noru and get out."

Seriously, it’s nice they want to stay with me, but that defeats the purpose. If I’m alone, I can use the map app to see when Noru and the others use the escape device and time my own escape better. Also, Diabolos' attacks would be too dangerous for Sisya and the others. I’d rather be the only one getting beaten up.

"So, Irina-san and the others, please escape with them."  

"But… what about you…?"  

"I’ll be fine. I have a way out too. I’ll join you right after you’re gone."

"… Understood. I’ll follow your lead. Ookura-san, may Testudo-sama's blessings be upon you."

Irina-san and the others, who had been listening from behind, might not understand what the escape device is, but they knew we were trying to flee. They seemed hesitant about me staying behind, but considering the circumstances, they accepted it. Irina-san clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and prayed for me. I didn't plan on dying here, but with a beautiful priestess like her praying for me, I feel motivated!

"I’ll create an opening, so use that chance to get away from here, Noru."  

"… Will you really be okay? Couldn't we all just fight together…?"  

"Fighting here is impossible. I'll explain more after you escape. Please, just go."

I really don't want to play decoy, either… if I could use the escape device, I'd get out of here immediately. But since I can't, there’s no choice. If taking a risk means everyone gets out safely, then it’s worth it.

"… Alright. But make sure you escape safely too, Ookura-dono!"  

"Got it. Don’t worry, I'll catch up later. After this, we’ll all have a nice meal together."  

"Onii-san… don't even think about fighting the Diabolos. Just focus on escaping."  

"Trying to look cool doesn’t suit you. It’s okay to cry and scream like a baby, just make sure you get out safely."  

"Y-yeah."

I can't say something like, "What if I defeat them?" even as a joke. I doubt I could take down even one Diabolos alone; they’d probably slaughter me instead. Sisya's right—I might end up crying and screaming, but I'll do my best to get Noru and the others out and escape myself.

I moved Irina-san and the others toward the exit to prepare for the escape and timed it with Noru and the others. The Diabolos were still just watching us from a distance, not attacking. Grandoris also stayed put, near the Diabolos. Is it being controlled by the Diabolos...? No, that doesn’t matter now. I need to draw their attention and create an opening.

As I stepped forward alone, the Diabolos readied their tridents. I moved away from Noru and the others and subtly dropped something from behind my back — a flash bomb from the gacha.

――――――  

● **Flash Bomb**  

When the switch is activated, it emits a flash after a certain time. Be careful not to look directly at it when using it.  

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I pressed the button and held it as long as possible, waiting for the Diabolos to focus on me before setting it off.

"Now!"

The sound of footsteps running came from behind me just as the flash bomb detonated at my feet. I barely avoided looking at it, but the bright flash still painted the entire area white. Even an R-ranked item could cause blindness if seen directly...

Some of the Diabolos, caught off guard, screamed in pain, but one managed to avoid it and leapt into the air, preparing to throw its spear at me.

"Not a chance!"

It aimed for Noru and the others as they fled, but I dove into the path and deflected the spear with my pot lid. With Noru and the others safely out of the chamber, I shot out Centibar, stretching it across the entrance to seal it off. It’s a bit thin from being stretched out, but it should prevent immediate pursuit. Thanks to the training after Sisya broke it, my Centibar is much stronger now.

Relieved that I got Noru and the others out, I turned to see the Diabolos recovering from the flash. All six were airborne, and one was already preparing to throw its trident at me. At its signal, all the Diabolos hurled their spears at once. Tridents flew from every direction, leaving me with no way to dodge them all gracefully—

"Eep! Aaaaahhh!"

I awkwardly flung myself to the side, rolling and tumbling. Dodging them all? Not a chance! I could barely even follow them with my eyes! I managed to deflect or evade some of the spears using the power of Excalibar, but there were just too many. Trying to focus on them made me miss the purple liquid Grandoris suddenly spat out. Its speed wasn't that high, so I dodged it, but I saw the rock it hit dissolve away. Great… not only is it poisonous, but it can melt rock… 

Even with my status resistance, getting hit by that seems like a bad idea. While I focused on Grandoris, more spears hit me all over. The Adamant Armor protected me from being pierced directly, but I couldn't block the impact, and I was bounced around like a pinball. No point in even trying to counterattack; I just focused on dodging attacks and escaping with my tail between my legs. 

Some Diabolos tried to chase after Noru, but I ignored the other attacks, activated the Dimensional Bracelet, and launched my right arm

 forward, striking with Excalibar. But because of that—

"Augh—guh!?"  

A spear struck my side, sending me flying into Grandoris, who body-slammed me back the other way. Ow... this is tough... I feel like I'm going to die. Why did I volunteer to be the decoy... No, don’t give up! Noru and the others trusted me with this! I’ve got to finish this job as the decoy! I can’t let Irina-san think I’m pathetic after she prayed for me!

After a while, I kept enduring the beatdown, but finally, the moment I was waiting for arrived. The blue dot representing Noru and the others disappeared from the map on my monitor glasses. At that moment, I activated the traps I had prepared. Explosions erupted around me, filling the area with smoke of various colors. 

I had been throwing smoke bombs, tear gas, magic dynamite, and explosive tickets while getting knocked around! Take that—this Heiha doesn’t get beaten for free!

Taking advantage of the brief confusion, I sprinted toward the exit. I punctured a hole in the Centibar barrier I had put up, dove through it, and quickly sealed it again. Then, I ran for my life, sprinting with all my might. I heard banging noises as something slammed against the Centibar, but I didn’t look back. I put up another Centibar to block the way as I ran. As long as I keep it still, I can manage two at once! I kept hammering the button on the escape device while watching the red dots on the map. Just as I felt a chill from hearing the first Centibar shatter, my vision was enveloped in light.