Chapter 42 - Super Giant Groot (1)
"Woof, woof!"
"I see. Well done. This should keep the surroundings safe for a while."
Something I wasn't privy to had apparently gone down and wrapped up inside the bunker. Sora had brilliantly tamed Hero and Hoguil.
I was checking the experiment-related posts with that scene as my backdrop.
Elf support staff have arrived and experiments have begun. (Meme of two elves inspecting fertilizer contents)
One 'VineSilva' specimen captured from inside the forest for fertilizer testing. (Meme of tree monster bound with ropes)
Upon application, it rapidly absorbed the fertilizer, and wounds from capture healed quickly. (Meme of tree monster sparkling)
After full healing, confirmed rapid growth. (Meme of knights recoiling in shock from rapidly growing monster)
All fire mages on standby for emergency. (Meme of mages sweating coldly with staves aimed)
After substantial absorption and growth, confirmed it stopped absorbing further. Will observe briefly then incinerate. Next experiment update to follow.
End of report.
The Empire workers were still chatting via comments despite having the chatroom feature. And atop it all, that creepy-looking something in the meme.
"Eww, what tree looks like tentacles?"
The tree monster had a writhing, dynamic shape. Before full experiments kicked off, they'd captured one specimen and poked around. For now, no major dangers seemed apparent, which was a relief. Plus, it stopped growing after a point, so no mega-giant monster worries.
...These things always jinxed themselves into reality.
I checked the flamethrower and fuel in my cart, confirming my own prep.
"Hope I don't need to use it."
Spreading shop weapons into this world? That'd unleash consequences I couldn't handle, so I wanted to avoid it at all costs. Unless lives were on the line—then I'd flood 'em and think later.
"Worrying about Dragon Lords reality-banning me while playing Death Merchant? Straight-up house call material."
Moderator Rain, you seem overly conservative about weapons. Judging by your usual gear, it's excellent but falls far short of a knight's or mage's firepower.
Yeah, probably. But firepower wasn't the issue.
"Haha, it's not about firepower. The worry is a kid could go on a massacre with it. And my weapon's super basic. Stronger stuff overflows the shop."
Stronger weapons? Most intriguing.
"Just hope it never comes to that. I hate stuff that goes boom."
Sora stopped her purring with a gororong at my sincerity. She seemed genuinely disappointed. If the day came, I'd make sure she got to experience it.
For now, the experiments were progressing smoothly—a relief. With hordes of soldiers, knights, and even mages. I'd never seen mages in action during the last war, but this time it looked promising.
Can't wait for magic. What kinds? Would the spells be visible in flight? I let my imagination run wild as time passed.
Moderator Rain, a new experiment post is up. Shall I open it?
"Oh! Yes, please, Sora."
Yes, understood.
Sora promptly opened the post. Guess my distraction was obvious. I refocused and shifted my gaze to track the experiment.
Monitoring forest interior post-aerial fertilizer dispersal to check magic beast reactions. (Meme of fertilizer bombs exploding in mid-air)
All plant-type magic beasts underwent rapid growth and exited the forest. (Meme of tree monsters charging out en masse)
Formed front line and incinerated with fire magic. (Meme of tree monsters blazing)
Defense going smoothly until anomaly from forest depths. (Meme of half-eaten tree monsters fleeing)
Unable to hold line due to sudden enemy reinforcements; successfully retreated to safe zone while maintaining front as best as possible. Simultaneously, 'RigleSilva' specimen emerged from forest interior. (Meme of enormous tree monster)
Bark harder than steel, mana attacks dispersed. (Meme of snapped rapier and ineffective magic)
Fire doesn't catch well. Suspected unique specimen differing from others. All fertilizer being transported to rear. Support needed.
Just as I feared. A massive Groot appeared. A tentacle-wriggling one at that. I hadn't hoped for it, but I'd half-expected it. Too many flags laid.
If not here, it'd blow up later for sure. The constantly updating Empire notice thread screamed trouble just from titles. Hero arrival in about an hour. Post up for 20 minutes, so 40 left. Could the Empire army hold?
I clicked the latest notice to gauge.
'RigleSilva' continuing growth by devouring nearby 'VineSilvas' and now advancing in earnest toward VineSilva swarm's location. (Meme of large tree monster extending legs)
Current speed matches a running human. But swords and magic ineffective.
Piercing fire magic effective but too mana-intensive for sustained use. (Meme of broken swords on knights and dazed mages)
Elf arrows deal damage but too small to stop it. (Meme of dejected elf)
Cannot hold line. Need high-explosive or piercing means. Urgent support requested.
Despairing soldiers, hollow-eyed mages. The Empire folk's devastation upon seeing it. Faces watching hope vanish before them—indescribable.
Send weapons? Flamethrower useless, but buy others and ship. High explosive with piercing? Something popped right up.
But unleashing my old world's weapons here? No conviction it was okay. Lives hanging by thread, scales already tipped—but for the final weight, I asked Sora.
"Sora, sending weapons is the right call, right?"
Of course, Moderator Rain. I'd be disappointed if you didn't provide them.
Didn't like my hesitation? Her rare firm tone shoved my back decisively. Advice accounting for a moderator's caution. Sora truly was the best assistant.