Metro Labyrinth - CH 38

A/N: 12/27 – Corrections are made along with the publication [A Squirrel’s Explanation on Fungal Class and Fungal Skills and The List of Fungal Skills of Each Profession].

8/22 – Noa’s Fungal Skill’s name was changed from [Binding String] to [White String].

Fifteenth Fungal Skill, spore light. changed to [Light Blade].

Strictly speaking, it is a Dust Skill, but it is an extremely rare skill that can only be acquired by [Holy Knight], a high-rank Fungal Class. Noa’s gaze was painful.

“It can be used on a shield or a hammer, but it’s still [Light Blade].” (Shuu)

“It’s a combat-specific skill, but it’s very quality heroic looking. It’s awesome and all hunters, not just [Holy Knights], yearn for it.” (Noa)

Well, who in Japan wouldn’t be excited by a beam saber?

Noa wanted to see it up close, so I made my hypha sword now known as [Katana] glow and cut down a reasonably thick tree to test it out. As an added bonus, I also split a [Round Shield] that I threw into the air into pieces. Noa is stunned with her mouth gaping open.

“I’m sorry, but can you apologize to all the hunters?” (Noa)

“I’m sorry. It’s not my fault, but I’m really sorry.” (Shuu)

My sixteenth Fungal Skill, hypha arms. Now called [Ashura].

Just like what I heard briefly earlier, this is also a super rare skill. If [Light Blade] is the secret of [Holy Knight], this is the secret of [Beast Warrior].

Noa asked me to try it out, so I tried it out in a rock-paper-scissors match. Unfortunately, I kept winning. “You’re horrible!” she says. She scolded me by slapping my hypha arm.

“Yes, my bad. Let’s go with the next.” (Noa)

“Don’t worry. The next one is the last.” (Shuu)

The seventeenth Fungal Skill, [Iron Fist] remained the same.

The last one wins the prize word for word. It is a Hard Hypha like [Katana], but instead of white, it has a shiny silver color. According to the Fungal Skill Encyclopedia, it is related to the “density of the mycelium” (by the way, Tamiko’s Hardened Front Teeth have the same color). (Incidentally, Tamiko’s sclerotium has the same color.) Although not as rare as the previous two, it is said to be the hardest of the Hard Hypha.

This completes the verification of all the Fungal Skills. I checked the names in Noa’s notebook.

[Immortality], [Katana], [Fireball], [Round Shield].

[Holy Healing], [War Hammer], [Thunderball], [Great Shield].

[Leaping], [Sensory Spores], [Detoxification], [Smoke Ball].

[Beast Repellent Spores], [White Bullet], [Light Blade], [Ashura], [Iron Fist].

It’s not a comic book, so I don’t scream when I use them, but it’s refreshing to know the names. I’ll try it once. …I’ll definitely get embarrassed, so I’m stopping right now.

“The [Itokuri-shi] is a well-known Fungal Class, but this parade of popular and rare Skills. …I feel so miserable…” (Noa)

“You’re so sly squeak.” (Tamiko)

“Well, I’m sorry. Please direct your complaints to the god of the metro.” (Shuu)

“How sly to blame others, squeak. Change squeak.” (Tamiko)

“I’ll rub you until you wet yourself.” (Shuu)

It took me almost two hours to get to this point. It was past noon, and I was starving from all the Fungal Skills I used.

“Noa, is there time to name mine too, squeak?” (Tamiko)

“I’m sorry, sister, it seems that the Fungal Skills of the Carbuncle Tribe is not listed in this encyclopedia…” (Noa)

Tamiko looks disappointed. A depressed squirrel.

“But we might be able to find out if we go to the tribe near Nakano or some other place that is closely related to the Carbuncle tribe.” (Noa)

“We have another reason to go to Nakano.” (Shuu)

“Squeak!” (Tamiko)

By the way, Tamiko has six Fungal Skills.

Enhanced Hearing. Hypha Shell. Risk Counter.

Hardened Front Teeth. Camouflage. Squirrel Avatar.

The sixth is an ability she learned after eating the Boss Slime’s sporangium. It can produce a pure white mycelial squirrel. Although the principle is unknown, it is said to be remotely controllable by Tamiko’s own will (although she is still practicing how). Incidentally, Tamiko can only control one at a time.

“Applying human classifications… The first is the [Hearing] of the Physical Manipulation type. The second is similar to [White Armor] or [Thorn Armor] a type of Hard Hypha, I guess? The third one… I’m sorry, I don’t have anything to base it on. I mean, it’s a cheat like Shuu-san’s Fungal Skill. Being able to measure the strength of the target is similar to a living Test Sheet.” (Noa)

“A rough guess.” (Shuu)

“Rough, squeak.” (Tamiko)

To roughly estimate the strength of the opponent with just a glance. It gives a massive advantage that greatly affects the survival rate in this world where the strength of the enemy is unknown. The benefits that I received myself are immeasurable. I doubt I can repay her with regular rubs and petting.

“Perhaps it is a skill unique to the Carbuncle tribe. Or It may be a rare ability among the tribe.” (Noa)

“I am really a high-class lady, squeak.” (Tamiko)

Tamiko grabbed her tail and squeezed herself. I feel like she’s chubbier than before. I should pinch her fats later.

“I think the hardened front teeth are based on the same principle as the [Iron Fist]. They have the same colors. The camouflage is similar to [Hiding]… But that’s one that erases presence, so it may be a little different. I think the last squirrel avatar is the same as the [Avatar] of the Soft Hypha system. This is also a pretty rare skill.” (Noa)

“Not all of them, but it’s good to know the names of some of them.” (Shuu)

“Explain more later, squeak.” (Tamiko)

“You can’t remember it?” (Shuu)

Noa wrote them down in her notebook so she could review them later. We are going to review it later because we might need it for our interview with the Hunter’s Guild.

“Well, Noa has three Fungal Skills? If you can, can you show it to me again?” (Shuu)

“Yes, but compared to Sly Shuu-sama, my ability is at the bottom of the trash level, so are you still willing to take a look?” (Noa)

“It’s okay, let’s eat Noa’s favorite meal for lunch.” (Shuu)

Noa demonstrates her Skills while looking depressed. [T/N: Poor Noa. LOL]

The first is [Dagger]. A knife hypha weapon with about 20 cm long blade length.

The second, [White String]. It is a strong cord made of twisted mycelium threads, a Soft Hypha system.

Third, [Lightball]. A glowing hypha ball. It can be used as a substitute for lighting, and when smashed, it can be used as a flashbang grenade that shines brightly for a moment.

“In the first place, [Craftsmen] aren’t really suitable for combat… So, we tend to be seen as inferior by others… I hope I can learn from other systems, but my talent is just this…” (Noa)

“No, you are more than a hunter or an adventurer. I’m pretty much a muscle brain, and I just happen to have some useful skills.” (Shuu)

After that Noa was in a better mood and led the way home with a pep in her step.

Suddenly, a question arises in my head.

“What are Fungal Skills?” (Shuu)

Noa and Tamiko, Tamiko who is riding on Noa’s shoulder, look at each other. Then they both tilted their heads and pondered.

“Well… I had just understood that there is a mysterious fungus parasitizing our bodies and we are using it. I wonder why hypha weapons, for example, are shaped like a human weapon.” (Shuu)

The two of them tilted their heads further, unable to receive the point across. Their body is also bent.

“The mycelium is twisted together to form into shapes, but if that is the case, why have regular, uniform, and textbook shapes such as swords, hammers, knives, etc.? Why can’t it be like shaping clay, why can’t they all be more freely shaped in irregular ways?” (Shuu)

“That’s true, but the principles and true nature of the fungus in our bodies and the hyphae in our bodies move are still unknown. We use them in such a way that we can ignore them, and there may not be many hunters who question them.” (Noa)

“…Well, if it hasn’t been solved in a hundred years, I, a five-year-old in New Tokyo, can’t figure it out, can I?” (Shuu)

“Abeshuu, I’m hungry, squeak. Hurry up, you squeaking blockhead.” (Tamiko)

“Didn’t your mother tell you not to use those words in public.” (Shuu)

I look down at the palm of my hand.

(Somehow, this ability feels made by someone.) (Shuu)

(Even the Fungal Class, it’s like parts of a game.) (Shuu)

The Metro Flood, [Super Fungal Contamination], Super Fungus parasitizing the citizens of Tokyo.

Or the events that happened a hundred years ago

“…Natural disaster, or not…” (Shuu)

The words I mumbled to no one, in particular, did not reach anyone.

Shaking my head, I started to walk after them.