Calculations and Surprises

Chapter 9: Calculations × Surprises

Joey had not gone far. Instead, he hid in a thicket and carefully watched the tree he had touched, along with the explosions in the distance, which paused briefly before advancing in the direction he had fled.

Clearly, the Chimera Ant lurking in the shadows had been watching Joey all along and had given chase when it saw him run.

The corners of Joey's mouth lifted slightly.

He was not afraid of it chasing him. What worried him was that it might refuse to follow and deliberately keep the Chariot occupied instead.

His brief observations had also confirmed how it moved. Just like the Monkey Chimera Ant that had tried to ambush him, it climbed and leaped between the trees.

Deliberately running toward an area with fewer trees was effectively telling his opponent, "I've figured out how you're dodging the Chariot's attacks."

But Joey had no choice. Whether he was laying a trap or genuinely trying to escape pursuit, this was his best option. The key was whether his opponent took the bait.

Apparently, the Chimera Ant pursuing him was a little too inexperienced.

As soon as it set foot on the tree he had touched, Joey would activate First Bomb.

Repeated use had given Joey some insights into how First Bomb worked.

Although a tree was a single whole, touching it did not automatically turn the entire tree into his bomb. Instead, a certain area around the point of contact became his bomb's domain.

Anyone touching that portion would trigger the bomb's effect, causing an instantaneous explosion.

After using the ability several times and doing some rough calculations, Joey had arrived at an approximate range: a sphere fifty centimeters in diameter centered on the point he touched. Any part of the object within that sphere counted as his First Bomb.

So Joey's aim was not to blow his opponent up directly. It was to blast through the tree, causing the Chimera Ant leaping between the branches to slip up for an instant and giving the Skeleton Chariot pursuing it a chance to catch up and explode.

The plan was full of uncertainty and risk, but it was also the fastest way Joey could devise to eliminate his opponent.

Joey had to finish this fight quickly. As the battle continued, especially with the Skeleton Chariot exploding over and over, the blasts were draining his stamina at a precipitous rate!

As things stood, every additional Chariot explosion reduced Joey's chances of winning.

Sweat had already soaked his clothes. Even though he tried his best to control his breathing as he hid, it remained somewhat heavy.

His eyes were even bloodshot now, and his legs trembled slightly.

He knew he had only one chance. If this combination failed to injure the Chimera Ant, his only remaining option might be to abandon his hand and flee.

But that would be just as risky. Actual combat had already proven that the Skeleton Chariot was hopeless when it came to speed.

If Joey cut off his hand and escaped, not only would the Skeleton Chariot struggle to buy him time, but the pain of losing his hand would severely affect him. The scent of blood would also bring him no end of trouble.

Emperor Killer losing a hand would be a problem too. All in all, Joey would not choose to sever his hand unless he had absolutely no alternative.

Joey pulled up his rifle and carefully aimed it toward the tree. At that moment, he looked more like a vicious wolf driven into a corner.

Rather than cut off his hand and run, staking everything on a fight to the death might give him a better chance of survival!

But as Joey waited anxiously, the Skeleton Chariot that had been pointing him toward the monster suddenly changed direction just before it reached the tree!

Watching the direction the Chariot took, Joey's expression turned utterly grim!

How did this happen? Did it see through my plan? But that's impossible. I haven't shown it First Bomb. Could this simply be because it's being cautious?

Or did the pistol, grenades, and other weapons make it sense danger?

Or did its companion's death make it hesitate? Was it waiting for more companions to arrive so the pursuit would be less risky?

Cold sweat slid down his temple. Joey's eyebrows drooped again, and he unconsciously began biting the thumbnail of his left hand.

Distance, speed, the detonation point, timing-Joey had designed everything around rough estimates. Now that the Chimera Ant had changed direction, even if it turned back toward the tree he had made into a bomb, there would be a delay between First Bomb's surprise attack and the Skeleton Chariot's follow-up attack.

Besides, the creature clearly had no intention of coming this way. Things seemed to be heading toward the worst possible outcome!

Joey's eyes reddened, like those of a gambler about to lose everything he had wagered. Fortunately, one thing still kept his nerves from snapping: although the Skeleton Chariot continued its pursuit, it had not exploded again.

That meant his dwindling stamina was not being drained without end. He still had a chance!

Joey rapidly considered what other methods he could use to locate and kill his opponent quickly. But none of the plans flashing through his mind satisfied him. He bit his nail more fiercely, almost breaking the skin of his fingertip.

Was my only option to jump out, intercept the Chariot, and recall it?

Joey swore that if he survived, he would learn to control the Chariot perfectly!

He swallowed hard. Without realizing it, he had bitten his fingertip until it bled, but the pain only sharpened his thoughts. He still had a chance. First Bomb had not been revealed yet!

With that thought, he abruptly rose to chase after Sheer Heart Attack. Just then, a streak of red light flashed through the distant woods at tremendous speed.

Joey stopped midstep. Someone's here?

The red streak seemed to be an arrow, though Joey was not entirely sure.

Boom!

The Chariot's explosion came belatedly, three seconds after the red light struck its target. But Joey was ready, and he used the flare of fire to scrutinize the site of the blast.

Several figures flashed through the woods, already shrouded in gloom, their silhouettes illuminated by the flames.

Two were shorter but moved quickly; the other two were of normal height but reacted a little more slowly. Joey made his assessment instantly and also caught sight of their distinctive outfits in different colors.

Anyone who dared roam these remote woods at this hour, and who was not using firearms, already gave Joey a clue to their identity.

Of the Hunters who appeared in NGL during this period, the only group Joey would recognize was Ponzu's-the woman whose death by a shot to the head had been weighing on his mind. They also matched the figures he had glimpsed.

A memory seemed to stir, and images from the anime flashed through his mind.

The leader of Ponzu's group should have been Pokkle, who had obtained a Hunter License. The rest were two or three insignificant extras whom the Chimera Ants killed as soon as they encountered them.

But why were they here?

Oh ho, the old rascal has finished chapter 391, and 392 is being finalized. Is it finally going to update? It's been over twelve hundred days, I think~