That Time a Shut-in for 300 Years Continued to Make Antiques , but All of It Turned out to Be Cheat-Level Magic Tools - Chapter 58

We began our search for Butt Corn, but naturally, it wasn’t just those Hercules Beetles that inhabited this area.

“Gah, damn it! What is this thing? It’s so strong!”

The creature Hazan was currently screaming about was also one of the monsters that lived around here—a Saber Mantis.

This monster looked like a human-sized mantis with dull-colored skin. However, its combat style, using its scythe-like arms, was reminiscent of a skilled dual-wielder. It matched Hazan’s sword strikes perfectly, using the shape of its scythes to its full advantage in battle.

“Ugh, nngh…”

A flurry of rapid attacks came from its two scythes. The Saber Mantis moved in a fluid rhythm, its scythes producing a sharp, rapid clanging sound as it pressed the attack.

Unable to withstand it any longer, Hazan retreated, but the Saber Mantis spun around and used its momentum to deliver a powerful strike.

Hazan quickly transformed his sword into a shield, blocking the heavy blow. However, as I had pointed out before, this left him with a significant blind spot.

While most monsters wouldn’t notice, the Saber Mantis was different. It hooked its scythe on the upper edge of Hazan’s shield and, using the momentum, flipped around to attack from behind.

“Shit…”

Hazan was shocked, but Alecto fired a magic bullet from his revolver just in time. However, with a quick slash, the Saber Mantis deflected the bullet. Though the bullet exploded, the Saber Mantis emerged unscathed.

Thanks to the explosion, Hazan managed to escape. He used the blast’s shockwave to jump and create distance.

“Ugh, even the explosion didn’t hurt it…”

“Well, you have to land a direct hit for it to do any damage.”

I told Alecto to fall back as I readied Maiful.

“Huh? It looks like there’s something different attached to it?”

“You noticed, huh? This is an attachment that allows additional parts to be added.”

“There’s even something like that?”

Alecto was impressed, but I expect him to eventually be able to create something like this himself.

Anyway, the attachment I added under Maiful was a magic launcher. It’s a tube-shaped cannon with a larger caliber than Maiful.

Inside, there was a special magic bullet designed specifically for the launcher. The launcher also had a grip and trigger, which allowed for the firing of large magic bullets.

The bullets were long and rounded at the tip, with tail fins for stability. These fins also shortened the spell formation time, making them quite essential.

Since the shape resembled the bullets fired by a spell called Magic Missile, I decided to name it a missile.

“It looks impressive, but it’s slow. It’s either going to be dodged or cut down.”

“Just watch.”

As expected, the Saber Mantis tried to slash the incoming missile, but the missile mockingly changed its trajectory, dodging the swung scythe and circling behind the Saber Mantis, striking its back.

An explosion erupted, engulfing the monster in flames and shockwaves, killing it instantly.

“That was incredible. You never cease to amaze.”

“But why did it move like that?”

“It’s not that complicated. The missile is imbued with a spell that allows it to track its target. This time, I focused on hitting the Saber Mantis from behind, so it moved that way.”

If you shoot it directly from the front, it would be cut down by the scythe, and its power would be diminished. That’s why I used a tracking missile.

“Still, having such powerful magic tools while being so young is quite something.”

“Well, since I can create them, you should be able to make some too, right?”

“Huh?”

“Huh? isn’t going to cut it. The magic tools I’ve shown you are ones I expect you to be able to create eventually. You can’t say it’s impossible.”

“Ugh, more homework…”

Alecto slumped to the ground in frustration, while Mei gently patted his head. Though Mei could be strict with Alecto, she was also kind when needed. It’s a mix of tough love and gentle care, and Alecto seemed to appreciate it.

That aside, I know that finding materials for Maiful around here would be challenging. But the magic launcher attachment is a weapon that can function on its own, and its structure isn’t too complex.

Even if it’s difficult to create missiles like the ones from Hyral, they can be substituted with materials from iron and monsters. The effect might be limited to explosions, but with tracking, they should still be quite effective.

Now that we’ve defeated the Saber Mantis and taken down a significant number of monsters on our way here, I think the remaining monsters will start being cautious. This means they’ll likely be less aggressive from now on.

Alright, it’s time to search for that Butt Corn.

“Well then, Alecto, start searching.”

“Ehh?! I’ve never searched for Butt Corn before!”

“And? Saying you can’t do something because you’ve never done it won’t get us anywhere. You at least know what it looks like, right?”

“Um, I think Butt Corn is buried underground, right?”

That’s right. Unlike regular corn, which sprouts in fields and grows on stalks, Butt Corn is the complete opposite. It’s more like a potato.

“If you know that much, then start digging.”

“O-okay. I’ll try digging around here.”

“Wait.”

“Yes! Do you have some useful tool?”

Alecto turned around with a goofy, beaming smile. Ah, well…

“Here’s a shovel. You’re not going to dig with your bare hands, are you?”

“Oh, I see! This shovel must be some amazing magic tool! Like, it can dig up valuable materials in one go or fire a wave motion gun!”

“It’s just a regular shovel.”

“What a letdown!”

Alecto held his head in despair. Honestly, what was he expecting from a simple shovel? If I were to make it a magic tool, I’d definitely design it to be more efficient for its intended use.

“Well, I guess I’ll help too. Got any more shovels?”

“Yeah, here’s one for you, Hazan.”

“Whoa, this is huge! And heavy!”

“Well, it’ll be good training for you.”

Actually, that shovel is a magic tool. It adjusts its shape and weight according to the user’s strength, providing a good workout.

After about two hours of digging around, the two of them still hadn’t found any Butt Corn.

“Is it really here?”

“I’m so tired…”

Good grief, the area is full of holes now.

“You can’t just dig randomly without a plan.”

“But if we don’t know where it is, what else can we do? Oh! Can’t Edson-kun’s map show us where it is?”

“It could, but I’m not relying on that.”

“Why not?!”

Relying on that would make you too dependent. Plus, MFM isn’t something that can be made with just the materials around here. If Alecto could make one himself, it’d be a different story.

“Seriously, you should be able to roughly figure out where to dig without relying on that. For instance, Mei, try over there.”

“Understood, Master.”

I handed Mei a shovel, and she skillfully began digging. Within seconds, the yellow tip of a Butt Corn poked out from the ground.

“See? Here’s the Butt Corn.”

“Wow! You’re amazing!”

“This is impressive. And look, it’s perfectly split in two, just like a Butt Corn should be.”

Indeed, Butt Corns are buried in the ground with their beautifully split tips facing upward.

“But how did you find it so quickly?”

“By the surrounding weeds,” Mei answered on my behalf. Of course, she was aware of the characteristics of Butt Corn.

“Weeds?”

“Yes. When Butt Corn is buried, it makes it difficult for weeds to grow around it. So, if there’s an area where the weeds aren’t growing, that’s likely where the Butt Corn is buried.”

“I didn’t know that…”

“Me neither…”

Honestly, they should know at least that much.

But once they’re taught, they learn quickly. They began searching the most suspicious spots, eventually digging up a total of 50 Butt Corns.

Alright, that should be enough for now.