The well-Balanced Yamamoto-san Gets Caught up in a Death Game

Chapter 71

And so, after a night’s rest, we returned to the same rocky spot.

Tsuna is with me again today.

“So, what’s the plan, God?” he asks.

“We’re going to use this. Ta-da! The [Killer Rod]!”

“That’s quite a menacing name.”

“I prepared one for you too, Tsuna. Go ahead, use it!”

Last night, I worked hard to create this vicious fishing gear using [Divine Artifact Creation]. Behold, the [Killer Rod]!

We both equip our [Killer Rods].

The [Killer Rod] features a black magical iron pole and a massive reel wound with wire-like line. At the end of the line is a large, sharp arrowhead-like hook.

“By the way, I think only you and I can use these, so don’t lend them to anyone else, okay?”

“Understood. Come to think of it, the rod feels a bit heavy.”

It’s not just the rod that’s heavy, but I keep that to myself.

I explain how to use it.

“It’s pretty simple. Just cast the hook far into the sea. After that, it’ll fish automatically.”

“Hm?”

“The hook will charge towards big catches on its own, piercing and hooking them. Then you just press the reel’s rewind button and pull with all your might.”

“Oh! This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for!”

Wow, Tsuna’s eyes are sparkling.

He seems to like anything that allows brute force to solve problems.

“If you have a specific fish in mind, channel your mana through the rod while visualizing it. The hook will search for that fish on its own.”

“Is that why you went to the fish market this morning?”

Indeed, I made sure to check out the Menhealer, Yabusaka, and Shinogyo at the fish market first thing in the morning.

The fishmonger gave us strange looks when we left without buying anything after our inspection, but I pay it no mind.

And now, we begin our test fishing.

I cast the hook far into the sea with a whoosh, channeling my mana while visualizing a Menhealer.

The line zips out from the reel. No doubt the hook is searching for a Menhealer!

Then I feel a hit transmitted back to me.

I flip the automatic rewind switch on the reel and pull on the fishing rod.

Normally, one would enjoy a battle of wills with the fish, but my physical attack is close to 400 even without a weapon. With one swift motion, the fish’s silhouette leaps out of the sea and flies towards me. Yep, it’s still wriggling despite being impaled through its body.

Is this a Menhealer?

I think it is.

Its face looks about right.

It matches what I saw at the fish market.

I activate [Appraisal] just to confirm it’s a Menhealer. Yep, looks good.

“God, is it okay to use a vague image?” Tuna asks.

“Like what?”

“A crab, for instance.”

“It should be fine. The hook will head straight for whatever’s closest to your image.”

So Tsuna gives it a try.

He seems to be aiming for a crab.

True to his nature, he’s already started boiling water nearby.

“Oh, I’ve got something. It’s quite heavy.”

It looks like he’s hooked something crab-like. Tuna’s using his brute strength to reel it in.

But it seems he doesn’t have quite as much arm strength as me, so it’s taking some time.

Or maybe it’s just a really big catch?

“How’s this?!”

With a splash, he pulls up a giant spider nearly two meters long with massive pincers.

Gyaaah!?

Startled, I immediately retrieve Gaga’s magic sword from [Storage] and slice the huge spider in half vertically with one strike.

Man, that surprised me! I was so shocked I even drew out Gaga’s sealed magic sword!

▶ Gained 234 experience points.

▶ Obtained 147 reward stones.

▶ [Balance] has activated.

Adjusting acquired items for balance.

▶ Gained an additional 87 reward stones.

The bisected spider bursts into flames, turning a nice shade of red. A deliciously fragrant aroma wafts through the air…

It actually smells quite tasty…

“I wanted to boil it rather than grill it…”

Tsuna’s [Dismemberment] skill must have activated, as a perfectly grilled spider carcass – or rather, a crab-like creature with pincers – remains. Is it actually a crab? Well, whatever it is, it’s now a magnificent grilled crab.

Moreover, it’s giving off an incredibly appetizing aroma.

The smell is so enticing that all the other anglers are looking our way, salivating.

Some are even muttering about how we managed to catch such a huge prey.

And Tsuna’s boldness in starting to eat the crab without a care in the world is truly immeasurable!

“Hmm, this is quite delicious. Makes me crave some sake.”

“Shall I provide some?”

“Really? As expected of God, you understand.”

“But make sure to share some of that crab with the people around us. Their stares are getting a bit intense.”

I can feel their envious gazes so strongly it’s as if I can hear a rumbling sound effect.

From fishing here yesterday, I know that normally only average-sized fish can be caught in this area. The bigger ones are supposed to be further out at sea.

That’s probably why there are so many envious looks.

But I want to enjoy fishing leisurely without this unsettling atmosphere, so I bring out my drink box for a little impromptu party.

Perhaps mellowed by the alcohol, Tsuna starts distributing the grilled crab and sake without hesitation.

Hey, you don’t need to hand out the alcohol too, you know?

Well, thanks to the power of alcohol, everyone seems to be in high spirits as they start fishing again, so I guess it’s fine.

Some people are even starting to prepare the fish they’ve caught as snacks for their drinks.

Weren’t those supposed to be materials?

Or were they fishing for food all along, as Tuna suggested? I’m not really sure.

Anyway, as everyone gets into a good mood, I continue to reel in Yabusaka and Shinogyo.

Yes, yes, quite a good haul.

I should probably catch multiple fish in case one isn’t enough as a material.

For some reason, Tuna even gives me some of the grilled crab.

The slight char enhances the aroma, making it delicious. I thought the meat might be bland, but it’s quite juicy with a distinct crab flavor. The saltiness from the sea acts as a perfect seasoning, and I can see why it would go well with alcohol.

However, it might be a bit fishy since it was just pulled from the sea.

Some people might enjoy that scent, though.

And so, my peaceful fishing continued for a while—

■□■

Well, everything was peaceful up to this point.

The problem started with a single comment from Tsuna.

“I could go for some raw squid.”

At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but as he cast his line far out, I hurriedly tried to stop him.

“Wait, Tsuna! Don’t fish for squid or octopus! There’s a chance it could be you-know-what!”

I frantically warn him about the possibility of destroying the town.

After a moment of thought, Tsuna says…

“Then I’ll focus on catching a squid that isn’t that one.”

Come on, there’s no way the hook can judge whether it’s EOD or not!

Before I can tell him to stop, an ominous sound resonates from Tuna’s rod.

“Woah… this is quite something…!”

More than “quite something,” Tuna’s being pulled in! At this rate, he’ll fall into the sea!

I quickly latch onto Tuna, trying to pull him back.

This manages to stop Tuna’s movement, but… no way!? Even with my physical attack stat, I can’t reel it in!?

“Urgh… my body feels like it’s going to be torn apart…!”

“Tsuna, let me borrow the rod!”

I release Tsuna’s body and take the rod.

I press the reel’s rewind button, but… it’s not moving at all!?

Are we completely deadlocked in terms of strength!?

I continue to hold onto the creaking rod, bracing myself.

Worried about slipping and falling into the sea in an instant, I forcibly create holes in the rocky ground and plant my feet in them for better leverage!

“It’s so heavy! Geez, what did you catch?!”

I complain while continuing this test of strength.

Thanks to my [Fishing] skill at level 9, I can only hope the line doesn’t snap!

“Hey, sis! That’s not how you do it!”

Ah, it’s the fishing enthusiast from before…

“When the fish is thrashing, you need to ease up on the line. Then when it tires out, that’s when you reel it in hard!”

“But that’s just normal fishing, isn’t it!?”

“Of course it is!”

I made this rod because I found normal fishing tedious, but oh well.

With no other choice, I follow the fishing enthusiast’s advice, alternating between letting the fish struggle and reeling it in when it tires.

This is going to take a while.

“It’s a battle of patience, a battle of patience,” he encourages.

And so begins my test of endurance against this mysterious squid.

By the way, Tsuna, the original culprit, has already started drinking sake for some reason! Couldn’t you at least cheer me on or something!?

“God, can I borrow your fishing rod? I want to catch something to snack on.”

“As long as it’s not squid or octopus, go ahead!”

He’s way too carefree!

At this point, I feel like telling him to do whatever he wants.

■□■ Three hours later ■□■

The sun has reached its zenith.

It feels like lunchtime.

Still, my battle with the squid continues.

I discovered a support spell called [Hot Warming] in [Fire Magic] level 4 that increases attack power, and it turned out to be a game-changer.

The situation has tilted slightly in my favor now that my physical attack has increased. I can feel that I’m gradually reeling in the squid.

“Hey, God,” Tsuna calls out.

“What is it?”

“The drink box isn’t working.”

“It’s probably out of water. Fill it up through the supply port.”

“Is seawater okay?”

“Of course not!”

If you do that, the drink box will break, and the taste of the drinks will be all wrong!

Tsuna seems to understand and runs off somewhere. Maybe he’s gone to find some fresh water?

Oh, the squid is thrashing again!

Not so fast!

You’re not getting away, especially since you’re a squid!

…Get it? Squid? Away?

■□■ Nine hours later ■□■

The beautiful sunset is approaching…

Gazing at the golden sea, I mechanically repeat the process of enduring and reeling.

The only emotion left in this act is emptiness.

I’m starting to question why I’m even fishing for this squid in the first place.

It’s not like I particularly want to eat squid.

If it turns out to be EOD, there’s a risk of the town being destroyed.

I’m beginning to think that what I’m doing is completely meaningless.

If this were the real world and not my avatar body that doesn’t know fatigue, I would have cut the line and given up by now.

Come to think of it, the main reason I’m persisting might be that I don’t want to damage or lose the rod I made myself.

The things I create are like my children. I won’t let some squid take this away!

“God,” Tsuna calls out again.

“What now?”

“The others are asking if they can take the drink box to the Adventurers’ Guild for shared use.”

“Of course not! Why are they treating my personal property as communal equipment!?”

The drink box is like my child too! Why are they trying to take it without permission?

“Tsuna, bring the drink box here. I’m going to put it in [Storage].”

“Got it. What should I do about the complainers?”

“Explain that it’s my personal property. If they still give you trouble… feel free to send them flying, but try to keep it somewhat peaceful.”

“Understood.”

As the drink box is moved closer to me, I prepare one last glass of plum wine on the rocks before storing it in [Storage].

I hear voices raising a fuss behind me, but soon there’s a whooshing sound as several people are sent flying towards the sea, and then silence falls.

Well, I hope they have swimming skills.