Chereads / Living in another world as an Oni! / Chapter 40 - Chapter 40: Mimic fight!!

Chapter 40 - Chapter 40: Mimic fight!!

Oblivious to whatever was happening back at camp, I found myself still stuck on the lap of this overly clingy suit of armor.

"Can you let me go now?" I huffed, my patience wearing thin. "Seriously, you've made your point. Whatever that point is!"

The armor tilted its helmet as if considering my request. Then, finally, it moved.

Clang. Clang.

It let me go.

"Thank you," I muttered, hopping off and brushing myself off. "See? That wasn't so hard."

But instead of just sitting there like usual, the armor stood, turned toward the far wall, and started walking.

"Uh… where are you going?" I called after it, but it didn't respond. Of course, it didn't. Why would it? I was just the nuisance it had to babysit.

The sound of its footsteps echoed through the chamber as it grabbed something from the wall. A vial? I squinted, but it was too dark to see clearly.

Bgrrrr.

The ground shook beneath my feet. I stumbled, nearly falling.

"What now?!" I yelped, looking around.

Above me, the ceiling shifted with a loud rumble, revealing a patch of the night sky. Moonlight spilled into the chamber, illuminating the room in a silvery glow.

Runes on the walls and floor lit up briefly, pulsing with life before fading. My gaze locked onto the chest at the center of the room. The runes all seemed to lead back to it.

"That chest…" I muttered, the realization hitting me. That's why the armor hadn't let me near it earlier.

The armor walked toward the chest, uncorking the vial and sprinkling its contents over it.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then the chest shuddered.

"Uh, what's going on?" I asked, taking a step back.

The trembling grew more violent. Arms sprouted from its sides, long and gnarled. Then legs.

And then… a mouth.

A gaping, toothy mouth filled with rows of sharp, jagged teeth.

"A mimic?!" I shouted, my stomach flipping.

The mimic roared, its guttural cry echoing through the chamber.

"Of course it's a mimic!" I groaned, drawing my sword. "Why wouldn't it be a mimic?"

The mimic lunged, snapping its teeth at the armor.

To my surprise, the armor stepped in without hesitation, blocking the attack with its arm. The mimic's teeth sank into the metal with a sickening crunch, but the armor didn't flinch.

It retaliated with a powerful punch, sending the mimic skidding across the floor.

"Okay, maybe you've got this," I muttered, inching back.

But the mimic wasn't done. It sprang back to its feet, snarling, and charged toward both of us.

"Alright, guess I'm in this too," I grumbled, gripping my sword tighter.

The mimic swiped at me with one of its clawed arms. I ducked, rolling to the side just as the claws whistled past my head.

"Close! Too close!" I yelled, scrambling to my feet.

The armor stepped in again, grabbing the mimic by one of its arms and slamming it to the ground. But the mimic was relentless. It twisted free, kicking out with its makeshift legs and sending the armor staggering back.

I took the opening. With a shout, I charged in, swinging my sword at the mimic's exposed side.

The blade hit, carving a deep gouge into its wooden body. The mimic screeched, turning its glowing eyes on me.

"Oh no, not me. Focus on the big guy!" I shouted, dodging another swipe of its claws.

The armor recovered and lunged, tackling the mimic before it could attack me again. The two clashed, metal and wood colliding in a brutal exchange.

I didn't have time to catch my breath. Spotting an opening, I darted in again, slashing at one of the mimic's legs. It roared in pain, stumbling.

"Yeah, take that!" I shouted, only to yelp as its arm lashed out toward me.

I barely blocked it in time, my arms trembling from the force.

"Could use some help here!" I called out, glaring at the armor.

The armor responded by grabbing the mimic's other arm and twisting. There was a loud crack as the limb snapped off, and the mimic let out a guttural howl.

Seizing the chance, I went for its back, driving my sword into the gap between its makeshift shoulder blades.

The mimic convulsed, its movements becoming very erratic.

The armor delivered the final blow, slamming its fist down onto the mimic's head. The creature collapsed to the ground, twitching before finally going still.

I staggered back, breathing heavily. My arms ached, my heart was pounding, but at least it was over.

I glanced at the armor, which was already turning away, as if the fight hadn't just happened.

"Seriously? Not even a nod of acknowledgment?" I muttered, wiping sweat from my brow. "Whatever. We made a good team, though. Admit it."

The armor ignored me, returning to its original spot.

I looked down at the lifeless mimic, shaking my head.

"This dungeon sucks," I muttered, sheathing my sword. But deep down, I couldn't help feeling a small spark of pride. Maybe I'm not completely useless after all.