WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Haruto

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◈ I Became the EX-Rank Pet Maker Hunters Obsess Over ◈

Chapter 38: First-Generation Rider

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Ars Magna's server crashed under the sheer volume of traffic.

Taking applications through Japan's usual analog methods would have taken too long, so Attachment-Type Magical Beast test subjects... no, Rider candidates were recruited online. Apparently, it had drawn far more attention than expected.

I spoke as Chairman Asakura and I looked at the active cultivation chamber.

"Not just Tankers, but Hunters in other positions and even ordinary people flooded the website until the server crashed?"

"Yes, so we've changed our approach. We're contacting Tanker-trait Awakened registered with the Hunter Management Agency separately."

That was a relief. The S-rank Gate's monster population was growing by the minute, so there was no telling when a Gate Break might occur.

'Things are pretty urgent.'

Just in case, I'd even asked Hunter Yeon Harim to rescue me.

[ Yeon Harim ]: Of course!! I'll save you no matter what, so don't worry!! Or should I come see you right now? I think Chirring wants to see its dad too...

[ Me ]: It's fine for now. You're probably busy too, Hunter Yeon Harim. If the Gate suddenly goes wild and it looks like Japan's about to collapse, please help me then.

Strange Gate phenomena had been rising sharply in frequency lately, so I needed some insurance of my own.

Someone like Yeon Harim could save me without breaking a sweat.

Besides, I was making a magical beast to protect myself, so I had at least the bare minimum of defenses covered.

I'd started cultivating it just before Japan's fifth S-rank Gate appeared. The problem was that it was being cultivated in such an unusual way that it still had a long way to go.

'The Japanese Hunters will somehow hold out until then.'

"Still, you created a magical beast at an unbelievable speed... Is that even possible?"

Chairman Asakura seemed to know a fair amount about magical beast alchemy. Chairman Asakura stared at the Panoplia - Beta model inside the cultivation chamber as though unable to believe it.

[ Model Name 》 Panoplia - Beta ]

[ mana core Rank 》 B+ ]

[ Lifespan 》 13 years ]

[ Traits 》 Fusion-Type Exoskeleton (A), Overclock (B), Invasive Parasite (C+) ]

A magical beast resembling a centipede writhed behind the glass.

Unlike the Alpha type, which was the size of a gorilla, the Beta type was a much smaller magical beast.

Once that thing wrapped around someone's waist, it would fit exactly like a belt.

"To be honest, I'm surprised this model came together so easily."

I'd spent a long time wondering what kind of magical beast to make, but for some reason, this belt-shaped centipede magical beast kept flashing through my mind.

Was that why?

The whole process had been easier than making any magical beast I'd made before.

As though I already knew how to create a creature like this.

That didn't mean the magical beast itself was especially well-made.

"Since its size has been reduced so much, it doesn't actually have particularly impressive functions."

"Is that so...?"

Think about it.

How much power could a centipede magical beast the size of a belt possibly have?

Even with a high-ranking mana core, it was useless if the body containing it couldn't properly draw out the core's power.

On its own, this Panoplia - Beta model couldn't display any real combat power.

Instead, I'd poured everything into its transformation function, but that process had inevitably created a risk.

That risk was...

"Wh-what!? Every time they transform, magical beast factors begin invading the Hunter's body? What in the world does that mean...?"

"Don't worry. Some factors do mix into the body, but it isn't permanent as long as they don't overdo it."

Every transformation came with the minor(?) downside of temporarily allowing magical beast factors to enter the Hunter's body, but what could I do?

"I made the Panoplia - Beta model by arranging the essences of invasive and parasitic magical beasts. Even with my skills, I couldn't do anything about the invasive effect."

This centipede magical beast that resembled a Rider Belt... parasitized its host's body.

They called it a transformation, but it was really the rapid fusion and invasion of tissue, covering the user's entire body in Panoplia model tissue.

"H-how could you give something like that to Hunters... No, forgive me... Yoo Hyun, you wouldn't have made it while overlooking the side effects. Isn't that invasion side effect something that only manifests under very special circumstances?"

"That's right. For the invasion to worsen beyond recovery, someone would have to keep transforming and fighting while their body was completely wrecked. That won't happen under normal circumstances."

Two conditions were needed for the invasion to worsen.

First, the Hunter's body had to be severely damaged.

If they transformed in that state, the Panoplia model would inject magical beast factors into the damaged area to temporarily restore it enough to move. That process allowed a large amount of magical beast factors to enter the human body.

Second, they had to transform too many times, raising the bond and compatibility between magical beast factors and the human body to a very high level.

Naturally, the more someone transformed, the more the magical beast factors and their body adapted to each other, steadily increasing their compatibility. Transformation efficiency improved by the same amount, of course.

Anyway, unless those two conditions kept overlapping, it was safe in most cases.

After hearing my explanation, Chairman Asakura nodded in relief.

"Ah, I see. Then there's no cause for concern. We can have Hunters who use the Panoplia model undergo regular examinations. Before that, we'll make sure they're thoroughly educated about the model's side effects."

"Right. As long as we regularly check the activation level of magical beast factors through health screenings, there won't be any major problems."

"We can proceed with the plan as scheduled, then. Surely there won't be a Hunter who fulfills all those conditions after being warned. Hahaha!"

That was true.

After being warned and educated, who would transform and fight monsters while their body was completely wrecked? And not just once, but repeatedly. Anyone who did that had to be out of their mind.

'...There won't be anyone like that, right?'

I really hoped Japan wouldn't produce some magical beast-human fusion.

* * *

A few days later.

At last, it was the day of the test at Ars Magna's multipurpose training center to select invasive parasitic magical beast test subjects... no, Rider candidates.

B-rank Tanker Awakened selected from around the country, along with most A-rank Tankers, gathered at the enormous multipurpose training center.

There were several hundred people in all.

Chairman Asakura stepped onto the platform and began explaining the project.

"We don't have much time, so I'll be direct. S-rank Gates across the archipelago are already nearing their limit, and we don't know when a Gate Break will occur."

A speech that began with Japan's present situation and was meant to motivate the project's test subjects. Chairman Asakura clearly had experience giving speeches like this.

"This major project prepared by Ars Magna, the magic engineering special zone, is the only key that can save Japan as it stands on the edge of a cliff...! And the mission of holding that key and heading into the field belongs to all of you who applied here. Please save Japan together with this Panoplia magical beast model."

As the speech gradually built momentum, the Panoplia - Beta model appeared.

"Tsuruuk-!"

The hall began to stir at its appearance.

"Ooh..."

"So that's the thing that'll become my belt...!!"

"...I'm getting excited."

"It's less creepy than I expected?"

There was something that had to be announced while everyone buzzed with anticipation.

The Panoplia - Beta model's side effects.

Once Chairman Asakura explained them, the crowd's reactions split.

"What...? It has side effects like that?"

"Is there always a price for great power...?"

"Damn it... Did those Hunter Management Agency bastards trick me? That's no different from being a test subject...!"

The mention of possible side effects caused a commotion, and some people even started to leave.

That was when Kurogane Kaito appeared on the platform.

He was the star of the bodycam footage released on YouTube, so he was fairly famous by now.

"Look, it's the hero Kurogane!!"

"What is he going to do?"

As everyone's attention focused on him, the Panoplia - Beta model crawled up to Kurogane's waist and wrapped around it.

Click.

The centipede magical beast locked its head onto its tail.

It looked exactly like a belt.

Kurogane glanced at the external mana core in his right hand and took a stance.

Everyone swallowed at that familiar sequence.

"D-don't tell me..."

"That's...!!"

"Huuuh-!!!"

The hall fell silent, and Kurogane's voice rang out clearly.

"...Transform!"

He inserted the external mana core into the magical beast's socket.

Click.

The Panoplia model absorbed external mana and immediately began reacting.

Kishaaaaak-!!!

Sharararak-!!

Carapace spread from the roaring magical beast belt, covering his entire body.

At the same time, sound effects and a voice rang out from the belt.

[ NORMAL FORM! ]

[ TRANSMUTATION! OVERLOAD!! ]

That voice wasn't coming from the magical beast, naturally.

I'd simply asked the engineers in this magic engineering special zone to install a voice device in the Panoplia model's carapace.

It had no function whatsoever beyond playing registered voices in response to the magical beast's condition.

Still, the effect was incredible.

Those who'd been about to leave quickly stayed where they were, and everyone began nodding in agreement.

"...Transformation side effects are basically foundational lore."

"That's true."

"Mm, invasion is part of the fundamentals. And they must've put some safety measures in place too, right?"

Surprisingly, not a single person left.

Once Kurogane's transformation was complete, he looked exactly like a Rider. Everyone stared at his imposing figure, their nostrils flaring.

The look in their eyes was so intense that they seemed ready to rush the stage and pounce on Kurogane at any moment.

Chairman Asakura quickly continued.

"This is the transformation of the new magical beast created by Director Yoo Hyun of Ars Magna...! It does have side effects, but they aren't actually that dangerou-"

Someone too impatient to wait cut Chairman Asakura off and shouted.

"So when are you going to distribute these belt magical beasts!?"

Chairman Asakura coolly skipped the side-effect explanation and answered.

"First, all of you must undergo a test to be chosen by the Panoplia magical beast. Since the rest doesn't seem to be reaching your ears anyway, we'll guide you to the test site immediately."

"Good, quick progress... That's not very Japanese."

"A test?"

"So not just anyone can become a Rider..."

"...Even better. I'm fired up."

And so, the Tanker selection test began.

* * *

Chairman Asakura stepped down from the platform and spoke to Yoo Hyun, who was waiting nearby.

"By the way, can't we provide magical beasts to everyone?"

Yoo Hyun shook his head.

"Motivation alone isn't enough. Most of them have only done construction work instead of Hunter work, so we need to select the talented ones from among them."

Awakened rank wasn't everything in this field. That was especially true for Tankers, who held the center of a team.

Gates were basically handled in teams, which made the Tanker's role extremely important.

If the Tanker, who had to become the wall of the allied formation and create openings for the damage dealers, was a stealth addict or excessively afraid of getting hit, they could put the whole team in danger instead.

"Someone who lacks experience, courage, and talent standing at the very front of a team is too dangerous."

A mediocre Tanker could put the team in even more danger.

"That's why you're holding a test."

"Exactly. And the fact that they fought for it and earned selection themselves will drive them even further."

Only a chosen few would become Riders.

That would become a source of greater motivation for the Satori Generation. I shouldn't plan to take everyone from the start.

Make exceptional people even more exceptional. Let ordinary people become exceptional through effort. But let the lazy fall behind.

That said, I didn't intend to make becoming a Rider Tanker too difficult.

I only wanted to establish the standard that anyone unable to prove their ability as a Tanker couldn't become a Rider.

* * *

Test Site Three.

Yamada Daichi, age thirty-two, was locked in fierce combat with the Panoplia model before him.

The thing parasitized another magical beast and pummeled Yamada Daichi, age thirty-two, without mercy.

Bang!! Boom-!!!

The impacts felt powerful enough to shatter bone.

Each blow was heavier than an A-rank monster's attack.

Of course, Yamada Daichi had never fought a monster before, so he only assumed that was about how strong an A-rank monster would be.

Yet even without combat experience, he endured the magical beast's attacks to the end.

Boom-!!!

A blow slammed into his abdomen, sending Yamada Daichi skidding backward as he vomited blood.

But his knees didn't buckle.

"Urgh... You refuse to acknowledge me? Mukade Zecter...!!"

"Tsuruuk...!!"

[ Ah, Candidate Number 52, Yamada Daichi. This model is not Mukade Zecter. It is the Panoplia - Beta model. ]

"What do the official sources know?!"

[ Shall we disqualify you? ]

"...I'm sorry."

Thus, countless people had their qualities as Tankers tested...

And Ars Magna's chosen first-generation Riders were born.

[ Breaking News ] "Transformation, humanity's new shield"... Japan's elite Tanker unit makes a rapid entry into S-rank Gate wearing "Attachment-Type Magical Beast belts"

[ Exclusive ] "It's what we've dreamed of our whole lives!" ... Japan's A-rank Tankers weep over Yoo Hyun's Attachment-Type Magical Beasts

[ Feature ] "Transforming Tankers"... Japan's elite Tanker force makes a last stand wearing Yoo Hyun's magical beast belts

[ On-Site Breaking News ] "He got too pumped over his finishing move..." Tanker uses "Rider Kick" during S-rank Gate raid, completely collapses the formation!

[ Issue ] Disaster caused by Rider Kick used by Tanker wearing Yoo Hyun's Attachment-Type Magical Beast... Response team leader weeps, "Please stop running out to kick monsters just to get the last hit!"

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