Seeker 236

Test

Chapter 236. Ghoul

Deep within the forest, emerging from the darkness, was something humanoid in appearance. 

Not just one entity, but one after another revealed itself. 

Adorned in tattered rags on pale blue skin, they resembled humans. 

Abnormally long tongues dangled from their mouths, and their bright red eyes marked us as prey. 

Long, sharp claws on both hands dripped with a slippery and eerie liquid.

Without a doubt, these were Ghouls, monsters said to have appeared in this area. 

The data had been confirmed in the Monster Encyclopedia beforehand. 

In terms of monster rank, they were comparable to the Sabertooth Tiger in the Forest Floor, not formidable nor particularly challenging for us. 

They could be considered somewhat bothersome, mainly due to their special ability, the Paralysis Claw.

Literally, it was an attack that inflicted the paralysis status, worse than poison. 

Although I could heal it with [Gaia Heal], I preferred not to take hits whenever possible. 

Eight Ghouls appeared from the forest's depths, rushing towards us with a beastly ferocity.

"Damn, there are a lot of them. [Icicle Lance]!"

Gerald-san released a spear of ice, piercing one of the approaching Ghouls. 

However, it wasn't a decisive blow. 

The Ghoul continued towards Gerald without slowing down.

"I'll support you! [Rock Bullet]!"

Myarla's magical attack overlapped. 

Rock projectiles hit the Ghoul impaled by the ice spear. 

Still, it wasn't enough damage, and the Ghoul's momentum persisted. After casting the spell, Myarla sprinted towards Gerald-san, who was isolated.

"Don't do unnecessary things, beast girl! Take care of yourself!"

"But, but...! Ugh, now's not the time to talk!"

Another Ghoul targeted Myarla. 

She readied the claw weapons in her hands, crouching to intercept the approaching threat.

"Looks like they're having a hard time over there. But, without worrying about that, I'll showcase my new skill. Go, [Tri Fire]!"

On the other hand, Yuzuki remained carefree. 

Three flame spheres appeared at the tip of the staff held by the girl in her wizard attire. 

Softball-sized fireballs were shot toward different Ghouls, each seemingly having its own will. 

They hit their targets directly, engulfing the monsters in flames. 

Then, the 3 monsters turned into black mist, transforming into magic stones.

"I'll also test a new spell. Slash and Tear! [Gale Slash]!"

Kazane-san also unleashed a magical attack almost simultaneously with Yuzuki. 

It wasn't the usual [Wind Slash] or [Wind Storm]. 

From the tip of her red-tinged wave-patterned dagger, Flame Kris, compressed air was born and rapidly shot towards a Ghoul.

When it hit, a localized whirlwind enveloped the monster, tearing it apart with countless wind blades.

Like the others, it transformed into a magic stone with a single strike.

"I don't have any particularly new skills, but... [Rock Bazooka]!"

I also cast a magic attack at a different Ghoul. 

A massive rock, much larger than what Miyarla created, was launched with the force of a cannon. 

Confirming the result, I ran towards Myarla.

"Kazane-san, I'll leave the remaining one to you!"

"Yeah, leave it to me!"

Kazane-san headed towards the last remaining Ghoul among the six that approached us.

 Meanwhile, 1 Ghoul each approached Gerald-san and Miyarla, closing in for melee combat.

"Take this, [Double Slash]!"

"Take this too!"

Gerald-san and Miyarla each launched attacks at the approaching Ghouls.

Gerald's V-shaped slash with his sword succeeded in finishing off the Ghoul weakened by magical attacks.

However, Myarla's continuous attack with her claw weapons did not manage to finish off the unharmed Ghoul about to attack her. 

The counterattack's paralysis claws struck at Miyarla—

"—Or so you thought!"

Before that could happen, I delivered a spear strike from the side of that Ghoul. 

The Ghoul that was about to attack Myarla disappeared, transforming into a magic stone. 

Kazane-san, upon inspection, had also successfully sliced the last remaining Ghoul with her 2 daggers, achieving its defeat.

All 8 Ghouls had been wiped out. 

There were no signs or traces of other monsters. 

The battle had concluded. 

Gerald-san and Myarla, upon looking around, had widened their eyes in surprise.

"W-Wait a minute. What happened to the remaining Ghouls? Don't tell me they were all wiped out in this short time!?"

"T-That can't be true... They went towards Daichi-san and the others. There were supposed to be six of them. They didn't use area-of-effect magic. And besides, They even provided support. W-What happened? Are there more monsters?"

Gerald-san, bewildered, and Myarla, trembling in fear. 

Indeed, the results of this battle were somewhat extraordinary, considering we hadn't used any area-of-effect attacks. 

The magic that showed remarkable power this time was Yuzuki's new magic, [Tri Fire]. 

It exhibited a bizarre result of creating three fireballs, each destroying a Ghoul.

According to what Yuzuki mentioned during skill acquisition. 

Those three fireballs could also be concentrated on a single monster.

"Senpai, senpai! Aren't I amazing!? If you think I'm amazing, please respond with the usual thing!"

Yuzuki ran over and stood before me, looking at me with expectant eyes, having removed her hat.

I patted Yuzuki's head. 

"Well, that was impressive. I didn't expect each 1 to have enough power to defeat a Ghoul."

"W-Well, Ghouls are weak to fire, you know. Hehehe~♪"

My kouhai seemed delighted, her expression full of joy. 

After that, I did similar things with Kazane-san and finished the post-battle procedures.

Speaking of post-battle procedures, I shouldn't dwell on that.

Meanwhile, Gerald-san picked up the magic stones of the Ghouls he defeated, took a lantern from his [Item Box], and lit it.

"There shouldn't be all of them. Once we pick up the magic stones, let's move. Further ahead."

Without waiting for our response, he proceeded deep into the forest.

"He's still as unyielding as ever."

"It's not just being unyielding. It almost seems like he's intentionally being unsociable."

Kazane-san and Yuzuki expressed their exasperation.

That reminded me. 

I had intended to go and talk to Gerald-san.

"Well, I'm going to Gerald-san's place."

"Yeah, go ahead. Feel free to come back right away if it's too tough. That stuff is exhausting."

"Well, being told that makes me want to stand my ground. Anyway, I'll try to make contact."

With these words to Kazane-san, I chased after Gerald-san.

Trying to initiate communication with people. 

I thought to myself that I had changed a bit.

By the way, in this battle, we had also accomplished one mission.

───────────────────────

Mission: Defeat 3 Ghouls Completed!

All party members gain 5000 experience points!

New mission unlocked: Defeat 3 White (Gain 8000 experience points).

New mission unlocked: Defeat 3 Jack O'Lantern (Gain 15000 experience points).

Current Experience Points:

Musou Daichi... 682894/720298 (Next level: 37404)

Kodachi Kazane... 669056/720298 (Next level: 51242)

Yuzuki Hotaru... 777691/813032 (Next level: 35341)

───────────────────────

Given the current situation, a mission has been added that could be considered very lucrative. 

It would be great if there were enough of them.