Seeker 270

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Chapter 270. Sahuagin (2)

"You damn Sahuagin, that's enough! Release that Merfolk woman!"

"Gyaa...? What, humans again?"

The attention of the three Sahuagin tormenting the mermaid woman suddenly shifted towards Yuzuki.

The distance between them was still far, and they were not yet within combat range.

"Gyaa, it seems like humans diving into our territory is becoming a trend lately?"

"But it's just a brat. Seems to have the power of a warrior, though."

"Don't care. Let's take her down together. It's about time for humans to lay eggs. Gyagyagyaa."

A Sahuagin, licking its long tongue, and another one moved towards Yuzuki.

One of them had just thrust a spear into the mermaid woman's shoulder.

When the spear was pulled out, the mermaid woman let out a particularly loud scream.

In agony, she was restrained by the remaining Sahuagin.

"Kuh...! I'm telling you to release that woman! Or else—"

Yuzuki pulled the string of her Fenrir Bow, creating a shining arrow.

However, in response, the Sahuagin restraining the mermaid woman pointed the spear's tip at her neck.

"Gyagyagyaa, stop it, little human girl! If I hurt her, there'll be a hole in this woman's neck!"

"And besides, three against one, you stand no chance!"

"Gyagyagyaa, just quietly become our breeding ground!"

"Kuh...! C-cowardly! Fight fair and square!"

While saying that, Yuzuki canceled the attack motion of her Fenrir Bow, showing a resigned expression.

The two approaching Sahuagin laughed triumphantly.

"Yeah, that's the way."

"We'll take you to our lair and have a lot of fun. Gyagyagyaa."

"Kuh... so vulgar for Sahuagin!"

Yuzuki, now in escape mode, swam away to keep her distance from the two approaching Sahuagin.

"Hey, don't run, little girl!"

"Does it matter what happens to that mermaid woman!"

"Not really. If you can, try doing something about it."

"What!?"

Yuzuki's demeanor suddenly changed.

She stopped fleeing, raised her Fenrir Bow again, and created a sparkling arrow.

I spoke to my junior from a distance.

"Nice job, Yuzuki. That was quite a performance."

Right next to me, a Sahuagin that had been instantly killed by [Triple Thrust] was floating with rolled-back eyes.

In the arms of Wind Sound, who was next to me, the rescued mermaid woman was being held.

Utilizing the [Stealth] skill with Wind Sound, we quietly approached the Sahuagin who had captured the hostage, rescued the prisoner, and dealt with them simultaneously.

The effectiveness of the [Stealth] skill increases to the difference in strength between the user and the opponent.

Even though they were Sahuagin equivalent to Awakened humans, if the opponent was weaker, they wouldn't notice us.

Especially with their attention focused on Yuzuki.

With both Wind Sound and me, it wasn't a difficult task to rescue the hostage from the Sahuagin who had been captured by [Stealth].

So, the only remaining threats were the two Sahuagin that chased after Yuzuki.

Encouraged by my words of appreciation, Yuzuki raised her voice in delight.

"Hehe, because I'm a performer like Katsuragi-chan. Now, it's time for a counterattack. They'll pay for all the filthy words they've thrown at me—Fenrir Arrow!"

"What...!? Gyaahhh!"

The ice arrow released by Yuzuki pierced the chest of one of the remaining Sahuagin, rendering it incapacitated in an instant.

Thrown far by the impact of the damage, the Sahuagin looked limp as it sank quietly to the seafloor.

In addition, there was no visible reduction in the effectiveness of Fenrir Bow's underwater attack, although it caused the seawater on its trajectory to freeze slightly.

"Gyagyaa!? W-what!? Damn it! —In that case, little girl, I'll take you hostage this time! Gyagyaahh!"

The remaining Sahuagin, holding a trident, swam towards Yuzuki.

The movements of the Sahuagin underwater were indeed fast.

In the blink of an eye, it closed the distance and thrust its trident sharply.

Yuzuki's Fenrir Bow didn't make it in time for a second shot, and Wind Sound and I couldn't provide cover from this distance.

Unable to evade, the Sahuagin's trident stabbed deeply into Yuzuki's abdomen.

"Ugh...!"

"Gyagyagyaa, how about the power of my spear? If you use long-range attacks, we'll have the advantage in close combat! I'll cut off your consciousness and take you hostage—"

The Sahuagin pulled the trident out of Yuzuki's body, preparing to deliver another blow.

Fresh blood leaked from Yuzuki's abdomen like red smoke.

But at that moment, the corner of Yuzuki's mouth, the side that was stabbed, twisted into a sneer.

"Hah, this is nothing! The foundation level is different—Fenrir Arrow!"

"Gyagyaa!? Gyaaahhh!"

Quicker than the Sahuagin's second strike, a second ice arrow was released from Yuzuki's Fenrir Bow.

The arrow pierced the chest of the Sahuagin, instantly incapacitating it.

The third Sahuagin also sank slowly to the seafloor.

With this, all obstacles got eliminated.

"Yuzuki, are you okay!?"

I hurriedly swam to Yuzuki's side.

The junior smiled with a triumphant expression.

"I'm fine, Senpai. This was just a blow from some small fry. My HP is only down by about 20%, and the bleeding has already stopped."

"I-is that so? Thank goodness..."

"Senpai, you're panicking too much after deciding to use me as bait. Look forward to the reward—I'm looking forward to it♪"

"Understood. It's tough to do it immediately, but tell me anything after you calm down."

I cast a healing spell on Yuzuki and then hugged her tightly.

Yuzuki, with a satisfied smile, hugged me back.

Afterward, we returned to the cave where Fermina and Gelark-san were waiting with the rescued mermaid.