Seeker 277.2

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Chapter 277.2. The Sealed Cave

At this stage, it seems that the rescue of Rebecca, who was captured by the Sahuagins, has been completed.

If that's the case, then the mission is accomplished.

Tasks are done, all issues resolved, and a happy ending.

Now, all that remains is to triumphantly return to the peaceful underwater city after defeating the Sahuagins, waiting for the ending to unfold──

"──But, it's never that easy. ...Ugh!"

A tremendous pressure, almost terrifying, struck from the colossal monster that had been pulsating since earlier.

Upon inspection, the membrane of light covering the monster, supplied by the divine spear, was dispersing as if being engulfed by an evil force.

A menacing wave of black and purple surged, wreaking havoc from the monster's epicenter.

The nearby Merfolk warriors were blown away as if caught in a storm.

The Merfolk King, who was attempting to thrust the divine spear stolen from the black-robed Sahuagin back into the monster once more, was also hindered by an invisible barrier.

"Ugh...! Senpai... if we act now, is there still a chance to escape...?"

Bracing against the force emitted by the monster, Yuzuki asked while struggling.

With a cold sweat forming inside, I responded.

"It's probably impossible. My Seeker instincts are telling me that. Instead of trying to escape, it would be more constructive to use support magic right now if we have the time."

"How coincidental. I was thinking the same thing."

"Daichi-kun, sorry to keep you waiting!"

Kazane, who had evacuated Rebecca-san's body to the outside of the hall, joined me and Yuzuki.

The Griffin was next to us, issuing intimidating sounds towards the monster.

The enormous monster in the depths of the hall, with a significantly large and eerie appearance that could not be classified as either squid or octopus, raised its prone body from the ground.

The evil undulating waves of black and purple, which had been raging, subsided, but the eerie and oppressive feeling lingered.

At that moment, Yuzuki shouted.

"Senpai, the [Monster Appraisal] that was 'UNKNOWN' until now has gone through! The monster's name is Kraken (Incomplete Form)! HP 1800, Attack 110, Defense 135, Agility 55, Magic Power 65, no weaknesses or resistances specified! Special abilities are [Tentacle Frenzy], [Storm of Lightning], [Invincibility State]!"

"Oh, interesting. The numbers are more reasonable, or should I say realistic, than I thought."

Looking at the numbers alone, they were a few tens of percent higher than various dragons and fire giants we had fought before.

Seeing this, the feeling of being able to handle it welled up.

At this time, another notification sound rang out.

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Special Mission Subjugate the Kraken (Incomplete Form) has emerged!

Experience points gained upon mission completion... 150,000 points

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A notification for the final blow arrived for the special mission.

In addition, there──

"Human hero, use this spear!"

The Merfolk King threw a spear in his hand toward me.

That spear──the divine spear said to seal the magical beast Kraken──was embedded in the ground right in front of me.

As if guided by something, I released the spear in my hand, the

Archepiece, which had [Fire Weapon] cast on it by Yuzuki during the waiting time. I pulled out the divine spear stuck in the ground in front of me.

I felt a strong power flowing into my body from the spear.

It seemed like power overflowing from inside my body.

"Yuzuki, sorry. Can you cast [Fire Weapon] on this spear once again?"

"Y-Yes, understood!"

With Yuzuki's support magic, the tip of the divine spear in my hand once again harbored magical flames.

In addition to [Fire Weapon], the usual set of support magic, [Protection], and [Quickness], had already been sprinkled on us three and the Griffin during the current grace period.

If there was a little more time, we could also cast support magic on the Merfolk warriors, but── it was at that moment.

A dark wave, chilling and ominous, surged from the monster's body, mowing us down.

Kazane and Yuzuki trembled, readying their weapons.

"Daichi-kun!"

"Yeah, I know."

"The [Invincibility State] is lifted!"

──Woooaahhh!

A roaring sound, as if it could reach the farthest ends of the sea, emanated from the monster's mouth, whose location we couldn't discern.