Seeker 338

Test

Chapter 338. Decisive Battle, Yamata No Orochi (1)

"Come on, Yamata no Orochi. Your favorite meal is right here!"

Kushinosuke shouted at the monster descending the mountain.

We waited for the massive creature's arrival, scattering support spells as we timed our actions.

The Yamata no Orochi, having descended the mountain, rushed towards us with a ground-shaking roar.

The colossal monster, as large as a castle, approached, kicking up a cloud of dust.

But no matter how enormous the foe, if it's a monster with stats, we can handle it.

The creature finally came within sight.

Though still over a hundred meters away, it felt like the moment of collision was imminent.

Our first task was to protect or evacuate Kushinosuke from being eaten by the Yamata no Orochi—

"Griff, I'm counting on you!"

"Kwaa!"

I gave orders to my familiar.

Griff had already returned to his original size.

"Sorry for the smell of alcohol, but I'm relying on you."

Kushinosuke, dressed in a shrine maiden outfit, spoke to Griff.

The princess of the general's family, drenched in alcohol, was mounted on my familiar.

"Kwa, kwaa!"

Following my orders, Griff flapped his wings and flew backward.

He started with low-altitude flight, skimming close to the ground.

—Shaaahhhh!

Perhaps seeing the intended sacrifice escape, the Yamata no Orochi let out a roar.

But its actions remained unchanged.

It continued to charge towards us—or rather, towards Kushinosuke.

"Yes, come straight at us!"

Mikoto, holding the flaming sword Kikuchimonji, stared down the monster.

I too gripped my blazing divine spear, feeling the moment approach.

In front of our position, we had prepared a massive pitfall, ten meters in diameter.

Before setting up Kushinosuke as the "shrine maiden," we had dug it out with the help of the warriors, the Mononofu.

If the Yamata no Orochi followed the straight path from Mount Koshi to Kushinosuke, we could use the pitfall to our advantage.

That was our plan, but—

"Why is it bypassing the pitfall?!"

"No way, can it see the pitfall?!"

Yuzuki and Kazane exclaimed.

For some reason, the Yamata no Orochi veered widely to the side just before the pitfall, avoiding it.

It moved to our right.

"Damn… right wing unit, retreat! Left wing, maintain healing spell range!"

Mikoto shouted and dashed towards the right wing.

We followed her lead.

The right wing unit, specializing in water and earth attribute magic for healing, consisted of about twenty Mononofu warriors.

The central unit, where I, Kazane, and Mikoto were positioned, had equal distances to the left and right wings.

The right wing's formation was forced to retreat due to the Yamata no Orochi's evasion.

Yuzuki, our long-range artillery, was among the right wing unit.

"Ugh, I wish we hadn't prepared the pitfall! But—I'll get a shot in before retreating, Fenrir Arrow!"

Amidst the retreating right wing Mononofu, Yuzuki stayed behind to fire a shot with her Fenrir Bow.

A glowing ice arrow shot forth, striking the Yamata no Orochi's body.

The arrow hit the reptilian body, blossoming into icy shards.

The monster's many heads let out a beastly roar.

Without waiting to see the result, Yuzuki retreated, following the right wing Mononofu further to the right.

"Remaining HP, 1923…! Damage, 277!"

A Mononofu with the [Monster Appraisal] skill in the left wing shouted the observation.

Voices of astonishment rose from both wings.

"277 damage…!? Just one hit from that girl's magic bow!?"

"Even Mikoto's [Double Slash] only did about 100 points."

"With this, we might really be able to defeat Yamata no Orochi!"

I felt the morale of the entire army rise.

I too felt a surge of confidence.

Despite likely having its power reduced by a special ability called "Anti-Magic Barrier II," the Fenrir Bow's strength was impressive.

Usually, Yuzuki's Fenrir Bow would easily deal over 300 points of damage.

Despite the Yamata no Orochi's high magic defense, pure power had pushed through.

Our artillery remained as reliable as ever.

Shortly after, Kazane, Mikoto, and I reached the adjusted path of the Yamata no Orochi.

Our role was to stand in the path of the monster aiming for Kushinosuke and deal as much damage as possible upon contact.

The Orochi was almost upon us.

Just as it seemed we were about to collide, the entire monster's body glowed faintly.

The wounds inflicted by Yuzuki's Fenrir Bow began to heal.

"HP recovering—remaining 2123! Damn, the big hit was wasted…!"

The [Monster Appraisal] skill user shouted again.

But we had no time to lament.

The Yamata no Orochi's eight heads attacked us simultaneously, like separate creatures.

One head lunged at me.

The dragon-like head was large enough to swallow me whole.

It would bite me—but I had no intention of fleeing.

I channeled power into my right hand and unleashed it.

"—[Triple Thrust]!"

I launched a three-hit attack with my flaming divine spear at the dragon's head.

The spear's flames were, of course, thanks to Yuzuki's [Fire Weapon].

The Yamata no Orochi had fire resistance, but I expected half the usual damage increase effect.

Cutting flesh to break bones.

I intended to inflict damage while enduring some myself.

But—

"Ugh…!"

In an instant, the dragon head's fangs bit into my side.

The dragon's head was unscathed.

Just before impact, its neck moved with unimaginable speed, avoiding my [Triple Thrust] and biting me.

The fangs pierced through my Gaia Armor and [Protection], sinking into my flesh.

It wasn't a lethal wound, but—

Another head aimed for my upper body, and yet another for my lower body.

"Daichi-kun!—Ugh!"

I heard Kazane's voice, but had no time to respond as my vision went black.