Seeker 340

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Chapter 340. Decisive Battle, Yamata No Orochi (3)

By the time I thought "This is bad," flames were already spewing from all eight heads.

They converged into a massive vortex of fire, sweeping across the area where Yuizuki and the others were.

The screams of countless Mononofu.

Yuzuki's voice of agony was mixed in.

After the flames subsided, about ten Mononofu within the range collapsed one after another.

The only one left standing was Yuzuki.

Yuzuki looked at the charred Mononofu, showing a broken expression.

He might think that because he was there, the people around him got caught in the flames.

He looks tough, but he's got a fragile side.

I shout at Yuzuki.

"Pull yourself together, Yuzuki! They're just 'incapacitated'! One breath won't kill them, you heard that in the war council! Focus on taking him down now!"

Half of what I said was a bluff.

Awakened ones become 'incapacitated' when their current HP drops below zero, but if it goes beyond their maximum HP in the negative, they die.

We were told in the war council that Yamata no Orochi's breath attack wouldn't kill in one blow, but that was based on past battles.

Even if it's not true, if it helps Yuzuki regain his composure, I'll take responsibility.

"I-I got it!"

I hear Yuzuki's reply.

The mage in her starts drawing her Fenrir Bow again.

That's right. You're one of our greatest assets. If you lose your cool and can't give your best, you'll regret it.

Of course, the same goes for me.

Do your best now.

Yamata no Orochi's massive body is closing in on me.

Kazane-san and Mikoto are already engaged, attacking.

I finally reach Orochi's feet, channeling the power of the skill into my right hand holding the divine spear, and unleashing it.

"[Triple Thrust]!"

I strike the huge magical beast's torso with a three-hit combo of the divine spear clad in magical flames.

This time, I didn't miss.

The sensation of piercing the tough scales and flesh is transmitted through my hand.

Even though it's huge, I can feel the shockwaves from my attack spreading inside the monster.

The light of my power gives a significant blow, disproportionate to our size difference.

"──!"

As I pull back the spear, multiple dragon heads come attacking.

Dodging is impossible.

I'm bitten by several fangs again and thrown to the ground.

Ignoring the damage, I stand up.

Healing magic flies in from the sidelines, mending my wounds.

"Uooohhh! [Triple Thrust]!"

I charge at Orochi again, unleashing another combo with the divine spear.

Being thrown to the ground and turned upside down, I can't accurately grasp the situation around me.

But I can see that Kazane-san and Mikoto are still fighting, continuing their assault on Yamata no Orochi.

If I take a moment to assess the situation more precisely, I could get a better understanding, but that would be a bad move.

I have to trust them.

Trust Kazane-san, Yuzuki, Mikoto, and the many Mononofu supporting with healing.

My role now is to deal as much damage as possible to Yamata no Orochi as an attacker.

With its high regeneration ability, we have to keep up the high-power attacks continuously, to defeat it before it can regenerate.

Again, multiple Orochi heads come at me.

I take damage and get knocked around.

Instead of delivering a fatal blow, it just keeps attacking, like it's following some strange rule of the seeker, monster, and dungeon world.

How much more do I need to attack to defeat it──

I stand up again, facing the regenerating giant monster with anxiety.

Support spells like [Fire Weapon], [Quickness], and [Protection] last for a minute.

Since we started preparing just before engaging Yamata no Orochi, the actual duration is less, about thirty to fifty seconds.

If we don't finish it by then, the battle will become very tough.

"Remaining HP, 768! ──Gwaaaahhh!"

The Mononofu with [Monster Appraisal] screams right after reporting the remaining HP.

The screams are many.

Above my head, Yamata no Orochi's eight dragon heads spew flames again.

The target is the left wing's Mononofu who were healing us.

No time to check, but they might be wiped out.

If so, no more healing will come.

Damn it, Yamata no Orochi, it seems to know our weak spots despite appearing dumb.

"Just fall already──[Triple Thrust]!"

Another full-force attack.

A definite heavy blow.

Preparing for a counterattack, but the eight dragon heads don't immediately strike after spewing flames.

I prepare for the next attack, glancing around.

"Fenrir Arrow!"

"Damn it, it's not over yet...!?"

"We're almost there, [Double Slash]!"

Yuzuki, Kazane-san, and Mikoto keep attacking.

I hear Yamata no Orochi's cries of anguish.

Meanwhile, the monster's body glows faintly again.

The glow of regeneration we've seen many times.

"You're persistent──!"

I strike again with a three-hit combo.

It's a solid hit, but still not enough.

The dragon heads bite at me.

I take damage.

Thrown away, I regain my stance.

"Yuzuki, remaining HP!"

I shout while facing the giant beast with my spear.

Should I focus on healing or attacking?

"270! If this hits──Fenrir Arrow!"

A shining ice arrow hits one of Orochi's heads directly.

Ice shards blossom and shatter.

For a moment, time stops, silence falls.

And then──

Yamata no Orochi's massive body dissipates into a black mist, disappearing.

A treasure chest appears in its place.

Amidst the heavy breathing, Mikoto mutters.

"D-Did we do it...?"

No one answers.

But I──

"──Uooooohhhhh!"

Raise a triumphant shout to the sky.