Chapter 305 - 305. The Battle for the Fortress and the Eight-Headed Serpent, Part 3
Eight heads stared down at us.
"It's not over. We can do this. We have our own strengths, built up over our entire journey!"
As Maira performed her dance of blessing, our stamina began to recover.
Neffy shot me a quick glance.
"Do you have a plan?"
"I'll strike the main body directly. I just hope we can create an opening."
It was Mizuki who answered in my stead. She glared up at the great eight-headed serpent, her jaw clenched.
Seeing her profile, I was reminded of what happened in the dungeon called Longhorn Trail, back in Heilong. She had suffered a terrible injury protecting Mo during the fight with the Area Guardian. I didn't want to see her like that again. The situation was different, but a sense of dread made my palms slick with sweat.
"Mizuki, don't push yourself too hard."
"I know. But thanks to your special skill, Mash, our levels have gone up quite a bit."
"Our levels...?"
Mizuki nodded. It occurred to me that I hadn't checked my own character sheet recently. It was true that level bonuses made a difference, but their effect was minimal if your base abilities weren't high to begin with. Maybe if we were in a growth spurt, but it was impossible to change that much in just three months. With that thought, I opened my character sheet.
"Level... forty-three?"
Mizuki nodded at my stunned expression.
"The battle in Migul, the string of Area Guardian fights in Fam's and Lily's villages... and more than anything, we got a lot of experience from the battle with the giant."
Realizing she checked her character sheet so diligently, I thought it was just like her, a reflection of her meticulous nature.
"I didn't really do much fighting, though..."
I had been asleep for the finale, but it seemed I still received party experience. I didn't understand the logic behind it, but a higher level meant stronger stats.
I was pretty sure I was level thirty when I last checked in Migul's Crystal Palace. I'd heard the experience required for each level increased exponentially, so this jump was astonishing. I then recalled that Reed, from the Wind Blade party we fought in Richelle, was level forty-nine. He was younger than me, but I didn't feel like I was any closer to him as an adventurer. Still, considering we had managed to withstand the eight-headed serpent's onslaught so far, it all made sense if it was thanks to this level increase. But could we really rely on that to keep fighting? Doubt began to creep in.
"And our weapons are different now, too. That thing's regeneration can't be infinite. There has to be a limit."
The sword in Mizuki's hand was the one she received from Racshell. I had assumed it was ceremonial because of the text engraved on the blade, but it seemed to perform perfectly well in combat, enhancing her abilities.
The katana Fam wielded beside her had been gifted by Okita Soji, and the battle-axe Maira clutched next to me was sealed in the shrine in Lily's village. Our equipment had certainly improved.
However, a single blow from this monster could leave us gravely injured, or worse, dead. A cold sweat trickled down my back.
"Mizuki is right. Neffy, Fam, and I will create an opening for Mizuki to attack the main body directly. Mash, you protect Mo and provide support with magic."
Maira joined the three on the front line. Above them, countless ground-cherry-colored eyes stared down, blanketing them in their gaze. All at once, the necks began to writhe.
The serpent's attack was methodical. Five heads lunged and retreated in the same pattern as before, while two others slithered around to fill the gaps. The last head kept its focus on Mo and me.
Amidst the fierce assault, Mizuki tried to slip past the heads and strike the torso, but this time its tail thwarted her attack, leaving her unable to press forward.
I took aim at one of the heads about to attack Fam and unleashed an [Icicle]. But with distance, it became harder for my magic to find its mark before the monster could react. The spell I just cast merely glanced off its scales, failing to land an effective blow. It did serve as a diversion, however. Fam used the opening to lunge forward and slash at its head. She tried to follow up with another strike, but a different head bared its fangs at her, forcing her to dodge back.
"Fam!"
"I'm fine! I can still fight!"
Her confident reply came back immediately. I had been worried about her after her enslavement, but seeing her fight now, she seemed to be doing all right. I couldn't quite figure out what Neffy was thinking, but I was sure she would at least cooperate with us in this battle. We couldn't get out of this room without defeating the Area Guardian. My concerns for her would have to wait until after we beat the serpent. I had no idea how she intended to deal with the Crimson Brigade.
My gaze shifted to Mo, who hadn't cast any magic for a while now.
Is she charging up another massive spell...?
But when I looked at her, I was shocked to see how pale her face was.
"What's wrong, Mo? What happened?"
A sheen of cold sweat dotted her forehead. I wiped it away with my finger.
"...I think I used too much magic. I can't cast any."
"You didn't drink a mana potion?"
She shook her head at my question.
"...It's not like that..."
"You have mana, but you can't... cast spells?"
Mo nodded. Her words sparked a realization. After using a special skill, there's a cooldown before you can use it again. But even after using a special skill, you could still cast normal magic as long as you restored your mana. This meant that, separate from mana, there was a finite limit to the total number of spells one could cast. She had used too many of her most powerful spells during the fight with the giant and on the way here.
"Damn it."
If that was the case, then I, Neffy, and Maira would eventually hit our limits too.
This plan to wear down the serpent could backfire if we ran out of magic first. If Maira, our healer, couldn't cast her spells, we were finished.
Just then, Mo's eyes widened as she looked behind me.
"...Mash, behind you!"
I didn't even need to turn. I felt a murderous intent, as cold as ice, on my back. One of the heads was closing in. I instinctively grabbed Mo and twisted my body.
A gust of wind tore through the space we had just occupied as the monster's fangs shot past at incredible speed.
The monster changed direction and charged again, still after us. Without looking back, I fled, firing a volley of [Icicles]. But the monster didn't give up its pursuit. Its fangs grazed my back, and the impact sent me sprawling.
My back burned with intense pain. But the monster turned its fangs on me again, ready to tear me apart. I grit my teeth and forced myself up.
I was going to be killed. I scooped up Mo, who was lying on the floor, and ran toward Fam and the others on the front line.
The head pursued me relentlessly, closing in right behind me. Ahead, I could see Mizuki fighting another one of the heads.
"Mizuki!"
I raced past her. As I did, Mizuki's long hair and the hem of her skirt floated up, tracing an arc in the air. A flash of white steel ran along that trajectory.
The gleam of her blade flowed like a counterattack, drawn straight into the head closing in on my back.
"SKREEEEEEE!"
Her single strike sliced through the head chasing me, and a piercing shriek echoed through the chamber. The head thrashed about as if it had lost all control.
"Are you okay?"
Mizuki asked, her attention already shifting to the movements of the other heads.
"Sorry, but Mo and I can't keep up the rear support."
My face twisted in pain. A ragged breath escaped my lips.
"I can see that."
"Mizuki, we're changing the plan."
She turned back in surprise.
"You have a plan?"
"I do."
I could tell my short reply made her hold her breath.
"We'll defeat a monster of myth with the method from the myth."
"What?"
Her expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief. Another head lunged at her. She quickly dodged and landed a strike of her own.
"You can't possibly think a strategy like that will actually work!"
"Mizuki, now is the time to unleash your brewery!"
Far more barrels of alcohol than I expected emerged from Mizuki's storage.
They were lined up in a neat row.
"How much were you planning to drink?!"
"I wasn't going to drink it all myself! I've decided to only have one glass until I'm an adult, and I've decided I'll drink with you, Mash!"
"So I have to drink half of it?!"
I'm not one to seek out alcohol myself, so I didn't quite understand her passion. I was more the type to serve it to others, for hospitality. The thought of Mizuki becoming a heavy drinker like Maira was terrifying. Come to think of it, Fam also demanded alcohol and would sometimes take huge gulps despite being a lightweight.
"Anyway, let's break the lids and lure the eight-headed serpent in!"
In the myth, the Yamata no Orochi drank potent alcohol that filled eight vats, became intoxicated, and was defeated when all its heads were severed.
Right now, more than ten barrels stood before us.
"That story happened before the fight even started! There's no way a monster will drink in the middle of a battle like this!"
"...I think Mizuki's right."
Mo muttered quietly next to Mizuki's anguished cry. I pressed down on Mo's head and ruffled her hair vigorously.
"Don't you start! You help too!"
"...What a waste."
Mo's words made my hand freeze.
"Mo, do you like to drink, too?"
Mo shook her head frantically.
"...Drinking makes me all fuzzy and my head gets all jumbled. I only drink on special occasions."
"What are you talking about, then? It's not a waste."
Mo tilted her head.
"...That's true."
Mo's hand rested on mine as I gripped my katana. We brought the pommel down on the lid of a barrel. Instantly, the rich aroma of wine filled the air.
"Ugh, this isn't what I was stockpiling them for..."
Whether out of resignation or desperation, Mizuki also began smashing the barrel lids one after another.
Then, as if drawn by the scent of alcohol, one of the heads slithered toward the barrels and drank, crushing the cask in its jaws.
Lured by the first, the other heads began to approach the barrels. It seemed the most heavily damaged ones were coming to drink first. It was a bizarre sight. while some heads engaged fiercely with Fam and the others, the injured ones were drinking alcohol.
"It looks less like they're drinking and more like they're just crushing the barrels..."
Mizuki's shoulders slumped as she watched.
"Don't be so down. I have some in my storage, too. We can drink together next time."
I patted her shoulder to console her, and her head snapped up.
"Wait, if you have some, why didn't we use yours first?!"
"Well... that's... you know."
Unable to bluff my way out, I just gave a vague nod, and Mizuki sighed.
"Are you absolutely sure this plan will work? What are you going to do if the eight-headed serpent drinks all the alcohol and doesn't get drunk?"
"I think we'll be fine."
"What do you mean, you think?"
"Look at it. It has eight heads, but only one body. That means it only has one set of internal organs. It shouldn't have the capacity to process this much alcohol."
"How can you be so sure?! It's a monster, and it's huge!"
"There's another reason."
"Another one?"
Mizuki frowned, her gaze skeptical.
"The seal on the shrine was probably made to only let transfer students through. And the Area Guardian is an enemy familiar to transfer students."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Mizuki's brow remained furrowed as she eyed me with suspicion.
"It means it was designed for a transfer student to break the seal. Therefore, it should be designed in a way that a transfer student can defeat it."
"How can you possibly know that?! Transfer students can use special skills. The fight might be balanced around using them. I doubt they considered someone like you, Mash, who would challenge an Area Guardian without being able to use a special skill!"
"M-Mizuki... you..."
She'd hit a sore spot, and I was left speechless. Just then, the eight-headed serpent crushed the last barrel.
"Aah..."
Mizuki let out a wistful sound, her gaze filled with sorrow. But then her eyes narrowed.
"Just as you said, Mash, the monster's movements are getting sluggish. We might be able to defeat it now."
Mizuki tightened her grip on her sword.
I unleashed a barrage of countless [Icicles] at the eight-headed serpent. A breath later, the monster turned its fangs toward me. Fam, Maira, and Neffy stood in its way, bracing for a counterattack. Seizing the momentary standoff, Mizuki dashed toward the serpent's torso.
To keep its attention away from her, Neffy and I unleashed our magic while Fam and Maira launched their own attacks.
Just when we thought the monster's actions were completely delayed, its eight tails lashed out at Mizuki with a sharp crack that split the air. The tips of the tails gouged the spot right where she had come to an abrupt halt, leaving a red gash on her cheek.
But she was undeterred. She resumed her charge, slashed away another approaching tail, and leaped high into the air.
"Take this!"
Mizuki's swing tore through the eight-headed serpent's body. A roar that sounded like a scream erupted from all eight mouths at once. The monster's body shuddered violently, its movements growing even more frantic. Mizuki landed another blow, dodged a tail swipe, and continued to carve into its torso.
The attacks on Fam and the others grew fiercer. It was no longer a hit-and-run tactic. like before, it was a relentless pursuit. The creature was fighting for its life.
One of the heads lunged toward me. I hid Mo behind my back and readied my katana. I would meet its charge head-on and cut it down. With that resolve, I pointed the tip of my blade at the monster.
I steadied my breathing and waited for the monster's charge, but the moment never came. Slowly, the monster's head sank and fell to the ground. At the same time, a faint light enveloped the great eight-headed serpent, and then the monster vanished.
"Did we... beat it?"
With the rush of relief, the pain in my back returned with a vengeance. My strength drained away, and I felt myself start to collapse. Mo was there to support me.
The others were still standing frozen, weapons at the ready. Fam took a breath and then sheathed her katana.
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