Chapter 202 - The Demon Realm, Forest of the Netherworld
After a few hours of rest, we set off without waiting for Ophelia to wake up. One of the Young Masters took the steering wheel of the lead vehicle. Ophelia, still asleep, was placed in the trailing vehicle, and her care was entrusted to Verone.
Sigh. I’m still reeling from the terror of dealing with Raiz. I never wanted to fight, but now I know I should avoid anyone like him at all costs. The pain I endured made me pour all my remaining energy into sensing enemy magic. I won’t make the same mistake again.
If Ophelia, who’s already mentally drained, were to encounter Raiz again, it could be a matter of life and death. We need to be even more cautious and vigilant as we move forward.
Despite the endless, unchanging scenery, I suddenly noticed something different. "Yukarinowe-san, hasn’t the sky gotten brighter?"
A calm voice called out from the roof. "Yeah, I don’t think it’s just my imagination. Maybe we’re getting close to the exit!"
The sky had indeed lightened, if only slightly, like a few drops of light in the darkness. I want to believe that the further we go, the brighter it will get.
"We did it!" The Young Master’s voice perked up. Everyone’s been on edge, so any change is a welcome sign.
With renewed hope, we pushed forward. After another long journey, a clear anomaly appeared.
"Yukarinowe-san, something’s off," the voice from the roof called out again.
What’s off, exactly? I know it’s weird, but I can feel it too. "The forest... it’s thinning out, right? And that..."
Exactly. The forest has an unnatural gap, and the sky has become noticeably brighter. The stars still haven’t come out, but it feels like a regular night now—definitely brighter than the deep darkness we were in before.
And there’s something even stranger. "So that’s the final boss. It’s a perfect setup."
In the middle of the large clearing, far off on the horizon, stands a small mountain. From a distance, it’s hard to see clearly, but the black silhouette is undoubtedly a massive undead. Normally, I’d prefer to avoid such a formidable opponent, but the obvious change in the environment has raised our spirits. It doesn’t feel like a wraith, so it’s probably not a Raiz-type.
After proceeding cautiously for a while, we stopped in a location far from the giant undead to hold a strategy meeting. The area around here seems unaffected by the final boss, with regular undead staying away, reducing the need for constant vigilance.
"That thing is huge. It even has wing-like structures."
"I’ve never seen such a massive magical beast, let alone an undead."
"It’s definitely a skeletal type. That size... could it be a dragon? I doubt it can fly without its skin, though."
Such a fantastical creature. It’s like we’ve finally encountered one.
Dragons are legendary beasts said to exist only in the uncharted depths. No one in modern times claims to have seen one. Even the legendary Cloud Cutter, who trained in the uncharted depths, might have seen one, but the only records are ancient texts. They’re often featured in fairy tales, making them more mythical than real.
"Whether it’s legendary or not, we can’t avoid it. We have to take it down. Are you ready?"
"We have no choice, right? If we have to, we’ll push through. Even if it’s a dragon, we’ll take it down!"
There’s no way around it. The petrified forest and the raised plateau make it impossible to bypass the creature. To move forward, we have to defeat this behemoth.
"How about you, Verone? Can you handle it?"
"Eh!? Y-Yeah, I think so."
"It might be better to hold back. Ophelia is still asleep, and losing a combatant is a significant blow."
I don’t want to be held back. Hmm, losing two members is tough, but it can’t be helped.
"That’s it. With such a large target, we’ll start with long-range attacks. If we can take it down quickly, that’s ideal. If we can at least do some damage, Verone can join in from here."
"Um, sure, I’ll try."
"Agreed. Let’s have one last rest before the battle."
This is our last meal that’s not preserved food. Our supplies are running out, and we’ll have to use the emergency rations. I never thought we’d need them. You never know what might happen, do you?
After setting aside a small portion for Ophelia, we finished our meal and took a well-deserved rest, taking advantage of the lack of monsters around. We need to be in top condition and prepare ourselves for the final battle.
"That’s the skeleton of a dragon, or a Skeleton Dragon. It’s a super-powerful undead, possibly even a legendary creature. But we have to take it down, no matter what. Got it?"
Everyone seems calm, but I know the enemy we’re about to face is truly formidable. The sheer amount of magic it wields is beyond human comprehension, and as an undead, it’s immune to biological attacks. It’s an unknown enemy, and we have no idea about its attack methods or weaknesses. Still...
"Of course!"
"I can feel the immense magic from here. It feels like it’s already crushing us, even though it’s not moving. But that doesn’t matter."
"Being a skeleton that can slay dragons would be a great achievement. Though, no one will believe us, I guess."
"Definitely not a joke. I’ll draw my bow with full force."
"I’m a bit worried if my attacks will work, but I’ll do my best."
"Um, I’ll provide support!"
Valeria answered without hesitation, while Liliane and Graylease chimed in lightly. Albert switched from his hammer to his bow, and Mia, despite her concerns about her firepower, was fully committed.
None of our Kikyo Society members show any fear, except for one reliable member who’s usually around.
The two Young Masters from the Combat Support Unit will continue to guard the vehicles. Protecting the vehicles is also about protecting Ophelia, who’s still resting, so it’s an important task. Stray attacks are a real possibility, after all.
"Alright, it’s been a while since we’ve faced a strong magical beast. Let’s get pumped up!"
"Right!"
With their spirited replies as a signal, we began preparing for the initial long-range assault.
Reflecting on our journey, we’ve mostly been running away. From ants to centipedes and undead, it hasn’t been easy. Finally, we’re in a position to fight a powerful and unknown enemy, and it feels like a great victory. Let’s give it our all.
We divided into those skilled in long-range attacks and their support. I’ll throw, Albert will shoot arrows, and Liliane will use wind magic. Valeria and Mia will add flames to Liliane’s spells, and Graylease will use Shadow Magic to gather information. If any of our attacks prove effective, Graylease will recognize it immediately.
We intensified our Physical Enhancement Magic to the limit and refined our magic power. Of course, we’re also using magic potions to boost our abilities.
As Albert nocked an arrow, a lightning bolt formed. When Liliane raised her command staff, a whirlwind formed high above. Valeria and Mia synchronized their focus with Liliane’s timing. Graylease extended his shadows, and Verone enhanced our senses.
With heightened senses, I generated a softball-sized tungsten projectile. In this state, we can perfectly synchronize our attacks.
In perfect unison, we launched our attacks without a signal. First to strike, the tungsten projectile broke the sound barrier, followed by Albert’s lightning-imbued arrows. A tornado of red-hot flames appeared directly above the target.
The massive skull was hit simultaneously by our attacks. Each attack was powerful enough to rival large-scale magic, enhanced by multiple boosts and far beyond the norm.
The explosion briefly turned the darkness white. The black mountain-like silhouette remained, but how much damage did it take?
"Graylease, any effect?"
"...The target is still standing! The throwing and bow attacks did cause some damage, but it doesn’t seem to be effective!"
Seriously? Not even a scratch? That bone must have a structure like Orichalcum, the pinnacle of magical defense. The fact that magic isn’t working is a problem.
"That thing is almost unscathed?"
"My and Albert’s attacks barely did anything. It seems physical attacks are effective, while magic isn’t."
"Ah, that’s tough. Maybe I should use a backup sword."
Hmm, it looks like we’ll need direct physical attacks with weapons made of ultra-hard magical minerals. If that’s the only way, we’ll do it.
"Fine by me! I’ll crush it with the Silver Super-Hard Bat!"
"Bows are no good. I prefer the hammer. This is more my style!"
"I’ll break it into pieces!"
"Let’s go!"
With our enhanced senses and experience in the dark, we can coordinate our attacks more efficiently. Our accumulated skills will make a difference.
Leaving the defense to the Young Masters and Verone, we charged forward. An unknown enemy in an unknown space—this is a rare and exhilarating situation. The anticipation is thrilling, and we’re all hyped up. I tightened my grip on the Silver Super-Hard Bat.
Chasing after Valeria’s dynamic movements, I focused on the massive creature. Its bones, filled with immense magical power and formidable defense, felt like they were made of a magical mineral. I wanted to examine them up close.
Since other undead aren’t approaching, there’s no need to fight in the dark.
"Fire a flare!"
In unison, light magic shot into the sky, revealing the enemy in clear detail. We were surprised by its grandeur.
"Golden bones? And it looks like a dragon!"
"This is incredible!"
"Hahahaha!"
What a magnificent enemy. Even though we don’t know its exact identity, we’re all hyped up by its formidable presence. Cheers erupted, out of place but genuine.
Valeria, the fastest among us, thrust her knife, which was easily deflected. But she must have left a mark.
Her weapon, a large and sturdy dagger, was deflected with ease, showing how tough the bones were.
Immediately after her strike, a surge of hostility enveloped us. The empty bones seemed to gain a will of their own, and the attacks began.
Before anyone else could act, the golden Skeleton Dragon swung its long, heavy tail.
The speed and mass were overwhelming. Even with our protective gear, a direct hit would be fatal.
We each took evasive action, and I decided to take a shot. I leaped into the air and swung my bat at the incoming tail.
"Let’s see how this goes!"
The impact was like an explosion, and I was blown back.
"What the—!?"
Unbelievably, my arm bone broke. My bones are incredibly strong, forged to surpass even high-grade magical minerals. For it to break from this impact is unprecedented since I started training.
Despite the injury, I managed to inflict some damage. A part of the tail’s bone was shattered, a minor wound but a definite hit. It doesn’t seem to have any regenerative abilities, so we might stand a chance.
I quickly healed my injury and declared our success.
"Got it! I’ll keep chipping away, chipping away, until we win!"
Encouraging words came back, but everyone knows what it means. It takes our full effort to inflict even a small wound, and it will take countless repetitions to bring it down. But we have no choice. We’ll keep pushing, believing in our eventual victory.