Chapter 204 - The Fierce Battle with the Vile Dragon
The terrifying monster that had evolved from a golden skeleton dragon into a pitch-black vile dragon began its assault just like the first exchange, starting with a massive tail swing.
The tail, now covered in flesh, whipped through the air with a force that was leagues beyond its bone-only form.
While it might be fun to meet it with a bat, it would be too reckless. We all step back to avoid the attack, but we don’t just retreat. I quickly grow sharp, sturdy spikes from the ground and then pull back. If the tail hits, those spikes will act as vicious blades. Even if they don’t sever the bone, any damage will do. These spikes, forged from magical minerals, are sharp and strong enough to pierce through the vile dragon’s armor.
"Let’s see how this works!"
I step back and watch the collision. The tail, whipping like a whip, meets the spikes and is sent flying from the impact.
"Damn, the spikes didn’t go deep enough."
The results were disappointing, not just at the point of impact. The tail, covered in scales, showed no signs of damage. It seems the scales are as tough as the bone.
The pitch-black scales, powerful muscles, and golden bones—every part of this creature is fortified to an extreme degree. The miasma surrounding it seemed to absorb magical attacks, making it uncertain whether our spells would even have an effect. While it’s unlikely that the transformed scales and flesh would absorb magic, we need to test it. If they work, we’ll have more options.
"Everyone, launch a magical attack! Let’s see if it absorbs them!"
I don’t want to waste time with half-hearted attacks. If the results vary based on the type or strength of the spell, we need to figure that out.
Albert and Liliane, who were about to charge forward, stepped back and unleashed their signature magical attacks. Valeria and Mia also released their preferred generic spells. Graylease, as usual, focused on hindering the enemy’s movement with shadow magic and assessing its condition. I, like Graylease, observed while trying to pierce the vile dragon’s scales with my magic.
However, the supposedly powerful spikes were easily blocked by the hard scales. What kind of scales are these? The high level of defense makes me suspect there’s some unknown factor at play. Even worse, everyone’s spells seemed ineffective.
It doesn’t seem to have the worst-case scenario of absorbing magic, but is it completely immune? If so, that’s a formidable creature.
But this is troubling. The absurdly hard scales would be a strain to break with physical attacks. We need to rethink our strategy.
"Yukari, what do we do? We’re getting nowhere!"
It seems we’re all thinking the same thing.
"Maybe it’s easier to peel the scales off rather than break them?"
Peel them off?
"Onee-sama, let’s try it! Mia!"
The two of them, skilled with knives, moved in unison.
The vile dragon, of course, didn’t just stand by. It attacked any approaching enemies without mercy.
The vile dragon, now with flesh, opened its dragon’s mouth wide. A dark, glowing energy could be seen deep inside.
"Here comes the breath attack!"
It’s a typical dragon attack. While not unique to dragons, such attacks are common among magical creatures. Valeria and Mia changed their approach to avoid the attack, and I quickly prepared a shield. I wanted to absorb the attack to gauge its power rather than dodge it.
I launched a small, experimental attack to provoke the dragon. The experiment, which should have been effective against a regular creature, failed, but it served its purpose of drawing the dragon’s attention.
A powerful black energy was unleashed, sweeping like a torrent and trying to engulf my shield.
The intense wind pressure and cold were formidable, but that was all.
"Miasma breath? I can handle this!"
It was like a strong gust of wind.
Valeria and Mia, cutting through the miasma with their knives, plunged their blades into the scales.
"We did it! The gaps between the scales let us in!"
"Albert, use a lightning attack!"
Instead of breaking the scales, they were finding the gaps between them. Valeria plunged her knife in and then sliced through the flesh beneath, pulling it out to create a weak spot. Mia, with her knife still embedded, called out to Albert.
Albert, understanding Mia’s request, acted on it immediately.
A streak of lightning raced through the air and struck the knife Mia had embedded. The electric shock paralyzed the vile dragon, even though it remained unfazed by a strike that would have killed a human.
The forced muscle contraction from the electric shock was effective, even if only for a short time.
So, while the scales and bones are tough, the internal flesh is vulnerable. A way forward has opened.
The vile dragon’s attacks, which could kill instantly or sever limbs with a glancing blow, demand caution and precision.
Valeria and Mia, working in tandem, carefully sliced into the gaps between the scales, creating weak points all over the vile dragon’s body. Albert’s lightning and Liliane’s wind attacks followed, the latter trying to peel off the scales and the former slowing the dragon’s movements.
If we can find a way to hit the vulnerable parts, we have several options. The eyes are an obvious target. If it has eyes, blinding it should work, and if it can hear, impairing its hearing might be possible. I wish we could try a stun grenade, but everyone is too busy attacking.
So, I’ll aim directly.
The head’s eyes, moving erratically, are a difficult target. Even with my throwing skills, I can’t guarantee a hit. But if I can stop it—
"Mia, wedge the back of the neck!"
Mia drove a knife into the area where the bone was previously exposed. Albert’s lightning strike followed, immobilizing the dragon, and Graylease used shadow magic to force the dragon’s face forward.
Satisfied with the perfect coordination, I threw my tungsten projectile. It pierced the golden eye, destroying the eyeball and likely damaging the brain.
This should have been a one-hit kill, but the vile dragon, an ambiguous existence, just became more agitated.
However, the attack on its eyes had some effect, as it suddenly changed its behavior.
The vile dragon flapped its wings, a new and unexpected movement.
"Is it trying to fly!?"
The flapping became more intense before abruptly stopping with a sudden, strange noise. The noise was the sound of the wings breaking.
"Roaaaar!"
Despite being undead, the vile dragon let out a deafening roar.
"Nice one! Glad we weakened its wings!"
Albert had been relentlessly attacking the bone structure of the wings, making them fragile. The dragon’s attempt to fly with damaged wings had backfired, dealing a critical blow to itself.
So, the damaged bones haven’t repaired. The damage is accumulating.
"Good job, Albert!"
"Great work, Albert!"
Our moment of triumph was short-lived. The vile dragon, now clearly more hostile, began spewing more miasma and opened its mouth wide again.
Another miasma breath? We’re immune to miasma, but it’s still a waste of time. Does it have no learning ability?
To defeat it, we need to peel off the scales, damage the internal flesh, and break its bones. While it’s unclear how to do this, we have to try. It’s a long and arduous path, but there’s no other way.
Just as we were about to charge, a sudden, ominous feeling ran down my spine.
"It’s different this time! Get out of the way!"
I shouted at everyone to scatter and quickly formed a makeshift shield. The breath attack hit me directly, and it felt heavier than before.
And then, a sizzling sound. Smoke rose rapidly.
"It’s melting!"
I quickly realized the miasma wasn’t a gas but a liquid.
Oh no!
I deployed additional armor, covering not just the front but also the sides and top.
"Ow, it hurts!"
The liquid miasma, splattered by the breath attack, had melted through my coat and reached my skin.
Oh no, my favorite coat!
The damage to my skin was minor and quickly healed, but my coat was now riddled with holes. The corrosion resistance of my gear was ineffective against this.
"Damn it!"
I couldn’t help but shout in frustration.
I’m more upset about my coat, but I need to check on everyone else.
The purification engraving only affects gas. A direct hit would be fatal.
Everyone scattered, and the breath attack was aimed at me, so I think they’re safe. But the liquid can splatter and damage even a small area. The corrosion can cause unseen damage.
I monitored the attack, which was longer than expected.
Everyone’s magical signatures are still strong, but some were hit by the splattered liquid. I heard commotion from the back, where Verone and the others were. They must have dealt with the stray attacks. The Kikyo Society’s skilled members can handle it.
Still, this is a troublesome opponent.
We need to be even more cautious. The battle has dragged on for hours. We’re tired, hungry, and our concentration is waning. This is our first prolonged battle.
The cold is draining our energy. My coat’s temperature regulation is useless with all the holes, and it might have stopped working entirely.
While the circulating magic in my body prevents freezing, the cold is still overwhelming. Even with intense movement, the air feels like it’s freezing my breath.
But we are dealing damage. We’ve peeled off many scales, and Albert’s lightning and Liliane’s wind attacks have gouged deep into the flesh. The vile dragon’s movements are slowing, and its breath attacks lack power.
However, it will take more time to finish it off. I’m the primary attacker, but I need to be vigilant against the liquid breath, which limits my offensive capabilities. The undead dragon’s effective attacks are all liquid miasma, and they come frequently.
We need to endure. This is a valuable experience. Changing my mindset helps improve my mood.
Everyone is using fire spells to stay warm, which seems to be effective.
The scales are unaffected, but the exposed flesh reacts with angry roars. It’s taking damage.
We’re gradually peeling off the scales, paralyzing it with lightning, and burning the flesh with fire, slowly accumulating damage.
But we need something more to advance the battle and finish it.
As time passed, our mistakes and fatigue became more apparent.
Mia’s knife missed the gaps between the scales and bounced off, and the power of Albert’s lightning and Liliane’s wind attacks was decreasing.
I’m holding up the defense, but it’s getting harder. Everyone’s coats are riddled with holes, and the cold is making our hands numb. This is really bad.
Despite our relentless attacks, the vile dragon is a mess.
Scales are missing, revealing burned flesh, and its movements are sluggish. The breath attacks are weak, and its attack patterns are predictable, making it easier to avoid. This is why we’re holding out.
The enemy is weakening, but so are we. Fatigue is becoming more evident. The ground is slick with toxic liquid, making it harder to move. More things to be cautious about mean more fatigue.
I’m tired, cold, hungry, sleepy, and in pain. Negative feelings are overwhelming.
I suppress the urge to yell and keep fighting, grumbling to myself. Another stray attack hits the back.
Verone and the others are handling it, but wait—
"That was..."
"He’s slow!"
"Finally woke up, I see."
"Phew, an extra hand will help."
The liquid that would have splattered was vaporized by a sudden wall of flames. No mistake.
A new ally, running at full speed. Late, but welcome.
"Sorry for the wait!"
He held his sword casually, looking energetic.
"Wow! What happened to you guys?"
"Ophelia! You’re late!"
While dodging incoming attacks, we all vented our frustration at the latecomer.
We’re approaching the climax.
The final boss-like endurance has forced us into a prolonged battle, but now the main player is here.
With the addition of the new ally, the tide of the intense battle will become clear in the next chapter, "The Radiance of Blue Flame."
We’re all eager to leave the Forest of the Underworld.