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Race: Marionette Worm Lv55
Job: Puppeteer Lv5
Skills:
- [Robust Digestion]
- [Vampiric Fangs]
- [Corrosive Acid]
- [Parthenogenesis]
- [Parasitism]
- [Puppetry]
- [Strength Enhancement]
- [Defense Enhancement]
- [Intelligence Enhancement]
- [Blunt Attack Resistance]
- [Earth Resistance]
- [Water Resistance]
- [Fire Resistance]
- [Wind Resistance]
- [Sand Resistance]
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This was the result of the [Appraisal] I made of the thing that had flown out of the part Jigoro had shattered. The creature’s race was identified as a Marionette Worm, which was undoubtedly something I had never seen before. However, considering the composition of its skills, I could guess that it was an evolved form of the sand worm monster. It was considerably smaller in size, but such variations were not unheard of.
Its level had significantly increased, and several of the creature’s skills had evolved. This also meant that its pure fighting power far exceeded that of a regular sand worm. Being part of the sand worm race meant it was more defense-oriented, which probably accounted for its extraordinary tenacity.
However, what caught my attention were the added skills: [Parasitism] and [Puppetry]. This clearly indicated that it must have been parasitizing the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord. This meant it was likely controlling it through [Puppetry]. Indeed, this creature was the root cause of all the chaos.
Because this Marionette Worm was in control, the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord had displayed aggressive behavior that was uncharacteristic of it and had moved north, which was a direction it had never been observed taking before.
Moreover, despite being a formidable creature of over level 80, the careless manner in which the scorpion dealt with Jigoro and the others behind could also be attributed to this worm. I had heard that this game simulated the natural food chain in the wild, so it felt incongruous that a monster that had survived such harsh conditions would fight so poorly. This also explained the lack of casualties in the Bigdareio investigation team. The double scream I had heard earlier might not have been my own thinking after all.
“Target that worm!”
King Salman issued the command. He must have appraised it and reached the same conclusion as I had. However, his expression and tone of voice couldn’t completely mask his anger.
Whether the soldiers had appraised it or not was unclear, but they faithfully followed their king’s orders. The mages, instead of targeting the legs as they had before, now focused on the Marionette Worm. Those protecting them also shifted their tactics, focusing solely on defense rather than counterattacking.
“Gigigi…!”
The strategy seemed to have worked well. The Marionette Worm, in an effort to protect itself, had no choice but to use one of scorpion’s large pincers, leaving it unable to fully defend against King Salman’s attacks. Even so, the creature’s method of taking over others’ bodies and using them as tools was despicable, though I’m not sure if I’m one to judge. This only intensified my desire to eliminate it.
However, the uncertainty of what would happen after its defeat was a concern. Even if it was being controlled, given the damage inflicted, it wouldn’t be surprising if the host was angry at us as well. Defeating the Marionette Worm might break the puppeteering effect, but there was also the chance that the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord, once back to its senses, might attack us with full force. If it turned out to be ridiculously strong…. we might have to stick to the original plan of holding it down, assuming that we would die and respawn.
“I’ll kill it! Oraoraoraa!”
Ah, Jigoro had lost his temper. He seemed to have completely forgotten about the quest from the prince. He was relentlessly pummeling the tail of the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord. He didn’t even seem to notice the Marionette Worm anymore.
Jigoro’s fists no longer carried the effect of the [Armor Breaking Fist]. However, his other enhancement skills were still active. His punches and kicks were denting and cracking the tail’s exoskeleton. His firepower was still ridiculously high.
But he was completely overtaken by anger, not coordinating with Eiji and Usaji at all. They stood a bit away, unable to move. So, I decided to approach them first.
“Isam, what do we do?”
“Should we stop him?”
Watching Jigoro’s fierce battle, they were unsure of how to proceed. I understood their feelings, but our role hadn’t changed. We just had to do what was necessary to win this fight.
“I can’t stop him either. Let’s leave the Marionette Worm to the Bigdareio army. We’ll continue to focus on aggroing the tail, as we have been doing until now.”
“Okay. I like it simple.”
“You’re the kind to stick to the original plan, huh?”
Once the strategy was set, the two moved swiftly. They carefully engaged the tail while ensuring they did not hinder Jigoro. Just like before, Eiji deflected the tail while Jigoro and Usaji attacked it. This tactic remained feasible thanks to King Salman and the Bigdareio army focusing on the Marionette Worm and keeping the threat level unchanged.
“Uooooo!”
“What, Prince Zahar!?”
Since its body was half exposed, it was unable to attack with anything but its tail. Meanwhile, Prince Zahar charged at the Marionette Worm and the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord, which was crouched down like a turtle. We watched in astonishment as he swiftly climbed up the creature’s leg, heading straight for the Marionette Worm. Was he planning to end the battle in one swift move? Such hasty actions seemed too risky!
“Giiiiiiiiiiiii!”
The Thornshell Scorpion Highlord that was controlled by the Marionette Worm thrashed about even more violently than when it faced Jigoro. The difference was that now the Marionette Worm’s body itself was half exposed, which obviously agitated the creature.
“Nuuooo! I refuse to lose!”
Yet Prince Zahar persevered. He hooked the spear’s tip in his right hand into a gap in the exoskeleton and braced himself. Similarly, he inserted the fingers of his left hand into another gap, managing to hold on. He might endure for a while, but his limit was approaching fast. Why would he take such a reckless action…
“I will become his friend! I absolutely must!”
…I see. Prince Zahar, it seemed, liked the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord more than I had imagined. He had charged in, risking his life, to save a creature he wished to befriend.
Hahaha! Wonderful! Such passion! Now, I had no choice but to support him with all my might!
“It’s improvised, but let me show you! My secret art!”
I decided to use the “Secret Art” that I had never used before. As I did, a thin red circle, indicating the area of effect, appeared in my field of vision. It was larger than I had imagined, but the larger size was actually more convenient. I adjusted it so that the four hind legs of the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord would be engulfed… and then, I activated it!
“Specter’s Mire!”
When the “Specter’s Mire” was activated, a dark black liquid started seeping out right beneath the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord. In an instant, it spread out, forming a swamp brimming with filthy sludge. The swamp bubbled and frothed, and from the bursting bubbles, poisonous gases of purple and green colors were emitted. Wow… that looked incredibly ominous. Even though I was the one who did it, it was still a bit creepy…
“Gigi?!”
The Thornshell Scorpion Highlord started sinking into what seemed to be a bottomless swamp. Its legs were sinking deeper and deeper. The Marionette Worm didn’t want the scorpion to sink and become unable to move, so it commanded the monster to struggle more violently.
However, the more it struggled in the bottomless swamp, the deeper it sank. The Thornshell Scorpion Highlord’s body was slowly but surely sinking further. It tried to use its front legs to escape, but right in front of it was King Salman and the Bigdareio Army. Even when they tried to get out, their power pushed them back.
“”AAAAaaaahhh…””
As the surface of the “Specter’s Mire” boiled more intensely, countless blackish-brown hands formed and they started wrapping around the body of the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord that was sinking in the swamp and restrained it.
If you looked closely at the surface of the swamp, you could see things that looked like human faces. These faces bore expressions of agony, anger, and sorrow. Scary! And I just realized that the mud also seemed to have effects that caused status ailments, as several status ailments icons were now showing up on the icon of the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord.
It seemed that the effect of the “Specter’s Mire” was to immobilize the enemy while gradually inflicting status ailments, thereby steadily cornering them. However, for those who are not fond of horror, its nightmarish appearance might be the greatest damage of all.
“Got you!”
While this was happening, Jigoro made his move. Taking advantage of the fact that the creature’s legs were sunk and could no longer brace itself, and its tail strength had diminished, he seized the opportunity to capture it.
“Here’s payback!”
Moreover, he twisted and severed the tip of the worm’s tail using his whole body! Jigoro was sporting a smile that could only be described as wickedly evil, likely in retaliation for being struck by the tail earlier. It seemed he was the type to hold a grudge.
“Right here!”
In the midst of the chaos we had stirred up on the battlefield, Prince Zahar remained completely unfazed. Rather, he appeared to be more composed than anyone, biding his time and looking for the perfect moment to strike. He didn’t make a single move until the Marionette Worm, having its tail cut by Jigoro, turned to look back.
“Blinking Light Piercing Strike! And, humph”
Prince Zahar’s attack was as swift as light, piercing through the body of the Marionette Worm. Instead of pulling out the spear, he swung it sideways like a baseball player. What would happen next?
“Gigigi!”
The answer was a masterful solo capture of the Marionette Worm! And with a disgusting, squelching sound, it was forcefully yanked out.
The Marionette Worm that was still impaled on the spear’s handle reminded me of a shrike’s larder. Its writhing, still very much alive, was unsettlingly vivid.
More importantly, as soon as it was removed, the movement of the Thornshell Scorpion Highlord ceased. Surely, this meant the puppetry had been undone. It seemed our plan had worked!
“Father!”
“Alright!”
Prince Zahar swung his spear and flung away the still-living Marionette Worm like trash. Waiting ahead was none other than the greatest warrior in this battle, King Salman.
“Great Flame Severing Sword!”
“Gic…”
The sword engulfed in searing flames sliced through the Marionette Worm. The severed sections immediately caught fire and the fire completely consumed the creature. Without a chance to even utter a death cry, the cause of the great damage to Bigdareio was vanquished.
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