As I lay on the ground, I could sense something swiftly passing overhead with my skin, or rather, with my bones. It seemed my judgment had been correct; staying low was the right call.
“Ugh… Is, is everyone okay?”
I called out to my friends, who would likely be on the other side of the swirling, violet-colored dust cloud that had risen along with the deafening explosion.
It was evident that the gas had been generated by that [Deadly Poison] skill of the Tarrasque. Remaining inside the cloud of poison was extremely dangerous. They needed to come out quickly!
“I’m alive!”
“I somehow made it too!”
Emerging from the dust cloud, Jigoro and Genjuro covered their mouths with their hands as they reported their survival. I felt relieved. I was thinking that I would have to give up on conquering the boss as soon as one of the two died.
“Kyuuu…”
“Karl!?”
What a predicament! Just when I thought Karl had emerged a bit late, I noticed a gaping hole in one of his four wings.
Although Karl could still fly with three wings, he seemed unsteady and far from dependable. But above all, the sight of him having lost a wing was truly distressing for me.
“Karl, drink this.”
“Kyuu~…”
Karl obediently drank the potion I offered him. His health bar slowly began to recover, but this alone wouldn’t heal his missing wing.
In fact, we had no means of healing missing body parts right now. According to the bulletin board, only those with a priest-type job who could learn [Healing Magic] had the ability to mend missing limbs. However, there were no priests in our party.
So, the only option seemed to be using potions, but it wasn’t as simple as it sounded. To treat a missing limb, we would need a top-class potion that is two ranks above the intermediate-level potions we were currently using, and it had to be of “Good” quality, no less.
I had no idea how to obtain such a thing. In other words, for the time being, it seemed impossible to restore Karl’s wing.
“Hey, you two…”
“W-what’s up, brother?”
Jigoro’s voice seemed to tremble slightly, but that wasn’t important. Right now, what mattered most was…
“We’re going to annihilate that damn turtle bastard…!!!”
“Y-yeah!”
Karl was not only my familiar but also my dear companion, and he was seriously injured. If we couldn’t procure a remedy, there was no choice but to seek retribution against that Tarrasque bastard with our lives at stake.
“Um, ah, hey, brother. Can you tell me one thing?” Jigoro asked.
“What is it?”
“I mean, what was that attack earlier? I just reflexively hit the dirt when I heard your voice, so I’m completely in the dark.”
“Oh, that. Take a look at this.”
I pointed at the burnt-brown, stick-like object lodged in the river. Upon seeing it, Jigoro opened his eyes wide with astonishment and muttered,
“Is that… a spike?”
What on earth had caused the explosion triggered by the Tarrasque? It was the use of one of its skills called [Emmission]. The Tarrasque had fired the spear-like spikes growing on its shell in all directions using this skill.
When it employed [Emmission], it simultaneously launched a massive barrage of spikes while releasing a copious amount of purple smoke. This smoke still hung in the air amidst the dust, concealing the Tarrasque’s form.
“When it’s about to fire spikes using [Emmission], the amount of smoke coming from the base of the spikes increases. That’s probably the warning sign,” I explained.
“I see, makes sense.”
“Also, being surrounded might be a condition,” Genjuro added.
Indeed, Genjuro’s speculation had merit. That skill was likely a kind of trump card.
“For now, let’s clear away this obstructive smoke. Star Magic Array, spell adjustment, Wind Ball.”
I blasted away the poisonous purple dust by launching five Wind Balls with slightly increased power. As the dust settled, the Tarrasque revealed itself once again; the monster was currently in the midst of growing new spikes.
“Is it reloading for the next shot?”
“Can we target its tail again now?”
“No, wait.”
It seemed like the two of them saw this as an opportunity, but I felt differently. This is because even though it should have been exposed now that it was in the process of growing its spikes, the Tarrasque exuded an unexpected air of composure.
The gas from its [Deadly Poison] skill was dissipating, and it remained still, yet it showed no signs of panic. It was undoubtedly luring us in. There seemed to be no other explanation.
“We’ll resume the attack once it’s done growing the spikes. Until then, we’ll prepare ourselves. Brother, can you keep restraining it without Karl’s help?”
“…It’s not impossible, but it’s gonna be tough. Running away is probably all I can do.” Jigoro said.
Jigoro spoke without putting on a tough front. The Tarrasque had a massive body, and each of its attacks was grandiose, with a wide-reaching area of effect. It wasn’t an opponent Jigoro could face with ease.
“Understood. In that case, we’ll need Karl to have mobility. Summon, Black Wolf, agility boost, agility boost, agility boost, agility boost, agility boost.”
I summoned a level 20 Black Wolf using my [Summoning] skill and further enhanced its agility to the maximum with my [Enchantment] skill. Normally, I could achieve even greater enhancement with [Necromancy] on a speed-focused undead, but unfortunately, it was daytime, so I had to make do with the Black Wolf.
“Karl, you should ride this. Brother, I will leave the instructions to you.”
“Okay, I’ll be in charge!”
“Genjuro, do you have any requests?”
Karl’s mobility was secured. Now, it was Genjuro’s turn. While our primary goal was still to target the tail, there might be a need for support or distraction that I wasn’t aware of.
“Let’s see… Can you provide some aerial diversion? It would be helpful if there were more distractions to divert its attention.”
“Understood. Summon, Aerial Eagles, Lightning Element, agility boost, agility boost, agility boost, intelligence boost.”
As per Genjuro’s request, I summoned two Aerial Eagles. Thanks to the battles in the mountain, I had met the conditions to summon bird creatures using my [Summoning] skill. I imbued the two-stage evolution, enchanted them with the lightning element, increased their speed, and enhanced their intelligence.
Well, despite their elemental advantage, I couldn’t expect them to deal significant damage against the Tarrasque, considering its formidable health and defense. Their primary role was to serve as distractions.
“Is this good enough?”
“Perfect!”
“Hey, you two, it seems the monster is gearing up to strike, doesn’t it?” Jigoro said
Just as we finished repositioning ourselves, it seemed the Tarrasque had also finished growing its spikes. With both sides prepared, we were ready for the second round. We needed to put an end to this as soon as possible.
“Gogaaaaaaaaaa!”
“Alright, let’s go!”
“Kyuuu!”
With the bellow of the Tarrasque serving as a signal, Jigoro and Karl, riding on the Black Wolf, launched another frontal assault. In response, the Tarrasque countered with its tail. The tail’s strength gave no hint of the deep cut it had suffered earlier, but Jigoro and Karl expertly evaded it while resuming their frontal distractions.
“Well then, I suppose it’s my turn.”
Genjuro intentionally delayed stepping forward and began to circle around from behind. Simultaneously, the Aerial Eagles that had been circling above me also flew towards the Tarrasque.
“Gwooo!”
However, the Tarrasque was no fool. It had already learned that its tail was being targeted, so it attempted to turn towards Genjuro, who was trying to sever it from behind.
“Don’t ignore me…!”
“Kyuuuu!”
“Ga-Gaaaaaahhh!”
However, just as the monster attempted to turn around, Jigoro’s fist and Karl’s [Dark Magic] flew toward the face of the Tarrasque. Putting aside Karl’s attack, it appeared that Jigoro’s strike couldn’t be ignored. With an annoyed expression, it halted its movement and lunged at Jigoro with an irritated growl.
“Hah! Think you can hit me?”
“Kyukyu!”
Even as the massive jaws closed in, Jigoro easily dodged them. Seizing this opportunity, Karl leaped from the back of the Black Wolf and slammed his tail into the side of the Tarrasque. His full-force strike sent its head reeling, momentarily freezing its movement.
“Right noooooow!”
Genjuro wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away. With a battle cry, he brandished his large sword and charged forward. You could really feel his determination to sever the tail this time!
“Gwoooooo!”
“Nuoooh!”
In the split second when it seemed Genjuro’s blade would strike, the Tarrasque, with a roar, unleashed a burst of purple gas from around the base of its tail! Genjuro’s scream echoed, but was he safe?
“Cough, cough! That was a close call!”
Genjuro emerged from the gas, struggling but alive. It appeared he narrowly avoided a direct hit by noticing the signs of the attack just in time.
However, he wasn’t unscathed either. His exoskeleton bore scorch marks in several places. It seemed the earlier gas was exceptionally hot, a painful attack for Genjuro given his weakness to the fire element.
“Do you have any healing potions?” I asked.
“I’ve already used them. No antidotes either. And seriously, it stinks!”
“Stinks?”
Genjuro, who extended his wings to increase his jumping distance, returned to my side and spat out abruptly. What was he talking about?
“That was a fart! That turtle just farted on me!”
Genjuro was understandably furious. Getting farted on warranted such a reaction. But still, a fart that included both fire and poison… it was beyond imagination, like a monster’s doing.
“I must absolutely sever that tail!”
“In that case, take this.”
Genjuro was simmering with anger, but without a plan, we would just end up in the same situation as before. To break through this, I handed him a few talismans.
“Hmm? What’s this?”
“These are Wind Wall talismans. If you use these, you should be able to block that gas.”
“I see, that’ll be a lifesaver!”
“However, due to my low level in [Talismanry], the effects embedded in the talismans are weak. Consider that you can use them all up just to block the gas once.”
While I was actively improving my [Talismanry] level, it was still significantly lower compared to my other skills. Moreover, due to the nature of [Talismanry], Genjuro would only have one chance to use them.
“Sorry for being an unreliable leader.”
“No worries, it’s more than enough. All we need to do is make it count.”
With those words, Genjuro stored his striking sword and short sword in his inventory and gripped his large sword tightly with the three arms that weren’t holding the talismans. What was he planning to do?
“I’ll show you all what true swordsmanship is!”
Saying so, Genjuro spread his wings once again, leaping into the air and rapidly closing the gap toward the Tarrasque. Then, he circled around behind it.
“Gooooooon!”
“It’s not going to work this time!”
Thanks to the distraction caused by Jigoro and Karl, the Tarrasque was unable to turn around just like before, but it spewed its purple gas once more. Genjuro reacted by using the talismans I had given him.
The poisonous gas, with its menacing hue, couldn’t envelop Genjuro because it was obstructed by the Wind Wall spell. Unaware that its counterattack had failed, the Tarrasque continued to employ its tail to target Jigoro and Karl. In other words, nothing stood in Genjuro’s way.
“Ssssh!”
Genjuro raised his large sword high overhead and swung it down in one swift motion towards the injury he had struck three times before.
“GUGAAAHHH!?”
The large sword, now firmly gripped by his four arms, effortlessly severed the bone of the Tarrasque’s tail.
“As a bonus!”
With another swift stroke, he managed to cut through the remaining muscles and skin that barely held the tail together. Now, the Tarrasque’s tail had been completely severed.
“Hahaah! Without its tail, it’s a piece of cake!” Jigoro said.
“Kyuooooooh!”
With its tail gone, the Tarrasque could only resort to wild, sweeping attacks. This played right into Jigoro’s hands. He moved with incredible agility, skillfully evading the creature’s onslaughts while seizing every opportunity to land powerful blows.
But Jigoro wasn’t the only one launching attacks. In between providing support, I fired Thunder Arrows, exploiting the creature’s vulnerability to lightning magic. Karl, too, unleashed magic from close quarters to disorient the beast. The summoned Aerial Eagles kept its attention in the air with Thunder Arrows, while Genjuro, having severed the tail, reverted to his three-sword style, slashing at the Tarrasque’s legs.
“Guuuuuu…”
Under relentless attacks from all sides and above, the Tarrasque growled in frustration. Soon, more smoke began to seep from its shell.
“Something’s coming! Everyone, be on guard!”
“Got it!”
“Understood!”
“Kyuu!”
“GROOOOAAHH!”
Immediately after I issued a warning, the Tarrasque unleashed its spikes with a roar. However, having seen it once, we didn’t panic and instead lowered our stances to evade them.
Simultaneously, countless spikes scattered around, filling the air with poisonous gas. This would certainly not mark the start of another round… I wouldn’t allow it!
“Magic Circle Remote Activation, Spell Adjustment, Wind Pillar”
I cast the Wind Pillar spell around the Tarrasque, lifting and dispersing the gas into the sky. Now it couldn’t use the gas to shield itself, could it?
“All right, now…”
“Grrrr… Goooaaaaaaahhh!”
As I deemed it too dangerous to approach closely and decided to chip away at it with long-range attacks, the Tarrasque let out a loud roar. It was a serious roar, one that didn’t convey the same composure as before.
Then, from a depression in the area where the spikes had grown, crimson flames began to spew out along with purple smoke! No, it couldn’t be…
“A boss phase!?”
The cry that emanated from my soul echoed through the field boss area.
***********
TN: lol we all have that one friend whose farts include both fire and poison elements. The Tarrasque is nothing new.
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