Although there was no question that the Alraune was dead, Yue was still hurt. After that event, Yue sucked Hajime's blood until he fainted as a punishment. That was successful enough to put her back into a good mood, so they continued their journey.
Their journey continued until they had descended 100 levels from where the trio first started. Before each level, they would check their equipment and supplies. As always, whenever Hajime would work,Kaori and Yue would stare at him. They were really watching Hajime rather than the work. Even now they were watching him work from his right and left side respectively while relaxing. Their expression did not suit the atmosphere of the dungeon.
They lost track of how many days had passed since the three met Yue, because there was no sense of time underground. Recently, Yue and Kaori were displaying a more comfortable expression. They were even acting a little spoiled when it came to Hajime.
Whenever they were resting at the base, the two girls would especially get glued to Hajime. If Hajime laid down, they would cling to his body while they slept near each other. Yue and Kaori would embrace him from the back when he sat down. When Yue fed on Hajime's blood, she would cuddle him from the front while Kaori feeds Hajime with the monster meat she cooks. They would stay by his side even after they were done with the feeding. With a content expression, Yue would rub her face on his chest and Kaori would lean her body to Hajime's side.
Hajime is a man. Yue with her 12 years old appearance was charming and should not easily invoke lust, but she was older than that and Kaori with her attractive gentle and mellow but seductive approaches. Since Hajime was the one being bewitched from that glimpse, it was troublesome. Still, they were in the dungeon, the tension in there helped him bear with it. When they returned to the surface, he didn't have much confidence in resisting the two's advances. There may not be the meaning to impart…
"Hajime-kun, really more vigilant than normal." [Kaori]
"Hajime…as careful as usual…" [Yue]
"Hmm? Ah, because it's the 100th floor next. I thought there might be something there. The upper dungeon is believed to have 100 floors… just in case." [Hajime]
"If this were an RPG game, it would not be surprising if the 100th floor is a boss battle room." [Tanaka]
"Right?" [Hajime]
When Hajime passed the 80th floor of this place, he thought there was a possibility that the place they were in was no longer the usual "Orcus Dungeon". He had the same feeling as when he fell into the abyss. Judging from what he sensed as he traversed this level, this was certainly a basement a way off from the usual labyrinth.
Firearms, martial arts, special magic, weapons, and transmutation. After polishing these skills, they had confidence in themselves. They wouldn't be taken down easily. However, this place was scary enough to kill them even with their abilities.
That is why they prepared as much as possible. Their current status…
Nagumo Hajime 17 Year old Male
Class: Synergist Level: 76
Strength: 1,980 Vitality: 2,090
Resistance: 2,070 Agility: 2,450
Magic Power: 1,780 Magic Resistance: 1,780
Skills:
Transmutation • Mineral Appraisal • Precision Transmutation • Mineral Enquiry • Mineral Separation • Mineral Fusion • Replica Transmutation • Magic Manipulation • Magic Emission • Magic Compression • Remote Control • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Pierce] [+Lightning Strengthening] • Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] [+Grand Kick] • Air Walk • Flicker • Grand Legs • Air Claws • Night Vision • Far Vision • Perception • Magic Perception • Heat Perception • Hide Presence • Poison Resist • Paralysis Resist • Petrification Resistance • Varja • Magic Penetration • Coercion • Telepathic Communication • Language Comprehension
Tanaka Taiyo 17 Year old Male
Class: Synergist Level: 75
Strength: 1,960 Vitality: 2,100
Resistance: 2,070 Agility: 2,450
Magic Power: 1,780 Magic Resistance: 1,780
Skills:
Transmutation [+Mineral Appraisal] [+Precise Transmutation] [+Mineral Investigation] [+Mineral Separation] [+Mineral Fusion] • Magic Manipulation • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Flash] [+Lightning Stun] [+Lightning Bolt] • Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] [+Grand Kick] • Air Walk • Flicker • Grand Legs • Air Claws • Night Vision • Far Vision • Perception • Magic Perception • Heat Perception • Hide Presence • Poison Resist • Paralysis Resist • Petrification Resistance • Varja • Magic Penetration • Coercion • Telepathic Communication • Language Comprehension
Shirasaki Kaori 17 Year old Female
Class: Priest Level: 89
Strength: 2,010 Vitality: 2,120
Resistance: 2,100 Agility: 2,500
Magic Power: 1,900 Magic Resistance: 1,900
Skills:
Recovery Magic Affinity [+Improved Proficiency] [+Increased Casting Speed] [+Image Supplementation] [+Piercing Spell] [+Remote Heal] [+Improved Status Effect Recovery] [+Reduced Mana Consumption] [+Improved Mana Efficiency] [+Chain Casting] [+Multicasting] [+Spell Retention] [+Effect Multiplication] • Light Magic Affinity • High Speed Mana Recovery [+Meditation] • Magical Diagnostics • Magic Manipulation • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Fist]• Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] [+Grand Kick] • Air Walk • Flicker • Grand Legs • Air Claws • Night Vision • Far Vision • Perception • Magic Perception • Heat Perception • Hide Presence • Poison Resist • Paralysis Resist • Petrify [+Petrification Resistance] • Varja • Magic Penetration • Coercion • Telepathic Communication • Language Comprehension
Their status had continuously climbed after consuming their first demon meat, though they had not received much Special Magic. The stats did not increase anymore from normal monsters, but the boss or high-level monsters still did. Just like the other demons that didn't get Special magic from eating other demons, and their stats were getting harder to raise in their state.
When the four of them finished all their preparations, they went to the staircase that led them down.
The level they stumbled upon, was a very large space supported by a vast number of pillars. Each of the pillars was 5m in diameter, and each had spiral designs and vine patterns engraved onto them. The arrangement of each row of pillars was very uniform, and was even spaced out evenly. There was about 30m to the ceiling. Unlike the usual rough ground in the dungeon, this place had beautiful flat ground, and the room gave off a solemn atmosphere.
They stepped into the room while they admired it. All the pillars started to shine faintly then. This got them to regain their caution. Pillars lit up sequentially towards the back of the room.
They were vigilant for a while, but they decided to advance because nothing was happening. They advanced while making full use of their senses and perception skills. After they progressed 200m, they found a dead end ahead. No, not a dead end, but a huge door. The double door was 10m tall and had extravagant sculptures engraved onto it. Particularly, some of the patterns drawn were the same as the ones on top of the octagon system.
"…This looks amazing. By any chance…" [Yue]
"Abode of Traitors?" [Kaori]
They have a feeling this was the room with the last boss. Hajime's instincts were sending him warnings, while there was no reaction from their perception skills. The fight ahead would definitely be a troublesome one.
"Isn't this the greatest? We finally reached our goal." [Tanaka]
Tanaka disregarded the instinct and put his carefree smile on. They had no choice but to keep going, no matter what was behind there.
Yue and Kaori eyed the door with an expression that told Hajime they were prepared for it.
The four finally walked past the last of pillars and advanced towards the door.
At that moment, a huge magic formation nearly 30 meters wide appeared between them and the door. Crimson light emitted from the magic, and it pulsated.
Hajime recognized this magic. He couldn't forget it, since it was the same magic that triggered the trap that day and caused him to fall into the abyss. But the magic formation for the Behemoth is merely 10m in diameter. Compared to the magic formation from last time, this was 3 times larger than that, a lot more complex and detailed.
"Hey hey, what's with this size? Is it really the last boss?" [Hajime]
"…It's fine…We won't lose…" [Yue]
"We will win this. Like always, just what we have been doing until now." [Kaori]
"*Grins* The way out is just ahead of that door." [Tanaka]
As expected, Hajime smiled. Yue and Kaori tugged on him tightly with a determined expression on their face.
Hajime nodded at their words, and glared at the magic formation. Seems like they wouldn't be able to advance if they didn't defeat the monster that came out of that magic formation.
The formation shone more and more until it finally burst. They all held up their arms to prevent the light from blinding them. When the light disappeared, the boss awaited them.
A monster over 30m in length, 6 heads with long necks, sharp fangs, and dark red eyes. Comparable to the Hydra of the myths.
""""""Kuruuaan!""""""
Those six pairs of eyes stared at them as it gave off a strange roar. It seemed to want to bring judgment upon the intruders who didn't know their place. A fierce thirst for blood, that would have stopped an ordinary man's heart, was flung at Hajime.
One of the heads with a Red Crest on it opened its mouth as flames emitted from it. The flames were already on the scale of a massive wall.
They jumped to the right and left to start their counterattack. Hajime fired Donner at the Red Head, and the bullet sent it flying. Tanaka used 【Aerodynamics】, 【Divine Step】, and 【Lightning Flash】full speed with all its power. Unsheathing Honoikazuchi in its scabbard and attacking one of the heads, the blue head, decapitating it.
When they both pumped their fist in the air at their victory, one head with a white pattern shouted. White light wrapped around the crimson head and Blue head, restoring it fully, like time had been reversed. The white head appeared to be able to use healing magic.
Yue had launched an ice shard at a Green Head and blew it away. However, the result was the same as the Red one and blue one, the white head cast its spell and healed it.
Hajime started to speak with Yue and Kaori through the "Telepathic Communication", while he tsked.
("Yue! Kaori! Aim for that white head! Or it's endless!") [Hajime]
((""Okay!"")) [Yue and Kaori]
The head with a blue pattern shot out a gravel of ice from its mouth. Kaori and Yue were aiming for the white head while they avoided the shot.
"Roaring Thunder!" [Kaori]
"Scarlet Spear!" [Yue]
A flash of light and a blazing spear shot towards the white head. However, the moment when it was about to hit, the yellow head quickly went into the line of fire and bloated. The head shone yellow and took both of the attacks head-ons. After the attack settled, there was an unscathed yellow head glaring at them.
"Tsk! A shield. That head shields the healing head, a nice balance." [Tanaka]
Hajime threw an incendiary grenade over the heads. At the same time, he fired Donner at the White Head with full power. Yue and Kaori helped by firing off their "Scarlet Spear'' and "Roaring Thunder'' in rapid succession. Yue's "Azure Sky" may have surpassed the yellow head and hit the white head, but she would be easy prey after using such a strong spell that would exhaust her. She may be able to recover fast if she drank blood, but the heads were probably not going to allow the chance. Unless the number of heads could be halved, Yue couldn't use her best spells.
The yellow head was tanking all their attacks. But soon it was showing signs of damage in its previously flawless head.
"Kuruan!"
The white head took to healing the yellow head at once. The head performed its healer role perfectly. However, at that moment the incendiary grenade exploded over the white head. Tar at 3000 degree centigrade was scattered around. When it poured onto the white head, it screamed in pain.
Don't miss this chance! Hajime sent this message telepathically. They planned for a simultaneous attack, but before they could execute it, a scream sounded. Yue's scream.
"Noooo!" [Yue]
"!? Yue!" [Hajime]
"Yue!?" [Kaori]
They quickly tried to rush over to her, but were intercepted by wind blades and fireballs fired by the green head and red head respectively. Yue was still screaming, Hajime and Kaori wondered what was going on with their teeth clenched. The black head, they realized it had done nothing this whole time.
No that's wrong, it had already done something.
Tanaka, who switched weapons by that point, fired Rev at the black head, while Hajime and Kaori dodged around with "Flicker" and "Air Walk". With the sound of Tanaka's firearm, the black head that was staring at Yue was blown away. Yue collapsed at the same time. They could see that her face was pale even from a distance. The blue head opened its big mouth and stretched its head towards Yue to swallow her.
"Like I'll let you!" [Hajime]
"Hallowed Ground!" [Kaori]
Hajime prepared himself to get damaged in the storm of wind blades and fireballs as he used his "Flicker". A potentially fatal attack was avoided with the use of Donner and "Air Claws". At the last moment, Hajime arrived between the blue head and Yue. But there was no time to counter, and in great timing Kaori casted a high tier barrier magic. The magic covered the three of them at the same time the head try to bite them whole.
"Kururu!"
"Guu!" [Kaori]
While raising a low growl, the blue head swallowed them whole. When it tried to close its jaws, Kaori's barrier endured and prevented its mouth from closing. Hajime pushed Donner against the head's upper jaw and pulled the trigger.
The blue head erupted from the blast and bits of its brain flew off. Hajime used his "Grand Kick" on the motionless head. Then he threw a flash grenade and sonic grenade at the Hydra.
"Sonic Grenade" was developed from a demon that could emit ultrasonic waves that they met on the 80th level. The demon had a special organ inside its body that generated these sounds to attack. They didn't get any special magic for defeating this monster, but Hajime was able to use its special organ as materials for his new grenade.
Those two grenades covered the Hydra in intense light and ultrasonic waves. Hajime carried Yue along with Kaori who followed behind and hid behind the pillars with the chance those grenades provided. Tanaka, using the momentum, continued to attack to get its attention.
"Over here, you damn bastard! I'm your opponent right now!?" [Tanaka]
"Gurruuaaaaa!?"
"Hey! Yue! Get it together!" [Hajime]
"Yue. Yue!" [Kaori]
"…" [Yue]
She didn't react to their words with her palling expression and trembling body. What the heck did the black head do to her? While Hajime cursed, he slapped Yue's cheeks startling Kaori. Hajime called out for her telepathically and gave her some sacred water. After a while, light began to dwell in her hollow eyes. [Au/N: It's a mental attack. Kaori can't heal Yue without Spirit Magic.]
""Yue!"" [Hajime and Kaori]
"…Hajime...Kaori..." [Yue]
"Yeah, it's me. Are you alright? What happened?" [Hajime]
Yue confirmed their existence with blinking eyes. She extended out her small hands and touched Hajime's face. A relieved sigh escaped her lips as she realized that Hajime and Kaori were really in front of her, and tears began to collect at the edge of her eyes.
"…What a relief… I thought I was abandoned… alone in the dark again…" [Yue]
"Ah? What are you talking about?" [Hajime]
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" [Kaori]
Hajime and Kaori were perplexed at her state. Yue said she saw a scene play out where they had abandoned her and resealed her. When she saw that, a strong sense of insecurity struck her. She became bound by fear then it paralyzed her body and mind.
"Tsk! A debuff spell? Seems like the black head can induce panic into its opponent. Ðamn, that monster has a good balance of skills!" [Hajime]
"I have no spell to counter such a debuff spell." [Kaori]
"…Hajime." [Yue]
Yue watched Hajime curse at the troublesome enemy with her anxious eyes. It was a frightening scene, being abandoned by them. They were the person to risk their own life at unsealing her after 300 years. They, who didn't treat her differently after she told them she was a vampire, allowed her to feed off of them day-by-day. It was unavoidable that her heart yielded.
The only place for Yue was beside them. How nice it was when they promised to return to their hometown together. She didn't even want to imagine being alone again. Therefore the planted nightmare was stuck in her head and ate her up. Hajime stands up at the sign of the Hydra recovering from the confusion and attacking Tanaka. Yue detained him involuntarily when she grabbed his clothes.
"…I…" [Yue]
She was shaking with an uneasy expression that was close to crying. Hajime finally understood what nightmare she saw and what she was currently thinking. In his usual manner, he was able to perceive her feelings. Either way, they had promised to take her to Japan. There was no reason to pretend not to know.
Hajime would probably be able to comfort her with words, but there was no time for that. If they said some half-hearted words, she would still fall prey to the black head's magic. There was a possibility that Hajime or Kaori would mess up, but at that time they would follow Yue. While he thought of that excuse, Hajime scratched his head and squatted in front of Yue to meet her eyes.
And then…
"?…!?" [Yue]
"!? Hajime-kun!?" [Kaori]
Hajime inclined his head and kissed Yue.
Their lips only touched a bit, but Yue and Kaori had a dramatic reaction. Yue just seriously stared at Hajime.
He averted his eyes bashfully and led her to stand with his hand.
"We will kill that beast and survive. Then, we will reach the surface and return home… together." [Hajime]
"Hold on there! I can't just ignore what you did there, Hajime-kun!?" [Kaori]
Yue stared at Hajime in utter amazement, then her usual deadpan expression broke down to gently display a beautiful smile. While Kaori's complaints were simply ignored.
"Yes!" [Yue]
"Mou! We will talk about this later after this!" [Kaori]
Hajime cleared his throat to gather himself and informed Yue and Kaori of the strategy.
"Yue. Kaori, I'm going to use Schlagen. It can't fire continuously, so please cover me." [Hajime]
(Tanaka, I need your assistance too.) [Hajime]
"…Leave it to me!" [Yue]
"*Sigh* Alright, I got it. Hajime-kun." [Kaori]
(Roger!) [Tanaka]
Yue was suddenly full of motivation, while Kaori was perplexed but managed to squeeze out a word of agreement. Yue's quiet mutters were gone, and in place was a voice full of ambition. All the anxiety before vanished completely.
It seems like there has been a breakthrough in various ways. Hajime recalled his usual lack of independence, and when he thought about the future, maybe he acted rashly. However, the Hydra performed an explosion. The beast roared as it pelted the area Hajime, Kaori, and Yue were at with fireballs, wind blades, and ice shards. While the Yellow head blocks and repels Tanaka head on.
The three jumped out of the shadow of the pillar and started their counterattack.
"Scarlet Spear! Imperial Cannon! Frozen Rain!" [Yue]
"Hallowed Ground! Thunderburst! Transference!" [Kaori]
The trigger for the magic was activated rapidly, and the magic built up at an impossible speed. An ice tornado accompanied a spiraling spear, with vacuum blades whirling around it, lightning bursting out along the wind, and a sharp needle pelted the Hydra all at once. Yue and Kaori had aimed for the gap when they attacked and launched it towards the red, green, and blue head to force the yellow head to act. But the yellow head didn't move as it noticed Hajime aiming for the white head and raised a roar.
"Kuruuan!"
Then a nearby pillar waved and it transformed into an impromptu shield. This yellow head seems to be able to use a skill similar to the scorpion's, though the scale was smaller.
Yue and Kaori's magic hit the stone walls, blasting through the vanguard of walls. The magic directly hit three of the heads.
"""Guruuuu!"""
Three of the heads screamed and wriggled. When the black head's eyes caught Yue's it started to use its debuff magic.
Uneasiness welled up in Yue again. However, Yue remembered her kiss with Hajime before she was crushed by the uneasiness. Then, her body got a passionate feeling and it washed away her anxiety.
"…It doesn't work anymore!" [Yue]
In order to cover Hajime and Tanaka, Yue and Kaori were casting spells and support rapidly and were emphasizing the number of spells rather than the power.
While the red head received healing, blue head and green head resumed their attacks, and Yue and Kaori contended with them by themselves. They tried to counter each other.
While the three heads were occupied with Yue and Kaori, Hajime and Tanaka approached the beast with a dash. They were going for a single killing blow, because it would be troublesome if the beast had emergency measures it had yet to use. When the black head realized its magic didn't work on Yue, it looked for another target. The pain, hunger, and anxiety of their time in the abyss rose inside their chest. But…
"So what?" [Hajime]
"This is nothing!?" [Tanaka]
It was past the time that they endured long ago. Feelings from those days were not a big deal now. Hajime blew away the black head with Donner.
The white head tried to recover the head in a split second, but before it could Tanaka jumped into it, slashing with Honoikazuchi slipping through the defense of the yellow head while Hajime jumped high into the air using his skills and aimed his Schlagen.
Just as Hajime had assumed, the yellow head stood in the way of the shot.
"Then break together!" [Hajime]
Hajime formulated a spark in the Schlagen with his "Lightning Clad" and "Lightning Pierce". The bullet was a full metal jacket, the Taur Stone being covered by the Shtar ore from the scorpion. Shtar ore had a high affinity to magic and it suited "Lightning Clad" well. All the compressed combustion powder was ignited with the spark.
Bang!
The red bullet was electromagnetically accelerated through the 1.5m barrel with a tremendous explosive sound. This gun was 10 times more powerful than Donner's maximum output. With his simple calculation, this rifle was 100 times more powerful than a normal anti-matter rifle. This was a monster weapon that was not possible without this world's special ore and magic.
When it was fired, the bullet made a red trail like it was a thick laser. Once, they thought Kouki's spell that was shot at the Behemoth was the trump card, but this made that look like child's play. Yellow head met the bullet directly as it burned through the air.
Although the yellow head had a defense like "Vajra"… but the bullet reached the white head like there was nothing there. The bullet penetrated through everything like nothing as it blasted through the wall in the rear. Vibrations violently wracked the whole level as if an earthquake had happened.
What was left were two necks that looked like they never had a head to begin with. The open wound had been cauterized by the heat and made it seem like it never had those two heads. Debris was littered everywhere, and no one knew how long that bullet kept going, only that it left a huge hole in the wall.
The other heads did not think that almost half of its heads could be extinguished in a single moment. Even Yue and Kaori were staring at Hajime in utter amazement and had forgotten their enemy. When Hajime and Tanaka landed flat on the ground, there was smoke rising out of Schlagen's barrel as the round was ejected. When the shell fell to the floor, the three heads regained their senses. All three pairs of eyes glared at Hajime, but their previous opponent was not someone to lightly take their eyes off of.
"Transference! Yue it's all yours!" [Kaori]
"Got it!...Scorching Heaven!" [Yue]
Using "Transference", Kaori gave almost all of her remaining mana to Yue.
Once the Vampire Princess —an existence which caused her own people to fear her due to her talents and ultimately sealed her— poured her power into the spell, it was like turning Heaven's vengeance against the hydra.
Immediately after, electric discharge started to gather around the 3 heads and soon, 6 lightning spheres surrounded the heads. The discharge soon lengthened and connected all the spheres together, forming a huge lightning globe in the center.
Zing!
When the globe burst, it rained down lightning of great power within the confines of the 6 smaller spheres. The three heads tried to run, but the surrounding lightning spheres were acting like walls. As the wrath of God poured down from the sky, flashes and thunder filled the room.
Helpless, the three heads screamed in agony as they were charcoaled and erased by the superlative magic that lasted more than 10 seconds.
Like always, Yue collapsed into a sitting position after using that strong of a spell. She was breathing heavily as her magic power was exhausted and on her expressionless face were the eyes that conveyed satisfaction; she gave them a thumbs up to show her satisfaction. Hajime and Kaori returned the gesture with his own thumbs up and smiled. The two began to walk while Hajime carried the rifle on his shoulder. What remained of the Hydra were left behind them as they made their way to Yue.
Just after that.
"Nagumo!" [Tanaka]
Tanaka's desperate voice sounded out. As he wondered what was up, he followed his line of sight. From the Hydra's remains rose a seventh head that glared at them. Hajime stiffened unintentionally.
However, the seventh silver head shifted its gaze to Yue and it let loose an aurora without any preparations. Like the Schlagen shot, the aurora shot towards Yue in an instant. She couldn't move because of magic exhaustion.
The moment the silver head turned to Yue, Hajime had jumped out as his body was attacked by chills.
Just like with the blue head earlier, Hajime and Kaori were able to jump into the line of fire to save Yue. This time the results were different. The aurora was swallowing them whole. Yue and Kaori's body was blown away by the aftereffects of the hit, even if it wasn't a direct hit.
Soon the aurora calmed down, and Yue and Kaori sat themselves up as their whole body was in pain. They searched for the figure of Hajime, as he had been swallowed by the aurora after he forced his way through to take the attack.
Hajime had not moved from the place he blocked the attack. He was in an imposing stance as smoke blew from his whole body. On the floor was the wreckage of the melted Schlagen.
"H-Hajime?" [Yue]
"Hajime-kun!?" [Kaori]
"…" [Hajime]
"You've gotta be kidding...Nagumo!" [Tanaka]
He was unresponsive. His body just shook and fell forward.
"Hajime!(Hajime-kun!)" [Yue and Kaori]
They quickly rushed over to him, ignoring their aching body as they were driven by uneasiness. Because of Yue's magic drain, she couldn't gather any strength and fell while Kaori staggered her way because of her injuries. With a suppressed impatient feeling, they took out their sacred water and drank. Their vitality returned slowly and they rushed to Hajime this time.
Blood gradually began to puddle under Hajime's stomach. The attack had penetrated Hajime's Vajra and did a lot of damage. If he had not used the Schlagen as a shield, he most likely would have died. Luckily, his Schlagen was a weapon made from the shell of the scorpion that endured Yue's "Azure Sky".
When they turned him on his back, Hajime's condition was severe. His fingers, shoulder, and flank were burned and festering. Some of the parts even had bone exposed. The right side of his face was burned and his right eye was bleeding. There wasn't much damage to his legs, it was a blessing in disguise.
Yue was going to give him sacred water and Kaori attempted to use her healing magic, but the Hydra wasn't going to allow that. The beast was shooting innumerable balls of light, 10cm in diameter this time. Its intensity could be comparable to a gatling gun.
Tanaka at that moment quickly ran over to them and held Hajime and exerted all his strength to hide behind the pillars along with the two. Balls of light were shot one after another at the pillars, and caused the pillars to be shaved down. They had less than a minute left. Each of the light balls was loaded with terrifying energy.
Yue quickly dropped the sacred water onto Hajime's wound, and tried to get him to drink another one. However, Hajime didn't have the power to swallow it, so he choked on it and spit some out. Kaori moved Yue to the side as she casted a healing magic with her remaining mana.
"Divine Ray!" [Kaori]
And to get Hajime to drink the sacred water, Kaori placed it in her mouth and kissed him. She forcibly made him drink it.
But the sacred water and "Divine Ray" were not able to restore the wounds. Usually, the restoration began immediately, it seemed like something was inhibiting it.
"Why!?" [Kaori]
"Hajime! Kaori, what is happening! Why is it not working!?" [Yue]
"I don't know! I don't know why!? Hajime-kun! Please open your eyes!" [Kaori]
"Shit! Shit! What the hell do we do!?" [Tanaka]
Yue and Kaori took out all the sacred water on hand as they began to panic.
The factor that was inhibiting the restoration was the poison in hydra's aurora; the poison melted his flesh. It usually would have melted a being without resistance. However, the sacred water's restoration was faster than the dissolution speed of the poison. The speed was slow, but with Hajime's enhanced body it would just take time to heal, but the right eye had evaporated with the aurora light. He would not be able to get it back because the sacred water could only restore, not regenerate.
Soon the pillar will be crushed, and it does not seem Hajime will be able to move until then. Kaori stared at Hajime with a determined expression as she kissed him. Yue took Donner and stood up.
"I will fulfill my promise, I'll protect Hajime-kun." [Kaori]
"…This time, I'll save you…" [Yue]
"Tsk! No choice, gotta use everything!" [Tanaka]
After their words of determination, Yue and Tanaka jumped out from behind the pillar while Kaori hugged Hajime in an embrace close to her. They only had a little magic and the sacred water was used up. With the body of a vampire that relied on body strengthening, she could only use Donner and her unreliable "Auto Regen".
The silver head glared at Yue and Tanaka. who have jumped out of the pillar it was bombarding. Since Yue's magic reserve was low, she employed a hit and run strategy rather than fighting it with magic. That was because she couldn't fire Donner as skillfully as Hajime. Yue was originally not good with close quarter combat, so she was instantly driven into a corner. And Tanaka who was running out of mana was getting slower and also slowly getting driven in the corner.
Finally, one of the attacks hit Yue on the shoulder and Tanaka in his left leg.
"Agh!" [Yue]
"Guh!?" [Tanaka]
Groaning in pain, they endured it and resumed running after regaining their momentum. The moment they stopped because of the pain would be the time they collapsed. Yue's "Auto Regen" began, but it was slower than usual. The poison seemed to be effective against her regen. The vampiress' magic reverse was cut again. In this situation, the magical power used to enforce her body would disappear soon.
Tanaka tried to approach the Hydra but the density of the barrage prevented him from going forward. Yue wouldn't be able to shoot Donner if she couldn't get closer. A plan was needed to close the distance between them and the beast. However, the barrage was merciless and it finally cornered them.
In desperation, Yue pulled Donner's trigger to try to break the situation. Yue used a lightning spell to substitute the need for "Lightning Clad" acceleration. Count it as beginner's luck, but the bullet went through the gaps of the barrage and hit the silver head's temple.
However…
"Eh?" [Yue]
Her voice leaked unintentionally. The blow should have some power even if she didn't have sufficient acceleration, but the silver head did not suffer much damage. Shadows of despair fell over her expression, but her defeat meant their death. She gritted her teeth and prepared to evade again.
However, such a pattern couldn't continue on forever. The silver head's eyes shined and another aurora was shot that jarred the surrounding space. Yue's evasion route was limited by the light ball barrage so she chose to get blown away by jumping into the light bullets. This allowed her to avoid the aurora.
The price for that was a light bullet to the abdomen and a slam into the ground.
"Uu…Uu…" [Yue]
"...Yue...!" [Tanaka]
Her body couldn't move, but if she didn't move, she would be hit by a barrage of light bullets. Yue knew this and struggled desperately, but her body didn't listen. Her regeneration was too slow. She started to shed tears, unaware. It was mortifying, so unbelievably mortifying. Can she not protect them by herself?
After the head had confirmed its victory over them, it roared and shot a barrage of light bullets.
The bullets of light approached Yue, but she did not close her eyes. To show that at least it hadn't defeated her heart, she glared at the head. Soon, her whole vision was being taken by the flash of the bullet. If it hit directly, death was a certainty. She tried to apologize to Hajime for failing to protect him, as she said that she would go first.
For an instant… a gust of wind blew.
"Eh?" [Yue]
Yue realized that she was in someone's arms and the bullet struck to the side. When she looked at the person, she couldn't believe her sight. It was unmistakably Hajime. He was breathing heavily from his wounds and one of his eyes was shut, but he gave Yue a tight hug.
"Don't cry, Yue. It's our win." [Hajime]
"Hajime!" [Yue]
Yue embraced Hajime filled with emotions. Most of his injuries had not healed. He was standing with pure willpower.
Hajime gazed at the silver head. The head glared back while making a bullet of light float in the surrounding. It threw the bullet so there would be no more discussion about who escaped death.
"So slow…" [Hajime]
Hajime did not move until the last moment, he fell down and evaded the bullet.
The head narrowed its eyes and started to attack with numerous light balls.
"Nagumo, run away!" [Tanaka]
Tanaka told Hajime with a desperate expression, but Hajime was indifferent. He even embraced and danced in rotations with Yue. They unsteady fell and avoided the bullets of light. When a light ball avoided Hajime, she seemed to have misunderstood.
Her eyes widened.
"Kaori, take Yue." [Hajime]
"I got it!" [Kaori]
His silent eye and quiet voice urged Kaori to take Yue from Hajjime. Kaori normally would have hesitated to follow with his words out of worry because he's in a critical situation. Hajime pushed Yue to Kaori and readied Donner while dodging the light bullets.
"We don't have much time, I'll get Tanaka. Kaori, let Yue drink your blood. We will win this." [Hajime]
"Yue's magic is the last resort, okay…Yue, drink my blood." [Kaori]
"…Okay!" [Yue]
Hajime and Kaori's strong words dwell within her and , and she nodded. She believed in them and buried her face into Kaori's nape with her fangs. Yue's body was rapidly healing when Kaori's blood flowed into her. The two of them were dancing around and avoiding the storm of light bullets while holding on with each other's arms.
Now, the world grew dull in color from Hajime's view. In the monochrome world, all things moved slowly. Only Hajime was moving as usual.
Hajime looked. The scene of Yue and Tanaka desperately fights by themselves while Kaori tries to protect him in her embrace, his wavering consciousness tried to hold on. Yue was fighting desperately with his gun in one of her hands, and Tanaka desperately attacking with his remaining power. When they fell on the ground and the beast started to emit the aurora to finish them off.
Fierce anger filled Hajime. What does he have to do? Would he be satisfied just sleeping here? To permit such unreasonableness to take his companions in such a place? Was he going to yield to such a beast?
No! Absolutely not! Anyone who threatened his, no, their survival, was an enemy,
"Kill!" [Hajime]
At that moment, Hajime felt a spark run through his head and awakened one of his skills. The final derivation of "Divine Step", [Light Speed]. By expanding the cognitive functions, it increased the efficiency of all the skills associated with "Divine Step" dramatically. Hajime had once again, "exceeded the wall".
Hajime arrived next to Yue in an instant with this skill and gently dodged the bullets of light.
Eventually, Yue finished sucking Kaori's blood and completely regained her powers.
"Yue, when I give the signal, cast "Azure Sky". Until then, Kaori put your heart and soul into evading." [Hajime]
"I understand, Hajime-kun." [Kaori]
"Okay… and Hajime?" [Yue]
"Me? Spadework. I gotta get Tanaka." [Hajime]
Hajime left Yue and Kaori behind the pillars and ran towards the Tanaka.
He dodged the incoming barrage of light and fired off Donner while using "Flicker". The beast wasn't able to stomach being hit again by the bullet so it dodged them. Bullets from Donner ended up making holes in the ceiling.
Hajime kept changing the area he shot at, but all the bullets only made holes in the surroundings. A taunting glint was apparent in the silver head's eyes. Yue and Kaori were becoming uneasy but they believed in him. Yue waited for the signal to cast her spell.
Hajime jumped into the air with "Air Walk" and fired off Donner. His delicate steps which had not been possible before was now possible after awakening "Light Speed". Hajime jumped around in the air near the ceiling, dodging the barrage.
Irritated, the silver head gave off an aurora attack carelessly. Naturally, Hajime dodged it easily with a grin. Hajime got ready to play his cards. The head became stiff while it did its aurora attack. Then he reloaded Donner and shot at 6 different places. An intense explosion and shock occurred on the ceiling. After an instant of silence, it began to collapse in one go. The debris was 10 m in diameter and weighed dozens of tons. That large mass crushed into the silver head.
Hajime opened a hole in the ceiling with Donner, and prepared a grenade while he evaded. He made parts of the ceiling fragile with his transmutation. Then he shot at the 6 places and caused them to explode.
His attack did not disappoint. If just simple debris could defeat this monster, he wouldn't have that much trouble. Hajime approached the trapped and crushed silver head with "Flicker". Using his transmutation, Hajime quickly changed the debris into restraints. At the same time, he created an impromptu blast furnace around the Hydra. He threw pouches containing incendiary grenades into the furnace and went to Tanaka.
"Tanaka!" [Hajime]
"*Cough* *cough* Took...you long...enough..." [Tanaka]
"We're getting out of here!" [Tanaka]
Shouldering Tanaka, Hajime successfully proceeding with his plan and shouted.
"Yue, now!" [Hajime]
"Okay! "Azure Sky"!" [Yue]
A pale sun appeared in the blast furnace and melted the silver head that was restrained. There was a chain explosion inside, and the power broke through its defense. The damage the silver head had suffered was not negligible.
"Guuruaaa!"
The Hydra tried to use its aurora attack but the silver head melted in the high heat and was unable to shoot it.
Hajime's perception could no longer sense the hydra, as it disappeared from his senses. This time he was convinced of its death and collapsed backward.
"Hajime!" [Yue]
"Hajime-kun!" [Kaori]
Yue and Kaori crawled to him as their body had lost all its energy.
"Indeed… I'm spent…" [Hajime]
Hajime let consciousness slowly fade away as he felt Yue and Kaori embracing him.