I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Natsume Akatsuki*
M for mature topics. No children allowed. *
Konosuba (Not): Thanatos Blessing Upon This Broken World
By Try Another Time
Days until Talus Hunt Begins: 10.
A titanic beast trashed around the massive arena as its multiple heads went on a rampage; the seven heads opened their giant mouths to shoot an array of elemental attacks.
"Watch out for the ice beam!" Kazuma shouted as he flew around, thanks to his wings, which he now controlled. As he observed the area, his eyes noticed how Aqua was in danger of getting hit by a lighting breath from one of the heads, and without a second doubt, he swooped in to carry her away from danger. "Are you alright?"
The priestess nods as she puts her arms around his neck. "I am, but we must kill that thing before it heals itself," Aqua said as she pointed her fingers at the seven-headed platinum-colored Hydra. "We blinded it, but that won't last long. We need to slay all the heads at once."
"Easier said than done," Kazuma said as he examined the Hydra for any weakness that could effectively bring it down. His eyes could see some, but nothing was sure due to the boss's regenerative abilities.
The Hydra was a massive behemoth that easily towered over each of them. The arena was at least the size of a football stadium, and the beast covered at least 60 to 70% of the entire area. Its limbs were perfect for land movement, which surprised Darkness and the others.
"Why does it have legs? It should be an aquatic dragon monster." Darkness shouts as she severs an entire leg of the beast with her War Axe, which aids their efforts to take it down for some time.
The Hydra loses balance as its body drops to the left side due to the missing leg.
"The Ego must be playing around with these creatures' anatomy. We already faced a Gryphon that could shoot magma and electric attacks at random, a Muncher-Muncher the size of a town that was immune to fire, and let's not even speak about the giant creepy doll that could summon knives from thin air. We're facing hell itself!" Kazuma shouts as he evades another of the random elemental attacks of the Hydra while he continues to hold Aqua.
"Kazuma, Kazuma, I might have an idea," Megumin said as she used her magic to fly across the arena.
Yunyun was right behind her, but instead of using magic to fly, she wore a mysterious pair of winged red boots. "What are you planning, Megu? That beast is immune to fire spells and has high resistance to other elements. We tried most elements already."
"I'm all ears, Megumin. I don't want to waste another minute against this thing." Kazuma replies.
"Gravity Armageddon. The spell could damage the hydra and maybe even kill it. The only issue would be putting ourselves in danger." Megumin says.
"it might work, but that only lasts 60 seconds." Kazuma's mind thinks about a plan as he considers the advantages of the spell. His eyes turn to Aqua, who holds onto him with a concerned expression. "Do you think the guillotine can be combined with the skill magic combo?"
Aqua shrugs. "I don't know. I have yet to lead an attack combination. I don't know if it can be considered a normal spell."
Megumin and Yunyun show similar expressions. They had taught the skill to Aqua, and with it, they had boosted their combined attacks to a new level, but that didn't mean that such mysterious skills like those of Aqua could work if they were the primary spell.
"We'll have to try. Most elements don't work against that thing, but maybe a giant guillotine can finish the job." The reaper's eyes turn to Darkness's location. "Darkness, come to us! We're going to try something out."
"On my way." Darkness shouts as she rushes away from the immediate area of the Hydra.
"So we're trying this?" Yunyun asks as they descend to the ground. '
"Is either this or having to fight an uphill battle against a monster that can heal itself and has defenses against normal magic attacks? I'm willing to risk it with the first option." Kazuma said as he touched the ground.
"What's the plan?" Darkness said as she stopped before the team.
"You'll be our anchor. Megumin is going to use Gravity Armaggedon. If we don't stand our ground, we'll be absorbed by the attack. The hope is that the attack eliminates the Hydra or weakens it enough for a combined magic attack to finish the job." Kazuma said.
Darkness nods as she changes her weapon into a shield and sword. She raises her shield before burying it on the ground while activating several skills. "Stand behind me and do not let go."
The hydra turns its attention to them as its eyes start to recover. Its leg also regenerates before it stands up as if nothing had been effective.
Everyone positions themselves as close to Darkness as possible.
"Aqua, use the skeleton arms to lock us into place." Kazuma orders.
"Got it," Aqua says before she summons several skeletal arms that form chains that bind them together.
"Megumin, don't miss," Kazuma says as he remains vigilant of the Hydra.
Megumin nods as she points her staff at the Hydra. "Old power from an era lost to us, arise and deliver the horror of an uncontrollable power. Bring the end to everything before my eyes. Gravitational Armageddon." A small dark sphere forms before Megumin fires it.
The projectile flies at full speed while it starts to absorb the dust around the arena. The hydra senses it but ignores it as if it were a regular spell. As soon as it makes contact with its belly, the nightmare begins.
The sphere implodes as an impressive black hole takes shape right within the belly of the beast.
The hydra cries in pain as its body is pulled into the singularity of the devastating astral event.
The entire arena shakes as the black hole tries to suck everything.
"My goodness! This thing is terrific!" Darkness says as she holds her ground. Her expression showed deep concern as the attack affected her, even if it was just a mere centimeter.
"Megu!" Yunyun shouts as she trembles in fear of the horrendous attack.
"I'm right here!" Megumin shouts as she pulls Yunyun closer to her.
"How much more?" Aqua asks.
"Just hold the line for 60 seconds. Don't let go!" Kazuma shouts as he pulls everyone closer together. He even tries to use his wings to protect them from the gravitational pull of the attack.
Some of the feathers are forcefully pulled into the attack, but thankfully, they are immediately replaced by new ones.
Seconds come and go as the black hole continues to consume the Hydra. The beast tries to escape, but its very flesh is forcefully ripped along its scales by the monstrous gravitational pull of the black hole. The entire team can't look away as the Hydra's heads are forcefully pulled closer to the inside of the attack. The gruesome sight worsens as the beast tries to escape with all its strength.
"How can it fight like that?" Yunyun asks as she questions the will of the Hydra.
"Survival instincts or maybe its the influence of its creator. That thing won't stop fighting until we're dead. Get ready to use the combined attack when the black hole disappears." Kazuma orders as his eyes meet those of the Hydra.
Pure, unwavering rage dwells inside its red eyes as it seeks to devour and consume Kazuma's team—a true monster without a drop of conscience or anything resembling the ability of free will.
The three spellcasters start to prepare themselves, with Aqua in the lead.
"Release from within a realm beyond mortal hands."
"Awaken by the will of a god that offers no mercy."
"Come to us to deliver your judgment."
Their chants continued in harmonious unison as the seconds went by. The gravity started to return to normal as the black hole decreased in size but not strength since it continued to deliver immense damage to the Hydra.
"Come on, this better not fail!" Kazuma told himself as he saw the black hole coming to an end. As soon as the catastrophic event ended, the mangled Hydra heads fell to the floor with a crashing sound, yet he could still detect life on the beast. "Do it now before it gets up!"
The Hydra seemed to react to his voice as the beast tried to get up. The missing flesh pieces started to be replaced by newly formed muscle as its insane regenerative abilities were activated. Its multiple mouths started to charge new attacks as it saw a clear chance to eliminate its enemies.
But luck was no longer on the Hydra's side.
Aqua raises her scepter alongside Megumin and Yunyun. "Come to us, True Infernal Guillotine!"
A portal appeared before a gigantic infernal blade descended, engulfed in infernal flames. The blade didn't miss the chance as it went for the necks of its prey.
Seven heads flew in different directions as the blade severed all of them at the same time. Some of the guts and blood fell right on top of the team, yet nobody moved an inch as they waited for the confirmation of the kill.
Several seconds went by in silence as they waited for any movement from the beast, yet nothing happened.
Aqua reacted first as she searched for her card. "I'm…. level 51. We did it!"
"Yes!" Megumin, Yunyun, and Darkness shouted.
Kazuma just remained silent. A smile formed on his face as he finally calmed down. "That marks the end of the 90th wave…. We did it. We survived 90 waves…."
The reaper fell to his knees as he couldn't endure the exhaustion or injuries anymore.
Not even two seconds later, Darkness fell as she faced similar injuries. "I'm… open to getting some armor upgrades…. Goddess… my ribs are killing me."
"The feeling is mutual," Kazuma said with a smile that tried to hide his painful state.
"Give me just a second," Aqua said as she summoned the torso, which started to heal Darkness. "I didn't expect such a troublesome enemy."
"Nobody did. The mere fact that it was immune to most of our attacks was already alarming, but adding its massive size and regenerative abilities made it a beast like no other. In all my years, I haven't faced such a strong boss. Heck, I doubt that any other team besides our own would have been able to pull that out." Megumin admits with a cheerful expression.
"Oh, is someone admitting that she enjoys our current team?" Yunyun asks as she teases her partner.
Megumin looks to the side. "... I won't deny that our teamwork has been far more effective than any other team."
"Megu, there's no need to be so shy! Just admit that this mission has been enjoyable even with the constant danger. We both reached level 70 after so many waves." Yunyun continued as she pulled Megumin into a hug.
"It has been a fantastic run. I'm still surprised after reaching level 56. Maybe level 60 is not that far if we continue like this." Darkness said with an excited expression on her face.
Kazuma takes a deep breath. "Possible, but we might not even reach the 100 waves. I fear that the dungeon has yet to show us its best cards. I fear that not even with me at level 53, we can safely reach that last wave or even defeat it. The Hydra can be taken as a sign that we are running out of luck. My attacks, we're unable to cut through its scales."
"But your dark daggers were effective at blinding its eyes. You're getting used to using dark magic attacks, and that's a tool you can't overlook. Physical attacks won't always be effective, so one must be open to learning other tools. I learned Gravitational Armageddon from an old book we found in a dungeon, and it has been a secret card that has never failed me, even with its risk." Megumin says. "... Be proud of your achievements, Kazuma. You led us to this point, and I can't deny that it was thanks to your outstanding leadership. So I'll say it once: Thanks for everything; you have prioritized our team throughout this whole adventure, and thanks to it, we have survived all these waves."
Kazuma shakes his head. "I just did my job and kept my promise to all of you. I promised that nobody besides me was going to bite the dust." The reaper tries to smile, but the blood that starts to drip from his mouth doesn't inspire much cheer from the team.
"Don't force yourself to smile more than you need to. We know you must be in extreme pain. You took one hell of a tail swipe from that Hydra." Darkness says as she recalls how the Hydra spon around at one point before it delivered a devastating attack with its tail that likely shattered many of Kazuma's bones as he put himself between Yunyun and the incoming attack.
"I'm sorry for that one. I should put more effort into mastering these flying boots." Yunyun said as she taps the floor with her new boots.
"I'm amazed at them. I wonder what other secrets they possess, like this ring." Megumin said as she examined her partner's boots. "Now, you don't even need my skill to fly."
Yunyun smirks proudly. "See? I was fortunate to gain them from a mimic chest. Now, I can get new skills without worrying about getting that skill. I wonder what should I get."
"Another passive that allows you to evade physical attacks might be useful," Kazuma said before his eyes turned to Megumin. "Both of you might need something like that in case our formation breaks. We never know what could happen next."
"He's right. This dungeon has shown us that nobody is safe from every possible source of danger. Be it debuffs, abilities that block magic or repel spells, enemies with inhuman defenses, or skills that can affect our minds, we're not protected against everything. I see this dungeon as another reason that demonstrates why we need teams and why teams need to grow to cover their weaknesses." Darkness touches her shoulder armor piece. "Although I'm attached to this armor, I know its time is ending. I can't put my trust in it for much longer, and I also see the need to gain a couple more skills. We need to grow stronger if we truly want to go after the demon lords."
Kazuma nods. "We all need to continue to grow." His eyes turn to Darkness. "We should discuss your armor after we return to Axel. After so many waves and days trapped together, I can tell that I wouldn't want any other aggro tank within our party, Darkness." The eyes of the reaper then turn to the spellcasters. "We should also discuss the possibility of making our alliance permanent. I doubt we could get such strong spell casters after the mission."
"Hey, don't try to charm me, Kazuma…" Megumin looks away from him as her face turns red. "I know you wouldn't be able to find anyone like us…. And I guess that I don't dislike having you as a teammate."
"Oh, Megu. There's no need for such antics. Everyone already knows that you respect Kazuma." Yunyun then faces the reaper. "We have been on the road for a long time, and neither of us can deny how well we work as a team. We'll be happy to discuss a permanent position within this team when we return to Axel."
"I'm glad to hear that," Kazuma says before he feels the sharp sensation of needles and surgical knives invading his body. "Let's continue after I'm fully cured. Darkness, let's gather material from the Hydra before the dungeon decides to erase any signs of its corpse. An armor made from its scales will fit you well."
Darkness gives him a thumbs up. "I will get started right away. I don't want to lose the chance of trying its flesh, either. I heard dragons make for some of the best steaks."
"Steak does sound like a go- auch- od idea for dinner," Kazuma says as the torso makes him twitch a little as it continues to put his body back in order.
Aqua can't hide her giggle. "Even you have to react to pain sometimes."
"Who says that I don't feel pain?" Kazuma asks.
Everyone starts to whistle as they look away.
"Hey, I have feelings. Not because I endure it better than others means I don't feel it. I'm not an automaton." Kazuma says.
The girls continue to whistle as they look away.
"Just wait until I get to cooking. I know exactly how to take revenge." Kazuma told himself as the healing continued for a while longer.
20 minutes later.
After harvesting as many materials as viable from the Hydra's corpse, the arena in which they found themselves transforms back into the infinite hallway they found themselves before.
After this, their eyes were drawn to the chest and wall they usually found after most waves.
"Is a miracle. We finally got another Mimic." Yunyun said as she sensed its presence.
"It has been a long time since the last one. After the 50th wave, we found one; you got the boots from that one." Aqua's expression darkens. "And mine after the 40th wave gave me nothing." The goddess starts to sniffle as she recalls her disappointment. "Why wasn't I lucky? I even boosted my luck with a skill."
Everyone shakes their heads as they recall the tragic event in which Aqua got nothing from the mimic she got.
"That -1 luck stat will be on your way no matter how much you try."
The entire team, except Aqua, had concluded that her luck wouldn't change like Kazuma's, which were the only stats to remain the same regardless of how many levels they gained.
It was painful to see that Aqua received nothing while any other member received a rare item.
Her angry eyes turn to Kazuma. "It's your turn. Go ahead and try your luck."
"But I promise-" Aqua stops Kazuma as she places a finger over his lips.
"Don't. You'll worsen it if you try to give it to me…. Just give it to me if it's something cute." Aqua said.
"So that's your plan? Make him get the treasure, and then get it from him? Such malicious idea." Darkness, Megumin, and Yunyun thought as they witnessed the clever plan of the priestess.
"Ok." Kazuma approaches the mimic chest. His eyes had grown more used to finding the weaknesses of most enemies. It was as if a hidden skill had been added to his arsenal as most enemies appeared before him with highlighted areas that hinted at what parts he should attack.
The mimic was the same. Kazuma's mysterious ability incited him to split the fake chest right across the middle and deliver a lethal attack.
"Let's do this." His right hand swiftly grasped the long, curved, dark wooden pole that composed most of his supernatural weapon. Its weight now felt more like an extension than just a mere weapon within his grasp as he grew to accept the weight that it symbolized. "I'll end this in one attack!"
The reaper lifted his weapon before dark energy accumulated along the length of the blade.
The mimic seemed to react to the incoming danger as its jaws activated, but it was far too late.
"Die," Kazuma said coldly as his scythe split his prey in half like a blazing knife would a butter bar.
There was no resistance to be found, as in the case of the Hydra; instead the blade cut through the flesh with ease and speed.
The monster quieted down mere seconds after as an almost inaudible scream was heard from within.
"It's over," Kazuma said as he used the blade tip to move the flesh away until a tiny glint alerted him to the hidden treasure. His finger reached out to grab it, and as he lifted it, a precise shape appeared.
A black pendant shaped like a shield seemed shattered into four equal pieces. A single black jewel rests in the middle of the pieces.
"... Aqua?" Kazuma calls for the dark priestess.
Aqua walks closer to him. "What did you get?" Her voice sounded curious.
"This," Kazuma says as he shows the pendant to his partner.
"Oh… that's a curious shape…. Take it. I feel you might need it more than me." Aqua said.
"Are you sure?" Kazuma asks.
"Why wouldn't I be? I asked if it was cute, but this didn't fit me. I'll just wait until next time. Now, let me help you with this." Aqua said as she grabbed the pendant and put it around Kazuma's neck. "I hope this aids you in some shape or form. We have many challenges ahead of us, and all help is welcome."
"... you're right about that."
Aqua finishes before she steps away before she admires her job. "I think it fits. Congrats, you got your own mysterious item."
"Thanks." Kazuma's eyes then turn to the timer on the wall. "... not pulling any punches anymore. This might be the last time we get to relax."
"Is to be expected from such a dungeon," Aqua remarks as she sees the timer.
The other members came closer before they also saw the countdown.
Time before the next wave: 6 days.
Some wanted to take this as good news, but everyone knew better. A long countdown meant that IGA was likely preparing the worst waves it could create.
6 days to rest and prepare themselves for the final stretch. Only six days before the team was forced to face the hardest challenge they had faced until that very moment.
The training wheels were long gone, and now, the big leagues were waiting for them.
Dead or Alive.
Success or Defeat.
Bravery or Foolishness.
All will be decided soon.