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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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Chapter 103
The strategy for defeating the [Giant Scorpion with a Poisonous Stinger] is simple.
All you have to do is penetrate its hard exoskeleton and inflict continuous damage to its insides.
However, although it's simple, it's by no means an easy process.
This is because penetrating that hard exoskeleton is no easy task in the first place.
As if to prove that point...
“Hup!”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The knights are constantly pounding on the exoskeleton with their auras, but not even a scratch appears.
It seems they've been struggling with that exoskeleton all this time...
‘Their aura is weak.’
Compared to the exoskeleton of the [Giant Scorpion with a Poisonous Stinger], the power of their aura is ridiculously weak.
To penetrate an exoskeleton with that level of hardness, they should at least display an aura that surpasses that of the silver-haired knight, Shuharn.
‘Tsk tsk, how can they be worse than Shuharn? Those so-called senior knights.’
Frankly, the knights looked a bit pathetic.
It's like they're openly promoting themselves, saying, 'I got to be a senior knight through connections~' with that kind of skill, isn't it?
‘Anyway, the knight system needs to be overhauled.’
Unlike mages, the influence of clan plays a significant role in the process of knights being promoted.
Even if you have the skills, it's difficult to get promoted if your clan isn't influential, and if your clan is well-connected, you can get promoted even if you lack skills.
Because of this, you can often witness situations like this where incompetent people become senior knights.
Of course, there are also true knights who have risen solely through their own skills.
‘That guy Shuharn was the real deal.’
Suddenly, my thoughts drift in that direction.
The silver-haired knight, Shuharn Philedia.
I wonder what that guy is doing now.
Well, it's something that's easy enough to predict.
‘He's probably running around all over the place trying to eat my heart again.’
He probably would have reached the intermediate knight level by now.
He already had enough skills to be promoted.
Maybe he's even reached the senior knight level.
I once again imprint the fact that such a formidable guy is after my heart.
However...
‘This might be doable?’
Honestly, I'm not really scared anymore.
I'm now a proper 5th circle mage.
No, practically speaking, I'm a mage with the power of the 6th circle.
Even if senior knights are a bit much, I can definitely handle intermediate knights on my own.
Of course, since Shuharn hasn't fully revealed his skills yet, I don't know how things will turn out...
But that's what makes it more fun.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
What would happen if I fought him now?
Such curiosity fills me.
“...Hmm, let's calm down.”
It's something I'll find out eventually anyway.
Calming my excited heart, I focused on the situation in front of me again.
Based on the movements I've seen so far, it seems like if I combine my strength with Barundel and those six idiotic knights, we should be able to subdue it.
The moment I made that decision.
“Barundel!”
“I'm ready!”
After signaling to Barundel, I jumped into the battlefield.
Immediately, its gaze shifted towards us.
Did it sense our killing intent?
As expected of a mutated species, its senses are sharp.
Screech! Screeeech!
The creature let out an unpleasant insect-like sound as it shook its body.
And at the same time,
Shwaaaak!
A poisonous stinger, which could be fatal with a single hit, surged towards us.
I naturally slowed down my running speed, and Barundel swung his axe as if he had been waiting for this moment.
Thud!
The trajectory of the poisonous stinger was deflected by Barundel's swing of [Anatak's Great Axe].
And what followed was my magic.
“Take this, you blind fool.”
Poof!
The sphere of light that flew towards the [Giant Scorpion with a Poisonous Stinger] emitted an intense light in front of its eyes.
Simultaneously, the [Giant Scorpion with a Poisonous Stinger] stopped moving momentarily and let out a pained cry.
Keekeekeeek!!
One regrettable thing was that the micro flashbang grenade didn't have much effect on it.
This is because scorpions, which mainly live in the dark, have poor eyesight from the start.
Scorpions usually use their abdomen to sense vibrations in the ground and find prey with their excellent sensory organs.
Therefore, it was difficult to inflict a significant blow to it with just this micro flashbang grenade.
However...
‘Just a moment is enough.’
The purpose was to buy this brief moment of time.
Barundel, who had turned his head at the right moment, leaped forward with all his might.
And [Anatak's Great Axe] swung in line with his forward movement.
The [Giant Scorpion with a Poisonous Stinger], belatedly realizing that an enemy was approaching, raised its pincers, but it was already too late.
Crack!
Barundel, digging deep inside, struck the creature's body.
Sparks flew from the attack where steel met flesh.
I felt anew how hard the creature's exoskeleton was.
However...
‘It's no match for a legendary artifact.’
Crackle!
Cracks began to appear in that hard exoskeleton.
It was thanks to the unique effect of the legendary artifact, [Anatak's Great Axe].
-Physical Penetration +50
The additional 50 points in Physical Penetration.
This is why [Anatak's Great Axe] is considered the best blunt weapon among legendary ones and is even evaluated to have better cutting power than swords of the same class.
50 is a value comparable to the aura of a typical knight.
Moreover, with Barundel's strength and axe proficiency added to that, it would be stranger if the exoskeleton could withstand it.
Keekeekeeek!
The [Giant Scorpion with a Poisonous Stinger], receiving the shock to its body, immediately sensed the danger and changed its posture.
Compared to before, it's in a much more defensive stance.
It seems to have taken that stance with the intention of counterattacking anything that comes in...
This is the difference between ordinary individuals and mutated species.
Usually, ordinary ones are so focused on attacking that they rush in without thinking.
Even...
Pssst! Pssst!
It started spraying poison from its tail, scattering it around itself.
This made it much more difficult to approach.
It was certainly different from the other foolish ones.
However, there's one thing it overlooked.
The fact that I am a mage.
Whoosh!
A dazzling halo of light blooms above my palm.
The light soon took the form of a spear, and I naturally assumed the stance.
The javelin-throwing stance that I've now become completely accustomed to.
Creak!
With a feeling as if the surroundings were becoming quiet, only the target, the [Giant Scorpion with a Poisonous Stinger], was caught in my sight.
The high level of concentration I naturally developed while practicing magic was manifesting.
Maintaining that concentration, I carefully extended my arm.
Legs supporting the ground.
Waist creating elasticity.
Arm adding explosive speed at the last moment.
All muscles expand at once.
Added to that are the effects of the spirit inscription, the awakening effect, and the power of divine power.
Fwoosh!
The spear of light, packed with everything I had, flew towards it in a straight line.
Screech!
As if reacting to it, it raised its two pincers to guard.
Even a mutated species has its limits in intelligence, it seems.
It was a truly regrettable decision.
“You should have dodged it, not blocked it.”
Crackle!
The spear of light that left my grasp dug into its pincers.
After the intense sparks, what followed was a very pleasant sound.
Thud!
Kyaaaak!!
Finally, its pincers were penetrated, and it screamed.
The others weren't just watching either.
Barundel immediately jumped over the poison puddle into the air, and the knights, who at least had some sense, appeared behind the [Giant Scorpion with a Poisonous Stinger].
And the all-out attack unfolded.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Kieeek! Kieeeek!
The creature struggled, unable to come to its senses from the attacks pouring in from all directions.
Even in the midst of that, it didn't give up, as it tried to thrust its poisonous stinger from time to time, but each time Barundel blocked it with his axe.
I also added my strength, swinging the sword of light.
And as a result...
Kieee...!
It was clearly visible that the creature was gradually losing its strength.
We continued to push our offensive without stopping.
Our relentless assault boosted the morale of the mercenary soldiers and regular soldiers who were blocking other demons.
"W-We're finally winning!"
"Those mages are amazing..."
"Just hold on a little longer! Don't let a single one of them get through!"
How much time had passed?
Kee, kee...
Thud!
The creature, which had endured for a long time despite our endless attacks, finally lost its strength and collapsed.
Its exoskeleton was already shattered without a trace.
Only its weak, sallow skin barely covered it.
Barundel approached it casually and swung his axe.
Slash-!
The creature's neck was smoothly severed.
Barundel brushed off the blood from his axe and said,
"One more down."
His nonchalant voice seemed to announce the end of today's battle.
***
Thump, thump, thump!
Heavy footsteps could be heard incessantly.
A seemingly endless procession followed, just like the footsteps.
With the third crack closed, the promised time had arrived, and reinforcements had arrived.
Elbert and the commander of the reinforcements shook hands with each other and then relayed the situation.
"I heard that the scale of damage is very small... Sir Elbert, your command skills haven't dulled at all? That's amazing."
"Haha, it's all thanks to the soldiers who followed my lead well. My command skills can't possibly catch up to the 2nd Division Commander."
"There's no need to be so modest. You're already famous for your skills..."
Well... To be precise, the conversation was closer to praising each other rather than actually relaying the situation.
It wasn't strange.
Whether it's a knight commander or a commanding officer, it's all about social skills.
"There haven't been any additional cracks generated yet. As reported, a total of three high-ranking demons emerged from each crack..."
"Oh, you mean you defeated them all? This is beyond expectations."
"As a special note, unstable mana was detected from the third crack..."
Anyway, after perfectly finishing the handover...
Elbert Tyran gathered us, who had returned to the barracks, in one place.
It seems he's going to give us a lecture like he did on the first day.
As we waited in our exhausted state, Elbert walked over with the sound of his military boots.
Somehow, his expression was bright, as if he was quite satisfied with today's battle.
"Soldiers, you've all worked really hard. You've shown much more improvement than yesterday."
"..."
"..."
Is it because everyone is exhausted?
No one opened their mouths even at his words of encouragement, and Elbert, as if understanding, crossed his arms and continued speaking.
"Don't look so down. I'm diligently recording each and every one of your contributions."
Flutter, flutter.
Elbert took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and shook it.
It was written too small to make out, but it was densely packed with writing, as if he was truly recording the soldiers' contributions one by one.
"Rewards will be given according to your efforts. Those who diligently participated in the war will enjoy wealth and honor, and those who didn't... well, they'll only receive as much as they put in. Isn't that right?"
"That's right, sir!"
"Then you should work even harder, right? Look at this. This is the contribution a crazy mage has accumulated. This guy will be richer than me after the war is over."
"Hehehe."
The soldiers chuckled and nodded at Elbert's joke.
With a grin, Elbert once again boosted the soldiers' morale and finished his speech.
"So enjoy this hardship for now. That's all."
[Blood Moon Prophecy] 2nd Wave.
We safely overcame today, and a smooth atmosphere is still maintained.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]
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