Chapter 33: Muir’s Awakening
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Translated by Yoraikun
“It seems that that is the exit.”
“Yeah, let’s get to a town quickly and pop into hot bath~”
“R-right. We did encounter quite a few monsters.”
As the three try to approach the slope to the light, rocks start dropping from the ceiling. Shivers run down the three’s spines.
“O-oy, Hiiro…?”
“… Hah, so like in games, we’ll have fight a boss battle before we can reach the exit…”
Muir’s body shakes. The three simultaneously look up. And there…
“SHAAAAAAAA!”
Is an anaconda that looks perfect for the silver screen. It is skillfully wrapping itself around the formations on the ceiling as it slithers around.
“I believe that was… Clay Viper.”
“Oy oy, is this for real!?”
Hiiro had seen it before in the encyclopedia. It’s a Rank S monster. Its length could reach 30 meters, and its body is as thick as a tree. Its body is scaly and gives off a black luster. Its face is menacing as well. Its forked tongue darts in and out of its huge mouth. Its eyes are red and gives off a suspicious light as if to bind whoever gazes into them.
“Well, well. For now, you better keep your distance, shorty.”
“Ah, y-yeah…”
Muir has no choice but to follow Hiiro’s words. There is no way she can prove useful against this fearsome foe.
“Old man, can you do any long range attacks?”
“Well, to an extent.”
“Then use those to distract it. I’ll put it to sleep like with the Red Boar.”
But for that, time is necessary. Writing the necessary characters requires concentration, so he can’t have himself be a target.
“Got it, but you better make it quick. My level rose, but this is a bit much for me alone. Actually it may be impossible.”
Normally, running would be the priority. However, in the Red Boar fight, the enemy was easily defeated with 《Word Magic》. Arnold is assured that Hiiro will be able to do something.
“It’s coming.”
While they were idling, the Clay Viper had started rushing at them with its mouth wide open. The two avoid it by jumping high. But, the viper knocks them out of the air with its tail.
“Guh!”
The two fall to the ground simultaneously. Arnold complains about its strength as he rolls on the floor. He seems to be in quite a bit of pain.
(Damn… It’s quite skillful with its tail)
Hiiro grumbles as he takes some distance and begins writing a word. Arnold stands up and confronts the Clay Viper.
Suddenly, a fluid spews from the snake’s mouth.
Though he’s startled for a moment, Arnold is able to successfully avoid it by leaping backwards. The ground that comes in contact with the liquid begins to sizzle as it dissolves away.
“Oy, this thing even comes equipped with venom…”
‘This is no joke,’ Arnold thinks as he applies more pressure to the hand clenching his sword.
“《Wind Fang》! Take this!”
As he swings his blade, a magic-ish wind cutter is released. The sharp blade of wind slices the Clay Viper’s skin and blood scatters.
But in the next moment, the wound closes on its own. It seems that weak attacks won’t be able to overcome the beast’s natural regenerative powers.
Arnold seems taken aback, but the Clay Viper doesn’t rest. As if it were not slashed at all, it starts rushing towards him.
“Ku!”
He somehow dodges to the side and prepares to attack again. But, the Viper suddenly dives into the ground.
“Wha!? It can even do that!?”
Watching this scene, Hiiro clicks his tongue. At this rate, he wonders whether his 《Word Magic》 will hit. The Clay Viper is currently focusing on Arnold, so Hiiro was able to finish writing his word without problem though.
But, with that speed and its ability to burrow, it will be more than difficult to hit.
“Dammit! Where are you! Come out already, you slithery bastard!”
Arnold shouts out, but there are no signs of it resurfacing.
Suddenly, the ground begins to shake. The two fighters concentrate on their surroundings to sense where it will emerge.
“KYAAaaaa!”
The place it emerges is in the shadows where Muir is hiding. It uses its long body to wrap around and bind her while heading back up to the ceiling.
“MUIIIIIR!”
“Damn!”
Even Hiiro didn’t anticipate the non-combatant Muir being attacked. He wasn’t vigilant enough.
Hiiro immediately points his finger and aims his word. But perhaps because its feral instincts screamed danger, it glares back and gets into a position where it can move at any time. At this rate, the chance that it will dodge is high.
Hiiro isn’t going to waste the word he had wasted time writing.
“Old Man, do you think you can stop his movements!?”
“It’s not that I can’t, but Muir will get dragged in!”
Arnold grits his teeth as he stares at the Clay Viper.
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Muir thinks that that her situation is pitiful. There is nothing she can do. Even though she can’t fight, even though she is useless, here she is being imprisoned and preventing Hiiro from attacking.
(Why… am I always being protected…? Even though I never wished for it…)