Chapter 120
Boom!
Following Sieg's command, "Big Foot" not only summoned warriors from the Boulder Tribe but also from nearby tribes.
Dozens of barbarian warriors, each as dangerous as a weapon, gathered in the village.
Sieg, observing the assembled barbarian warriors, spoke to "King Fist".
"King Fist, we need stone spears."
"Why need stone spears? We just hit them."
"Doing that might just get you killed."
To persuade the stubborn and unyielding barbarian warriors, even the tribe leader, 'Big Foot', had to step in.
Sieg ensured that each barbarian prepared five stone spears. They sharpened stones harder and sharper than metal. Sieg applied oil from the grassflower to each stone blade.
"Why apply this?"
"It's lethal to serpents."
Though Sieg was unsure whether it would work on hydras, he intended to try every possible method.
Recalling the rest he saw in Kishir's Sanctuary, Sieg felt he could handle it with his Elemental Sword, but it was foolish to underestimate the current situation given the unusual signs.
Sieg led the barbarian warriors outside the fortress. He linked Dragon Eyes with the map to locate where the demonic beasts and the hydra might be. Surprisingly, Richmond was helpful.
"M-Master. I sense a strange energy over there."
"What exactly do you mean by 'strange energy'?"
"Uh, it's like... a tingling? My nape feels weird."
Sieg realized that what Richmond described was demonic energy. Seeing Richmond act as a moving demonic energy detector made him flash a satisfied grin.
'Finding demonic beasts will be easier now.'
With that, he led the barbarian Squad to the location Richmond pointed out.
Sieg found a massive cave at the base of a cliff where rocks had piled up. Examining it, he noticed something unusual.
'What is that?'
The appearance of the monsters standing at the cave entrance was odd. They seemed more like demonic beasts than typical monsters.
Sieg mentally asked Richmond, 'Have you seen monsters like those before?'
'N-No. This is my first time. They seem to have mutated like chimeras.'
Considering that Richmond, an expert on monsters, hadn't seen them before, it was likely these monsters had been contaminated with demonic energy.
Sieg addressed "King Fist" behind him.
"Take care of the monsters over there. I'm going inside."
"No. I want to hunt the hydra too."
"I'll tell your fall."
With those words, "King Fist" sulked but nodded.
Sieg withdrew a dagger from his bosom, filling it with will. He then threw it at the demonic beast-like monsters.
Whiz!
The dagger embedded itself into a monster's back.
"Grrr?"
Boom! Boom!
Moments later, a loud explosion ensued, catching the monsters off guard.
"Screeaaach!"
Following Sieg's words, "King Fist" redirected the monsters, luring them away.
"Richmond, observe the situation from outside and report any unusual events."
"Understood."
Armed with Bahamut, Sieg ventured deeper into the cave where the hydra awaited.
'What's this smell?'
The cave reeked of foul air, reminiscent of the stench found in the cave where he encountered fiends. The deeper he went, the stronger the stench became.
And then it happened.
Grumble!
A colossal roar reverberated through the entire cave.
Sieg cautiously moved forward. A vast space soon opened up, revealing the hunched form of the hydra inside.
'There it is.'
The heads that had been severed by Sieg had seemingly regenerated, with all nine heads still present.
Veiled by invincibility, Sieg strategized a single, decisive strike before the hydra could detect him.
'Gotta pierce a vital spot in one go.'
Just like when he captured the master of the swamp, he needed to break through the heart to end it.
Sieg used Dragon Eyes to scan the hydra for weaknesses. A notification then surfaced.
『Detected a corrupted ancient species fully eroded by demonic energy.』
'Fully eroded?'
Thinking back to battling the master of the swamp, Sieg realized it had become a demonic beast, eroded completely by demonic energy.
It seemed the Empire had been meddling again.
Sieg promptly equipped Hersion. He then brandished Bahamut, aiming for the hydra's heart.
Buzz!
The energy gathered into Sieg's sword. He launched a surprise Dragonslaying Art at the hydra's heart,
Dragonslaying Art - True Dragon Sword Art
6th Chapter, 2nd Verse
Dragon Heart Piercing
With an immense aura erupting from Sieg's sword, it directly shot towards the hydra's heart.
Grrrr!
The coiled hydra detected the ominous energy and moved its nine heads.
Hiss!
The aura blade unleashed by Sieg pierced the hydra cleanly.
Boom!
The whirlpool of aura shredded the hydra's body to bits.
'It worked.'
His surprise attack had been effective.
The hydra, now gaping with wounds, staggered backward. But then...
Crack!
The hydra's wounds exhibited black energy before, shockingly, healing in mere moments.
Sieg's face expressed confusion.
'An attack like that shouldn't have healed so quickly?'
Hiss!
The hydra shrieked at Sieg, who had ambushed it.
The nine enormous heads lunged at Sieg, spewing toxic mists.
The mist penetrated Hersion's gaps.
『Detected the poison of the hydra.』
『Failed to neutralize the poison with Immunity to Hundred Poisons.』
『Poisoned by the hydra's toxin.』
Overloaded with hydra poison, Sieg felt his limbs grow heavy.
Unsure if even the Healing Factor could combat the ailment, Sieg recognized the perilous situation.
"Damn it!"
He swiftly used Swift Wind Technique and exited the cave.
Rumble—
As the hydra's massive frame caused vibrations, it felt like the cave was about to collapse.
Boom!
Upon exiting, Sieg tried to collapse the cave entrance with his sword to buy time.
However, it proved futile.
The hydra's heads bulled through the fallen rocks and came rushing out.
"Skreeeetch!"
Even outside, the nine-headed dragon continuously emitted black toxic mist.
While the Hersion armor provided some protection against the toxins, its endurance was uncertain.
The hydra fully emerged from the cave. Its size had noticeably increased compared to what Sieg had encountered at the Hero King's relic site.
'Damn, what transpired during this time?'
Urgently, Sieg summoned Buchephalus.
Neighing fiercely, Buchephalus flew Sieg skyward.
"Buchephalus! Thunderbolt!"
From Buchephalus' horns, dozens of lightning bolts began striking the hydra.
Crack!
Though the lightning hit the hydra's body, its wounds rapidly healed again.
A mysterious black organism seemed to mend wounds and facilitate recovery.
'This doesn't seem like normal demonic energy. What is it?'
Sieg used his newly acquired skill, light Mace, aiming at the hydra.
Boom!
The Mace of Light struck the hydra with remarkable impact, unlike previous attacks, which left its body unable to heal completely this time.
"Whatever it is, its recovery is definitely linked to demonic energy."
Seizing the momentum, Sieg unleashed a chain from his wrist, activating Soul Resonance.
Whip!
Following Sieg's will, the chain wrapped infinitely, entangling all of Hydra's heads.
"Skreeeeetch!"
With its necks entwined by the unbreakable chains, hydra thrashed its nine heads violently.
Thud!
The massive movement shook the mountain violently, indicating it might collapse.
"Ugh!"
Infusing the chain with Energy of Metal, Sieg dashed forward, using the Mace of Light to strike Hydra again.
Boom!
Screeeeech!
As the hydra reeled in pain, Sieg, riding Buchephalus, immediately used the aura blade to slice off one of Hydra's heads.
Sizzzzle—
Black smoke billowed from the cut created by the aura blade.
Reeling in agony, hydra tried to retreat.
Sieg circled around again, not letting the hydra escape.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
The Mace of Light hit Hydra once more.
Boom!
The blow caused Hydra to tremble violently, and suddenly, its body began to bubble ominously.
Sieg retreated slowly, wary of Hydra's abrupt reaction.
'What's that?'
Instantly, small demonic beasts began emerging from Hydra's body.
Screech!
Hundreds of giant bat-shaped demonic beasts, winged and grotesque, charged towards Sieg.
"Damn it!"
Sieg maneuvered Buchephalus through the air, preparing to face the onslaught.
He unleashed a hail of thunderbolts upon them.
Crack!
The demonic beasts deftly evaded the lightning, rapidly closing in on Sieg.
Hiss!
Spewing venom from their mouths, the beasts attacked.
Though Hersion remained unaffected, Buchephalus sustained damage upon contacting the venom.
Neighing with pain, Sieg pulled back, observing the assaulting beasts carefully.
Meanwhile, hydra continued to heal its wounded body.
'Damn it.'
At that moment, Sieg recalled a newly learned skill.
"Shield of Light!"
Activating the skill, an enormous halo of light appeared before him, forming a vast shield.
Unaware of the impending shield, the demonic beasts charged recklessly, venomous maws agape.
Crackling—
The beasts hitting the shield disappeared into ash, consumed by the light.
Half of their numbers vanished in a flash.
Sieg extended his hand, launching the Shield of Light towards the remaining demonic beasts.
Whizzing—
The giant shield surged towards the demonic beast cluster.
Crackling—
As the shield transmuted into light, it decimated the clustered demonic beasts into ash.
"Wow, that crown's indeed a remarkable artifact!"
Clearing the smaller threats, Sieg refocused on the hydra.
Then, the hydra began changing again.
Creaking!
Massive horns protruded from its body and heads extensively.
Screeeech—
Standing again with all nine regenerated heads, the hydra displayed sharp teeth aimed directly at Sieg.
More a massive beast than draconic, reminiscent more of the gigantic beasts from Terakan Draker's historical accounts than a dragonkin.
'Those bats coming out from the body—this isn't typical regeneration. Despite full erosion by demonic energy... what did the Empire do?'
Clenching his teeth, Sieg scrutinized the aberrant hydra fervently for vulnerabilities.
Just then.
Grrrrr—
Power amassed within the hydra's nine mouths.
Detecting an ominous flow, Sieg pulled back immediately.
Simultaneously, it unleashed a furious barrage of nine streams of breath.
Boom!
Forests vanished, cliffs collapsed, and rocks shattered in an unstoppable wave.
Screeech!
The relentless breath assault from all nine heads razed everything indiscriminately.
Witnessing the utter devastation, Sieg broke into cold sweat.
'This is insane...'
Then.
Emerging from Hydra's back were wings.
Swoosh—
Attempting flight, the hydra beat its wings, ascending slightly.
Panic gripped Sieg.
Should this beast reach the plains below, the city would quickly turn to ruins with casualties numbering in thousands.
'I have to stop that monster somehow.'
In that moment, Sieg finally grasped Terakan Draker's determination when facing dragons and beasts during the Liberation War.
Sieg uncoiled the chains from his arms again.
Channeling all he could into his sword, he readied the Soul Resonance.
'To slay this anomaly showing such erratic signs, there's only one choice.'
Recalling previous hunts under the guidance of the forest's hermit in his past life, Sieg remembered witnessing how his master dealt with such beasts displaying strange signs.
'A corrupted beast has broken away entirely from worldly rules. To expunge it, the soul itself must be targeted to shatter its vessel.'
Soul Resonance's monosyllabic spell enhances the realm's power through Word Magic suffused with will.
However, the double spell goes further.
Handling the soul's energy directly falls next.
Even existence defying the material world's laws collapses when its very soul encounters assault.
"Whew..."
Sieg regulated his breaths, aiming to execute the hydra's soul instantaneously with a Double Spell.
Pointing his sword towards the airborne hydra, Bahamut's heart throbbed fiercely, filling the Ether Hall with mana.
Vibrating noticeably, Sieg infused Word Magic into the Soul Resonance.
His lips gently parted.
"Disyllabic Spell, Sever(切削)."