I don’t have to look at the big thing that appeared in front of me to know it’s there. I can definitely feel it’s an Orochi.
‘Shrrrr…’
I think it noticed me, because I can feel it slowly crawling towards me.
Ten meters remaining.
Eight meters remaining.
Five meters remaining.
The ground then shakes a lot.
I’m sure it’s the effect of Earth Shaking. I think the idea is that it shakes the ground, and when I look at it in surprise, it paralyzes me. But I’ve already trained that with Enki. I look at the mud under my feet, that looks to be in a horrible state thanks to Water Current Control, but it’s not a big deal.
I used the Posture Control and Spatial Grasp skills in training, so I won’t budge if the ground is a little messy or shakes.
But even if that wasn’t the case, I doubt there’s anyone in Japan who would be all shocked because the ground moved a little.
Maybe it works in dungeons in other countries.
‘Shr!?’
I think the monster’s the one surprised.
It probably knows it’s not working, or maybe it’s just tired of waiting, because it’s closing in on me. But the ground is still shaking.
Four meters remaining.
The vibration sounds coming from the ground. The sound of the water jumping from the marsh is in the way, blocking the sound of it crawling. I’m impressed about its nice plan, that would mean an average person wouldn’t be able to hear it.
Three meters remaining.
My senses are all boosted by Perception Strengthening II, so I can clearly hear the difference between the sounds and pinpoint its presence.
Two meters remaining.
If I swung blindly like an idiot here, it would be able to hit me in a blind spot… But Orochi is coming straight at me.
I’m still standing perfectly fine, despite being at the epicenter. If this thing was a little smarter, it might have gotten cautious and taken some distance here, but…
‘…Shr?’
One meter remaining.
It’s too late now.
It’s within my reach.
Slash!
I pull my sword back, slowly open my eyes, and see Orochi twitching with its cranium and both eyes severed.
It really is tough, if it’s still not registered as being dead.
Like before, I stab its heart to end its life.
I see it turn to smoke, and exhale.
“…Is it down?”
I didn’t level up, I’m still eighty-three. I guess something like this isn’t enough. I took it down before I cast True Appraisal, but I assume it was level forty-five. Evil Eye plays a big part, but the experience of a level forty-five doesn’t match this thing’s difficulty. And it only has Earth Shaking and Water Current Control Lv1 too.
I also want to complain about the dropped items. I heard snake meat is tasty, but both the normal snakes and this one only drop skin. Surely something this big should have edible parts.
“…Oh, right.”
I turn back, and see everyone with their eyes closed. Even the ones running the cameras would be paralyzed if they looked the monster in the eyes, so they don’t know if it’s over until I say it.
“It’s over.”
“…Oh? So it was okay then!”
“I felt Orochi’s presence disappearing, but I’m glad you took it down safely.”
“It’s tough not being able to see darling in action…”
“Master, the next one is the real test… But it seems you will be all right.”
“Yes, I think I’ll be okay. Enki and Enril, protect the ones running the cameras. Iris, help the other two if necessary.”
‘Goh!’
‘Popo!’
‘Pururu.’
Lamia has an Evil Eye too, but it can use long distance attacks. Even if they close their eyes and focus on the cameras, magic might fly their way. That’s why I need Enki and Enril to protect Ayane and Maki if necessary.
I’m pretty sure it took Lamia a few minutes to spawn last time.
“Shouta, it was around five minutes last time.”
“Eh? You timed this one too?”
“No, but I can see when the camera started recording. I can compare that to the length of the video and check the time between fights.”
“Ooh, I see.”
I didn’t know because I never touch that data.
“But it probably isn’t as exact as actually timing it, so this time I’m leaving the camera rolling after Orochi went down.
“That’s great.”
“Fufu, it’s hard to get the timing right with my eyes closed.”
“Hawa, I didn’t think about any of that…”
“But if you keep the camera rolling for too long, it will be hard to retrieve the data if you get involved in the fight. Ayane, continue filming like usual.”
“Okay!”
As we talk, the smoke swells and slowly moves to the center of the marsh.
I move closer until I’m about five meters away. I’m already inside the marsh. Being here means I’m up to my knees in the water, the mud is awful, and I feel really uncomfortable. At least I would, normally.
I’m in the marsh, but not stepping in the marsh. Now that I’m boosted by the engraving, I can use Spatial Magic to create footing where I can walk.
I could do something about all this mud if I had the time… But I’m not going to be running around anyway, so this tight space is fine.
I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and wait.
‘Sha!’
I feel an intense pressure I didn’t feel before.
Is this the work of Perception Strengthening, Magic Energy Detection, and Danger Detection? I feel it in my skin that something with strong magic energy is staring at me.
…This really is dangerous.
“It’s a Lamia, right? I’m getting payback for the shame you put me through last time!”
‘Shaaaah!’
I hear a scream that resembles a human’s very close to me.
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