(Monster Eater)
(Episode 11: Basilista, the Venomdrake)
According to the information from Renquas,
we shouldn't reach miasma-infested areas until about five floors deeper.
That must mean Venomdrake has grown even stronger.
Even my purification tools can barely handle this level of miasma.
With the miasma spreading this far,
monsters deeper down must be very scarce by now.
Or they might have incredibly strong miasma resistance.
I can't tell how many floors deeper we'll have to go.
- Are you sure about coming... - Of course.
It could be an enemy even your magic can't handle.
If we face unfavorable conditions for close combat,
I can also provide support.
Besides...
If I abandoned my partner and ran away again,
I'd never forgive myself.
Sorry for asking the same thing again.
Elysia.
"Substitute" Miasma State.
But this only removes miasma accumulated before I touched you.
Once I let go of my hand, miasma will start building up on you again.
In that case...
Let's just hold hands.
The miasma is too thick to even see the floor.
Please guard me while using "Substitute".
Got it.
The deeper we go, the thicker the miasma gets.
Are you holding up?
Yeah.
As long as I'm holding your hand,
the miasma's effect seems to be canceled out.
Okay.
We don 't have to worry much about Substitute's duration.
Now let's get down to business.
My "Sonic Perception" detected a monster ahead.
Any creature surviving in thick miasma like this
must be formidable.
Looks like a species I've never seen.
Guess you were right.
Can we avoid it?
Probably.
But I'd rather fight it.
You want to eat it, don't you?
Not that!
Though I will eat it afterward.
So you're eating it after all.
Before facing Venomdrake,
I want to test our capabilities on this one.
"Wisdom of Earth".
Nice shot!
But it barely fazed it.
Elysia!
Leave it to me!
Nomia!
Stop it!
It's strong... Now!
Got it.
Imagine pulling mana particles from within and wrapping around the blade...
Don't you dare break.
It seems still intact.
And not even a scratch.
Guess I can go all out with weapon enhancement.
Did I cut too shallow?
If the impact isn't enough,
I'll just have to gamble.
Elysia!
Pull off a full-power strike like before!
On it.
Cylphiid! Unleash your true power!
Now show me what you've got!
That worked well.
Your magic control remains impeccable.
"Substitute".
Thanks.
But could you give me a moment?
Um...
Absorbing magic alone cannot replenish the mana particles I expended.
So it boils down to eating.
Well, you see,
it's already conveniently in pieces.
Okay...
"Modest fire".
It has a distinctive flavor.
There is crunchy insect-like texture,
rounded off by an underlying meaty savoriness.
Save the gourmet commentary.
How's that cursed sword?
It endures mana particles infusion without damage.
It won't break easily.
What about its magic absorption?
After magic absorption, my physical prowess noticeably surges.
Just converting Attack Magic into Enhancement Magic
makes it valuable already.
If other weapons like this exist,
they will be monumental for adventurers.
Even if they do,
bearing curses mean only you could wield them.
Fair point.
Regardless, this blade's potency is undeniable.
It's a fairly big gain.
There's just one thing bothering me.
According to witness reports,
that Venomdrake is as huge as a large tree.
Whether it'll be useful then is anyone's guess.
And in terms of per-strike power,
my previous sword was actually more...
Give it to me.
Give me the magic stone.
Take it.
A greatsword?
What's going on?
It just spoke directly into my mind.
It asked me to give it the magic stone.
Was it mad due to my comment about it being weaker?
We should be nearing the Venomdrake's territory soon, right?
Yeah, just two or three floors left.
This roar... is it the Venomdrake?
The ceiling is collapsing!
I'll hold it up with Earth magic!
Elysia, help me...
No time for that!
Let's rush through before the path
is blocked!
I thought I was done for.
That took a lot of mana.
But... it's way too quiet here.
There's no telling when we'll run into the Venomdrake.
Let's use "Sonic Perception"...
Ah.
Seems it's coming to us.
Can you appraise it?
Yeah.
It is Basilista, the Venomdrake.
HP 524, MANA 377, STRENGTH 445 Level 75. Status and others
MENTALITY 365, WILL 422, AGILITY 201 are all extraordinary numbers.
What skills?
Its teeth and claws inflict severe toxins.
What about magic resistances?
It resists all elements except Water and Wind.
Understood.
I'll attack first with effective Elemental Magic.
You handle the frontline.
Got it.
I'm going!
The miasma won't harm me,
but this visibility is awful!
Pillars and flooring are melting.
Such intense heat!
Cylphiid!
Darn it!
Its hide is too tough, and my sword barely scratches it.
Elysia!
Cylphiid, unleash slash!
Even Spirit Magic
only did that much?
Darn it. I knew it would be tough,
but this is insane.
Extremely high defense
and multiple ranged attacks.
How do we even defeat it?
Rudd, buy me some time!
I need to unleash my strongest attack
before my status drops further.
Got it!
"Wisdom of Earth"!
Hey! Over here!
Let Rudd distract it. I'm dropping all defenses
and channeling every ounce of saved mana into offense.
Answer my call!
Salam!
Uldele!
Nomia!
Vakijan!
Cylphiid!
Your turn!
"Mana Absorption".
Ready.
Rudd! Move!
Take this!
"Harmony of the Five Spirits"!
If it were the one I used to be,
I could've taken it down in a single blow.
Nice shot.
Now it's my turn.