(Monster Eater)
(Episode 12: Monster Eater) I'll leave the diversion to Rudd.
(Episode 12: Monster Eater) I have to drop all my defenses,
and channel every ounce of saved mana into offense.
Answer my call.
Salam.
Uldele.
Nomia.
Vakijan.
Cylphiid.
It's your turn now.
"Mana Absorption".
It's 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.
Sorry, even though you cast Substitute on me,
that last attack drained almost all of my mana.
Save what mana you have left to protect yourself.
I'll handle the rest.
Be careful.
Okay.
That dark magic I absorbed earlier seems to contain quite a lot of mana particles.
I feel power surging through me.
As the number of attacks increases,
my strikes are gradually losing their effect on it.
When enhancing body by absorbing mana particles,
does the effect fade over time?
I'm getting blown away!
"Charge".
It predicted it.
When I first used "Charge",
it figured out my movement range?
Rudd!
Back then,
I was teetering on the edge of death just like this.
But...
I'm not
the man I used to be back then.
I finally
waited out this attack of you.
I can't absorb the heat,
but I can absorb the mana particles within your breath.
Hold on!
My "Fire Resistance"!
Darn it, is it still going?
I can't hold on this heat much longer.
Go!
Thanks, Elysia.
We did it.
Rudd!
I'll cast healing magic on you right now.
It's fine.
I have a skill that should do the trick.
Skill: Vampiric Leech.
This is the skill I got when I first devoured a monster.
This will allow my body to recover.
Let's rest for a bit.
"Substitute".
We really pulled it off.
Yeah, we did it.
I can't believe we took it down with just the two of us.
You didn't think we could win?
I honestly didn't.
I know you're strong,
but frankly, I didn't think you could defeat an opponent of that level.
That's why I kept asking if you really wanted to come along.
And I have answered you many times.
We're partners.
I guess you're right.
It's been so long since I was able to entrust my life to a reliable partner
and challenge a powerful enemy together.
Elysia...
I'm not being sentimental.
I'm simply excited about the adventures to come.
Our adventure is just beginning.
Right?
Exactly.
An S-rank adventurer, huh...
His strength is still completely out of my reach.
The adventure has just begun.
Hey, you completely ruined the mood.
Looks like my mana particles are all used up.
But that's the Rudd I know.
Alright, once I've collected some Venomdrake meat,
we should head out to the deepest part of this maze.
So this is the labyrinth's core.
Even for adventurers,
only a handful ever can get to see a labyrinth's core.
This is a sight reserved only for those who have conquered the maze.
But you must have seen it countless times.
I only went all the way to the deepest part of the maze when I was a newbie adventurer.
We usually turn back once we reach our target floor.
So I've only seen its core a few times.
Even so, it's still impressive.
What about you, Rudd?
This is my first time, of course.
The teleportation circle in front of the core
will send us right back to the entrance.
Mazes are full of precious materials we can't find on the ground.
So normally, even after conquering, people leave the core intact.
But...
If we leave this one be,
a new Venomdrake might be born here someday.
The Aberio Maze.
I've faced many hardships here,
but this place has made me stronger.
And I met Elysia here,
who showed me what it truly means to be in a party.
For once, I fought for someone else, instead of just living for myself.
And I found a path toward my dream.
Thank you.
Aberio Maze.
And...
Farewell.
What about Rudd and his partner?
We haven't received a report of their return.
I see.
I always knew.
He was mocked as a Miasma Scavenger.
An innate skill is a talent, but it doesn't define a person.
Yet he chose to live relying on that power alone,
no longer striving for higher goals.
An adventurer who doesn't seek growth will face a harsh and painful path.
If he gave up on his dream and lived out his life like that,
it's also a justified choice. That was what I thought...
A report!
According to Rudd and Elysia, who just returned via the teleportation circle,
they have slain the Venomdrake and destroyed the labyrinth's core.
Yes!
To think the savior of this city would be Rudd.
Let's go welcome them,
the adventurers who can change the future.
It smells incredible.
Steak of Basilista, the Venomdrake.
I crammed my Magic Bag full of meat,
but we had to rush back to town right after subjugation.
Then there were all kinds of things.
I never got the chance to really savor it.
Being summoned by the guild over and over is really exhausting.
But it was all for this moment.
I bought new cooking utensils and seasonings just for this.
Everything's ready.
You're really dedicated when it comes to food.
Then let's dig in.
It's delicious.
So this is the taste of a dragon.
It's different from any meat I've ever had.
The rich, sweet flavor of the fat melts on my tongue,
paired with the robust flavor of the lean meat. It's enjoyable in its own unique way.
I've decided.
Tonight, we're going out for the best steak.
I'm eating steak right now.
Well, you're the only one getting to eat it.
I need to find out where the good restaurants are.
Just finish eating quickly!