Chapter 191: Vs Cerberus

"Now– Here I come."

I strongly kicked the ground, approaching the mightiest beast that reigned over this place. Its size might be inferior to the Tenraijuu that I once fought, however, to put it the other way around, that small body contained a power that far exceeds that of the Tenraijuu. It's definitely not an enemy that I could fight while holding back. Hence, I activated every skill that increases my statuses, [Cladding Barrier], and then prepared for a short decisive battle.

『Guruooooooooo!』

"—-!"

Suddenly, the three heads of Cerberus looked at the sky and roared at the same time. The angry roars that raised synergistically were just like an explosion, making the space and earth tremble,  and then they became a wave of winds that destroys all the surroundings–

"Time Zero."

–However, even quicker, I used Time Zero and transferred behind Cerberus. Then, I took the Nameless from my [Item Box] and unstably swung it down with all my might right after transferring.

"Uooooooooo!"

*Clank*

Along with a high-pitched sound, the blade that I swung with all my might is mercilessly deflected by the hard skin of the Cerberus. But, as expected of an S-rank monster, half-hearted attacks don't work on it!

"While Ifrit was protected by flame armor, Cerberus was simply protected by its super hard skin, huh…"

Simple yet troublesome. Because that means I wouldn't be able to deal any damage to it unless it was my most powerful attack. On the other hand, if I get hit by Cerberus's attack even once, my body will surely be crushed alongside the [Cladding Barrier] that protects my body.

"Goooooooooo!"

"Hiss?!"

Shortly after I had finished my thought, one head of the Cerberus approached me, showing its ferocious fangs. Looking at this, I immediately moved my body in the air and slashed its neck using the centrifugal force.

However–

"As expected, it's impossible, huh."

As expected, it seems that it would also be difficult to even injure it with such a desperate attack. Let alone cut its neck, the blade was easily deflected by its skin. Having deflected my blade, the three heads then began to attack me. And judging that it would be difficult to stick to trying to use that plan, I activated Time Zero right away.

"Time Zero."

I temporarily took a distance from the Cerberus and readied myself for another attack. However, looks like I still couldn't be relieved yet because,

"Guruuuuuuu!" "Rwaaa!" "Bwaaaaaa!"

"Wha!"

The three heads of the Cerberus launched an attack at a speed that I couldn't even imagine. Such a reaction speed was as if that monster already read where I would be transferring… No, it is possible that my movement was really read by it.

Now, after getting treated by Nanami-san and with my perception towards magic power being stronger than ever, I discovered… That when the Time Zero was activated, something like a stagnation of magic power occurred at the place I used the transfer on and at the transfer destination. And I think it is not strange for an S-rank monster to be able to read it intuitively.

"… And that's really troublesome."

While dodging the attacks that were rushing at me, I calmly analyzed the situation. Cerberus doesn't only have the sharp five senses peculiar to beast-type monsters, it could also sense the magic power, and above all, it could freely control its three long necks. By using those aspects, the monster in front of me doesn't have any blind spots. For that reason, no matter where I launched an attack, this monster would respond in a blink of an eye, and I would end up being the one who got chased by it. In other words, it is not an enemy that could be defeated by a simple tactic such as just consecutively using transfers and attacks.

The situation was very unfavorable and also hopeless for me, as if something was telling me ‘You have no other way except defeat'.

However–

"What about it."

— It has always been the same.

In the battle against the Nameless Swordsman. It was the first time I fought a superior monster that I thought I couldn't win, no matter how I struggled. But at the edge of that despair, I confronted the reason why I continued to be an adventurer and was able to stand against it.

In the battle against the Orc General. I know my foe was far stronger than I was. Even so, I swung my blade to protect the people important to me. And in the end, I managed to save her.

And it was the same for other battles. The battle against Tenraijuu, Yanagi, High Ogre, Ifrit, and Cain. In all those battles, there is always a wall in front of me, a wall that overwhelms me with despair. Even so, I still stood up and continued to fight. To be stronger and to protect those important to me. And that has paved a way for me to my objective.

That is why, right now, at this place. No matter how strong the enemy before me, it would never be a reason to give up. Because… the only thing in my mind was just how to overcome the wall before me and gain more power.

Therefore–

"GURUOOOOOOOOOO!"

"—-"

Along with the roar, a huge mass of flames was released. This means, this monster must be getting impatient engaging in a close combat with me, who was devoted to a hit-and-run tactic while maintaining my distance from it with Time Zero. And a magic attack is indeed an effective means against an opponent who tries to maintain distance.

— However, that was only if its opponent wasn't me.

"Greed!"

"!?"

I summoned Greed in my left hand and brandished it towards the approaching mass of flames, which dyed the transparent blade in crimson red, consuming my MP at the same time.

On the other hand, Cerberus apparently didn't expect the whole mass of flames to be wiped out by a single swing of a dagger, causing its movement to stop for a few seconds. Needless to say, this was an opportunity for a counterattack.

"Release!"

『Guruu!?』

The mass of flame that was released from Greed and directly hit the body of Cerberus, causing it to groan. However, as that flame was originally something that Cerberus released, adding to the fact it also has a very hard skin, I didn't think that mass of flame could do any damage to it. But, I didn't really mind that, as I had another objective from doing that.

At the same time the mass of fire hit Cerberus's body, smoke arose, stealing the sight of Cerberus. Furthermore, the magic power that spreads around it due to the fireball also weakens it's sensing ability.

— Hence, if I want to attack, it's now!

Activating the Time Zero, I transferred to just below its abdomen, which seems to be somewhat less protected than the rest of its body. In other words, the perfect place to aim!

"UOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Along with a powerful step, I swing my blade up in a flash, cutting deeply into the abdomen of the Cerberus. As a result, blackish crimson blood spilled vigorously from the wound I inflicted.

『GUGYAAAAAAAAAAA!』

That one swing most likely dealt a lot of damage to it as I intended, causing the Cerberus to raise a roar full of grudges at the same time.

However, I'm still not finished!

"Bloody!"

I replaced Greed in my left hand with Bloody and pierced the scar caused by Greed with the same momentum. At that moment, I felt like I could hear the sound of heartbeats from Bloody.

""GAAAAAAAAA!"""

"Time Zero!"

Realizing that Cerberus is trying to counterattack by roughly swinging its legs, I promptly activated Time Zero and retreated temporarily. It seems it wasn't going to chase after me right away this time, as it just crouched down while raising a low grunt. But, while enduring the pain, its eyes never left me.

In my eyes, its eyes were as if telling me that it will never forgive the inferior who turned his fang against him.

Without running away from the glare that it gave me, I activated the effect of Bloody. Then, the blood that my blade absorbed earlier is converted into magic power and sent into my body. Looking at how the magic power I used for activating Greed was restored, I laughed a little.

"I see, this is truly good stuff."

Whenever I fight, Time Zero and Greed are the things that consume most of my MP. Because of that, I wasn't excellent at long-lasting battles. But, as long as I use the effect of Bloody, I can always replenish my MP even during a battle. Although this was the first time I used this dagger, it looks like this will be quite useful in the future.

"… Nn? What is it doing?"

When I was thinking about that, Cerberus initiated a very strange action. It shifted every eye on its three heads off me and lifted its heads. Will it roar just like the first time? Then, in front of me who assumed that, a large amount of magic power gathered in each mouth of its.

"That's…"

『RUGOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!』

While I was wondering about that, a giant mass of flame was released from each mouth. Those masses of flame gathered at one point in the air, and along with a deafening boom, they transformed into dozens of fireballs, before falling like rain on the entire boss room. And it is not an amount that Time Zero or Greed could handle.

That scene reminds me of my battle against Ifrit. That day, I could only avoid and endure such attacks. However– it's different now.

Because I already know how to face this.

Towards the strongest attacks that approached me– towards everything that could be seen before my eyes, I chanted.

"Peace Ruler."

Simultaneously, the dozens of fireballs that could kill me instantly become magic that could aid me. And those fireballs attacked Cerberus one after another.

『GURUUUU!?!?!?!』

A devastating storm and raging heat wave. The confused roar of Cerberus that was being swallowed by them echoed throughout the room. In the middle of that, I rushed with all my might. Even if the land before me has already become the sea of fire,

"UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

I just strongly,

quickly, ran.

Just to push forward, breaking through every wall that stands before me.

Greed, Bloody, and Nameless. I will attack again and again using everything I have. I will nullify everything my enemies had, and just crush everything of me to the opponent before me.

As time went by, Cerberus gradually lost its stamina and magic power, making his movement dull. On the other hand, my movement keeps accelerating until hundreds of sword flashes begin to overwhelm Cerberus.

And then, the final moment finally arrived.

『GARUAAAAAAAAA!』

Aware of its unfavorable situation, the three necks of Cerberus rushed at me head-on, just like the stubbornness of the weak. And I also greeted it head-on. To prove that in this place, I am the weak one.

Then, I strongly gripped Nameless and brandished it with a roar.

"This is the enddddddddddddddd!"

The god-speed blade that surpassed the strongest blinked in the space, and the slash that I swung without a slight delay cut off the three necks of the Cerberus at the same time, leaving three half-moons, which were the after effect of the slashes remaining in the place where the blade has passed. At the same time, as the three heads fell to the ground, the giant body of Cerberus collapsed.

『Last boss has been defeated』

『Experience acquired – Level has increased by 1563』

『Last boss subjugation reward – Level has increased by 1000』

『We have confirmed that you have defeated the last boss alone』

『Title: 【The One Who Brings The End】 was obtained』

After a delay, the sound of the system reverberated in my mind. And that was undoubtedly the proof that I had defeated Cerberus, and also proof that I obtained a new power.

However, without the slightest hint of joy, I opened my mouth. Because I already knew I haven't reached my goal yet.

Yes,

"This is only the start."

Like that, I defeated the S-rank monster Cerberus.