Chapter 227

Chapter 227

Kugugugugu-!

Above Jormungandrs head.

Riding atop the violently undulating body of the serpent, we were desperately trying to destroy its last vertebra.

"Just grind it down a bit more!"

"Weve almost got it! Just a little more...!"

Despite being on the verge of collapse from exhaustion after three days of non-stop action, everyone was clinging to the task of destroying the vertebra.

After all, we were so close to the end.

"Tch...!"

Just ahead... the walls of the fortress were in sight.

Gritting my teeth, I stared at the fortress walls, now merely dozens of meters away.

Damn it, damn it, damn it!

In the last hour, we had given it our all.

Junior, backed by other mages, had finally deployed Elemental Disassembly, reducing the magic defense of the vertebra. Reina had then unleashed a full-power wind magic bombardment.

Kellibey managed to repair and enhance our drills and pickaxes even amidst the tense atmosphere, and those who still had the energy landed another attack on the vertebra.

But, that final 1 percent.

Various hardening buffs were in place, making that last tick nearly impossible to shave off.

It feels like its physical resistance is at least 95 percent. Its magical defense is off the charts. Practically untouchable...

Even with such impossibly inflated stats, we could have destroyed it given enough time.

The problem was those damned werewolves stealing that precious time from us.

Boom! Brrrrrr!

Kugwagwang-!

From atop the fortress walls, they were indiscriminately launching shells. Anything to delay the serpents advance by even one second.

Useless as it was, occasional explosions even landed near us, adding an element of danger. But I ignored it. Right now, we had to do whatever it took.

How much longer until we reach the walls?

I estimated the distance between Jormungandr and the fortress walls.

If Jormungandr broke through and began its Civilization Devouring, everything we had done would be for naught.

With my hands, stripped of skin and bloodied, I clenched my pickaxe once more.

We have to stop it before then...!

Ssshhh. Ssshhh.

Thats when it happened.

Someone came up beside me and put a hand on my shoulder. I quickly turned to look. What is it?

"...Nameless?"

The one who had approached was Nameless.

What are you doing? Cant you see were busy? Help us destroy that thing!

"Pull your comrades back, Ash."

"What?"

"Ill take it from here."

Screech-

The rusty old sword Nameless drew slowly began to glow white.

I blinked. Wasnt it that she couldnt use her powers outside the Lake Kingdom?

"The nightmare that invaded the Lake Kingdom, and allowed that nightmare to leak out, is the responsibility of the Lake Kingdom."

Nameless gave a bitter smile and gripped her sword with both hands, positioning it in front of her chest.

"As a person of the Lake Kingdom, its my responsibility to stop Jormungandr."

Kwaaaaaaaa-!

A tremendous light burst from Nameless, funneling into her sword.

Though ignorant about ancient magic, I knew instantly.

That technique was burning her own life force.

"What are you doing, Nameless?! Are you trying to die?"

If I expend this much power outside of Lake Kingdom... Ill probably die here.

Nameless spoke calmly, enlarging her blade of light.

Kwaaa!

However, if I die, I can protect your city and all the people above it.

What...

Not a bad trade-off, is it?

I hesitated.

...To be honest, I ended up agreeing with her.

If one persons life could be thrown away to fend off Jormungandr, then its a rational exchange.

This battlefield, after all, was the Monster Frontline where dozens, hundreds, thousands were dying.

But, was that the right choice?

I have lived long, Ash. I am not afraid of death. If that death could erase the sins of the Lake Kingdom, I would be happy.

Amidst the wind, her white hair fluttering, I caught a glimpse of her eyes.

I have one request, though.

The first time I looked into her eyes, they had the hue of a clear, deep lake.

Do not abandon your quest in the Lake Kingdom. Continue to shine a light in that darkness.

...

I make this request because I believe I can entrust it to you.

I slowly nodded my head. With a blurry nod in return, Nameless lifted her blade upward.

***

Whoosh-

Tossing the signal lantern aside, Damien gripped his magic gun with both hands.

"I have a clear view, Your Highness."

He saw Ash fervently waving the torch. Next to it, the snakes horn-like protrusions were also visible.

Damien took a knee, mounted the gunstock to his shoulder, and aligned the sights.

"Fire at maximum power."

Damien whispered to his magic gun.

Click, click, click...!

The pearly white magic gun began to transform, emitting a magical light.

The barrel split sideways, forming two long rails that extended forward.

Simultaneously, the magic-infused bullets in the magazine disassembled.

Seven magic bullets that popped out started to orbit in mid-air, eventually combining into one large magic bullet that settled between the rails.

Sizzle, sizzle!

Due to the split barrel and disassembled magazine, the magic core was now fully exposed.

The incandescently white magic core sent out magic like electrical currents, powering the rails.

Vrrrrrrr...!

Jormungandr was now literally right in front of him.

The monsters breath was almost touching Damiens face. Yet, Damien continued to aim until the last moment.

He felt that not just a part of the monster, but something even deeper would reveal itself.

If you could just pause, even for a split second...!

At that moment, Ash pulled a dagger from his holster.

Thud!

He stabbed it into the snakes head.

The dagger was [Spirit Crasher], a one-time-use weapon that forcibly inflicted a stunned state on its target.

Given how high Jormungandrs Magic Power stat was, the stun effect lasted only a mere instant.

"Ah."

But for Damien, that was more than enough time.

"Ive got you."

Damiens finger pulled the trigger.

Whooosh-!

A magical bullet flew out, glowing like a bolt of lightning.

The pure white bullet instantly lodged itself in the neural center of Jormungandrs head.

Multiple layers of hardening buffs and Jormungandrs innate magical defenses momentarily formed an invisible barrier, attempting to block the bullet.

Clang-!

But it was futile.

The bullet, which easily tore through the defenses, shattered the remaining sliver of health in the neural center.

Jormungandrs colossal body immediately came to a halt.

However, it wasnt over yet.

In the brief moment when Jormungandrs defenses were weakened due to the destruction of its vertebra, the magical bullet did not miss its chance.

Whoosh!

The bullet, acting as if it were a living creature, changed its trajectory and penetrated deep into the back of Jormungandrs neck

Piercing and tearing!

It began to burrow through Jormungandrs internal body.

Ripping through the massive snakes flesh from the inside, the magical bullet continued its path.

It effortlessly pierced through the mythical creatures strong bones, internal organs, flesh, and skin.

Five hearts.

Nine spirit cores.

All were pierced through.

Krrrrrrrk?!

For the first time, something resembling a scream erupted from the giant snakes mouth.

At the end of that long, straight penetration

Poof!

The magical bullet finally emerged from the tip of Jormungandrs tail and vanished into thin air, having exhausted its energy.

Effectively, it had pierced the snake from head to tail.

Krrraaaaaaaaaak!

Jormungandr raised its massive head and let out a long, terrible scream before

Thud...!

Slamming its head into the ground.

And then it remained motionless.

Whiiii-

The battlefield was enveloped in silence.

Amidst the dusty haze that the thrashing snake had dispersed, Ash, who had sought refuge in Namelesss arms, murmured softly.

"...I mean, we were only supposed to repel it."

His voice was a mixture of delight and disbelief.

"He actually managed to find the kill-shot...?"