Chapter 112: Struggle of Two Entities

Chapter 112: Struggle of Two Entities

A bit of time had passed since the defeat of the creature known as the Goat Man, a demon with a human form and a sheep's face, as described by Ai. Currently, Cardina was desperately using reconnaissance magic to search for the creature Bipris, the queen bee-like entity believed to be the cause of the Depris, a bee-type magical creature outbreak.

"How is it going? Any signs?" (Marikka Shurjaniemi)

"Pewwww..." (Cardina)

In response to the words of Marikka, a fairy with the Tamer class, Cardina weakly shook her head. She had hoped to finish the search quickly and receive praise from Tatsuro and Ai, but the abundance of Depris hindered the progress of exploration and analysis. The creature Bipris, which was presumed to be the cause, remained elusive.

Having observed various animals and magical creatures over the years, Marikka accurately sensed Cardina's emotions. With a wry smile, she encouraged Cardina.

"Don't worry about it. Cheer up! Once this is over, I'll make sure to tell those two how hard you've been working." (Marikka Shurjaniemi)

"Pewi!" (Cardina)

Cardina, who couldn't speak, felt uncertain whether her efforts would truly be conveyed to Tatsuro and Ai. However, relieved that one concern had been alleviated, she refocused on her reconnaissance magic.

Having witnessed Cardina's determination, Marikka, riding on her companion Yorn, also rallied herself.

"Alright, I'll leave that part to you! In return, I won't let the small fry interfere! Yorn, do your thing!" (Marikka Shurjaniemi)

"Shyaaah!"

With Yorn's voice, a green light enveloped both of them. As Marikka signaled the activation, something extraordinary happened.

Suddenly, thick green vines began to wrap around Marikka and Yorn, gradually taking shape. A massive snake served as the core, surrounded by thick limbs formed by vines, wings made of leaves and stems, and plants covering their heads like helmets.

The form resembled that of a dragon.

"Charge!" (Marikka Shurjaniemi)

"Shaaaaa!"

Inside the cockpit-like space behind the dragon's head, where Marikka was positioned, she shouted. The dragon-like Yorn, now increased in size due to the voluminous plant-based additions, swung its large body, sweeping away the Depris forces approaching.

Furthermore, Marikka, who shouldn't have been able to use tree magic, manipulated the plant tentacles extending from all directions to eradicate the Depris, preventing them from getting close to Cardina.

The reason for this capability was the title effect known as [Harmony of Coexistence], a skill that only skilled Tamers could master. If two trusted partners truly believed in each other, they could temporarily share and amplify each other's skills.

Using this ability to unleash power beyond their usual limits, they fought with great force. It was an achievement only true Tamers could reach, beyond what Gregory could achieve.

Grateful for the lone struggle of the duo, Cardina focused all her concentration on reconnaissance magic, searching for the parent creature that continued to produce Depris.

And then, Cardina realized.

Even without directly finding the source, identifying the locations where Depris was multiplying might lead to a quicker solution.

Thinking this, Cardina decided not to conduct a detailed reconnaissance analysis. Instead, she spread the magical power of her reconnaissance magic as widely and thinly as possible, sacrificing information for a broader scope.

Immediately, the answer was found. However, the result seemed peculiar.

Surprisingly, there were a total of five points where Depris was multiplying.

Wondering what this could mean, Cardina decided to visit the nearest point first.

With a roar, she conveyed her intention to move to those who were protecting her. She then flew to the closest point.

That location happened to be a particularly high place within the castle grounds. A nest made of dirt was already being constructed at the pinnacle of a pointed roof. From the shadow beneath it, a Bipris could be seen sticking out only its rear, continuously giving birth to offspring outside.

"That's undoubtedly a Depris nest! Yorn, go!" (Marikka Shurjaniemi)

"Shaaaah!"

The dragon-like Yorn plunged into the under-construction nest, relentlessly attacking the oncoming Depris. Without hesitation, it swatted them away, caught them with its vine-covered hands, and crushed the queen bee Bipris along with them.

However, Cardina's reconnaissance magic still detected reactions from four other locations where Depris was continuing to multiply. So, she immediately informed Marikka and the others by calling out to them, signaling the need to move to the next location.

"Well, one creature alone can't fill this many. How many more are there?" (Marikka Shurjaniemi)

"Pii, pii, pii, pii." (Cardina)

However, it was too late even though it had understood. The giant horn pierced its right thigh, breaking the bone and turning the flesh into a mess.

Yet, Jeanne's assault continued. The moment the horn penetrated, she conjured a tornado on the tip using wind magic, creating a large hole at the point of penetration. As the hole opened, Jeanne executed a back step, then charged again, tearing the nearly severed right leg completely.

"Poaaaahhh!"

In pain, Paralaceus sprayed blood and clutched its leg, leaning forward. However, this exposed its back to Jeanne. She did not miss the opportunity.

Using wind magic, she created a powerful tailwind between herself and Paralaceus. With a forceful push of her prepared leg, she collided with its bareback at a speed that seemed to roar from the air resistance alone.

And that was a resounding success.

Breaking through Paralaceus's back, Jeanne leaped out from its chest.

"Uuuunn..."

"Neigh!!!!" (Jeanne)

And with that, Jeanne let out her most triumphant roar of the day.

However, it wasn't over yet.

Paralaceus's body began to squirm like clay, transforming into a new form. This was Paralaceus's unique skill, [Extreme Evolution]. When suffering near-fatal injuries or severe illness, it could evolve its body up to three times, saving its life.

And now, the second evolution had been triggered.

Jeanne noticed the creation of the new form and stared at it with a naked sense of vigilance. By that time, the evolution had already concluded.

This time, the transformation was quite extravagant. The creature's height was about half of the previous form, standing at around five meters. It had humanoid arms and legs, but additional spider-like limbs protruded from both sides of its prone body, each equipped with four joints resembling elbows and knees, elongated for increased reach.

To enhance durability, its body, maintaining a human shape, was covered in dense, rigid fur. The face, however, stubbornly retained the mammoth features.

The new Paralaceus utilized its increased six limbs skillfully, advancing towards Jeanne faster than before. Using its unused front two arms, it attempted to grab Jeanne's body.

Swiftly moving against the wind it generated, Jeanne evaded by stepping backward. At the same time, Paralaceus opened its three eyes on its forehead and unleashed a lightning strike towards the descending Jeanne.

In response, Jeanne conjured a makeshift sandbag by lifting the ground with the wind, creating a momentary defense against the lightning. However, Paralaceus advanced further, thrusting its front two arms into the sandbag, tearing it apart. Once again, it directed a lightning strike towards Jeanne.

Trying to dodge by leaping sideways, Jeanne was grazed by the lightning on her right shoulder.

"Poooon."

"Brrruu." (Jeanne)

Feeling the pain from her first direct hit, Jeanne gritted her teeth. Paralaceus, seemingly satisfied with Jeanne's expression of frustration, grinned.

However, this provocation turned out to be a fatal mistake, as Paralaceus would soon learn when it faced its impending demise.

At the moment when Jeanne's anger reached its peak, she cast aside the pretext of testing her body and immediately activated the skill [True Form]

As a result, the confident expression disappeared from Paralaceus's face.

Standing before it was a creature emitting an overwhelming aura that bore little resemblance to the opponent it had underestimated just moments ago. Twelve meters in size, covered in thick, large dragon scales with a red-black hue, and a tail identical to a dragon's extending from its body.

With two powerful legs firmly planted on the ground, its hands had large pure-white claws and an extension of the skin membrane from the side of the little finger to the waist, forming massive wings when spread wide.

The face had become more streamlined than during its boar form, with teeth that were no longer flat but shaped like knives for cutting through flesh. Moreover, the nose horn had transformed into a giant silver-colored blade, capable of stabbing and slicing.

Jeanne, relishing the liberating feeling in her body for a moment, waved her right hand lightly in front of the enemy.

Attempting to flee backward, Paralaceus found itself blocked by Jeanne's tail, which looped around it and tossed it high into the air.

Jeanne caught it with her right hand and slammed it down towards the ground.

With a squashing sound, Paralaceus met its second demise. The third and final evolution began, completely unaware that Jeanne had prepared her "Dragon Horn Spear Blade," channeling dragon power into the horn on her nose.

Blissfully ignorant, the creature concluded its third evolution, sprouting mammoth tusks like thorns all over its body to prevent a repeat of being crushed. However, when it finally looked up for a rematch with Jeanne, it was too late. The dragon-powered slashing attack had already been unleashed from the horn on Jeanne's nose.

Effortlessly, the strike vertically bisected Paralaceus, scattering its life.