Chapter 113: Dog Days

Chapter 113: Dog Days

December 11th, 2089

Veronicas POV

I surveyed the board in front of me, carefully considering my moves. Everything so far has progressed as plan, but a single moment of carelessness can ruin everything. I moved my knight, and waited for Hikaris reaction. Her brows were furrowed and she couldnt help but drum a beat on the table with her fingers. She moved her bishop, as I had anticipated, leaving me open to end the game. I moved my queen into position Checkmate. Shoot, I lost again.

Hikari gave a cute pout as she surveyed the board, trying to figure out where it all went wrong. Youre too impulsive. Patience is the most important aspect of chess. Youre just too good at chess, Vera. The only person who can play on even ground with you is Minato. I gave a smile at the comment before changing the subject. Well, now it is your turn to show off. What will the great Chef Kari, ruler of the kitchen, be teaching me to cook tonight? Hmm, Im not sure yet. Well need to go to the grocery store for inspiration!

And with that, Hikari and I got dressed and headed out into the winter weather. Cooking has been fun to learn, but difficult to become good at. As a noblewoman, I never really had to learn how to cook or clean or do the other mundane household chores before. I have mastered everything but the cooking at this point. Although Kira and Hikari have been quick to comfort me by saying that my food is far better than what Terra can make, and hes been trying to learn for years.

We were cutting through the park on the way to the grocery store when I noticed our stalkers. They were stealthy, but they clearly were unaware of my elven hearing. I immediately whispered to Hikari We have someone trailing us, be ready for conflict. Hikari tensed at my words, but she did not panic or expose that we were aware of the stalkers. Good, it seems Terras training has been paying off for her. Hes very thorough and addressed all kinds of scenarios in his training sessions.

Unfortunately, not even Terra thought of a scenario where a dog demon the size of a 4-story building with 3 heads attacks. He appeared suddenly and whipped his knotted tail towards us. I immediately drew out my estoc and just barely parried the blow. Even though I was successful, it still knocked me several dozen feet away. The dog then attempted to stomp on Hikari. She dived out of the way, just barely avoiding death.

It was an ingenious method to hamper my mobility. I launched several bolts with Swarm Shooter, using the blasts from the projectiles to blow away the mist. Thankfully, my crossbow generates its own ammo, so I can use it liberally without worry. Cerberus took advantage of my preoccupied state, lunging through the mist to try and devour me. I stowed away my crossbow as I was quickly parrying and counter striking the demons three heads as they were relentlessly trying to bite me. He was too close for me to escape via portal, and I was losing ground under Cerberuss relentless onslaught.

I have to end this before I am overwhelmed. Think ahead, predict the flow of the battle, and lead it to your desired conclusion. Left head is trying to bite, interrupt movement with a preemptive stab. Right head is about to counter, step forward to dodge. Immediate backstep to get-out-of range of the center head. Parry the right head and riposte. Duck beneath the left head. Slash the right head. Step forward again to avoid left head. Cerberus should overcommit to his attack now!

Cerberus assumed I would backstep to avoid his center head once more, so he lunged forward with all 3 heads covering my escape routes. Backstepping would do nothing to save me, nor would sidestepping be possible with the left and right heads simultaneously pursuing. The three heads converged right where I was had I actually backstepped. I had instead jumped with all my might instead, giving me a perfect angle to attack. The three heads were lined up vertically, just as I had planned. I held Waymakers hilt with both hands, pointing the blade downward as I fell onto Cerberus. I pierced through two heads, and nearly reached the third. Shit, I underestimated the toughness of his hide.

I quickly disengaged, but I was not fast enough. The dog demon started to rapidly expand back to its original size, appearing as if it couldnt sustain its smaller form. While he was expanding, Cerberuss tail whipped around and slammed into me full force as he blindly thrashed about in pain. My defensive artifact turned on, coating me in silver light that managed to resist momentarily before dissipating. It saved my life, but it did nothing to stop me from soaring the length of the park and smashing into the oak tree that I liked sitting on. It shattered on impact and came crashing down on me. I was pinned to the ground, unable to move. My legs are broken, and I can tell that Im suffering some major internal injuries. I hate dogs so much.

The defensive artifact started to heal me, but theres a lot of damage and it is a gradual process. I am too injured to do anything and were it not for my elven eyesight, I wouldnt even be able to watch whats unfolding. Hikaris been holding out admirably, but shes clearly overwhelmed. She doesnt have enough experience to be able to compensate for the demons natural physical advantages.

Cerberus is not getting involved, clearly being preoccupied with regenerating his two crippled heads. Thats a minor blessing, seeing that Hikari has collapsed. Dammit! I refuse to lose anymore family! I gritted my teeth and pushed against the tree pinning me down. I managed to wriggle out just enough to free my arms. Swarm Shooter appeared in my hands and I aimed for Mannequin, who had an ominous green flame in her hand and was preparing to finish Hikari off.

I lined up the most important shot in my life with a fiery determination. I pulled the trigger, sending a single bolt flying towards the demon. It zipped across the clearing, striking Mannequin in the head. It exploded with such power that I could feel the blast wind from here. My tenuous grasp on consciousness slipped as I saw Hikari stand back up. This is my limit. The rest is up to you, Hikari.