If only she could feel my sarcasm
The witch soars through the air without another word, our on-way conversation apparently over.
The air began to turn back to normal, the cold atmosphere dispersing.
The beast opens it's reptilian eye.
At the same time, the witch conjures up six fireballs twice her own size, the burning balls of fire illuminating brightly behind her.
The light burned my eyes for a bit.
I look back at the beast, watching it's every move.
*BOOM*
A loud explosion echoed in the cavern, sending dust and debris everywhere.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
No longer holding back, I use mana to reinforce my legs and 「Quick Step」 to avoid the flying boulders.
It was much easier than before.
More explosions occurred, each time it did, the audible boom growing louder and louder.
I advance forward.
Using the boulders as footholds, I make my way closer to ensuing fight.
It was highly difficult.
「Quick Step」 was at it's best when it came to horizontal planes; it did not work well on uneven footing like flying debris.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
A giant shadow loomed overhead.
I make a giant leap to the side, barely avoiding the giant mass that fell with intense force.
Then, I was falling.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
I quickly reorient myself using the other falling debris.
It took awhile, my legs ached and I gasped for breath afterwards, but I was fine.
I look up.
The ceiling was falling.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
「You have obtained the skill 'Quick Step' Lv.3」
「Skill 'Quick Step' is activating」
Covering a bit more distance than before, I dodge the falling debris.
There were more than a couple of close calls, my body was scraped by some of the falling stone and the ones that were too small for me to focus did leave a couple of cut, but I was otherwise fine.
The Rock Serpent's overpowering presence was more powerful than ever.
Despite not being the target of it's murderous intent, it's bloodlust was enough to fill my head with the instinctual desire to flee.
I take a step forward.
It swung it's tail, sweeping the ground and sending earth everywhere.
I quickly take cover in a fissure. It was risky, but it was better than fighting beast head-on.
The beast was currently distracted by the witch, it's focus entirely on her.
Once I felt that the coast was clear, I climb out immediately.
The serpent's enormous tail was gripping a bright green ball of conjured mana. It tightened it's grip more and more, trying to crush the presence inside.
It was then that I notice something odd.
The beast's scales were missing.
It was by the tip of it's tail, a couple of scales were missing like unfinished tilework.
I take a deep breath.
She's gonna hate me for this
「Skill 'Quick Step' is activating」
I dash forward, building up mana in my legs.
Time seemed to slow as I desperately charged forward.
Soon, the serpent's grip tightened even more than before. Before it could crush the green sphere however, a large gust of mana erupted, the spherical barrier expanded for a brief moment.
The serpent's tail was sent flying… right where I was.
Now!
Using 「Mana Burst」, I jump, leaping over the debris and pulling out my sword.
I quickly pointed the longsword up and pointed the blade forward.
Then, I brought it down.
The beast screeched as I pierce my blade to it's body.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
The beast trashed around, swinging it's tail trying to get rid of me.
I held on, focusing mana on my arms, shoulder, and torso.
My vision was shaky, the world seemingly flipped and turned around all on it's own.
My body crashed and collided with the ground multiple times. My back ached and wept from the damage that it took. I focus even more mana into it, doing my best to keep it intact.
I grit my teeth, bearing through the pain.
Then, it stopped.
The shaking stopped at a very uncomfortable moment.
I was upside down.
Gravity pushed me down, and I had to grip my sword's hilt so tightly that veins were visible on my hand.
My damaged legs lay limp as I held on for dear life.
My vision stopped shaking, the world coming in full view once more.
Multiple giant pillars of ice was keeping the beast in place, restricting it's movements.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
Then the sword began slipping.
No, wait…!
Without any other choice, I began freefalling.
Unlike before, there was nothing I could use as footholds to reorient myself.
"Did you even consider my advice?" The witch's anger-filled voice resounded beside me.
Conjured wind to envelope me, suspending me in midair.
The witch glared at me.
I'm so glad I can't talk right now
"You're lucky you can't talk." Her ridiculing voice grated at my ears.
I know
*rumble*
Then the ground began shaking once more.
The giant pillars of ice shattered under the serpent's power, crumbling immediately.
The witch eyed the situation with hawk-like eyes as she assessed the situation.
I stay silent, waiting for her command.
"While I would have told you to leave before…" She looked back. "… I think you're ready to take this guy on." She said with a wide grin on her face.
So much color…
She turned back to the giant serpent, eyeing it menacingly.
Atmospheric mana began to converge around me, turning into vicious wind.
The witch flicked her wrist, and I was immediately launched forward at blinding speed.
"Aim for the eyes!!!"
I brought up my sword.
The serpent destroyed it's final restraint, just in time to react to me.
Damn it…!!
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
The serpent opened it's maw wide, intending to eat me.
"Not on my watch!"
Before the serpent could eat me however, the intense wind surrounding me shifted, spinning me to the right.
As it did, I swing my sword in a wide arc, cutting the beast's eye.
The beast let out a loud screech, the scream resounding in my ears.
「Your attribute 'Absorption' is activating」
Absorbing the remaining mana of the witch's spell, I use it to reinforce my body and repeatedly slash the serpent's eye.
The serpent's eye bled, spraying me with it's blood. I continue slashing regardless.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
A dark shadow loomed above me, and I spared not a moment longer to escape.
I jump off the beast's head.
As soon as I did, conjured wind began enveloping around me once more.
*CRASH*
The beast smacks it's face with it's own tail.
The intense wind propelled me back to the beast's face.
I focus mana into my blade this time, dyeing it ebony black.
Without a second thought, I lunge forward.
The ebony black sword pierces the beast's eye easily.
*screeeeeeech*
The beast screamed once more, and this time the witch saw it fit to reel me back.
I landed next to the witch.
"Defend yourself."
What?
「Skill 'Instinct' is urgently warning you」
A creepy foreboding crept up my spine.
I look back at the Rock Serpent.
The giant serpent was crying tears of blood, it's eyes ravaged. It coiled around itself.
What the…
An enormous amount of mana began to gather around it, eventually seeping into it.
This is REALLY bad
The witch immediately summoned multiple barriers around us. I summon my own as well, unsure whether it would really help or not.
Then it began.
The numerous scales covering the Rock Serpent shot out like cannons from a pirate ship.
*BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM*
Loud explosions rang everywhere. My ears rang from the reverberating echo of each one.
I give the witch a sideways glance. Her brows were knitted in concentration, her lips muttered indecipherable words at a speed that transcended human limits.
*shatter*
…Huh?
I look back upfront.
A barrier had shattered.
*crumble*
Then another.
The witch hurriedly conjured another one, but the onslaught of scales from the serpent was just too much.
Until eventually…
"No!" The witch cried.
*crash*
The final barrier shattered.
I tackle her, the both of us tumbling.
The onslaught quiets.
I look at the witch's face, tired and exhausted. She was covered in soot and grime, dark circles surrounded her beautiful eyes. She was looking straight at me.
The serpent's movements wake me from my trance.
The beast was, essentially, naked. It's scales were gone.
"This is our chance…"
I nodded.
Getting off the witch's body, I pull her up.
The Rock Serpent looked… tired. Like it was barely standing. I did not doubt it.
What the giant serpent just did was most likely it's last resort, and I could understand why.
The beast's flesh was exposed, defenseless. It was just like the witch said…
This is our chance.
I pick up my sword off the ground. Despite the vicious onslaught, it was still intact.
The witch pats my back.
I look back. She just gave me a real, genuine smile.
「Your attribute 'Absorption' is activating」
Using the residual mana in the air, burst forward.
"Hup"
Pillars of earth sprouted off the ground, starting from small to high.
I use them as footholds, quickly ascending.
When the pillars ended, I make one big leap and aim my sword high.
The beast did not react.
I focus my remaining mana on the blade of my sword, turning it pitch-black.
"Gooo!"
The beast turned reeled it's head, too slow and too late.
My blade bisects the serpent's head clean off.