Chapter 94 - Separate Operation
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"...We're heading on the right way, right?"
"According to this map, then yes."
Me, Akari, and Lemuen were currently taking a hike on a small mountain towards the place we'll be fighting that Serpent. We've been walking and hiking for quite an hour now so as expected, even with our stats, were pretty weary right now—especially Lemuen whom has been looking timid since earlier and seems like she was about to fall down. As for Akari...
"Nh..."
"T-This girl..."
Akari has been leisurely sleeping at my back, carrying her. Why can't I just let her walk, you say? Ha! I'm a just a simple guy. Just a tiny bit a request from these girls and I'll do it no hesitation.
Anyways, while were just almost on our desired destination, I'm pretty sure the girls were already on the 『Jungle』 doing their assigned task. But before we continued, let's talk about what happened before this situation.
* * *
(Before the separated operation)
"I'm telling you; this guy must be on something."
After our short discussion, we head at the backyard of the Villa. There, I was building something while the girls watch, conversing about me frankly right in front of my face. I can hear you, Astra.
As for Aedan, he already left the Villa after the discussion had ended. But before that, I gave him some notes containing information before he leaves.
"This is..." Aedan sternly mused, earnestly reading the notes I gave him. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yeah." I replied. "Just mention my name into him and he'll let him train you."
"I got it!"
It's the only thing I can do to him as a friend, but I hope he makes it. Anyways, back to the girls.
"Sai," Lily called. "I know you're both smart and strong, but I think you're not taking your situation seriously."
"I'm telling you guys, I'm really serious about this." I retorted.
Additionally, after the time of our discussion, Luna has been silent since then. Looks like this Snake is quite something for them to react this harshly. Not that I'm concerned, though.
I can beat it after all.
"Alright, finally done!" I mused.
A flat stone circle lays above the ground centered by a donut shaped structure that act as a Portal. The size was not as big as from the Academy, but it was large and tall enough for a person.
"The 『Terminal』 is what it's called." I confidently explained.
"This guy just created a portal on his own!" Astra exclaimed. "And only just a few hours at that?! Was it really that easy to make?!"
"So, is this supposed to take us to the Jungle?" Lily asked. "And how is that even possible?"
"Remember the 『Biome Post』 that I asked from the Dryad and placed near the Cabin? that Post will automatically connect in this Portal since I'm the one who built it."
Please don't ask me for more information. Even I don't know how it works. That's just how the game made it to be.
Lily let out a huge sigh at my unconvincing remark. "Your knowledge knows no bounds, really..."
"Haha, It's Sai after all..." Seia replied, awkwardly laughing.
"What about you, guys? You've already done your part, right?" I asked. "If so, I suggest we directly start on what we discussed earlier. Hop in."
"Calm down, man. You aren't in a rush, are you?" Astra sarcastically said as she, along with the girls approached the Portal. "You're really diligent, aren't you?"
"Can't really waste any time now." I earnestly said. "After all, the reason I lose from the Tournament is because I wasn't prepared enough."
"..."
While I watch the girl went through the Portal, someone tug the edge of my sleeve. Looking at her, I saw the girl who had a worried look on her face.
"Master," Luna timidly called. "Are you going to be okay?"
I was stunned for a moment but let out a smile as I starts to caress her head.
"Don't worry," I assured. "I will win. I promise."
Luna paused for a moment but meekly nodded after.
"Please return safe, okay?" Luna said as she follows after the girls from the Portal. "We'll be okay in here, so you don't have to worry about us."
"Yeah. Make sure you use the [Potions] that I gave you."
Jungle is one of the most dangerous places in the game, so I had them to carry some [Potions].
With everyone's ready, I began to supply the Portal with Mana. Upon activation, the girls entered the Portal one by one, leaving us three afterwards.
"Shall we begin our part then?" I replied to the girls who was left with me. Then something came from my mind. "Now that I remembered... Lemuen, you still haven't got the ⟨⟨Appraisal⟩⟩, right?"
"Yes?"
* * *
As for us, and how did we get here, I won't bore you with another one. In summary, we just went from the Guild and bought the [Map] where the Serpent is located. Luckily, the location was quite near on one of the Kingdoms from the eastern part of the Continent, so we head and bought another ticket from that Kingdom and used the Portal to get there. Then here we are after taking an hour hike from this Mountain.
"We're almost there..." I informed, panting while carrying Akari from my back.
"You're too kind for your own good..." Lemuen retorted, letting out a sigh. "Regardless, this place seems kind of...eerie. It's beautiful, but..."
"Well yeah. It's the territory of one of the Demi-Gods in this world after all." I explained. "We're finally here..."
Finally reaching the top, we were face by the beautiful scenery of the place. The mountains that we are currently standing lies a large lake below us. And that lake has a giant volcanic crater which also has a small green dirty lake inside it—and is the place we were going into.
"W-We're going down, aren't we?" Lemuen anxiously said.
"Unfortunately, yes." I replied. "Luckily, I have more efficient ways to go down there. If you're in, then let me ask you this. Do you have Acrophobia?"
"...Eh?"
* * *
"UWAHHHHH!!!!"
"Don't let go, Lemuen! We're coming near!"
Thanks to the Grappling Hook, we were easily able to head down from the mountains by grappling down bit by bit. Since Lemuen doesn't have one, I had her hold into me as we go down slowly. Still, she was screaming hysterically even though I was grappling carefully (Lie).
As for Akari, she was an exception from both of us since she can just use her wings. she might not be able to fly currently but she can just glide down from the mountain just fine. To be honest, such convenient attribute would make everyone create a sense of jealously but not me.
Near the future, we'll also get that ability after all.
"Alright, here we go..."
Were finally down from the Mountain with Akari who got down first. Lemuen on the other hand, had her eyes close and was still holding into my body tightly.
"Hey Lemuen," I called, tapping her arms. "We're good, so you can let go now."
"R-Really..." She shot a glance from the ground and after confirming it, she finally let go, with her face flushed afterwards. "Uhm, I-I'm sorry..."
"Don't mind it," I calmly replied. "Anyways, just a small hike and we'll be on our destination."
"R-Right..."
Looking at each other and both letting out a sigh, both of us head towards the crater along with Akari who already went ahead of us.
For us to get into the Crater, we would need to cross the lake which would normally need something like a boat for us to get there. Unfortunately, we don't have that kind of thing in us, and my Mobility boots were still in Tier III, so it's still doesn't have the Water Walking feature in it.
"What do we do, Sai?" Lemuen calmly ask. "Do you have any plan for this?"
"Aruji-sama."
Luckily, there is a [Potion] that's pretty useful in this situation. I took out the [Water Walking Potion] and begun drinking it in front of them.
"Uwah?!"
"Guh...!"
Once the buff had taken effect, I carried the two and began walking through the water. Endure it for a second, girls. I still have a few Potions left in my Pouch, but that's extremely necessary for later.
"..."
Running at the water at quite the hasty rate, I noticed that Lemuen was dead silent as we head closer into our destination.
"Lemuen," I spoke "You're scared, aren't you?"
Lemuen didn't respond into my remark. Akari isn't the type to show much of an emotion so she's probably okay, but let's see...
"As long as you guys followed my instructions then we would be fine." I explained. "I will win. I will promise you that."
I didn't expect an answer and ultimately ignored it and after a while, we finally managed to cross the lake. Putting down the girls gently, the three of us hiked the crater after.
"Listen, both of you." I commanded. "The center of the Crater will act as the Arena for the upcoming fight. I will guarantee both of you girl's safety as long as you firmly followed my commands."
Lemuen become more tense upon hearing my remarks. Oops, did I make it too rigid? As for Akari... yup, no problem here.
"No worries," I assured. "I will only order you to attack it one time and I'll do the rest. Easy, right?"
"...Yes."
"Mhm, good!"
Nearing at the center lake, I blocked the two with my arm in gesture to stop them.
"There's also one thing I want you two to do especially you, Lemuen." I informed. "Have fun and watch me slaughter this bad snake."
"Yes." Akari replied. "Goodluck, Aruji-sama."
"Eh—?!"
Without waiting for Lemuen to hear her response, I sprinted into the center of the lake. Arriving on the place I took out an opened green flask and threw it under the water. Moments after, the place began to shake, vibrating the ocean in the process. Then suddenly...
"—?!"
"Woah..."
A huge blue serpent ranging almost 200 meters came fiercely from the lake. The tide violently surged, pushing me away, fortunately, I didn't stumble. The girls on the other hand had their face paled at the sight of the huge terror before them.
Nevertheless, this feeling... It's been a while, really.
"Long time no see, long freak." I shouted, grinning wickedly. "Ready to be my plaything once again?!"
"RRRROOOOOAAAARRRR!!!"
I quickly took out and drank all the necessary Potions along with my 『IDS』, then looked at the giant serpent nostalgically. Alright! Shall we start then?!
『Mythological Mighty Serpent, "Vaconawa" has awoken』
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『IDS』 - Imperfect Demon Sword