Chapter 47: Petrification
Could it be because we took a break from fighting yesterday?
I naturally woke up before dawn, feeling like the fatigue had melted away.
Walking around with Beth and gathering herbs, and then the strenuous work of making potions afterward, it was laborious, but it was nothing like killing each other. It was a good day...
I practiced swordsmanship with Lina in the training ground for a little while, and although the bread we received for breakfast as part of the distribution was not very tasty, mornings have become somewhat different from what they were until yesterday.
Be careful, this might be a bad omen... I shouldn't expect anything good to happen to me.
When we gathered, it made me genuinely happy to see Beth smiling. It would be great if she had cheered up a bit since yesterday.
Today, instead of the silver leotard, she returned to her original equipment, a leather armor with a breastplate and robe. I don't feel any regret about it, though.
When we formed the party, I noticed that everyone had gained one level.
Compared to the undead, the monsters we fought yesterday indeed provided more experience points. I guess that's the norm.
While riding on Truuma's back, everyone confirmed the new skills and spells they acquired through their status.
Beth became a Level 9 mage and learned the "Barrier" spell. That's the spell we struggled against during the boss battle on the third level. I wonder in what situation we would use it if we can cast it ourselves.
Karena reached Level 10 as a priest and learned a spell called "Great Healing." Since "Healing" was for HP recovery, is this an enhanced version of it? Or can it heal multiple party members at once? It's not entirely clear from the name alone. What do you think, Lina?
(Definitely an enhanced version. It can heal even severe injuries in one go, and it cures status ailments simultaneously, so it's quite helpful when you take heavy damage in battle. There are spells that can heal multiple party members, but those come at higher levels.)
Thanks for letting me know through telepathy; it's like having a helpful smart speaker.
Greon became a Level 11 warrior, and Cecily reached Level 10 as a warrior, both obtaining skills related to combat like "Fighting Spirit."
And Raluc also leveled up to Level 10 as a scout, gaining the skill "Appraisal (Intermediate)."
(To put it simply, it allows you to "appraise" anyone who sees you as if they were viewing the status of a party member when adventurers form a party.)
Thanks, Lina. But come to think of it, isn't that an incredible ability? You can learn what skills and spells the enemies have, right?
(Exactly. Adventurers can acquire this skill when they reach Level 15.)
Seriously? I'm only Level 13 now, so maybe I should focus on leveling up before considering a job change.
However, information-related skills like this seem more suited for scouts. Adventurers can feel a bit inadequate in that sense.
I have these weird skills like "Playing with Dolls" and "Playing with Clay," so I can hold my own to some extent, but maybe I should seriously consider another job in the future.
Speaking of which, when I woke up, I gained a skill called "Alchemy Level 1." It was Beth's skill. Maybe it's because I helped her make potions.
I can't do anything with it on my own since I don't know any recipes, but it might come in handy someday.
*****
On this day, we were accompanied by two guards from the outpost, and we entered the depths of the first floor of the labyrinth on Truuma. It was to save some time.
Afterward, we would need to descend with ropes, so we had to get all the Truumas back to the outpost.
Returning was much easier thanks to Beth's "Return" spell, but the journey there was no joke. As we become higher-level, we'll be able to use the magic "Teleportation," which allows mages to instantly warp to any location they remember. But we'll need to be much higher level for that.
When we reached the barrier in front of the boss on the fourth floor, we took a short break to hydrate. Then, we passed through the glowing mist and arrived at the worm's discarded exoskeleton, which we saw two days ago.
Again, Raluc used her sensing skill.
"Something's not right. Unlike two days ago, there's only one presence. However, it's the same presence we encountered before, and its level is considerably high."
We won't know until we go inside. As usual, with Greon, Cecily, Lina in her full-sized form, and me, we placed our hands on the crack of the exoskeleton and gradually forced it open with our strength.
Even though our levels have increased, the exoskeleton has also grown larger and thicker compared to the first floor, so it's taking time...
Finally, there was a gap large enough for Raluc to slip through.
"Let's go."
As soon as the signal was given, Raluc activated her invisibility skill to slip through, followed by Beth, Karena, and then the rest of us.
The moment Raluc entered, the information was shared through the party formation. Everyone sensed a larger space than before, and at the very back, they felt the presence of a large humanoid figure, or was it a woman?
"Medusa!? Level 16, that's high!"
Raluc quietly exclaimed.
Level 16?
Until now, the most powerful enemy we faced was the Lich on the third floor, and it was only level 13, so this is a three-level jump. But if it's just one...
Thinking that way, just as we were about to direct our gaze, Raluc's words came to mind, "Medusa"? That's dangerous!
"No, don't look! You'll be petrified!"
Raluc discerned the opponent's skill.
At that moment, we heard a heavy thud where Cecily had been standing, and we saw a stone statue of a female warrior, looking as if a skilled sculptor had carved it.
"Cecily!!"
"Beth, cast the barrier!"
Amidst Karena's screams, I implored Beth to use a healing spell she had recently learned.
"Karena-sama!"
"Oh, right!"
In response to Beth's voice, Karena regained her senses and began chanting a new healing spell.
"By God's grace, 'Great Healing'!"
Within Beth's barrier, Karena extended her hand, and a dazzling light was absorbed into Cecily's body, gradually dispelling the petrification.
Indeed, with this enhanced healing spell, there was hope for a cure.
However, it seemed like it would take time, and if Karena were to be petrified, it would be game over.
Pale-faced Cecily thanked Karena and slowly stood up, still seeming a bit numb.
At that moment, a sound like glass cracking echoed.
"Damn, the barrier won't hold!"
"Probably, the other side is using a barrier magic of equal or higher level to cancel it out," Lena informed everyone.
With a crash, the barrier shattered, leaving us exposed in front of Medusa once again.
Without making eye contact with her threatening presence, I quickly constructed a clay wall.
Now we were "invisible."
But our respite was short-lived as Medusa began chanting an unfamiliar spell.
A disturbing sensation of spatial distortion filled the air, and suddenly, the presence of more monsters increased!?
Larouque, who had been hiding outside the wall, witnessed what was happening.
(What is that?) Surprise at the sight of the two-headed magical wolf was shared among the party members.
"Dual-Headed Magic Wolf, Level 15, with a skill called 'Breath Attack.'"
"To think she can even use summoning magic!"
It appeared that Medusa had summoned this magical beast. We had sensed it a couple of days ago.
In the next moment, a violent storm of rocks came flying our way along with the clay wall. This must be a combination of "Wind" and "Earth" magic.
For now, the wall held, but we couldn't shoot arrows, and we didn't know how long it would last.
Beth completed her chant, and a whirlwind of flames was unleashed from our side. However, the opponent's storm seemed to be overpowering our flames, preventing them from reaching their target.
Moreover, along with the storm, a fierce sense of hostility surrounded the wall.
It was a two-headed magical wolf.
Its massive body must have been about the size of a bear. When Greon swung his longsword at it, the blow was deflected with a metallic clang.
And, wait, all four of its eyes are closed?
Could it be that its owner, Medusa, did that to prevent herself from being petrified?
Larouque hesitated for a moment while trying to aim for its weak spot and release an arrow. In response, the wolf lunged at her with its massive body, seemingly detecting her through smell alone.
Larouque narrowly avoided its sharp fangs, but as she shot an arrow at close range into its flank, the arrow was deflected as if hitting a metal surface.
Lena released a blast of fire, briefly setting the wolf's fur ablaze, but it didn't seem to inflict much damage. Ignoring the flames, the wolf leaped towards Lena, or rather, towards me, who was standing next to her. I managed to dodge it at the last moment. That was close. Could it be that as a non-human, Lena couldn't be detected through scent?
Beth's powerful flames grazed one of the two heads, but sensing the danger, the wolf swiftly avoided it. Despite its massive size, its movements were incredibly fast.
And then...
"It's going to use its breath attack!"
Beth had just finished casting her spell, and there was no time for her magic shield to activate.
I summoned a ceramic shield to protect the entire party.
Suddenly, an enormous amount of liquid, like splashing water, was spewed at us.
A nauseating smell filled the air as it made a sizzling sound.
"Corrosion, maybe?"
It seemed like some powerful acid or corrosive breath had been sprayed at us.
I thought ceramic was resistant to acid, but parts of it seemed to be dissolving, warping its shape. Perhaps there was a magical corrosion effect.
Even the shed exoskeleton of the worm behind us was partially dissolving in the substance.
Beth unleashed her flames again, engulfing half of the wolf's body, prompting it to retreat momentarily.
At that moment, a more intense barrage of rocks pounded the clay wall, causing it to begin to crumble.
I absorbed the crumbling clay and reinforced the shield with strengthened ceramics to hold on a bit longer.
"No other choice, our magic is at a disadvantage. 'Calm'!"
Karena chanted a spell to seal magic, and a gentle wave of calmness spread through the space, calming the magical energies.
Certainly, Medusa seemed to have stronger magical power than Beth, so this couldn't be helped. But defeating a magical beast capable of spewing that breath without magic would be tough.
I absorbed the weakened clay wall again and recreated the Large Shield of Reinforced Ceramics.
It was just about the maximum weight I could handle alone. I made it as large as possible but thin enough. It was more for concealing us from Medusa's gaze than for defense.
"With this, let's target Medusa first."
"Don't look directly at her. Use Larouque's 'Detection' and Shiro's 'Map' to share her location."
Greon and Cecily exchanged their plan to attack.
We would aim for Medusa, who was now unable to use magic. I readied the large shield and advanced.
Behind me were Larouque with his bow, Beth, and Karena. Preparing for the dual-headed magical wolf, Greon, Cecily, and Lena guarded our backs with their swords.
We were about twenty steps away from reaching Medusa when the dual-headed wolf attacked again.
Greon and Cecily defended against its assault together, trying to stab its weak spots, like its mouth or belly.
The wolf dodged their attacks while attempting to bite with both of its heads.
Lina circled around and slashed at the tail. Neither of them could inflict significant damage, but just as the demonic wolf was about to release its breath attack, Laruuk shot an arrow with all his might. Despite letting out a scream, the breath was still expelled from its throat. Laruuk instinctively threw himself to the ground to avoid it, but the impact grazed his back, causing his leather armor to emit smoke.
"Kuh!"
Karina and Beth, from an oblique angle, shot more arrows into its mouth.
One of the demonic wolf's heads dropped with a thud, and a pained roar emanated from its other mouth.
At that moment, an intense rage surged, and along with a scream that seemed inhuman, Medusa attacked. Perhaps she was infuriated by her precious pet being hurt.
She held something that resembled a wizard's staff, but it looked thicker and longer, more like a staff or spear.
Everyone averted their eyes, unable to intercept her. I stood in front of the party with my shield, despite knowing it was reckless. But I had no other choice, probably!
Unbelievable strength, befitting not that of a woman, struck my arm, sending my large shield flying. Medusa then mounted me like a horse and raised her staff.
At that moment, Medusa's eyes glowed intensely red. I heard that from Lina, who was watching from the side.
It was a reflexive move.
I had taken an item from my item box just in the nick of time and held it up before Medusa, averting my gaze.
For a moment, Medusa's body twitched, and she stopped moving, but then she came crashing down with even more force.
At the same time, a bestial roar echoed.
I was crushed under Medusa's petrified body, but through the gap, I saw the form of the demonic wolf distorting and fading away like a haze.
Did the summoned monsters disappear when the summoner died?
Eventually, leaving behind a wisp of smoke, the two-headed demonic wolf vanished.
Everyone slumped to the ground, exhausted.
No, this was no time to rest. It's heavy. Help me! Hey! My chest was being crushed, and I couldn't speak.
(Ah)
Ah, no way! You're supposed to be one with me, right, Lina?
"Are you okay?"
Gleon managed to move the petrified Medusa off me. Thanks.
"Ouch, that hurts."
My right leg, which bore the brunt of the weight at the end, throbbed painfully. It might be broken.
Lina, no, Your Highness, I want you to treat me.
"Could it be... the one I entrusted to you?"
Cecily, who came running late, asked.
"Yeah, I left it in the item box."
That's right. At the end, I had wielded a shiny silver shield that turned into a mirror-like surface.
On the way back from the battle with the undead two days ago, Cecily had handed it to me, saying, "It's heavy, so you carry it." I stored it in my item box, but then I forgot to take it out, so I had it with me today.
Who would have thought it would save my life like this?
"Indeed, it's all thanks to me! You should be grateful. As expected of me."
No, that's not it. Don't swell your chest in vain!