Our current location was between Jormungandr's head vertebra and the central vertebra. We decided to head back to the central vertebra to regroup until dawn, knowing that the head vertebra was likely occupied by werewolves.
However, retreating and regrouping were far from easy. Werewolves repeatedly ambushed us from the shadows throughout the night. We barely managed to fall back to the central vertebra, setting up guards as we went, and tried to rest. Though it wasn't much of a rest; they kept jumping us out of nowhere.
Finally, the dreadful night passed, and morning reluctantly arrived.
Day 3 of the Jormungandr Repulsion Battle. Dawn broke on the final day.
[Jormungandr - Status of Part Destruction]
- First Vertebra: 86%
- Second Vertebra: 49%
- Third Vertebra: 91%
Rubbing the fatigue from under my eyes, I checked the current progress.
The numbers could easily be closed out in a day if it weren't for these damn werewolves. The situation had become urgent due to the incessant guerrilla attacks by the invading monsters.
[Repel the Ambushing Werewolf Legion!]
- Grey Werewolf Lv.35 : 8
- Brown Werewolf Lv.30 : 17
About twenty-five werewolves remained. As for the condition of our party members...
"Hmm."
I scanned my teammates, who were spread out and lying exhausted on the ground.
'Junior has severe injuries, as does Reina. Evangeline and Kuilan are drained. The rest have minor injuries...'
We had fed potions and allowed some sleep during the past few hours, but the human body doesn't repair itself like a machine. Everyone was still tired, and injuries persisted.
But we had no choice.
We'd have to push through on the final day.
"Lucas."
As I quietly called his name, Lucas, who had been resting beside me with his eyes closed, slowly opened his sky-blue eyes.
"Yes, my lord."
"Wake everyone up."
I was tired too, but what good would it do to waste this young body?
"Let's get to work!"
The world was at stake. Time to take some risks.
***
The tail vertebra seemed to be making good progress through the night, judging by the increasing part destruction rate. Nameless and Kellibey must be handling things well. I could leave them be.
The central vertebra had the lowest rate of destruction. It would need the most attention in the remaining time.
"Kuilan, proceed with the part destruction at full force with your subordinates. Fox, Rabbit, assist them."
I instructed the five from the Penal Squad and two supporting wizards. All seven faces were tired, but they nodded without objection.
"Reina. Guard this place. Werewolves might ambush us again; it's your responsibility to fend them off."
"Leave it to me, Your Highness. I won't embarrass myself this time."
Reina, who had been puffing on a cigarette, nodded. I turned my gaze to the remaining party members.
"Lucas, Evangeline, and... Junior."
Two knights and a weary-faced mage looked at me. I nodded.
"We're going to reclaim the head."
Lucas and Evangeline were always going to be part of the main party; the real question was whether to take Junior or Reina.
Junior was injured, but we concluded it would be safer for him to stick with the main party.
Leaving him behind would only expose him to attacks from werewolves. His safety was guaranteed if he stayed with Lucas, Evangeline, and me.
'Besides, we've been a well-coordinated party from the start.'
With that reasoning, we finalized our lineup. Our main party began moving towards the head of Jormungandr.
The Penal Squad had already started disassembling parts of the creature with drills and picks. Reina and the two mages saluted us.
"May luck be with you, Your Highness."
"May luck be."
Reina's face seemed a bit stiff. I gave her a slight smile.
"You guys hang in there too."
The four of us in the main party began walking towards the creature's cerebral center without looking back.
***
The path to the head was empty.
But knowing that the werewolves wouldn't just let us be, the four of us in the main party cautiously advanced along Jormungandr's back, without letting our guard down.
Grrrrr…
Aaahhh!
As expected, werewolves hiding in the shadows leapt out at us.
They attacked us from both sides. Judging by their numbers, which exceeded twenty, it seemed they had all been waiting here for us.
Good, this is better.
Rather than having other areas attacked, it's more convenient if we take care of all of them.
"Let's go in one sweep."
After a long while, I swung my staff [Maestro] and lightly tapped Lucas, Evangeline, and Junior on their shoulders.
I used my staff's buffing function.
[Intermediate Buff Activated!]
[Lucas(SSR) receives '15% damage reduction for 3 minutes' buff!]
[Advanced Buff Activated!]
[Evangeline(SSR) receives '20% increase in attack power for 3 minutes' buff!]
[Advanced Buff Activated!]
[Junior(SSR) receives '2% magic power regeneration per second for 3 minutes' buff!]
Everyone was tired, so even a minor buff would help.
"We're all fatigued, I know. But the fate of the world hinges on this battle."
We must never forget.
The weight of the lives depending on each and every one of these seemingly minor battles.
Werewolves began pouring in from all directions. I bellowed ferociously.
"Wipe them out!"
"Let's do this!"
With a resounding battle cry, Evangeline's shield blocked the monsters' claws, and Lucas' longsword shimmered as it slashed through the air.
Junior, gritting his teeth, unleashed bolts of lightning in every direction.
I wasn't idle either.
I fired blades of magical power, used my 'Gaze of Command' to mind-control those who came close, forcing them to kneel, and then with my skill [Make You Mine!] forcibly integrated one into our ranks, causing havoc among them.
The problem was the craftiness of these werewolves.
These bastards kept hitting and running, refusing to engage us head-on.
Whenever they felt at a disadvantage, they'd flee without a second look, and when we tried to regroup, they attacked again.
Hit and run. Then hit and run again. And hit and run some more... Enough already, you damn scavengers!
Despite the difficulty, the elite members of our main party managed to take down the enemies one by one, steadily decreasing their numbers.
We were able to advance step by step toward Jormungandr's head.
By the afternoon, after enduring an arduous battle, we finally arrived at the central nerve cluster of Jormungandr's head.
Wiping off the splattered wolf's blood from my cheek, I stood atop the snake's head and looked around.
At some point, we had crossed the forested area, and the gigantic body of Jormungandr had moved onto the plains.
The lengthy serpent was smoothly slithering northward across the open field.
And at the end of this field was...
'Crossroad.'
My city, the bastion of humanity, appeared as a blurry silhouette in the distance.
We had made it this far...finally.
'Time is running out.'
By the time night passed and dawn broke, Jormungandr would reach the walls of Crossroad.
If we didn't complete the localized destruction by then, it would be game over.
"My Lord, please drink this."
Just then, Lucas handed me a water bottle.
"Your complexion doesn't look good. Despite the urgency, replenishment is necessary."
"..."
Looking around, I saw that all party members were a mess, covered in monster blood and flesh. Dark circles under their eyes. I probably looked the same.
We had fought alongside those large werewolves all the way here, sleep-deprived and malnourished, even sustaining injuries. It was only natural that we were exhausted.
"...Let's take a brief break."
We spread out on top of the snake's head. The wind felt refreshingly good.
Gulp, gulp!
Lucas, who had cleanly emptied the water bottle in one go, proceeded to pour the remaining water over his head. Droplets scattered over his flowing golden hair.
"Phew!"
Exhaling, Lucas shook his head. He looked like a dog that had just taken a shower on a hot summer day.
Evangeline, who had been watching him with interest, also drank her water, then poured the remainder over her head.
"Pffft!"
Either she poured more than she intended, or her transparent platinum blonde hair got completely soaked. What is she doing?
Junior was munching on tomato juice and spinach, camel-like. Perhaps it was some form of stimulant for her.
'I could really use a cup of coffee right now.'
If I could just pour a bottle of ice-cold Americano into me, I'd be content.
That would help me clear my muddled mind. With such luxurious thoughts, I took a sip of water.
"We've arrived at Jormungandr's central nerve cluster, but..."
Lucas tapped the nerve cluster he was leaning against.
"I'm not sure if we'll have the time to destroy it."
He was right.
We had already killed more than ten werewolves on our way here. In other words, more than ten still remained.
If we started the localized destruction, they would undoubtedly interfere.
Yet, I spoke optimistically.
"If we hold out while progressing, reinforcements from behind will join us as soon as they finish their tasks. Then we can definitely destroy this within the time limit."
It was a close call, but it was surely possible.
As I was reassuring myself, an image of a brown curly-haired boy briefly crossed my mind.
'...Damien.'
I desperately missed the presence of my sniper.
If Damien had been here, even if he couldn't help with the targeted destruction, he would have taken care of the wolf pack in no time.
Then we wouldn't be in this dire situation.
'Should I have brought him no matter his condition? Was it my poor judgment?'
Damien is undoubtedly my trump card.
Should I have definitely included him in my party? Was sidelining him for the season my arrogance?
'No, stop brooding over the past!'
I shook my head, my eyes wide open.
As always, I achieved the best results with the resources I had.
And the operation is still very much viable.
I sprinkled the remaining water over my head. Party members whistled toward my soaked self. What are you looking at, runts!
Flipping my wet hair back, I shouted.
"Let's get started with the overtime! I'll make sure you're well-compensated!"
I might be the Black Company manager—no, a Black Company CEO, but at least I pay fair wages, alright? (TL Note: Black Companies are basically sweatshops.)
***
The evening sun was setting.
Bang- Bang- Bang-
Clang-!
Reina watched with a cloudy gaze as the nervous system was slowly being chipped away, sparks flying.
It was already the third evening.
Yet the targeted destruction was still not complete.
Destruction at the tail's vertebra had been completed, and Kellibey had joined the central vertebra destruction.
Kellibey aided in the repair of drills and pickaxes, and the sweat-drenched Penal Squad members screamed in agony as they continued to focus on targeted destruction.
Yet the nervous system still remained intact.
Moreover, there was no news from Prince Ash, who had headed towards Jormungandr's head.
"Lady Reina."
Beside the thoughtful Reina, Fox, the mage of the Penal Squad, cautiously approached.
"Two out of the three vertebra are still intact. We must consider the possibility of failure in this repelling operation."
"..."
Reina jerked her chin.
"What are you trying to say, Fox."
"We should prepare for the protocol."
Fox spat out in a gloomy voice.
"Ready the 'Shutdown Protocol.'"
"...!"
Startled, Reina quickly turned her head.
"What are you talking about! That's not within our discretion!"
"..."
"You know that if we initiate that protocol...!"
"All the citizens of Crossroad will die."
Fox spoke impassively.
"But it will stop this serpent."
"..."
"Don't forget our main objective, Lady Reina."
Reina clenched her teeth.
As she met Fox's gaze with her suddenly cold eyes, he reiterated in a tone devoid of emotion.
"...After all, that is why we came to this city in the first place."