Boom! Boom! Boom!
As the mercenaries clung to the body of the Blood Python, pounding it repeatedly with blunt weapons, the massive snake swung its tail wildly in all directions.
The mercenaries hit by the tail were sent flying instantly, but others filled in the gaps, continuing the assault.
Kaaah!
The Blood Python let out a furious roar.
At its head, Ghislain, Gillian, and Kaor kept wounding it to draw its attention, while other mercenaries attacked its tail and body with blunt weapons.
Sharp daggers occasionally targeted its eyes, making it impossible for the snake to fully concentrate.
Anyone would get irritated with a swarm constantly buzzing around.
The Blood Python writhed more violently in rage.
Boom!
With each slam of its tail on the ground, another mercenary lost their life.
But the mercenaries gritted their teeth and pushed on, determined to eliminate this monster, risking their lives in the process.
"Gillian! Head to the tail and support the others!"
Even as Ghislain skillfully dodged the snake's attacks, he monitored the mercenaries' situation and issued instructions.
As the number of wounds on the Blood Python's body increased, its tail swings gradually slowed.
When Gillian joined the mercenaries, their attacks finally began to leave cracks in its scales.
After countless attacks and a near-death determination, they finally saw some results.
Crack!
"It's breaking!"
When one mercenary shouted, Gillian infused his axe with mana and yelled.
"Stand back!"
Boom!
His axe struck deep into the snake's body, with more than half of the blade sinking in.
This was a wound like no other.
Blood began to gush from the Blood Python's skin.
Seeing this, the mercenaries found a glimmer of hope.
"Here! Strike here!"
They hammered the open wound with swords and spears, thrusting their weapons into the monster's body.
Where their weapons hadn't penetrated before, they now sunk in easily, as the muscles inside had softened from the accumulated impact.
Kaaaaah!
The Blood Python let out a pained scream and thrashed its body, crushing and killing any mercenaries in its way.
While its movements had slowed, the destructive force of its massive body was still overwhelming.
'This can't go on,' Ghislain thought as he dodged the Blood Python's fangs.
Those who could inflict damage were quickly exhausting their mana, which they'd used freely from the beginning of the battle.
It had become a struggle of who would fall first: the exhausted mercenaries or the Blood Python.
Boom! Boom!
"Aaaargh!"
Even as he contemplated, the mercenaries' screams echoed all around.
No matter how much damage they dealt, the mercenaries would be wiped out at this rate. The longer the fight dragged on, the more disadvantageous it became for them.
At that moment, the Blood Python's eyes glowed red as it swung its tail forcefully.
Whoosh!
Boom!
Several mercenaries were knocked away, and the Blood Python seized the chance to retreat.
As it started to put distance between itself and the mercenaries, they spoke hopefully.
"W-What? Is it running away?"
"Could it be over?"
"Fall back! Move the wounded to the rear!"
The mercenaries backed off, regrouping and murmuring among themselves.
If the Blood Python really retreated, that would be the best outcome.
They'd broken through scales said to be impervious to anything other than a powerful mana blade or high-circle magic and embedded their weapons into it.
Considering their group's skill level, it was a remarkable achievement, but no one rejoiced. They knew all too well that if they let this drag out, they'd eventually all perish.
They had fought impressively, but this was as far as they could go.
"Can't we call it a draw?" Gordon mumbled, clutching his shaking legs, but no one answered him.
Sssssh.
The Blood Python, having distanced itself, glared at them and lazily flicked its tail. Blood seeped from its cracked wounds, staining its scales red.
To inflict this much damage on the Blood Python—a creature known to crush an Ogre, the so-called king of the forest—was remarkable.
Belinda seized this moment to question Ghislain again.
"Young master, don't you feel like running away now?"
"Not yet."
"Of course. You never listen when someone tells you something. Sometimes I think you're crazy."
"Really? I thought I was fairly obedient."
Belinda looked at him, baffled.
Gillian, looking around at the mercenaries, whispered to Ghislain.
"Young lord, at this rate, we'll be wiped out first. This approach may be textbook, but we're too few to sustain it."
"You're right. But given our current strength, this is our only option. We have to hold out as long as possible and let those who still have mana look for an opening."
"Targeting its eyes seems our best bet."
Although Blood Pythons aren't common, they're known to inhabit regions outside the Forest of Demonic Beasts.
So it was widely known that their eyes, unprotected by their tough scales, were a weak point.
Of course, hitting the eyes wasn't easy.
One had to get close to the eyes while dodging its attacks, and even then, it might shield itself by blinking in an instant.
But there was no choice but to target its eyes in the chaos.
"For now, that seems like our only option. Belinda, keep an eye out for an opening as before."
At Ghislain's words, Belinda nodded with a steely expression.
As she opened her mouth to respond, the Blood Python slowly began approaching them again.
Perhaps due to its injuries, it scanned the area cautiously before suddenly accelerating.
Screech!
"It's coming!"
"Just like before! Aim for the wound!"
"Let's see who falls first!"
As the Blood Python rushed toward them, the mercenaries formed ranks and aimed for its fresh wound.
But once it reached them, the Blood Python began smashing them one by one with its head, like a hammer striking down.
Boom!
"Aaaargh!"
Boom! Boom!
Each time the mercenaries tried to close in, it swiftly withdrew, only to slam them down again.
With each strike, a mercenary's body was shattered, leaving only a bloody mess.
It began systematically picking them off one by one, unlike before.
"Fall back!"
The mercenaries recoiled in terror, retreating en masse.
Sssssssh!
The Blood Python narrowed its eyes, flicking its tongue.
To the group, it looked like it was mocking them with a smirk.
Everyone was in turmoil.
The tactic they'd believed would work against the Blood Python no longer had any effect.
They had no idea how to counter this monster.
Sssssssh!
As the Blood Python slithered toward them again, the mercenaries hesitated, backing away.
Then Ghislain stepped forward and shouted.
"Mercenaries, stand by from the rear and jump in if you see an opening! Gillian, Kaor, Belinda, handle it as before!"
The mercenaries quickly retreated, watching as the four took on the fight alone.
They desperately wanted to join in, but their skill simply wasn't up to par.
Boom! Boom!
The four dodged the Blood Python's attacks and reopened wounds, as they had initially.
However, the Blood Python now moved cautiously, making it much harder to attack effectively.
Even when they managed to wound it, they could only make shallow cuts, failing to deal any real damage.
Boom! Boom!
As time passed, the four of them began running low on mana, struggling to dodge rather than counterattack.
Finally, unable to stand it, Kaor shouted and approached the Blood Python's head.
"Damn it! I'll be the bait! Go for the eye!"
Once Kaor entered its range, the Blood Python fixated on him, aiming at his head.
It ignored the other attacks as they tried to wound it.
Boom! Boom!
The sheer intimidation and speed were so overwhelming that Kaor couldn't even lift his sword.
He could only dodge with all his might.
Thanks to his distraction, Belinda spotted a split-second opportunity.
Boom!
As the Blood Python's head struck the ground and Kaor barely dodged, Belinda seized her chance.
"Die!"
Her dagger, charged with all her remaining mana, hurtled toward the Blood Python's large eye.
If this attack didn't inflict meaningful damage, they'd all be dead.
At that moment, Belinda locked eyes with the Blood Python.
It looked as if the snake was mocking her.
"No way…"
Ting!
The mana-infused dagger struck the Blood Python's eye but bounced off, deflected with ease.
"This can't be!"
The Blood Python in the Forest of Demonic Beasts was different from what they knew.
Its eyeballs were even tougher than its scales.
With its eyes as durable as its scales, it was practically invulnerable.
How on earth were they supposed to defeat this thing?
While everyone was in shock, something even more terrifying happened.
Kaor was now trapped in the spot where the Blood Python had planned.
Whoosh!
Its tail, which had remained still until now, suddenly swung toward Kaor.
Cunningly, it had been holding back, waiting for this moment.
"No!"
The others rushed to attack the Blood Python.
But it had all been bait.
Screeech!
The Blood Python twisted its head at an odd angle, suddenly lunging at Ghislain with terrifying speed.
Even the tail movement was just preparation for this maneuver.
With Ghislain already advancing, there was no way for him to dodge.
In that split second, he prepared to detonate three mana cores at once to brace for impact.
"Young master!"
Belinda appeared out of nowhere, shoving Ghislain out of harm's way.
Boom!
"Belinda!"
As Ghislain tumbled to the side, he shouted her name and turned to look.
Thud!
Belinda, flung at tremendous speed, hit a tree and fell to the ground.
Though she spat out blood, she was still alive, having twisted her body mid-air to minimize the impact.
"Idiot... I told you… run back to the estate and repent in prison… you moron, you never listen..."
Belinda muttered, coughing blood.
"Kaor! Get Belinda to safety!"
At Ghislain's urgent shout, Kaor, barely alive, carried Belinda away.
Sssssssh!
The Blood Python flicked its tongue, seemingly pleased as it scanned the area.
While it hadn't achieved its original goal, it had neutralized a pesky foe wielding a dagger, which seemed to please it.
But Ghislain had no intention of letting a monster treat him like a toy.
He glared at the Blood Python and spoke to Gillian.
"Gillian, go for its body and widen the wounds. If you get a chance, attack with the mercenaries."
"What do you mean? Are you planning to take on its head alone?"
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]