"Yes. Meanwhile, focus on inflicting more wounds on its body and tail."
"That's impossible. Even its eyes aren't a weak point; what are you planning to do? At this point, we should just run..."
As the two spoke, the Blood Python took advantage of the moment and attacked Gillian.
Boom!
Gillian barely managed to dodge, and Ghislain shouted again.
"Hurry! Just make the wound bigger! If I'm alone, it'll only target me!"
Reluctantly, Gillian withdrew to the back.
As he did, the Blood Python's gaze locked onto Ghislain, and it turned its head in his direction.
Screeeech!
The Blood Python's massive head lunged at Ghislain.
It ignored Gillian's attacks on its body and tail, only occasionally flicking its tail to ward him off.
The Blood Python moved faster than ever, seemingly determined to kill Ghislain, the one who had been pestering it all this time.
Boom! Boom!
Ghislain dodged the Blood Python's attacks, looking for a single opportunity.
With even its eyes proving impervious to their attacks, it was impossible to bring down the Blood Python with their current strength.
If Ghislain had reached the same level of mastery as in his previous life, he could have sliced through its scales and body in a single blow.
But that level remained far out of reach for now.
So he had to use whatever methods were available to him, even if it meant risking his life.
'I didn't want to resort to this, but there's no other way!'
Boom! Boom!
Screeeech!
Ghislain focused entirely on dodging, without even attempting a counterattack.
While his mana was limited, his technique had reached a level beyond that of a master.
No matter how many times the Blood Python attacked, Ghislain evaded, fueling its frustration.
Despite its cunning, it was still just a monster at its core.
'Come on.'
Ghislain dodged with barely an inch to spare, taunting the Blood Python.
Screeeech!
The Blood Python lunged at him, jaws wide open.
It was an instinctive move characteristic of monsters.
At that moment, Ghislain suddenly stopped moving.
He made no attempt to dodge, calmly observing the gaping maw before him.
From a distance, Kaor saw this and cried out in shock.
"This lunatic... he's actually insane!"
Belinda, watching with fading vision, let out a disbelieving sigh.
"Please… just run away..."
"Young lord! Don't!"
Just as Gillian shouted in alarm, Ghislain leaped straight into the Blood Python's open mouth.
***
As Ghislain felt the venomous air against his skin, he grimaced, but a smirk crossed his face.
Just as he anticipated, the inside of the Blood Python's mouth was filled with soft tissue, unlike its tough outer scales.
'This should be vulnerable to my attacks.'
But just because his attacks could land didn't mean he was safe.
The venom seeping from the Blood Python's fangs was already beginning to eat through his clothes.
This venom was powerful enough to kill even large monsters in an instant.
That was why the Blood Python could dominate other monsters in the Forest of Demonic Beasts.
Ghislain could use mana to block the venom temporarily, but it was a stopgap. He had to kill the beast and escape as soon as possible.
As he activated his second and third mana cores, mana began to surge through his entire body.
At that moment, the Blood Python tried to swallow him by manipulating the muscles in its tongue and throat.
"Urgh!"
As he was pulled deeper into its throat, Ghislain concentrated his mana at the tip of his sword and drove it into the roof of the snake's mouth.
Thunk!
Screeeeeech!
The Blood Python threw its head back and let out a shrill scream of agony.
The moment Ghislain leaped into the snake's mouth, Gillian, who had been attacking to distract it, saw it thrashing and whipping its tail around wildly and decided to withdraw for the moment.
With its head raised high, he couldn't see inside its mouth, making it difficult to act.
But standing by idly wasn't an option either.
Even if Ghislain died, they had to kill the Blood Python to have any hope of survival.
Gillian climbed up the Blood Python's body toward its head.
He thought now was the best chance, as it was too distracted to notice.
"Spit him out, you beast!"
Boom! Boom!
Gillian struck the Blood Python's head repeatedly with his mana-infused axe.
Gradually, cracks began to appear on the scales of its head.
With all of the Blood Python's attention on Ghislain inside its mouth, it couldn't avoid Gillian's attacks.
Even its tough scales couldn't withstand the repeated blows in the same spot.
Screeech!
The Blood Python tilted its head back and threw itself to the ground, trying to crush Gillian.
Boom!
The impact was so powerful it shook the earth, but Gillian managed to escape at the last second.
This gave Ghislain a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
With his position reversed, he was able to channel more force into the sword embedded in the roof of its mouth.
Ghislain braced himself and unleashed all his mana in a single burst.
The three cores spun with incredible speed, pouring mana through his sword into the Blood Python's head.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Screeeeeech!
The Blood Python let out another scream of pain, lifting its head in anguish.
But Ghislain clung to the roof of its mouth, pouring all his mana into the attack.
Screeeech!
The Blood Python writhed and thrashed in agony, like a salt-stricken snake.
Gillian and the other mercenaries quickly retreated, watching the beast in shock.
The Blood Python, overwhelmed with pain, rolled on the ground, slamming itself repeatedly.
Boom! Boom!
Poison began to pour from all its fangs, releasing a venomous mist that could dissolve anything inside its mouth.
Ghislain used his mana to shield his body, blocking the poison from seeping in.
Ssssizz!
The venom sizzled against his mana barrier, releasing a constant steam.
"Ugh!"
It had come down to who could endure longer: Ghislain or the Blood Python.
Screeeeeech!
Finally, the Blood Python began smashing its head against the ground to dislodge Ghislain.
Boom! Boom!
But Ghislain held firm, his sword embedded in the soft tissue, bracing himself as if he was ready to die in this position.
Blood started to trickle from his mouth.
With all three cores spinning at full power, his underdeveloped body was beginning to give out.
Ssssizz!
Amidst the dark venom mist, crimson steam continued to rise from Ghislain's body.
Screeeech!
Seeing the dark red mist coming from the Blood Python's mouth, the mercenaries grew tense.
They could only hope their employer's insane strategy would succeed, waiting anxiously.
"Urgh!"
The strain from all three cores was causing Ghislain's muscles to tear.
Some of the Blood Python's poison was beginning to seep through his mana shield.
His hands trembled, and he felt as though his entire body was being sliced by knives.
His face turned purple as paralysis began to set in.
The sheer volume of mana he was using was taking a severe toll on his body.
Crack!
After his muscles tore, his bones began to fracture under the strain of his accelerated cores.
But even through the overwhelming pain, Ghislain didn't stop.
He poured every last ounce of his life into his attack.
If he continued any longer, his body would break down before the poison could kill him.
"Aaaargh!"
He screamed, forcing himself to stay conscious.
'If I lose focus now, it's over.'
Ever since he committed to the sword, he had never lived an easy life. He knew it would be no different moving forward.
All he could do was give his absolute best in every moment.
Screeeech!
Soon, the Blood Python's movements visibly slowed.
Instead of smashing into the ground, it swayed and staggered.
Ghislain sensed it was finally time to escape.
If he passed out here, he'd either be swallowed into its throat or dissolve in its venom.
As the Blood Python's head drooped, Ghislain released his grip on the sword and flung himself out of its mouth with the last of his strength.
Thud!
Ghislain landed on the ground with a bounce.
But he had no strength left to move or escape further.
"Young lord!"
Gillian rushed over to help him.
Sssssizz!
"Ugh!"
The moment Gillian touched him, his hands were instantly burned.
The poison mixed with mana was emitting intense heat from Ghislain's body.
Gillian concentrated all his mana into his hands, managing to move Ghislain back slightly.
Even on the ground, steam continued to rise from Ghislain's body.
The mercenaries couldn't bear the heat and quickly stepped back.
Even in that state, Ghislain gazed weakly at the Blood Python.
Screeeech…
The Blood Python, bleeding and with venomous eyes full of fury, glared at Ghislain.
"Hold it back!"
"Protect the employer!"
"Don't let it get close!"
The mercenaries raised their weapons, positioning themselves between Ghislain and the Blood Python.
Screeeech…
This time, the Blood Python's movements were much slower.
"Attack!"
Just as Gillian shouted, the mercenaries prepared to charge.
Thud!
The Blood Python, just steps away, collapsed before it could lift its body fully.
"Is it dead?"
"No, it's still alive!"
"Let's kill it now!"
Kaor raised his sword once more and shouted.
"Avoid the head—it's spewing poison! Let's shred the body completely!"
The Blood Python lay on the ground, flicking its tongue and gasping for breath.
Its life force was incredibly tenacious, but at this point, none of them were afraid.
"Charge!"
With a unified battle cry, the mercenaries rushed forward, driving their weapons into the Blood Python's wounds again and again.
The Blood Python could only squirm weakly, unable to counterattack.
Watching the scene, Ghislain spoke in a weary voice.
"Finally... it's over..."
The mercenaries poured every ounce of strength into their assault.
Crunch! Squelch!
The Blood Python's twitching gradually ceased as every wound was torn open, leaving it battered and broken beyond recognition.
Sssssss…
Blood poured out, and its flesh split and softened until it was barely recognizable.
The Blood Python's eyes, which had been fixed on Ghislain with killing intent, slowly began to close.
This region's unmatched predator, formidable by birthright, was now defeated.
Hiss…
With one final, weakened cry, it drew its last breath and died.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]