Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 21: Unexpected encounter – Suk the Miscreant.

[Inspect], [Acceleration], [Ice Magic], [Domination].

[Inspect denied].

''!!''

snap—!

With a single snap from it, an ominous purple aura bursts out and envelops the whole space. My body feels heavier than usual, and not only that, but the path behind us is suddenly blocked as well.

''It blocked our teleport!'' Skely shouts, immediately assuming a battle stance and casting his magic, along with his sister.

It's true, I can't use any spatial magic here, I can feel it. We just lost even more of our advantages, as it seems like [Domination] is not working at all.

''Prepare to engage.'' I squint my eyes and shoot myself forward. ''Mister Slen, with me!''

The two of us sprint toward the smiling creature, who still looks calm and composed.

KENG—!!

Right when my sword and Mister Slen's knife are about to reach the creature's head, it pulls out a spear from nowhere and effortlessly blocks our joint attack.

''Ugh...!''

A single swing from it is enough to send both of us flying back, I'm barely able to stop myself from slamming into the wall by using my sword and my wings.

''Ice Spear!''

''Light beam!''

keng

Ariel's spear shatters like glass when collides with it, while Skely's light beam is promptly dodged.

''Its weakness is light magic!'' Skely shouts.

Got it.

[Skill: Light Magic acquired]

Immediately after I bought the skill, I can feel a new energy flowing through my body. It feels spiky, airy, and fast.

And now I'm completely broke, but that's alright.

BOOM

The creature springs itself right toward Skely, creating a loud noise. In less than a second, it is already holding Skely by his neck.

[Annoying.]

''Kuh...!''

I and Mister Slen go in again. As I sprint with all my might, I see it raising the long spear to stab Skely while Ariel and Smiley try their best to stop it.

Then, Skely, who has been struggling for a bit, suddenly snaps his finger. Two light chains burst from the ground behind the creature, flying straight toward its head.

[Useless.]

keng

It spins around and blocks the chains with its spear, then uses that spinning momentum to throw Skely against the wall. I hear a few bone breaks, that must be quite bad.

But that also leaves us a gap to attack. I infuse my Katana with my newfound power, causing the blue-tinted blade to glow golden. Then we both jump on its back and slam our weapons down-

THUD—!!

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''Ugh...!''

-but before my blade can reach the creature, it spins around once more and delivers an unbelievably heavy round kick to my stomach, sending me rolling on the ground.

''Hgnh...! Hah... Hah...'' I clutch my sword with one hand, my stomach with another, curling up into a ball.

cough cough

Accompanying the intense pain are a few violent coughs, blood spurts out of my mouth, smearing all over my hand holding the sword.

[HP: 34/51]

That's almost half of my HP!

[Heal], [Heal]...!

Immediately feeling better, I quickly rise to my feet and scan around the room once again. Ariel has already gone to heal Skely, while Smiley is trying to stop the creature together with Mister Slen.

Skely, prepare an attack, I'll immobilize him for a second. 

I send a telepathy to Skely and jump forward again, holding my Katana tightly.

AUF—!

Poor Smiley is kicked away when I enter the Katana's striking range, but I have to focus.

keng keng keng keng keng keng—!!

Together with Mister Slen, I repeatedly stab, slash, and swing my sword at the annoyingly smiling creature. Still, despite our efforts, it just casually parries away all of our attacks with ease. Whenever I strike the spear in its hand, I feel like I'm facing an immovable mountain.

keng keng keng—!!

I then try to use the gauntlet with [Sharp Claw], but it is disabled.

After some more exchanges, something changes. The creature's smile abruptly disappears.

[...BORING!!!!!]

''!!''

Together with the piercing scream, its mouth opens wide at us, revealing hundreds of sharp teeth orderly lined. 

THUD—!!

A simple kick sends Mister Slen straight at the wall, and before I can fully register that, I suddenly feel my stomach getting hotter and hotter.

''Agh...!... cough cough-!''

The spear is lodged into my body, through the robe, through the wings on my lower back. Blood escapes from my mouth and my fresh wound, dripping onto the ground as my HP decreases rapidly.

I immediately use [Heal] to prevent me from dying and catch the spear with my free hand.

[!!]

Got you...!

Now!

As soon as I send that telepathy, a giant light beam comes right through the creature, engulfing it whole.

[ARGHHHH!!!!]

It releases the spear and screams, both hands holding its head in pain.

''Hgn!'' I throw away the spear as the light beam dies down and muster all my remaining strength to swing my light sword again, aiming for the neck.

[YOUUUUUU!!!!!!]

It furiously grabs my sword with its bare hand, not caring that it is digging into its flesh, and summons its spear again.

This is bad.

Judging that it is almost impossible to run, I choose to double down. I hold my sword with both hands, cranking the light infusion to the maximum, and force my way through its hand, gritting my teeth.

As my blade eventually slices through the hand and wedges into its shoulder-

''Ugh...!''

-he stabs me again.

I frown heavily, my whole body trembling. And even though I'm repeatedly using [Heal], my HP is still steadily decreasing.

[HP:8/51]

My vision is getting blurry... And it hurts.

Gradually, strength is escaping my body, and my grip on the sword loosens.

''Lady Aurora!''

''Aurora!''

As I struggle to see things clearly, I hear the siblings' agitated voices on the side, that mixed with the creature's sneer, and even Smiley's barks as well.

Live

I want to, Mister Slen, I really do... But it seems like this is the end. It was fun, the time I spent with you all. It was...

''...''

There's no way I'm going to die like this.

I clench my sword again, and at that moment-

[Achievement unlocked: Beginning of a journey]

[Achievement unlocked: First kill]

[2 skill point acquired]

[Achievement unlocked: Level 10]

[3 skill points acquired]

[Proficiency achieved a certain level]

[Being: Aurora Lv.19 has become Lv.20]

[1 skill point acquired]

[Achievement unlocked: Level 20]

[3 skill points acquired]

Instantly, I can feel my whole body revitalize. 

As soon as my vision returns to normal, I scan the messages in the air with lightning speed. Determined to finish this once and for all, I open my status and begin using up those newly earned points.

[6 skill points consumed]

[Skill upgraded: Light Magic Lv.1 -> Lv.5]

[3 skill points consumed]

[Skill upgraded: Ice Magic Lv.2 -> Lv.4]

Two large streams of energy flow inside my body in unexpected harmony, one is warm and cozy, the other is icy cold.

Sensing my sudden power-up, the creature with one hand missing swiftly pulls the spear out of my stomach to stab me in the head this time. But before it can do that, Mister Slen surrounded by a purple aura suddenly appears behind it, wrapping his hands and tentacles around the creature and firmly holding it in place.

[You?! HOW?!?!?!?!]

How did he manage to teleport or how he is able to hold it is not important right now.

''Phew...'' I breathe out and raise my sword all the way up, preparing for a downward strike as the creature struggles.

With all my might, I pour almost the entirety of my MP reserve into the Katana, with both ice and light elements. I can feel the mixed energy swirling intensely above my head.

As cold as ice, as warm as light, I offer you—

SHIIIING—!!

With an unknown feeling arising in my heart, I swing my sword down with all my strength. Time seems to slow down as the golden-white blade rips through the air, leaving behind sparkling trails. Right when it touches the head of the creature, Mister Slen blinks away.

—an eternal night. 

BOOM—!!!!!

The entirety of the energy stored inside the blade disperses with a blinding flash of light and a deafening noise. 

'''' ... ''''

After a few seconds, I open my eyes.

The whole cave is now frozen in golden white ice, bright like daylight. In front of me, the creature is split in half, frozen. It soon turns into grey dust and disappears into nothingness.

[You have defeated a Lv.45 Demon - Suk]

[Proficiency achieved a certain level]

[Being: Aurora Lv.20 has become Lv.30]

[10 skill points acquired]

[Title: 'Apostle of Light' acquired]

[Achievement unlocked: Level 30]

[3 skill points acquired]

[Achievement unlocked: Suk - the Miscreant]

[2 skill points acquired]

''Hah...'' I crouch down and let out a heavy sigh.

Being a gamer is so hard, Chloe...