Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 24: Ancient Basilisk Z – Game plan.

Let's do a theory-crafting session here.

To defeat the Ancient Basilisk, we first need to determine one thing—how could we be able to deal damage to it?

Considering its stats and skills, it would be safe to assume that attacking its body is pretty much useless. We need to deal damage from the inside out. And I have the perfect item for it—the Gauntlet of Severance.

In theory, I should be able to use up all my MP and remotely explode my ice-light magic right in the middle of its brain, and that would be a one-shot because I'm confident my attack would be able to annihilate a mushy bunch like that, no matter how big it is.

The real problem is how I would be able to get as close as possible to its brain. I would probably need to sit on top of its head. That could be achieved by buying a skill like [Flight], which I already bought after getting fired up for this operation.

But then another problem pops up, the basilisk's scales would be too slippery. If it moved in any way, I could easily be flung out. Pre-casting magic would not work either, it would sure be able to sense it. Teleporting would also be a no because one could not bring mana above a certain threshold with them when teleporting.

So the task we need to execute first and foremost would be to immobilize it. The desirable duration is fifteen seconds as my strongest magic needs ten to cast.

''So... How are we going to do it?'' 

'''' ... ''''

''Any ideas?''

'''' ... ''''

...This is going to be hard.

''Well, well, you said that its [Status Condition Nullification] is disabled, right?'' Skely speaks up, turning to me.

''Not me, Ariel.'' I pass my gaze to Ariel.

''If I remember correctly.'' Ariel replies.

''But our levels are too low for mental attacks to work...'' Skely lets out a sigh and leans back to his chair.

''As long as it is immobilized for fifteen seconds, it'll probably be fine... Peln, you have any idea?'' I turn to the emotionless version of myself.

Peln is like a smart servant, right?

''We can paralyze it by letting it ram itself into the barrier of the academy.'' She replies after thinking a bit.

That's an idea.

According to Skely, the academy bordering this forest is the best in the world, filled with the strongest people. They're there to nurture talents, and to keep tabs on the Zircon Forest as well. When Mom flew us the other day, I saw that the academy's castle was intact, so the statement still holds true, I'd imagine.

But the point is, the security there is exceptionally tight, and there is a giant and sturdy barrier to prevent monsters from the forest from getting into human society as well. Though...

''I think it's smart enough to turn if we try to lure it.'' I let out a sigh.

It would be amazing if we managed to paralyze it by... Paralyzing?

''Wait, are there any poisonous plants in this forest?'' 

''Oh, using poison to immobilize it...'' Skely ponders.

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''There are lots of them, especially ones that can paralyze when consumed. I studied plants before.'' Ariel raises her hand.

''It'll take a lot for it to work though.'' 

''Silly brother, we just need to collect a lot of them then.''

''...Make sense.''

clap clap

I clap a few times, turning everyone to me.

''That's decided, then.'' I declare. ''The plan is simple, we feed it poison, then I'll kill it off. Let's work the details out.''

After planning out our assault, there are two things that we need to do right now.

First, find the lair of the Ancient Basilisk, or at least the location of it. Currently, the undead siblings and Mister Slen are in charge of it.  

And second, collecting Soli - a plant that has a paralyzing effect to feed the serpent. Smiley and I are doing it. I asked Mom and my siblings as well, and they agreed. Having a family like this feels so good.

I'm worried someone would just kill Peln in one hit, so I left her at the cave. I know that she can't die even if her body gets destroyed, but there will still be damage to her soul, according to Skely.

''That's another bunch, good job.''

AUF

He's like a big husky now. So fluffy.

Either way, the plant looks like a normal yellow flower, which is easily recognizable because almost everything is grey here. But we need a ton of them, that's the problem. I made four big bags out of Skely's spare robes to carry them. I filled all four bags, teleported back, filled them again, and repeated. This is the third trip.

''Hm, let's go back for now.''

The scene changes, and we're back in the cave.

''Welcome back, master.''

''Hi, Peln.''

I said that she doesn't need to greet me every time though.

''Here we go.'' I dump the flowers in the middle of the room. The mountain of flowers is taller than me now. ''...I guess I should take a little break.''

So I turn around and sit at the table, the opposite of me is Peln with her eyes unfocused, motionless.

Oh, I forgot to test the soul-linking skill. I was too busy trying to babysit my dog and Ariel. Let's try it now.

''Peln, can I try sending my consciousness to your body?''

''You don't need to ask for permission, master.''

''Thanks.''

I close my eyes and slowly feel the connection between her and me. A silver line. Somehow, I think I can push myself through this channel...

''Oh?''

Suddenly, my body grows much heavier. One of the energies inside my body is gone as well.

Opening my eyes, I can see a long-haired version of myself sitting on the opposite side, her eyes closed. I stand up and walk to her. An airy feeling touches the back of my neck because of this body's near shoulder-length hair.

I reach out my hands and touch her neck, and then her chest. This body is still functioning normally. Warm. 

''Woah...''

This feels eerily real, all the senses. It's like a real body. And touching myself in another body feels weird. Though, where is Peln?

''Peln?''

I'm here, master.

Peln's voice—my own voice rings inside my head.

''Hm, can you send me telepathies like this even when I'm in my original body?''

It is possible, master.

''Good.''

What else... Ah, let's see the status of this body.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: Aurora (Peln)             

Race: Owl-kin (Doppelganger)             Title: --

Level: 15

HP: 42/42                    MP: 55/55

STR: 3.0                     INT: 5.1

AGI: 3.2                    STA: 3.1

Skill: [Sharp Claw Lv.5], [Deception Lv.5],
[Ice Magic Lv.4], [Enhanced Hearing Lv.2],
[Stealth Lv.2], [Inspect Lv.2], [Swordsmanship Lv.2],
[Night Vision Lv.1], [Pain Tolerance Lv.1],
[Heal Lv.1], [Language Lv.1].

State: Normal.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh? A lot of my stats and skills are gone. This is interesting.

Let me guess, Peln's body gained a portion of my status screen because a fragment of my soul got transferred?

Either way, as long as I have [Deception], it would be fine for me to enter Peln's body as I like. 

''...''

I can't help but notice the sleeping body of mine in the corner of my eyes. Curiosity kicks in again, I turn the chair around so that my body faces me.

After watching my body closely for a while, I decide to grope her breasts. Chloe would often find excuses to do this to me, and I'm pretty sure that's sexual harassment.

''Hm...''

They're squishy, big, and warm, that's all. There's nothing special to it. Unrelated, but judging from this breast size, I think my body is now the same as when I was on Earth.

''—AHH!''

While I'm thinking that, the three familiar faces appear behind my sleeping body. Why do the siblings seem panicked like that?

''What happened?'' I ask calmly.

''We found the lair!'' Ariel excitedly says.

''And we almost got swallowed.'' Skely adds with a sigh.

''Anyway, with this, we're... Wait, aren't you Peln?'' Ariel tilts her head cutely.

'''' ... ''''

''Yes, I am Peln.'' I reply, forcing my voice to become as monotone as possible. ''Master is currently sleeping.''

''Ah, I see. Maybe she's tired from collecting all of these.'' Ariel examines the pile of flowers that I bought back. ''Let's make the poison while she's sleeping. It'll be a surprise when she wakes up!''

...I'm screwed. If I say that I'm Aurora now, it'll be awkward.