Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 50: Hydra 2

Episode 50: Hydra 2

[Skill: Breath of Poison Fog]. The Hydra’s [Skill] that expels a torrent of poison mist, attacking a wide area and inflicting severe poison on anything it touches. 

The |Mana| cost is high, but in exchange, its power, toxicity, speed, and range are all exceptional. According to the adventurers’ guild’s records, it was suspected to be the Hydra’s trump card [Skill]. 

That’s why I expected it to be used eventually if the battle dragged on, and I had prepared for that moment. I had kept the explosive arrows drawn and ready to fire.

“([Heavy Shoot]!)”

I aimed for the center of the five mouths that had gaped wide and fired the explosive arrow. Even while running, the correction from [Sniping] was fully effective. The arrow sliced through the air at high speed and penetrated the Hydra’s mouth. 

The explosion echoed, and the struck head reared back violently. The activation of the [Skill] was interrupted. 

However, the remaining four heads were still active. Even with [Instant Shift] and [Flee], it was already at a stage where avoiding attacks was impossible. 

Taking over the frustration of the interrupted head, the four remaining breaths were unleashed with great force. 

Of course, I had prepared countermeasures for [Breath of Poison Fog].

“([Weapon Storage]!)”

Immediately after firing the [Heavy Shoot], I pulled out several weapons from [Weapon Storage]. 

They weren’t shields—no matter how large, a shield wouldn’t cover my entire body, and even multiple shields would leave gaps. Given that [Breath of Poison Fog] lingers for a certain period, a shield wouldn’t be effective. 

Instead, I retrieved explosive arrows—more than ten of them. The impact of the breath hitting them caused all to detonate simultaneously, and the flash and noise tore through the forest.

“(Yes, it worked well!)”

The explosions pushed me forward, accelerating me further. In contrast, the breath was scattered by the blast. 

Despite the forest’s many obstacles, I managed to escape the range of the breath after hitting a tree, avoiding the lingering poison. 

“(The poison… I did get hit. But it’s not a big problem.)”

As I started running again, I checked my |Status|. The slight exposure to the poison had indeed caused Poison, but the symptoms were minor due to the small amount. 

The Poison effect was a basic one that gradually decreases |Life|, with a decrease of less than one per second. The effect was counteracted by [Self-Regeneration], so it took five seconds for any noticeable change in my |Status|.

“(This isn’t affecting my combat. Plus, I’ve activated [Antibody], so it’s all good!)”

[Skill: Antibody] provides resistance to a Status Ailment for a certain period once affected by it. This means I would be stronger against poison at least until the battle with the Hydra ends.

At that moment, the Hydra burst through the poison mist behind me. 

“(Looks like that head took some damage.)”

Seeing it, I felt relieved. The head that was hit by the explosive arrow was bleeding heavily and looked incapable of engaging in close combat.

“(But, a second shot might be tough…)”

Maybe having learned from the previous encounter, the heads kept their mouths tightly shut. The distance between us was gradually decreasing, and the [Breath of Poison Fog] should reach me soon. But there was no sign of it being used.

The poison was released in brief bursts when the Hydra briefly opened its mouth, but it seemed to be saving the breath.

Well, to be honest, if you’re running, you can’t aim at the mouth unless you get close enough that you can reach its neck.

More pressing was the Hydra’s calm demeanor. Even using [Challenge] and [Bewitching Gleam], it wasn’t aggressively attacking. It’s troublesome, because he can dodge big attacks like the high altitude [Impact] that I used on the red monster.

“([Compact Shoot], [Compact Shoot], [Compact Shoot]!)”

Feeling idle, I shot several explosive arrows.

The [Consecutive Hits] had also reached their peak, and while I had managed to chip away at the Hydra’s body somewhat, it still wasn’t enough to deliver a decisive blow. Since slowing down slightly to shoot had also brought me closer to the Hydra, it seemed like the right time to switch to close combat.

“(Hmm, looks like the ambush with [Aerial Jump] is still being guarded against.)”

Once I got closer to a certain distance, the Hydra stopped spitting poison. The two heads responsible for the poison were glaring at me, waiting for me to launch a counterattack.

“(Then I’ll do just that and get closer, [Heavy Shoot]!)”

Just before entering the biting range, I targeted the head that had its breath interrupted earlier with another explosive arrow. 

As that head exaggeratedly dodged the explosive arrow, I hooked my chain sickle onto a tree, using it as a pivot to spin halfway around and change direction without losing speed.

“Hisssh!”

“([Aerial Jump]!)”

The head that hadn’t fired the poison aimed it at me. But since I anticipated it, avoiding it was easy. Combining with the effect of [Instant Shift], I leaped up vigorously to dodge the poison.

I pierced through the branches and into the air.

The Hydra’s heads all looked up at me. And as I drew my bow, I aimed at them.

“([Compact Shoot]!)”

The arrow I fired immediately was aimed at the Hydra’s eyes, but hitting such a small target in this situation was difficult. The arrow struck the forehead.

Naturally, the heads became furious and started spewing poison, but that was exactly what I was hoping for. 

To dodge the poison, I activated [Instant Shift] and, along with [Aerial Jump] and [Frenzied Charge], accelerated rapidly.

“([Heavy Thrust]!)”

As I fell, I thrust the crimson spear at one of the heads. 

The head that couldn’t keep up with my sudden acceleration was impaled through its unguarded head. After a brief scream, the head fell to the ground and ceased moving.

“““Vijaaah!”””

“Whoa!”

The Hydra, having recognized me as a genuine threat rather than just a tenacious Grand Beast, suddenly launched a fierce assault. 

Including the two heads that had been exclusively spitting poison due to their injuries, four heads went wild, baring their fangs.

Of course, I had anticipated a counterattack. I used [Skills] to dodge and calmly managed the attacks. 

The situation was the same as when I first closed in, but now I had more leeway. The factors were that I had become accustomed to the Hydra’s movements and that half of the heads were slowed down by injuries.

“([Compact Slash]!)”

I now had the leeway to retaliate while dodging. 

The slashes were enhanced by [Consecutive Hits] and [Cross Counter]. They easily sliced through the Hydra’s scales, causing it to scream in pain.

“(But it’s still not a decisive blow.)”

Although I was managing to outmaneuver it, this wouldn’t last forever. My stamina might run out, or the Hydra might adapt to my movements. Moreover, if I took too much time, the injuries I inflicted might heal.

The Hydra has not only strong poison but also high recovery abilities. This is due to [Venomous Life], an advanced version of [Self-Regeneration], meaning it could quickly heal unless attacked with burning attacks like explosive arrows or the regeneration-inhibiting crimson spear.

While contemplating this, I continued to inflict wounds. 

I jumped slightly higher than before. And as the Hydra’s jaws closed in on me at a fierce speed, just before getting bitten,

“(Hmph!)”

I poured all my strength into transforming my body into a ring shape. 

The Hydra’s heads couldn’t stop or change direction in time and passed through the opening I created in the middle. 

Immediately, I contracted my body and wrapped around its neck like a noose.

“Hyuuaaa!”

“(No Retreat! I’m not falling off that easily!)”

To shake me off, the Hydra’s heads thrashed side to side and front to back. I was jostled and slammed into the ground.

However, I didn’t move an inch from my wrapped position. My fit was astonishingly perfect.

If I stayed still for too long, the other heads might start spitting poison, so I quickly began attacking once I had adjusted to the shaking.

“(Take this… no, am I taking it…? Oh well, [Tear Off]!)”

I mimicked several crimson spears inside my body, aligning them to resemble fangs and thrusting them.

“Byoshuaaa!?”

A loud scream echoed, and the Hydra’s movements became even more intense. 

Bracing myself to avoid being thrown off, I repeatedly thrust the spears. The head I was wrapped around thrashed violently but couldn’t counteract.

The other heads tried to provide support. But due to the intense pain, they were flailing their heads without being able to help.

Covered in the bl00d spilling from the head, I was becoming mildly poisoned. But I continued to bite persistently.

Finally, after the tenth [Tear Off], the head stopped moving. I had succeeded in finishing it off.

“(Hah, hah, that’s two down…)”

With the Hydra’s head partially bitten through and its movements stopped, the remaining heads rushed toward me. I quickly used [Jump].

I watched the bl00d that had been blocked by my body gush out as I landed on the ground.

The poison had worsened, but I only experienced gradual |Life| reduction and a slight drop in |Stats|.

On the other hand, the Hydra’s fighting force was down by forty percent.

This fight is winnable! I’ll take down the remaining three heads all at once!

“(…Huh?)”

The remaining three heads seemed to lose their strength.

Unlike the two heads that had already lost their strength, these three were desperately trying to move. But they only crawled on the ground like worms, lacking their previous imposing presence.

W-What happened? Are they pretending to be dead…?

“(No, think calmly)”

The head had been impaled and half bitten off.

For a normal creature, that would mean instant death. No matter how many heads it has, it would die from bl00d loss.

With the enormous |Life| of a Sovereign Beast, it might survive in such a state for a while. But it didn’t seem to have the vitality to engage in combat.

“(I don’t get it…)”

―――Non-Notification Information Recording Zone―――――――――――――

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>> Fuwa Katsu {Jewel Armory Slime} has acquired the [Skill: Precision Shooting]. [Sniping] will be integrated.

>> [Skill: Poisoned Hand] has been acquired.

>> Fuwa Katsu {Jewel Armory Slime}’s Soul Accumulation Level has increased to 111.

>> {Evolution} has become possible.

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With a slightly unsettled feeling of incomplete understanding, I experienced the sensation of <Leveling Up>.