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 104: One to Many 2

Episode 104: One to Many 2

Half of my purpose for coming to this mine is to defeat the Sovereign Beasts, but the other half is to collect magical minerals. 

It was worth the time spent, and I was able to acquire many useful minerals, including Mana Crystals and high-purity Explosion Stones. 

However, while collecting a large amount of minerals, a problem arose: the [Weapon Storage] was becoming overloaded. Not only were the mountain of magical minerals taking up space, but the materials from the Sovereign Beasts were also consuming a significant amount of capacity. Even with the space-expanding pouch I received from Paula, I was starting to see its limits.

Therefore, after defeating the “Earth Splitter”, I organized the [Weapon Storage]. I sorted the minerals obtained from the Lesser beasts and Greater Beasts, but it seemed a waste to simply discard them. 

I wondered if there was a way to utilize them and came up with the idea of processing them into [Thousand Blade Genesis] ammunition. I compressed the unused magical minerals into several metal rods. The [Weapon Storage] consumes space based on the volume of stored items, not their mass. So, the metal rods, which were compressed to their limits, took up less space than before. 

Well, the space I cleared out was almost filled again with the debris of the previous mechanical deity, but that’s fine for now.

“([Thousand Blade Genesis]!)”

I had infused the metal rods with |Mana| up to the brink of activating [Thousand Blade Genesis]. I poured the last drop of |Mana| into them. Immediately, blades of various colors and textures of metal were scattered in all directions. 

No, it wasn’t a mere scattering. It was more like a balloon bursting, a bomb exploding, or a volcano erupting. The dispersion was as rapid and intense as the name “Genesis” suggested.

“(But they all have some kind of defensive technique. This is how it should be.)”

The Skeleton used large tombstones as shields, the Shadow Beast rolled into the Skeleton to share the tombstone shield, and the Dragon greeted with simple fiery breaths. They all had their own ways of protecting themselves, but it seems they weren’t left completely unharmed. The tombstones were destroyed, the Skeleton and the Shadow Beast behind them were slashed, and the Dragon’s breath couldn’t deflect all the metal blades, leaving wounds on its limbs.

“(It was worth turning the ammunition into metal!)”

The speed of the blades scattered by [Thousand Blade Genesis] isn’t influenced by the weight of the material. Therefore, the heavier and harder the material, the greater the power of this [Skill]. It was fast and sharp enough to be a powerful strike against the Sovereign Beasts even when using wood. 

Now that it’s changed to metal, its power is to be expected.

“(It’s far from a fatal wound, but then I’ll just follow up. [Thousand Blade Genesis]!)”

I quickly detonated the next round. The Sovereign Beasts, whose defenses were stripped away by the first shot, tried to endure by raising their wings or arms. However, the metal blades, significantly enhanced by [Storm Strike], inflicted deeper wounds than before. The Sovereign Beasts were losing their balance, and their once-smooth coordination showed minor cracks.

“([Aerial Jump]! First up, you, Dragon!)”

The Skeleton and Shadow Beast were clustered in one spot, and the Dragon was relatively isolated. I aimed to land a decisive blow before they could come to aid.

“(Imitation Release, [Replicant Form]!)”

I imitated weapons suitable for fighting the Dragon. I changed the two forest chains in front to poison whips. The weapons on the left side became a poison sword and a forest turtle halberd, while the right side was altered to a poison spear and a second poison sword.

“Graaaah!”

“([Whip], Double!)”

I evaded the Dragon’s slashing wave from its claws with a shape shift and swung the long-range poison whip. The sound of the poison whip tearing through the air echoed, and the Hydra’s fangs at the whip’s tip gouged the Dragon’s arm. The giant Dragon roared in pain, stepping forward in anger and swinging its uninjured arm diagonally.

“Gyaaurah!”

“(Too slow! [Aerial Jump], [Impact], [Compact Slash], Double!)”

I kicked off into the air to dodge and aimed downward. Naturally, [Instant Shift] was activated for the evasive action, and I slashed the approaching arm with two poison swords. The damage was deeper due to the added effect of [Cross Counter] compared to a whip strike.

“([Replicant Form], Eject Stones!)”

I imitated four ejector stone cannons in front of my body and immediately infused them with |Mana| and fired. However, despite the ejected stones pushing it back, the Dragon continued to advance and bared its fangs. 

I deliberately took a step back and

“([Thunder Strike]!)”

“Gyuuoo!?”

I unleashed a lightning strike. Exposing its unprotected mouth to the electric shock, the Dragon’s eyes turned white and black. The lightning strike is less powerful than arrows or eject stones, but its responsiveness is top-notch, a result of the increased proficiency of [Unique Skill] through constant use. It will be exceptionally effective as a deterrent against non-earth-type magical beasts.

“([Frenzied Charge], [Charge Thrust], Quadruple Quadruple!)”

“Grwoooaah!?”

At the moment of hesitation, I charged. I thrust all four weapons into them. Although I couldn’t gain much speed due to the short run-up, the various [Skills] I used ensured the power was more than sufficient. The four weapons pierced the scales and shredded the flesh.

“Gu, urgh…”

The Dragon groaned, vomiting bl00d. I immediately released the imitation, withdrew the weapons, and jumped sideways.

“(Time’s up.)”

Immediately after, a vast number of arms surged toward the place where I had been standing. The arid land was being eroded by the Sovereign Beast’s grip strength.

“([Compact Shoot].)”

I fired a magic-draining arrow from the poison bow. I infused |Mana| into the bow and applied Poison to the arrow, not forgetting this step. Although I hadn’t had a chance to use it before, the poison bow has this effect as well. The Skeleton caught the mana-draining arrow with its crossed arms. The arrow began to absorb |Mana|, but was quickly pulled out and discarded.

“(So Poison doesn’t affect it.)”

Judging by the Skeleton’s lack of visible distress, I concluded this. Even though there is flesh on the arms, most of the body is skeletal. It’s not surprising if Poison doesn’t work.

With this information in mind, I turned my attention to the other approaching Sovereign Beast. The Shadow Beast, which had been watching from the rear, was now charging towards me.

“Kekekekeke.”

“(I definitely don’t want to take your hits. [Thunder Strike], [Whip]!)”

I fired lightning at the Shadow Beast’s right leg while retreating to redirect its path. I then swung the whip. The poison whip struck the shadow’s side, scattering bits of shadow flesh. The scattered pieces dissolved into the air. 

There was no particular sign of hesitation, but it seemed the damage was definitely inflicted. The Shadow Beast was swinging its arms while keeping its attention on the second poison whip, likely trying to dodge or break it with its great strength.

Well, the real threat now is the poison whip I had just swung.

“([Strangle]!)”

The poison whip, now with diminished speed, suddenly coiled around the Shadow Beast’s neck with the force of a fierce snake. I immediately used [Instant Shift], swiftly passing by the Shadow Beast’s side. Since the Shadow Beast’s |Speed| is average, it couldn’t react quickly enough to my high-speed evasion and was unable to stop moving.

As a result, the force from the strangling poison whip pushed backward. The Shadow Beast reached out to tear the whip apart, but was too late, causing it to lose its balance and be pulled by the neck.

“([Throwing]!)”

I slammed the floating Shadow Beast down hard onto the ground. Combined with the strangulation, it was a significantly painful strike. However, the Shadow Beast melted into the ground, minimizing the damage.

Oh, right, the Shadow Beast has a [Skill] that allows it to become a shadow. Whether it was completely unharmed or just partially damaged isn’t clear from the outside.

“([Compact Slash]… Oh, it hits!)”

Seeing the shadow start to move back toward the Skeleton, I swung the halberd and the right poison sword to prevent its escape. Honestly, it was a desperate move, but the poison sword severed the right thigh. The severed part stopped moving on the spot and returned to its tangible form before dissolving away.

“(Hmm, so shadow form isn’t an invincible [Skill].)”

The Shadow Beast, which materialized next to the Skeleton and Dragon, had its right leg cut off halfway. It’s definitely from the poison sword.

Well, it seems that the Poison wasn’t effective against it. It might have been due to the shadow form, but I had also pierced the neck with the whip’s tip when I strangled it. If the poison doesn’t work now, it might be a matter of inherent resistance.

“(In the end, Poison only worked on the Dragon. Truly a Sovereign Beast.)”

I looked at the three Sovereign Beasts who had regrouped. They seemed extremely cautious, staying together and not moving. Since the Dragon was affected by Poison, time was on my side, but—

“(—I’m worried about Fisu too. [Storm Strike] is charged, and I can see a path to victory. I’ll hunt them down at full speed!)”

Renewing my resolve, I ran towards them.