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 106: Chaos Beast

Episode 106: Chaos Beast

“(What the—!?)”

After defeating all the Sovereign Beasts, I saw a massive black root rising into the sky from the middle of the mountain. The man from the Demon Cult was impaled by this root, falling and rolling down the mountainside. Even from a distance, it was clear that he had sustained a fatal wound, triggering unpleasant memories in me.

A destroyed village. The corpse of a Slime. Abandoned weapons. Smoldering smoke. The corpses of adventurers. And that bloated red monster whose life I had to end with my own hands.

“(A Chaos Beast…!)”

Before I knew it, I was already running. Hate and impatience mixed, urging me on at full speed. But it was too far away—it would take time to reach it. In my sights, the black roots were skewering the surrounding beasts.

Damn it, why did it suddenly appear? Is it the Demon Cult’s trump card? But if that’s the case, then why was that man killed…? No, I can’t piece it together!

“(Fisu is… good, she’s safe.)”

I spotted her escaping from the storm of roots. She was bouncing around like a pinball from rock to rock, fleeing. She’d soon be out of the Chaos Beast’s range. Her speed was astonishing, even faster than the Sovereign Beasts.

“(Was she always that fast…? No, more importantly—)”

I got into a battle stance. If the Grand Beasts are wiped out, Fisu might be chased down. And in any case, I can’t let this Chaos Beast roam free.

“(Look over here, [Challenge]! [Shoot], Double!)”

I shot two explosive arrows at high speed and transmitted a [Communication] to Fisu.

“I’m going to fight the Chaos Beast! You stay hidden and don’t get caught up in this!”

As she fled, the girl nodded, and I turned my focus back to the root monster. The Chaos Beast was hit by the explosive arrows. Except for the black roots crawling all over its body, its appearance resembled the tree beast I had once fought, a Treant.

Its bark was white, similar to a birch tree, but its trunk was thick and branched multiple times along the way. At the tips of these branches, there were no leaves—only sharp points resembling the tips of spears. It stood over twenty meters tall, with a wide vertical split near the center, likely the Treant’s mouth.

(Note:

Here is an image of Birch Trees. Something to boost your imagination)

From this mouth extended numerous black roots. They entwined the Treant like vines and pierced the surrounding beasts. It seemed to have killed them all, discarding the beasts from the black roots. The falling corpses were impaled by the Treant’s own white roots.

“Gigigigi.”

“(What…?)”

The roots impaling the corpses suddenly snapped—just like that, cleanly. Naturally, the corpses fell to the ground… and then stood up straight. With hollow eyes, they stared at me and began to run down the mountain.

“(A [Skill] to manipulate corpses?)”

I guessed that the white roots were the key. At that moment, the [Dominion] of the Treant and I clashed. A shockwave was generated, sending the beast corpses flying. Since they were Grand Beasts, they didn’t fall but lost their footing. Taking advantage of the opening, I rushed in, slashing them into mincemeat as I passed. The more than twenty corpses were wiped out in one fell swoop.

“Gigigigi.”

Then, the Treant fired light projectiles from the tips of its branches. It seemed to time its attack with my collision with the group of corpses. Unfortunately, such attacks wouldn’t slow me down. A barrage of white light projectiles was unleashed. But with no interference, dodging them was easy.

“(Alright, no problem even if I get hit.)”

I avoided most of them but intentionally took one. No abnormalities in my body. Neither my |Life| nor |Mana| was reduced. If necessary, I could take the hits without worry.

“(Take this, Explosive Stone Shot, [Heavy Shoot]!)”

I fired three explosive stone rounds followed by two mana-draining arrows. Parallel use of bows and cannons was difficult even with [Multi-Sword Style], but [Trajectory Prediction] made it possible to fire five projectiles simultaneously. Five projectiles flew on nearly the same trajectory, their timing slightly staggered. It was too close to dodge after seeing them.

The Treant quickly moved its branches for defense, but they could only block three explosive stone rounds. The mana-draining arrows following behind pierced the trunk.

“Gigigigi.”

The mana-draining arrows sapped its |Mana|, diverting its attention. Yet, the Treant acted as if nothing had pierced it, showing no sign of being affected.

“(Fine then, get your |Mana| drained! [Whip], double!)”

I swung two red whips, inflicting deep cuts on the trunk. The Treant was indifferent to the wounds as it closed in—the white roots moved like legs. It stretched out its white branches and Chaos Beast roots like spears. I slipped through the gaps with [Instant Shift], slashing it with my [Weapon Skills] as I passed by.

A deep gash was carved, and black sap gushed out.

“(Is that branch absorbing life force…?)”

As soon as I evaded the branches that came at me from behind, I continued my assault while glancing at the ground where the branches had struck. Due to the effect of the Treant’s [Territory], twisted black plants were sprouting around here. However, as soon as the branches pierced the ground, the surrounding plants withered instantly, within a meter or so.

If it’s merely spreading an effect that causes withering, it’s not too much of a concern, but if it’s recovering |Life| or |Mana|, that would be troublesome. Judging by how the wounds I initially inflicted were healing rapidly, it’s likely the latter.

“(I’d like to seize control of the area for now… Damn it, this thing’s [Territory] is annoyingly sticky!)”

It’s clinging on like tar, and even with my ‘Domination’, it’s hard to push back. Although I’m at an advantage, it will take time to completely seize control.

“(Guess I’ve got no choice; I’ll have to force my way through.)”

I jumped back a step to avoid the branches and the Chaos Beast’s roots. Then, I retrieved an alloy staff from my [Weapon Storage].

“([Thousand Blade Genesis])”

Numerous metallic blades exploded, slashing at the Treant’s entire body. Each wound was shallow and would probably heal quickly, but the purpose of this was to build up the count for [Storm Strike].

“([Charge Thrust], Double)”

I closed the distance in an instant, slashing twice toward the area beneath its mouth. The dual slashes from the halberds hit at the same height, creating a cut from both sides.

“Gigigigi.”

“[Instant Shift], [Heavy Slash]”

The Treant sprouted branches from its trunk to attack me at close range. These branches, protruding from the raised bark, were nothing more than footholds for me to accelerate with [Instant Shift]. I accelerated with a burst of speed and swung the halberd on my right. Running past the Treant, I slashed the wound I had just inflicted with pinpoint accuracy, deepening the injury that was in the midst of healing.

“([Sla— !)”

“Gigigigi.”

As I was about to deliver a follow-up attack, I sensed vibrations in the ground and retreated. The spot where I had just been standing was pierced by a root. Not one of the Chaos Beast black roots, but a white root from the Treant itself.

“(I see now.)”

Seeing that strike, I understood. Or rather, I ‘experienced’ it firsthand. The root spear had just grazed me. When touched by the root, I felt a sense of weakness. It was a sensation I was familiar with. It was the same as when I was touched by the Skeletons I fought earlier. Though this time, not just |Life| but also |Mana| was being drained.

With this much information, it’s clear. Those roots and branches absorb energy from the opponent they touch. This was likely one of the measures the Demon Cult’s man had prepared to surpass my |Toughness|. 

Since I’m being targeted from below as well, close combat seems risky. 

“(In that case, I’ll just have to change my tactics.)”

I took another step back, dodging the branches raining down with a sideways leap and mimicking two heat ray eyeballs. I charged them with |Mana| while slashing and evading attacks. After a short while, the charge was complete.

“([Wave Slash], double)”

As I shot the |Mana|-infused slashes, the ground burst open, and the white roots expanded to form a wall. It seems it was cautious, expecting a big move since I was gathering |Mana| while being on the defensive. But it seemed to have become overly sensitive.

“([Frenzied Charge]!)”

I circled around to the Treant’s side, which had put up its full defense against a simple trick. I had a clear shot. The Treant extended its branches to attack me, but before it could reach me—

“([Charge Thrust])”

I fiercely charged forward. If it were an opponent of similar stature, advancing would only make me an easy target. But the Treant’s branches were much higher than me, meaning its attacks naturally came from above. Thus, just by moving forward, its attacks would miss me. Thrusting the halberd and charging ahead, I reached the trunk without any hindrance. Without delay, I unleashed my trump card.

“(Heat Ray, fire!)”

A blinding flash erupted. The two beams of heat burned through the wounds I had slashed open. They quickly sliced through the thick trunk that was in the midst of regeneration from both sides. Dodging the white roots thrust upward and avoiding the barrage of light projectiles pouring down, I slashed through the branches aiming to skewer me while keeping the beams steady on target.

I continued to shave off the trunk. And just as I was about to deliver the final blow, the heat rays ceased. At that moment,

“([Instant Shift], [Jump], [Heavy Swing]!)”

Putting all my strength into it, I swung the forest hammer with full force. The target was slightly above the cut I had made earlier. The Treant, hanging by what seemed like just a single layer of bark, couldn’t possibly withstand this. With a cracking sound, its body began to tilt.