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 131: Earth Dragon

Episode 131: Earth Dragon 

The {Possible Evolution} changes based on one’s experience and [Skills]. I had a sense of this ever since I {Evolved} into a Weapon Slime. So, when I saw that this species was added to my {Possible Evolution} after arriving in this country, I wasn’t particularly surprised. However, I was startled by the description.

It stated that the entire body possesses properties similar to those of the highest-grade Mana Crystals. After {Evolving}, I discovered the immense |Mana| capacity, and the claim that it was “unrivaled even among Calamity Beasts” was no exaggeration—it was truly on a different scale. Even my previously unbeatable |Toughness| was now surpassed.

“(Well, that’s not the true essence of this species, though.)”

““SHURORORO!””  

The Earth Dragon, which had taken some distance earlier, approaches once again. It looks like a cross between a snake and an eastern dragon. Its long, thick body, like a tunnel, is protected by rough scales resembling rock. At the ends of its eight legs are sharp claws. The scales around its neck are a dark red. And where the color changes, the neck splits into two, leading to two separate heads. The heads resemble those of a snake, but with rows of vicious fangs and twisted horns growing from the sides, giving them a dragon-like appearance. Thin whiskers also grow just above their mouths.

“(Aside from the initial strike, no other injuries. So, even while sealed, it seems to recover its wounds and |Mana|.)”

With my assessment of the Earth Dragon’s condition complete, I finished preparing my attack. Floating into the air, I forcefully release a tremendous amount of |Mana|.

“([Sparkle Pluto], [Lock-On Aim].)”

From my entire body, I scatter semi-transparent magical bullets like fireworks. Some fly straight, while others curve in a parabolic arc, all heading toward the Earth Dragon.

“”SHASHAaa!””  

“(Well, that’s expected.)”

The Earth Dragon counters the countless |Mana| beams by launching rock projectiles using a [Skill]. Most of my beams collide with the rocks, exploding at the midway point between us. While the few that manage to slip through are evaded by the Earth Dragon’s swift and unpredictable movements, falling to the ground.

Each |Mana| bullet, filled to the brim with power, had enough force to shake the earth with every impact. But such tremors wouldn’t stop the Earth Dragon.

“(If that didn’t work, time to change tactics. [Update].)”

I use my new [Skill]. With its effect, my body begins to transform—essentially, it’s being modified. Though it’s hard to tell from the outside since it’s all in a lemon-yellow color, if one looked closely, they’d notice the shimmering scenery shifting around me. The changes are swift, and without delay, I launch my next attack.

“(Here’s another one: [Sparkle Pluto].)”

Like before, I fire |Mana| beams. The Earth Dragon once again tries to counter with rock projectiles, but this time the result is different.

‘“GISHAAA!?””

This time, the magical bullets pierce through the rocks without exploding, striking the Earth Dragon directly. Some of the bullets also curve around the rocks, avoiding collision, and pierce the creature’s main body directly. The Earth Dragon writhes in pain, rolling across the ground—or rather, across the surface of a crystal. The ground had already transformed entirely into a Mana Crystal field.

“(Even with [Storm Strike], the damage is shallow… maybe skipping the explosions was overkill?)”

The modification I made with [Update] was to improve my |Mana| projectile’s firing mechanism. My body is not only a mass of Mana Crystals but also a collection of artifacts. My ability to float comes from this nature, and the same applies to my |Mana| cannon. 

My magic bullets are normally designed to explode to maximize damage. But in the previous attack, that had backfired. So this time, I removed the explosion component, focusing all the energy on penetration. While the raw killing power was reduced, the damage was still substantial. 

The Earth Dragon, now rolling toward me, presented an unguarded form beneath me—

“(—No, wait, that’s not it.)”

“GISHUAA!”

With a cry from one of its heads, an overwhelming pressure suddenly hit me in the air. My altitude plummeted, and the Earth Dragon below surged toward me.

“(This must be that rumored [Skill: Heavy Stone Serpent’s Evil Eye].)”

Recalling the skill that dramatically increases gravity on any target in sight, I prepare to counter. The Earth Dragon manipulates the crystals on the ground using a [Skill], forming three massive spears that shoot up like spires. Even for a Sovereign Beast, taking a direct hit from this attack would be fatal.

“(A bad move against me, though. Fill Up, [Yin and Yang Wisdom].)”

Just before the spears reach me, they vanish into thin air. They were stored away in a different dimension. Unlike the [Weapon Storage] skill, [Yin and Yang Wisdom] can activate without physical contact.

“([Super Jump], [Explosive Charge], [Replicant Form].)”

In the brief moment of confusion caused by the sudden disappearance of the spears, I take off at full speed. The increased gravity actually helps me when jumping downward. It takes less than a blink of an eye to close the distance.

“([Divine Staff], [Compact Swing].)”

What I mimicked was the forest hammer, which ignores defense. The impact, enhanced twofold by the [Divine Staff]’s fall damage reversal, strikes one of the Earth Dragon’s heads. The overwhelming blow slams the head into the ground, causing radial cracks in the crystal. Its horn shatters, its skull cracks, and a mixture of bl00d and brain matter splatters everywhere. Most would declare it dead on the spot.

“([Replicant Form] Off, [Strangle].)”

I swiftly move in for a follow-up. I wrap around the crushed neck, sealing any chance of escape, and dig into the flesh further. My body, since becoming The Far-Off Radiance of the Luminous Sapphire Ring, possesses properties equivalent to Mana Crystals. It includes the ability to absorb surrounding |Mana|. Even from this ruined neck, I can still steal its |Mana|.

“([Replicant Form], [Whip]!)”

Though, I may not need to go that far. As I restrain it, I use my body to mimic a saw blade, slashing at the other neck. The whip-like behavior of this weapon makes it faster than a [Slash]. The confused Earth Dragon is about to lose its second head—no, it dodges just in time. It twists its entire body, bending backward like an arch, and narrowly avoids the strike.

“(Well, then let’s try again.)”

But just as I prepare to strike once more, something unexpected happens. The Earth Dragon slips free of my restraints, not through the flexibility of its joints or the slickness of its scales, but through some supernatural phenomenon. Before I know it, it’s sinking into the ground’s crystal surface as if it were diving into water.

“([Challenge], [Bewitching Gleam]. Ah, damn, I got greedy.)”

I knew in advance that it possessed the [Skill: Oxymoron Dragon Boat], allowing it to pass through earth. I had considered the possibility that it could even apply to living beings. Despite this, I wasted focus on restraining it, which was a clear mistake. I should have crushed the other head at all costs.

“(If I had done that, it wouldn’t have regenerated… and I’d have checkmated it.)”

The Earth Dragon, lured out of the ground by my taunting [Skills], glared at me with frustration. The head I thought I had crushed was now fully regenerated.