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 132: Earth Dragon 2

Episode 132: Earth Dragon 2

A thousand years ago, the greatest reason the Great Sage and his Mecha Gods gave up on defeating the Earth Dragon was its extraordinary regeneration ability. No matter how many times they severed its heads, its near-immortal nature made it impossible to kill, causing even the Great Sage immense frustration.

“(What a troublesome ability.)”

A regenerating serpent—this reminds me of the Hydra I fought in the past. Come to think of it, that creature’s heads might have been able to regenerate too. Though I didn’t realize it at the time because I used a spear that blocked healing. Unfortunately, I can’t use that spear now—it’s too weak against Sovereign Beasts. It was a human weapon, too small and made from Grand Beast materials, making it far inferior.

“(Well, even without the anti-healing effect, if I can sever both heads simultaneously, it should die. And even if it doesn’t, losing its thinking capability will turn it into a punching bag. Although for now—whoa, this must be ‘Domination’.)”

While reviewing my strategy and assessing the Earth Dragon’s movements, I suddenly feel the weight of its [Dominion] increase drastically. It seems to be using the Additional Effect of ‘Domination’. Up until now, it probably hadn’t activated that power because the fight started abruptly. But realizing it can’t take me down so easily, it’s now putting in serious effort.

“(This is going to be a problem.)”

My [Glittering Factory] currently covers the entire hollow space, while the Earth Dragon’s [Dominion] has been a small, localized effect surrounding its body. But now, its range is gradually expanding. Eventually, it stops growing, but it’s clear that the creature is trying to assert control.

““SHASHA……?””

“(But I’ve already prepared for this.)”

The weakness of barrier magic is its susceptibility to spatial interference, or in other words, to [Dominion]. The battlefield, isolated by [Area Isolation], can be dispelled if exposed to the Earth Dragon’s [Dominion] for too long. That’s why I need to win while keeping it trapped inside my [Glittering Factory]. Before the battle began, I had Paula cast [Area Edit: Reinforce], a support buff that strengthens control, much like the effect of ‘Domination’. Thanks to that, I have an overwhelming advantage in this [Dominion] showdown.

““GISHASHA!””

“(If you’re going to come closer, that makes things easier for me. [Sparkle Pluto]!)”

Perhaps realizing it can’t win the [Dominion] battle, the Earth Dragon suddenly charges. I fire a barrage of magic bullets in response. As before, it launches rocks to counter. But having learned from earlier exchanges, it knows that won’t be enough. Just before the first shot lands, the creature dives into the Mana Crystal ground. The sudden descent causes many of the leading bullets to miss, while the rest barely manage to adjust their trajectories. However, they can’t quite keep up with the Earth Dragon as it swims freely through the crystal sea.

“(Of course, it would use its full earth-phase ability when there’s nowhere to hide. Well, at least it didn’t escape.)”

The [Area Isolation] forms a spherical barrier, so even if the Earth Dragon is underground, it can’t flee easily. But I want to avoid the barrier making contact with the [Dominion], which is why all the Mana Crystals on the ground are left unstored. I float into the air to avoid a sudden underground ambush, and the Earth Dragon surfaces near the ground again.

““SHIIAA!””

“(Huh, cautious now, are you?)”

Instead of attacking directly, it shatters crystals, turning them into hundreds of sharp, bullet-like shards. These shards spin rapidly and are launched at me at hurricane speeds. At the same time, gravity increases around me, seemingly an attempt to slow me down while lengthening the time it takes me to absorb the crystal projectiles. The Earth Dragon’s true aim seems to be a finishing blow with its tail.

“(It’s decently thought out, I’ll give it that.)”

I ignore the incoming attacks and observe the creature’s movements closely. The crystal shards hit my body, but they don’t even leave a scratch. Instead, they slide off smoothly. Then comes the tail strike, the Earth Dragon’s massive tail tipped with a sharp blade resembling a polished stone tool, swinging with full force to cleave me in half. The centrifugal force of its long body makes the tip’s speed far surpass the speed of sound.

“”JAAH!!””

Dodging in this intense gravity might be exhausting, and I still need to prepare my counterattack. So, I decide to take the hit on purpose. The blade slams into my body—

“”SHAaa…!?””

—but fails to cut through, sliding off my surface. The reason is simple: my body is almost a perfect sphere and incredibly smooth. So unless the blade strikes me at a perfect vertical angle, it just slips away. While not a true sphere, nor completely frictionless, the impact is minor enough for my |Toughness| to absorb.

The Earth Dragon, having missed its big attack, now leaves itself wide open.

“(Here’s my chance—Activate!)”

I concentrate all the |Mana| I can muster into one point on my body, channeling it into an artifact. While enduring the barrage of crystal shards, I have used [Update] to process and craft my top-tier |Mana Crystal| into a weapon.

“(Blade Extend, [Compact Thrust]!)”

A pillar of light appeared.

The pillar pierced through the exposed torso of the Earth Dragon. The basic structure of this artifact was similar to the “extending sword” that Tanasis had once crafted for me. However, the shape of the blade was less of a sword and more like a spear—or more precisely, a harpoon. The blade had been removed, concentrating its sharpness solely at the tip. With the added boost from [Storm Strike], it could easily pierce even the rock-like scales of the Earth Dragon. It was as if they were nothing more than thin paper.

“”GII, SHUAA!””

“([Super Jump], [On the Edge of the Ring], take this!)”

Using my [Skill] to brace myself in midair, I swung the harpoon with all my might. The crystal ground shattered with a loud, grating sound, and the massive body of the Earth Dragon was lifted off the ground. The harpoon had barbed edges, so there was no risk of it slipping out. I maintained the momentum. And just as the Earth Dragon rose to the same height as me, I made the harpoon disappear.

Now freed from the harpoon, the Earth Dragon spun through the air. It was unable to track me with its vision, and the gravity-enhancing effect it had been using dissipated.

“(Finally, I’ve gotten it to this point.)”

One of the strategies scholars had identified as a potential way to defeat the Earth Dragon was aerial combat. In the air, I could ignore the troublesome ability to phase through the ground, and its mobility would be drastically reduced. The biggest challenge had always been how to launch a massive Calamity Beast like the Earth Dragon into the air—but now that I had solved that problem, all that was left was to finish it off.

“(Taking it down while it’s suspended in midair might be another challenge, but… there’s no choice but to do it. [Replicant Form]!)”

Using the [Update] to modify my body gives me great flexibility, but it’s hard to add special effects because I can’t replicate minerals. However, if I have an artifact made from a complex combination of minerals prepared beforehand. Copying it with [Replicant Form] results in superior performance.

With that in mind, I mimicked a radiant, crimson artifact. I formed three pairs of six wings, aligning them like the wings of a seraphim on either side of me.

“([Sparkle Pluto] + [Heavy Shoot], Sixfold)!”

I unleashed one of my trump cards.