Chapter 11: Celestial Serpent

"We need a plan before we hunt it down. That guy won't last much longer," said William as he stretched.

"I don't really know, maybe we'll figure something out while we fight," replied Martyn, watching Boris struggle with the serpent.

"I'm not much for improvising, but what the heck, let's do it!" exclaimed William, charging at the serpent. Martyn followed immediately.

[Skills]

[Precise Cuts]

Taking advantage of the serpent being distracted, Martyn attempted several cuts, but none seemed to have any effect.

"Oh, Martyn? Glad you're still alive!" exclaimed Boris upon noticing Martyn, his voice strained with effort.

"Watch out!"

The serpent seized the distraction to strike Boris with its body. The impact sounded like thunder, but instead of a cry of pain, only the metallic sound of a cushioned blow was heard.

"No time for chit-chat, kid," said William, who had rushed to defend Boris, his body completely armored in steel lighting up the battlefield.

"Sorry, it's stronger than I thought," said Boris before launching an attack at the serpent, whose cuts did manage to hurt it.

"Looks like you can hurt it, kid! I don't plan to share the weapon with you," said William, raising one of his arms.

"Quick Forge!"

With that loud shout, William's arm transformed into a hammer, part of Vulcan's blessing.

"The celestial weapon will be mine!" declared William, brutally smashing the serpent's body and crushing several of its scales.

The serpent writhed in pain, thrashing its tail at everyone nearby. Boris, recovering, observed the situation and decided to act.

"Not so fast, Mr. Tank, I can fight too," said Boris with a smile, swinging his katana in various directions without an apparent target.

"Let's cool things down!" exclaimed Boris as he moved away.

A set of clouds formed above everyone, something quite strange since there usually aren't any changes in the preset climate of the breaches.

("It must be some kind of ability, but what's it about?") thought Martyn, who, along with William, tried to keep the serpent at bay.

As if it were lightning, Boris approached the serpent at inhuman speed, his body immersed in a bright light aura.

The serpent, sensing the danger from the boy, quickly tried to devour him with its gigantic mouth.

"Hey, that's disrespectful," but Boris disappeared in front of the serpent, positioning himself behind it to prepare his attack.

"That's a field-type ability. It seems the kid is extremely fast while those clouds are there. Few gods can give a blessing of that attribute," explained William, letting Boris shine.

William's explanation made sense; field-type abilities altered the laws of reality, giving the user an advantage. It takes a lot of power to do something like that.

"I've got you!" shouted Boris, delivering a cut to the serpent which, though precise, didn't do much damage due to his skill, which increased speed but lowered attack power.

The beast, enraged, thrashed its tail towards Boris, but it was stopped by a resounding blow followed by several cuts.

"All that bragging for nothing?" said Martyn, who, along with William, stopped the attack.

(The scales of this monster put me at a disadvantage. Will Analysis work on it?) thought Martyn, activating his skill.

[Skills]

[Analysis]

Quickly, Martyn's eyes could perceive the entire environment, but he decided to focus on the serpent.

[Complete Analysis]

[Celestial Serpent Rank D]

[This type of serpent only appears in luminous caves. Its eyes are vital sources as they are the only part of its body not protected by scales]

"The eyes, huh..." Martyn whispered, focusing on the creature's crimson eyes.

"We can win, but we need to work as a team. Whoever lands the final blow gets the weapon, understood?" said Martyn, having devised a plan based on the information.

Without wasting time, he ran to the opposite side from where they were and then spoke: "I'm going to create an opening, when I say 'now,' attack all at once."

"No other choice, separately no one is at the level of that thing," agreed William, though somewhat begrudgingly, launching himself at the serpent.

Using his quick forge skill, William's left hand transformed into a large shield while he kept the hammer in the other.

"I'm running low on mana, make it quick!" shouted the man, pushing the beast, which defensively thrashed its tail.

"Boris!" shouted Martyn, taking a leap.

"I think I get what you want to do," as if the plan transferred to his mind, Boris held onto Martyn and then quickly moved with him, positioning him in front of the serpent's face.

"Now!"

[Precise Cuts]

Using Boris's enhanced speed, Martyn managed to stab the beast's eyes several times.

"Let's finish this," said Boris, removing the clouds from the field. With his original strength, he delivered a perfect cut to the serpent, creating another opening.

"And now it's my turn," said William, whose body covered in steel transformed both arms into broad swords, directing them at the opening created by Boris.

Displeased by this pressure, the serpent opened its mouth, revealing a great source of light from its body.

"Watch out!" shouted Boris, pulling Martyn away from the spot.

Seconds later, a great ray was launched by the serpent, destroying the beautiful dragon-shaped columns.

(I'm not losing the weapon!) thought Martyn, attacking the serpent again with "Precise Cuts."

Following this, William and Boris attacked alongside Martyn, managing to significantly damage the serpent, which fell to the ground.

[You have defeated a celestial enemy].

[As the monster was created by a human, you will receive no experience].

"Victory!" shouted Boris, excited.

[Test Five: Heavenly Serpent]

[Completed]

[You have received 30 stat points].

[You have received the skill: Steal] 

[You have received the skill: Flow]

"Don't celebrate too soon, but I must admit that was great. How did you know about its eyes?" asked William, returning to normal.

"Ah... I just used my intuition," replied Martyn, somewhat nervous. Really, it was all due to his new skill.

"I see, but let's get to the important part, who gets the baby over there?" said William, pointing to a weapon that formed where the serpent's body should have been.

It radiated a beautiful bright light, its gleaming blade inscribed with different runes, demonstrating its magnificent power.

[Skill]

[Analysis]

[Celestial Sword]

[A legendary weapon with runes that grant divine powers to its bearer. Only those deemed worthy can harness its full potential]

[For more information, level up the skill]

"We all landed the final blow at the same time, but before we decide that, I think we have to deal with some company," said Martyn, looking back. He used his analysis skill and sensed the presence of other hunters hidden among the debris.

"Oops... you found us," a voice came from the rubble, and then they revealed themselves.

Apparently, it was a group of aspirants who had been waiting for the opportunity to steal the weapon. Martyn had been able to sense them earlier thanks to his skill.

"What? They were there the whole time? That's unethical," said William, clearly angry.

"What's the problem, big guy? This is about survival, and you guys already did the work for us," the leader of the aspirants spoke, drawing their weapons. It seemed they had no good intentions.