Tough Fight

Yet another group of Red Caps appeared, but this time there were magic users present, along with a boss-like figure—a giant Red Cap. It was as tall as an orc, standing twice Liora's height.

I had read that Red Caps were supposed to be small... Well, we have no choice but to fight.

As usual, Samurai initiated with a tentacle attack. In response, the Big Cap slammed its axe down, cutting the tentacle in half and spraying blood.

'――Mu'

Samurai, looking irritated, sent her left-hand tentacle towards the Big Cap.

"[Gift of Venom]! Liora!"

"[Deathly Slash]!"

Using the platform I created with [Darkness Creation], Liora quickly positioned herself above the Big Cap. She imbued her blade with a dense aura of death and swung it in a bisecting arc.

At that moment, a magic spell from a Red Cap mage exploded, striking the unguarded Liora directly and sending her frail body flying. The Big Cap, now free from paralysis, stepped forward, causing cracks to spread across the ground.

'――!'

Samurai tried to bind it with her tentacles again, but the Big Cap tore through them and slammed its axe into the airborne Liora. A thunderous crash followed. I hurriedly created a [Darkness Creation] shield, but it wasn't enough. The shield shattered, and the axe struck Liora's abdomen directly.

"――Gah"

Her abdomen was deeply cut, and she hit the ground with her back. Despite spewing blood, Liora quickly stood up and dodged the next strike. Red Caps and magic users charged at the retreating Liora.

The Big Cap was still attacking Samurai, who was now slammed against the wall. It swung its axe at her again and again, aiming for a home run strike to the abdomen. With her high HP and Regen, Samurai should be able to hold out for a minute.

"I'll support you, Liora. [Dark Ball]!"

"Please heal me."

I fired off five [Dark Ball] spells. The dark balls, with their speed minimized, floated slowly in the air, perfect for creating a barrier.

Liora held her abdomen, trying to control her rough breathing. Her HP was already 90% restored.

"We underestimated them, didn't we?"

"I-I'm sorry, God!"

"No, the one who underestimated them was me, Liora. It was my job to block that magic."

"God, it's not your fault!"

"If that's the case, then Liora isn't at fault either. Let's blame the enemy."

"Yes, God!"

Her HP was fully restored. However, the maze-like structure of this dungeon is disadvantageous for Liora. Her highest stat is agility, and she excels in speed-based combat. But in these narrow corridors, her speed is less effective. Her scythe also seems difficult to wield.

Frankly, Liora is a self-healing tank with speed-based frontline critical attack capabilities and high magic attack power... a rather incomprehensible development plan. A person with high game comprehension would avoid such stats. It's good that the scythe weapon matches her stats. Well, it doesn't matter.

"Liora, we'll break through in one strike—activate [Soul Devourer]."

"[Deathly Shadow], release—[Soul Devourer] full purge!"

The characteristic of the scythe [Deathly Shadow] is that it collects the souls of killed targets. The life gathered as Life Stock now fills the [Deathly Shadow]. A giant dark blade enveloped the scythe. An enormous, intangible blade. The little reaper girl held the scythe at her waist.

"[Deathly Slash]!"

With a single sweep, the Red Caps within a few meters had their heads separated from their bodies. The small fry were wiped out. The delayed shockwave blew the corpses away, clearing the path to the Big Cap.

"I'll finish this!"

Liora's shout caught the attention of the Big Cap, who had been tormenting Samurai. In the moment it looked towards Liora, Samurai entangled it with her tentacles. Movement stopped for a moment. For Liora, a moment is—the time to deliver a fatal blow. With her immense agility, she closed the distance to the Big Cap.

'Gyaa gyaa gyaa!'

The Big Cap swung its axe in a trajectory that would split Liora's head. I stepped in to counter it.

"[Darkness Creation]—no room for mistakes."

I created dark wires, attaching them to the ceiling and connecting them to Liora. I pulled Liora up quickly with the wires. Liora's position changed slightly. The axe, which would have struck her head, hit where she had been moments before. But now, she wasn't there.

"[Deathly Slash]!"

The HP she recovered with [HP Auto-Recovery] and [Regen] was converted into power for her Deathly Slash. Aiming for the neck, in a straight line. Swissh---! The attack, enhanced with [Head Hunt] and [Weak Point Attack], cleanly decapitated the Big Cap. Blood sprayed over Liora as she landed, but Samurai shielded her with her mimicry.

[Zephyr leveled up]

[Zephyr's Dark Magic leveled up]

[Zephyr's Create Dark leveled up]

[Zephyr's HP Auto-Recovery leveled up]

[Zephyr's MP Auto-Recovery leveled up]

[Zephyr's Appraisal leveled up]

[Liora leveled up]

[Liora's Scythe Technique leveled up]

[Liora's Farming Skill leveled up]

[Liora's Dark Magic leveled up]

[Liora's Head Hunt leveled up]

[Liora's Tame leveled up]

[Samurai leveled up]

[Samurai's Mimicry leveled up]

[Samurai's Ambush leveled up]

[Samurai's Restraint leveled up]

Hearing the victory announcement, we finally relaxed.

Looking down, we saw a drop item. It was a long, long—staff.

"A rare drop, but it is a… magic item?"

"What a shame."

"Nonetheless, it's a victory, Liora!"

"Yes!" Liora raised her scythe high and cheered, matching my vibe.

She passed the vibe check.