Chapter 47: Slaying The Monster

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Hector had suddenly transformed. His enormous body wrapped around as if he were made not of tentacles but of muscle-like tendrils. Two enormous and muscular arms surged out of his octopus-like head as the gigantic fists attempted to trample over us as if we were bugs.

CLASH!

However, Violet moved even faster than the falling claw, as he grabbed the two of us and rushed away from the impact's range. The little Snow was right above Violet's head, shooting small icicle spears at the monster that wasn't doing any damage.

"T-That monster… How come he has so much power?!" Dan Baihe said. She was furious, gritting her teeth. Suddenly, her Mana Levels replenished in an instant through automatic regeneration.

This was perhaps another effect of her S-Rank Skills, which granted her the ability to recover her Mana at an insanely fast pace.

"He has become something closer to an Incarnation. Do you know what they are? It is as if Demon Leviathan himself were possessing your stepfather's body. In fact, I believe his consciousness might have already been assimilated into Leviathan, and we've been talking with him for a while now." I sighed.

"Ugh, I can't believe I almost ended up accepting that demon's offer." Dan Baihe sighed, feeling disgusted with herself.

"GRAAAAHHH!!!"

However, the chit-chat was cut short quickly. It hadn't even been thirty seconds since we evaded his deadly blow, but Hector started chasing us one more time. This time with a hundred tiny bug-like legs added to his aberrant body.

"I'm getting fed up!" Said Dan Baihe, gathering Mana into the air and then conjuring a gigantic blizzard. "{Greater Blizzard}!"

An enormous amount of wind and ice impacted the demonic monster while we were running away from him. Half of his body was suddenly frozen solid as he stopped midway through his chase and began shattering into pieces on the floor.

"ARGH…! UGH…! This is impossible! How strong are you for a recently awakened human??"Leviathan said. He was frustrated beyond belief.

"Well done, Baihe!" I said, jumping off once more to attack him.

Our strategy was repetitive and perhaps boring, but in this desperate situation, we couldn't give ourselves the privilege of making things too dangerous for us. Violet was a lifesaver with his fast speed and big size to carry us.

However, I simply couldn't stand still, so I quickly decided to make some more investments in this battle. I need a stronger attack that can pierce through the Demonic Human's flesh much better.

[The Special Effect of your [Divine Eye of Truth (S): Lv1] has been activated: {Fusion}!]

[You have exchanged 80 Skill Points!]

[The [Twin Cutter (D): Lv4] and [Sunshine (B): Lv4] Skills have been fused!]

[A New Skill has been born: [Sunlight Blade (B): Lv1]!]

[Due to the Special Effect of the [Divine Eye of Truth (S): Lv1] Skill: {Library of Knowledge}, the Skills used for {Fusion} have been maintained.]

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[Sunlight Blade (B): Lv1]

[Skill EXP]: [0/1000]

A Unique Skill created by the combination of Twin Cutter and Sunshine. By imbuing Mana into any blade, it is possible to unleash a powerful slicing attack made of Sunlight Energy, which can deal up to 250% Damage and Ignore -35% of a target's total defenses, has a 25% Chance to be a Critical Attack, and can deal additional damage to Dark, Undead, and Demon-type foes by up to +50%.

By combining this effect with the Sunshine Skill, it is also possible to summon Blades made of Sunlight to attack a foe from a distance. Once they hit a surface or target, these blades will explode into powerful Sunlight Explosions, which will temporarily blind targets and deal an additional 200% Damage.

Level Bonus (1): Increases Damage Dealt by +35%. Increases Defense Ignore by -20%. Increases Critical Attack Chance by +15%. Enhances Sunshine Skill Damage by +10%.

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This was perfect.

[You have activated the [Sunlight Blade (B): Lv1] Skill Effect!]

[Your two daggers are encompassed by the power of Sunlight Energy!]

[The [Sunshine (B): Lv4] Skill has reacted with the [Sunlight Blade (B): Lv1] Skill Effects!]

[You have summoned Sunlight Blades!]

FLASH!

My two daggers began overflowing with the power of divine sunlight's energy as I leaped towards Hector while Dan Baihe kept him in check. I unleashed countless long-range attacks, firing as many Sunlight Blades as I could, which started exploding around the monster's body, tearing him down into pieces.

"What the…?! YOU!"

Leviathan spoke through his vessel once more as his giant fists regenerated in a flash and reached me, landing several fist attacks against my entire body. I was barely able to temporarily keep up with the intensity of blows as I unleashed countless slashing attacks using my daggers, the explosions and extra damage of the Sunlight Blades adding to the damage dealt.

His two arms once more were sliced apart, and as giant icicle spears started landing all over his body, Dan Baihe was supporting me wonderfully! Acting as if they were nails, they pierced through Hector's body and then stuck him into the floor, giving me enough time to channel as much Mana and Ki as I could into both of my daggers and then releasing all of the accumulated power together.

"Nghh…! W-Wait! STOP!"

Hector struggled, trying to beg for his life, but the overbearing power of Dan Baihe's ice magic was stopping his movements.

My entire aura quickly changed its shape, temporarily transforming into a gigantic, ten-meter-long blade made of golden light, frost, and fire.

"I'll take your life instead of Dan Baihe, so she doesn't have to bear this guilt!"

The blade pierced through Hector's entire body, slicing him into two perfect halves. He tried to regenerate, but then...

BOOOM!

The Sunlight Blade exploded, spreading further light and burning Hector's entire body into ashes. After having spent all my Mana and Ki into it, this was the least I expected from such a tremendous attack.

"No…! T-This can't be!"

Hector didn't even feel regret as he slowly faded away into nothingness, only leaving a huge red orb behind. I guess I'm not getting his corpse for an Undead, but that's for the better, perhaps.

[You and Your Party have defeated the [Aberrant Octopus Demonic Human (A Rank)]!]

[You earned 250000 EXP]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

[Your Level has increased from Level 27 to Level 35!]

[All of your Stats have increased greatly.]

[You earned Bonus Stat Points and Skill Points.]

[Violet] Level has increased to Level 33!]

[Snow] Level has increased to Level 20!]

[Snow] has reached Max Level! He can now Evolve.]

[To evolve, compatible materials are required.]

[The Constellations seem amazed by your feat of defeating an A-Rank Demonic Human, even if it was weakened due to several restrictions.]

[They have sponsored 1000 Plot Points.]

[The Cosmic Throne {Warrior That Seeks Calamity} is pleased with yet another victory.]

[He has sponsored 1000 Plot Points.]

[The Cosmic Throne {Butterfly That Flies Across The Universe} laughs at your ridiculous fate. She says she wants to see more of your challenges and trials.]

[She has sponsored 500 Plot Points.]

[The Cosmic Throne {Monkey that Dances in Chaos} is overjoyed by the chaos.]

[He has sponsored 500 Plot Points.]

"I guess those guys never change…"

Before I could ever stand back up, I felt my entire body beginning to crack. As if it was breaking apart from the inside out. I felt my bones barely resisting the urge to break due to all the strength I forced myself to exert.

"Unnggh... Aaggh…!"

I suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood, and my mind felt dizzy. It felt like I was going to die.

I fell into the cold snow, barely breathing.

[Due to overexerting your limits, your body is undergoing a severe backlash!]

[If you're not treated in the next 10 minutes, you might die.]

"Fuck…"

"Anna!!!"

I heard Dan Baihe's voice coming from behind me. She didn't look any better either. Her eyes were red, and she was bleeding from them. She looked sick. Snow and Violet were fine, thankfully.

"Ugh… I took a bit of a backlash." I groaned. "Ugh… L-Let me…"

I tried to get out some potions from my inventory, but I couldn't move my arms at all. Nobody but I had access to my inventory, so I couldn't ask Dan Baihe to grab them for me.

"Anna…" Dan Baihe started crying. "Please don't die, Anna!"

"Ugh…" I muttered. "Do I look that bad? Hahah…"

I looked back at my body, and I did. My arms suddenly became skeletal as if all the energy I had was absorbed, and it seemed my face was becoming paler as I saw the reflection in Dan Baihe's eyes.

[The Cosmic Throne {Maiden that Watches Over Nature} panics!]

[The Cosmic Throne {Lady that Soothes the Souls of the Death} panics even more!]

[Both Constellations have decided to combine their strength.]

[They have sponsored [Yggdrasil's Dew (S Grade)] x1!]

Suddenly, as if a miracle from the heavens, a tiny droplet of golden sap reached my open mouth. I instinctively swallowed it. The change… was almost instant.

[You've consumed the [Yggdrasil's Dew (S Grade)]!]

[All wounds are being instantly healed.]

[All exhaustion is fading away.]

[Mana and Ki are being regenerated automatically.]

My entire body started to regenerate. My muscles regained their vitality, and I stopped bleeding. The pain was gone, and I felt much healthier.

"E-Eh? A-Anna…?!" Dan Baihe reacted in surprise, but as I was revitalizing myself thanks to the prize from my sponsors, I quickly hugged her, using my Privileges in an attempt to share this healing energy.

"Uwaaah…?!" We ended up falling over the snow as I hugged her tightly.

"T-There… You did a good job." I sighed, giving her a head pat.

"A-Anna, are you alright?! W-What happened?" She wondered.

"The Constellations sponsored me something, as usual," I said. "I guess I was smart enough to make a very good contract with somebody."

[The Cosmic Throne {Lady that Soothes the Souls of the Death} sighs in relief; you're alright now.]

However, she says she doesn't have the authority to give you more than that all the time. So please, don't be so reckless.]

[The Cosmic Throne {Maiden that Watches Over Nature} gives a motherly laugh; she says it's impossible to ask something like that out of you.]

[She smiles, saying she will keep watching over you.]

[The Cosmic Throne {Lady that Soothes the Souls of the Death} facepalms]

I love these two Constellations…

[The Effects of [Heartwarming Bear Hug (F Rank Privilege)] have been activated, and you're now sharing a part of the healing power of Yggdrasil's Dew with Character: Dan Baihe.]

[Make sure to hug her tightly!]

"Are you feeling better?" I asked Dan Baihe.

She was as red as a tomato, so it worried me she might be getting sick.

"Y-Yeah…" She said this, averting her gaze from me. "But Anna, we are a bit too close, no?"

"Umm… Not really?" I wondered. "It's fine like this, so I can give you my warmth."

"T-T-This is…!" Dan Baihe started stuttering. "We've just met, you know!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" I wondered.

"N-Nothing…" She sighed.

Once I confirmed she was fully healed, I let go of her. She sighed in relief.

"Violet, Snow, are you alright over there?" I asked.

"Kriee!" Violet nodded.

"Woof!" Snow wagged his tail happily.

"Alright! I guess we're alright now." I sighed in relief, standing up and looking around.

The battle between Leviathan and Gabriel was happening in the background, constantly generating tremors. Even when my brother joined, it didn't look like they were winning. However, they were holding on really well.

In the other case, just a few hundred meters from here, Kevin and Berth were still fighting an army of rabid monsters, stopping them from reaching us. I guess we should go help them first and then join back with my brother.

"Thank you, Anna, for everything." Dan Baihe said, touching my shoulder.

"Oh? Ah, right… It happened so fast that I am still a bit dizzy." I sighed. "Well, from now on, you just stick with us, alright? I'll make sure to give you any necessity you need, and anything. Just ask away."

"That's a bit too much! I'll make sure to... put my own weight as well." She said. "You said I could become a Hunter, right? Now that nothing is holding me back anymore, I'll become one and try to save this world alongside you. I-Is that okay?"

She was a bit childish, but her intentions were good.

I guess… I've finally managed to change her fate.

Dan Baihe will now become the main heroine, not the villain.

"Sure! I am expecting a lot from you, so don't disappoint me." I said proudly, giving her a head pat.

"I'll do my best!" Dan Baihe said.

She was really cute! I can't believe the evil Dan Baihe, who froze thousands of people mercilessly, is this cute!

[You've fulfilled [Character: Dan Baihe]'s Desire.]

[You can now choose between her two Innate Skills: [Frost Queen (S)] [Great Sorceress (S)]

And this is my reward for that!

However, before I could even choose the Skill…

[The Cosmic Throne {Giantess Queen of the Frost Throne} smiles contently at Dan Baihe's growth.]

[She has sponsored Dan Baihe with a Piece of her Authority.]

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Now we're going on a break of a couple of days until next week's batch of chapters. If you can't wait anymore, there's 15 Chapters Ahead over on Patreon and growing, only for $10! https://www.patreon.com/pancakeswitch