” (My 〖Life〗 was shaved by over two hundred… Even with the 〖Mollusk〗’s strike resistance, that’s way too dangerous.)”
After the Forest Turtle flew over the hill, I glanced at my 〖Status〗.
It seems that even through the shield, defense penetration was applied, and it was significantly reduced.
My body cells necrotized and dripped, but they were immediately regenerated by the replenishment from 〖Storage〗.
“(Well, this level of damage won’t hinder me in battle at all, 〖Leap〗!)”
With a great leap, I jumped over the hill and chased after the Forest Turtle.
Beyond the hill was a cliff, and below it, a vast wasteland stretched out.
The entire wasteland had its surface exposed, and not a single weed could be found.
That’s because I thoroughly dissolved and cleaned this entire area with 〖Decomposition Fluid〗.
On top of that, I used 〖Armory〗 and 〖Arms Craftsman〗 to compress and harden the surface, creating a huge and sturdy shield.
New plants can’t even take root.
“Gyuruoo…”
At that moment, a deep rumble echoed as the Forest Turtle landed.
It seems that the vines and tree trunks on its shell reduced its falling speed, and its four legs didn’t seem to take any damage from hitting the ground.
This was all as expected.
The Forest Turtle’s 〖Toughness〗 exceeds nine hundred. I didn’t think it would be injured by this much.
So, throwing it off the hill wasn’t to expect fall damage.
“(〖Air Jump〗, 〖Crash Attack〗, 〖Charge Thrust〗!)”
I dive straight down, aiming for the Forest Turtle with my defense-ignoring greatsword.
There’s no height or 〖Assassination〗 like the first attack, but the 〖Combo〗 bonus is sufficient.
“Gryuu…”
It must have realized that it couldn’t evade.
The Forest Turtle rapidly grew the trees on its shell into a shield and covered it with a net made of vines.
However, those are meaningless. The trees and vines on the shell are also part of the Forest Turtle, so the greatsword’s defense-ignoring effect will work.
The vine net was pierced like fine threads, and the tree shield met the same fate.
Then, with an unpleasant metallic sound, the greatsword deeply pierced the surface of the shell.
“Guoo!”
The Forest Turtle couldn’t withstand the tremendous impact and buckled at the knees. The ground cracked slightly.
It’s natural since it was hit with the full weight of a 〖Feral Beast〗, but my greatsword couldn’t withstand the force and shattered.
“(〖Leap〗!)”
I immediately retreated without pursuing.
Last time, I attacked like that and got a counterattack. From now on, I’ll avoid deep pursuits.
Using 〖Parry〗, I landed softly and met the Forest Turtle’s gaze.
“Gryuryuryu!”
“(〖Replicant Form〗)”
Since I had enough distance, I mimicked six poison whips.
This is where the real battle begins.
“(〖Whip〗, Double!)”
First, a 〖Weapon Skill〗 with two whips.
The tips of the whips flew through the air at a speed that was hard to even see, inflicting cuts on the Forest Turtle’s legs.
“(〖Whip〗, Double! 〖Whip〗, Double!)”
I continued to unleash 〖Weapon Skills〗 in succession.
The Forest Turtle’s movements are so agile that it’s hard to believe from its appearance, making it difficult to accurately target its face or legs. But, even if I hit the shell, the 〖Combo〗 count increases, so it’s not a problem.
“Gururu!”
“(〖Blink〗!)”
The Forest Turtle broke through the barrage of whips and charged at me.
I interrupted my attack and barely evaded.
I intercepted the vines that were sent after me with my defense-ignoring greatsword.
“(Oh?)”
Then, I was able to cut the vines, but as a cost, the greatsword also shattered and returned to necrotized cells.
The greatsword made from a 〖Dire Beast〗 is inferior in durability. It seems better not to use the greatsword except when I can reliably land an attack.
“(〖Replicant Form〗)”
While mimicking a poison sword as a replacement defensive weapon, I swung the poison whips.
With a dazzling barrage of speed, all the vines that the Forest Turtle was trying to extend were shredded.
Since I have 〖Multi-Weapon Style〗, I have the advantage in this kind of numbers game.
Even now, I was able to slam a whip into the Forest Turtle’s face, taking advantage of a gap in its re-charge.
The Forest Turtle seemed to glow pale green for a moment, but then immediately charged again.
From the way it powerfully kicked off the ground, there was no sign of the 〖Poison〗’s effect from the poison whip.
“(〖Seven Herbs Blessing〗 is troublesome.)”
〖Seven Herbs Blessing〗 is a 〖Skill〗 of the Forest Turtle that cancels 〖Status Ailments〗.
It’s frustrating that 〖Poison〗 is nullified, but since 〖Seven Herbs Blessing〗 uses up 〖Mana〗, it’s not a complete waste.
“Guru.”
“(〖Blink〗!)”
After that, I continued to evade while dealing damage with the whips.
At first, the Forest Turtle was recklessly charging, but gradually it began to show signs of being concerned about its surroundings.
Normally, it would be about time for the area to be covered in plants. In fact, the 〖Great Forest Sea〗 is still dominant.
But not a single sprout had grown yet.
“(〖Replicant Form〗, 〖Charge Slash〗, 〖Charge Thrust〗!)”
I raised a set of Hydra weapons and charged at the Forest Turtle, which had its attention diverted.
However, the Forest Turtle calmly rotated its body halfway and unleashed a high-speed tail strike.
The long tail, which is unlike that of a normal turtle, can fully convey the Forest Turtle’s 〖Power〗.
I swung my poison sword on reflex.
A hard sound, unlike that of hitting a living thing, resounded.
The poison sword cut halfway through the Forest Turtle’s thick and sturdy tail, but it couldn’t completely negate its power.
Unable to completely deflect the overwhelming impact, I was blown sideways.
“(〖Air Jump〗!)”
However, I immediately kicked off the air and corrected my trajectory towards the Forest Turtle. I continued to attack without a moment’s rest.
If I don’t, the 〖Great Forest Sea〗 will revive.
As a countermeasure against the 〖Great Forest Sea〗, I turned the ground around here into a shield during the preparation period.
Just like how grass doesn’t grow on paved roads, the soil, hardened to the level of an iron plate, is preventing the intrusion of seeds and roots.
However, if the Forest Turtle realizes this simple mechanism, it can deal with it in any way. Or rather, it’s game over if it just escapes to the forest.
That’s why I have to keep attacking and not give it the chance.
“(〖Compact Thrust〗!)”
I thrust out the poison spear. It was blocked by a tree trunk extending from the shell.
Immediately, I aimed for its face with a whip, and at the same time, I swung a hammer.
I swung several weapons at the same time, clashing with trees and vines dozens of times in an instant.
To make up for the difference in 〖Stats〗 with the Forest Turtle, I made all my attacks compact-type 〖Weapon Skills〗.
〖Combo〗 and… there must also be a 〖Zone Control〗 bonus.
The current additional effects are ‘Technique’, ‘Sharpness’, and ‘Collection’. With 〖Weapon Skill〗 enhancement, sharpness enhancement, and 〖Mana〗 absorption, I was pushing harder in the brawl.
Gradually, the trend shifted, and the Forest Turtle took a step, then two steps back, as if trying to escape my range.
I closed the distance as much as it retreated, and the combo became even more powerful.
And then, I noticed. 〖Mana〗 was gathering in the Forest Turtle’s right hind leg.
It’s hard to see because it’s hidden by its body, but it seems to be raising its right hind leg—
—In that instant, a flashback of the scene when I fought the Great Bear.
At that time, the Great Bear gathered 〖Mana〗 in its leg, and used it to manipulate the ground and launch me into the air.
The moment that flashed through my mind, I had 〖Leaped〗.
“Gryuaaa!”
Almost at the same time, the hind leg was swung down.
A roar that was several times louder and sharper than the sound of the Forest Turtle landing here.
The ground vibrated violently around the Forest Turtle, shattered, and deep cracks were carved in an instant.
The earth was churned by the overwhelming impact, causing depressions and uplifts in places.
“(…〖Kamehara Strike〗, huh?)”
It’s a 〖Skill〗 that expands the attack range by consuming 〖Mana〗.
If the Forest Turtle swings it with its 〖Power〗 exceeding a thousand, it can cause this much destruction.
I couldn’t help but be speechless at that fact.
“(But, what’s really dangerous isn’t that…)”
By being crushed, the ground shield lost its effectiveness as a weapon and its strength enhancement. It can no longer prevent the intrusion of roots.
Looking down as I fell, countless plants were beginning to sprout from the cracks in the ground shield.