Chapter 296: Watatsumi
Thanks to Ula’s insight, they managed to uncover the path leading to the Queen Centipede’s lair. With this, the task became significantly easier. Leading the way was Rest, followed closely by Ula and Isis as they advanced toward the centipede’s nest hole.
“This way…”
Eventually, they arrived at the location where the Queen Centipede resided. Just a little further ahead, a massive centipede, several times larger than the others, loomed ominously.
“Now then… we’re about to face that creature, but the strategy we discussed earlier is still good, right?”
“Yeah, I leave it to Rest.”
“Mm, no problem.”
Following Isis, Ula also expressed her agreement. Rest nodded and prepared to execute the strategy he had devised on the way here.
“If that thing starts rampaging underground, we might end up buried alive… Sorry, but I don’t intend to fight it head-on.”
While Rest wasn’t sure just how strong the Queen Centipede was, he doubted it was as formidable as the Magical Beast Sabnock or the Elder Worm. He should be able to defeat it without issue. What was truly terrifying was the possibility of the nest collapsing due to the Queen’s rampage. In this battle, what mattered was not just victory, but a complete and utter triumph. They needed to seal off any resistance without engaging in a direct confrontation.
“Alright then… I’ll need a moment to gather my strength, so during that time, protect me.”
“Understood.”
“Mm, I’ll guard you.”
“Then… 【Water Sphere】!”
Rest cast a spell, summoning a sphere of water into existence.
“【Amplify】, 【Compress】, 【Water Sphere】, 【Amplify】, 【Compress】, 【Water Sphere】, 【Amplify】, 【Compress】, 【Water Sphere】, 【Amplify】, 【Compress】, 【Water Sphere】, 【Amplify】, 【Compress】, 【Water Sphere】, 【Amplify】, 【Compress】, 【Water Sphere】, 【Amplify】, 【Compress】…”
He repeatedly summoned and amplified the water spheres, compressing them in the process. What Rest was attempting to do was the same as what he had done when defeating the Elder Worm. The difference this time was that he was using 【Water Sphere】 instead of 【Fireball】.
“I already understand the structure and size of the room you’re in thanks to 【Water Control】… I won’t overdo it like last time.”
The magic that literally manipulates water… 【Water Control】. By combining this spell with 【Life Search】, he had already surveyed the room where the Queen Centipede resided. The vast chamber contained the Queen and dozens of her offspring, with no other entrances but the one they were at.
“Alright, here we go… 【Watatsumi】!”
He hurled the maximally compressed water sphere toward the room where the Queen Centipede awaited. The enemy had yet to notice Rest and his companions. Determined to end the confrontation before their presence was detected, he activated another spell.
“【Earth Shield】!”
He erected thick walls of earth, sealing off the entrance. A splash echoed faintly from beyond the barrier.
“Whoa… that’s impressive!”
“It’s thrashing around.”
Isis and Ula remarked as they dispatched the centipedes coming from the opposite direction. Beyond the earth shield, the compressed water was unleashed, transforming into a torrent. Unlike the previous encounter, where the excitement from the worm’s flesh had clouded his judgment, Rest was able to calmly adjust the power this time. The amount of water was just enough to fill the room, carefully controlled to avoid collapsing the nest due to excessive pressure.
Using 【Life Search】 to probe the interior, he could see the centipedes thrashing wildly in the water. Despite their desperate struggles, the impact was absorbed by the water, preventing the nest from collapsing.
“Come to think of it… there are centipedes that can swim in water. Good thing this one isn’t one of them.”
If the Queen Centipede had been able to withstand the water, he would have had to devise an alternative strategy. Fortunately, it seemed she was not capable of that, and after a while, her movements ceased, indicating she had perished.
“The presence has vanished. Just to be safe, let’s stay like this for a bit longer…”
With the lesser centipedes still lingering, it would be necessary to hunt down any remaining foes. While someone else could be sent to retrieve the Queen Centipede’s corpse, Rest took care of the remaining centipedes before returning to the surface.