“Ord… is that you? Did you find any injured?”
As I asked, Ord pushed his palm forward as if to refuse my question.
“More importantly, I saw you in action. You’re amazing! What was that incredible physical ability?”
“Th-that’s not the point! We need to rescue them quickly!”
I tried to hurry away, but Ord blocked my path.
“How about teaming up with me? With you, we could take down that Poison Salamander.”
“I told you, we shouldn’t fight!”
“Come on, results matter. If we defeat it, the Guild will recognize us. Are we just going to let that old man take all the glory? He’s getting more rewards than us, you know.”
“We can’t disrupt team harmony…”
Roel’s soft voice protested, her gaze downcast.
“Shut up! I’m not talking to you; I’m asking that blue-haired girl over there!”
“Roel is in my party. Don’t underestimate her!”
“Ah, ah, I get it, I get it. I won’t ask again!”
Pouting like a child, Ord turned and walked away briskly, heading straight for the Poison Salamander.
“Is he really going to…”
“Yeah, that could be dangerous…”
///
“Might Force!”
Etram cast Might Force! Gantetsu’s attack power increased!
Gantetsu leaped high into the air and swung his axe down toward the Poison Salamander.
Gantetsu unleashed a Great Slash!
The force of Gantetsu’s strike, guided by gravity, crashed down onto the Poison Salamander’s head. The creature let out a strange cry as green blood gushed from the wound.
Dealt 462 damage to the Poison Salamander!
Poison Salamander HP: 622/1520
“It’s tough… but I must have hurt it pretty badly.”
The Poison Salamander raised its bloodied head and locked onto Gantetsu. In the next moment, it unleashed a shower of purple liquid from its mouth.
The Poison Salamander used Poison Splash!
Gantetsu quickly jumped to the right, but he still got hit on his left side.
Gantetsu was poisoned!
Poison damage! Gantetsu took 80 damage! Gantetsu HP: 214/440
“Ugh! Of all times to get hit! But I’m counting on you, Etram!”
“Angel Cure!”
Etram cast Angel Cure! The poison was removed from Gantetsu!
The Poison Salamander seemed to stagger from the damage it had taken from Gantetsu, unable to mount a proper counterattack.
“Alright, let’s finish this!”
“Is that the Poison Salamander? It’s huge!”
Behind Etram, Ord was readying his spear.
“W-what are you doing here?! Didn’t you hear the plan?!”
Ignoring Etram’s surprise, Ord charged straight at the Poison Salamander.
“Hey, old man! Don’t underestimate me! I’ll show you my true power!”
“Idiot!”
Gantetsu’s shout fell on deaf ears as the Poison Salamander’s legs descended upon Ord.
“Huh?”
The legs dropped from the sky, set to crush Ord. But Gantetsu leaped out, tackling Ord aside and swinging his axe upward. He wasn’t overconfident enough to think he could handle this weight, but he chose to fight back rather than be squashed.
“Is this where I end…?”
A jarring impact struck the Poison Salamander. Gantetsu’s blow cleaved through the creature from its front legs to its torso, splitting its massive body in two as it fell away from Gantetsu and Ord.
Rua’s attack! Dealt 302701 damage to the Poison Salamander!
Poison Salamander HP: 0/1520
You have defeated the Poison Salamander!
Gantetsu held his axe aloft, suddenly aware of the girl who stood far behind him.
I too was frozen in a pose, sword raised. I was relieved that the Sonic Ripper had just made it in time. Still, I wondered if this sword’s additional effect only activated on direct hits. I hadn’t thought about it in the heat of the moment, but if it had activated, those two would have been caught in the blast. That thought made it hard to feel happy about the victory.
“Haah, haah, Rua-chan, wait for me!”
Roel caught up, breathless. It was clear she was exhausted, especially in that cumbersome robe.
“Wow! Gantetsu, if you had that technique, you should have used it sooner! You’re so mean!”
Etram rushed over to Gantetsu. Ord, having collapsed in shock, sat on the ground, still dazed.
“Thank goodness, we managed to take it down.”
Roel seemed to believe Gantetsu had defeated the Poison Salamander all by himself. It was my accomplishment, though.
“…Mission accomplished. Let’s head back.”
I hurried past the excited Etram, eager to leave the scene. When Ord finally grasped the situation, he called out to Gantetsu from behind.
“O-old man… I… I…”
“Well, it’s true that life is what matters.”
Gantetsu chuckled self-deprecatingly and began to walk again. Etram followed suit, running after him.
“Hey, you’re Rua, right? Cut off that Poison Salamander’s whisker and bring it back. It’ll serve as proof of our kill and can be sold for a good price. Just don’t cut it too close to the base; it’s poisonous.”
“Uh, o-okay…”
I hesitated for a moment at the sudden command, but I cut off the Poison Salamander’s whisker. I was nervous about whether the additional effect would trigger, but nothing happened. Perhaps there were conditions I didn’t know about.
“Gantetsu, why did you have her do it? You defeated it, so you should keep it!”
“I’m tired.”
Etram sighed, looking dissatisfied.
“Rua-chan, let’s go home.”
Roel took my hand. Everyone, including Roel, Etram, and Ord, believed that old man had defeated the monster. I wondered if he would brag about it once we got back.
Monster Compendium
Poison Salamander
A massive lizard measuring 30 meters in length. It inhabits the Bear Forest and is known for its relentless pursuit once it has been harmed. It is said to be more dangerous due to its sheer size and ferocity than its poison, second only to the Hell Bear.