“…Chimera…”
…I never thought something like this truly existed.
“You know of it?”
“Sort of…”
A total combat power over 7000… That’s insane. Even Aria-san didn’t take her eyes off the Chimera, and Kitty-chan was also on guard, growling.
“I’ve only read about it in documents, but…”
It was in the Lester family’s collection of books… not forbidden texts, but it was written in several documents close to them.
An unnatural creature. Not a Monster that transformed from an animal, nor a Phantasmal Beast born as a powerful entity from the start. A guardian of treasure nesting in ruins. A legendary being, rarer to encounter than even Dragon-types, which are rarely seen outside of such places.
Perhaps because of that, common texts say it’s a magical creature created through magic by the ancient elves who bestowed magic upon humankind… but the texts closer to forbidden ones recorded something different.
Why isn’t this common knowledge?
It’s obvious if you think about it…
Human cities are built around Dungeons to seal away danger and to receive their benefits. What would happen if it became known that the Dungeon’s will, the spirits meant to bestow blessings, could create the greatest danger?
I thought it was just one hypothesis, but seeing the situation so far, I’m convinced it’s the truth.
Chimeras are born only from Dungeons.
Gigiih…
The mangled metal door behind us was closing. It was because the Chimera, the Monster of the Innermost Sanctum, had recognized us.
“The door doesn’t look like it’ll open anymore, does it?”
The door to the Innermost Sanctum is there for a final confirmation of intent. So, once you pass through it, the door closes after a certain amount of time and won’t open until the Monster is defeated. But, with the door in this state, it’s doubtful whether it will open even if we defeat the Monster.
At this point, the only way out is for someone to obtain the Spirit Blessing and open the exit door. But to reach the Altar deeper inside, it seems we have no choice but to defeat the Chimera.
“Either way, it’s the same.”
Aria-san, who had been wary of the Rank 7’s appearance, seemed to steel her resolve and quietly began to limber up.
“You’re right…”
We came here for my “wish.” If it’s not granted, all three of us might die here. And yet, Aria-san says what needs to be done is the “same”…
Never give up. Crush everything that stands in our way and move forward.
Honestly, she’s so dependable.
“Ready?”
“Anytime.”
“Graar!”
It’s our first time against this enemy, so there’s no specific preparation. But we always live prepared to fight. It’s no different from usual.
“—[Bless]—”
I boosted the defenses of Aria-san and Kitty-chan as they moved out, and in that instant, I pointed my finger at the Chimera from between the two as they split to the left and right.
“—[Lightning]—”
Lightning, accompanied by a flash, burst from my fingertip.
First, a probe. Honestly, just the three of us surpass the strength of the forces that participated in that large-scale Dungeon on the remote island.
But the Monster in the Innermost Sanctum back then was Rank 6. Aria-san has defeated a Rank 7 Elemental Dragon, but the situation and our strength are different now.
If there’s a point of concern… it’s “me” myself.
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”
Just before the lightning struck, the Chimera roared and released magical power, diminishing its force, then used the countless beastly halves protruding from its body like arms to deflect the lightning.
Troublesome. It has intelligence.
“Over here!”
In that instant, Aria-san, who had closed in, unleashed multiple Pendulums, crushing a monkey’s head and tearing an elk’s throat.
“Gigaaaaa!!”
But even crushing one or two of its multiple heads didn’t make the Chimera flinch. It immediately swung the upper body of a wolf towards Aria-san, slamming it down as if to crush an insect.
But—
“Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
With a slight delay, Kitty-chan slammed a powerful blow from the opposite side.
Is that the [Claw Strike] Battle Art?
The Battle Art unleashed by the Rank 6 Phantasmal Beast gouged out a large chunk of the Chimera’s body. But as a consequence, Kitty-chan, having just used a Battle Art, couldn’t defend against the Chimera’s attack due to the post-Battle Art stiffness.
“—[Critical Edge]—”
The next moment, Kitty-chan’s strike caused the Chimera’s attack to go wide, and the Battle Art Aria-san unleashed pierced the Chimera from the opposite side.
“Gugaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
That blow diverted the attack aimed at Kitty-chan, and the Chimera let out an enraged roar.
This time, Aria-san was immobile due to stiffness. Simultaneously, magical power released from its entire body blew away the two who had approached. Having lost their balance, neither of them could defend against an attack.
“—[Ice Storm]—”
Simultaneously with the Chimera releasing its magical power, I unleashed Ice Storm.
[Ice Storm] isn’t fast. Since it’s an area-of-effect attack, there’s a risk of hitting allies. That’s precisely why I was waiting for this timing.
My full-power [Ice Storm], boosted with magical power, assaulted the defenseless Chimera that had just released its own magic.
However—
“Nero, fall back!”
Aria-san and Nero took that chance to create distance. Normally, they would have pursued, but Aria-san unhesitatingly created distance, and Nero immediately followed suit.
“…This is truly troublesome.”
[Chimera] [Race: Magical Beast] [Magical Beast-type Rank 7]
[Magical Power: 287/350] [Stamina: 976/1180]
[Total Combat Power: 7306]
Its stamina has barely decreased. The final blows unleashed by Aria-san, Kitty-chan, and myself each had enough power to kill a low-tier Rank 5 Monster in one hit.
Its physical toughness is high, but more than that, the Chimera, being a fusion of multiple Monsters, not only takes physical damage poorly but also, with its multiple “eyes,” was avoiding fatal blows from all attacks. The fact that its magical power hasn’t decreased much might also be because it’s absorbing it from the Dungeon itself, which is rich in Magical Element.
The reason Aria-san is frowning while retreating is likely because she also used Appraisal and reached the same conclusion as me.
Aria-san’s compatibility with the Chimera is the worst. It doesn’t seem to feel pain, and there are no obvious vital spots. Against its massive body, as large as a two-story house, Aria-san’s weapons are too small…
It’s a similar situation for me. Even with Ice Storm, only its surface froze. Minor magic won’t deal any significant damage.
To defeat it, we’ll need Level 7 or higher magic.
If I use my Divine Protection, there’s a chance, but…
“Snow.”
In that instant, as if reading my thoughts, Aria-san called my name.
…I know. We made a promise.
But… if it means you’ll die, Aria-san, I’d rather die myself.
CRACK!
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”
The Chimera roared as if shattering its frozen hide.
It’s started moving again.
A battle of attrition, perhaps…
Aria-san must be thinking the same, which is why she hasn’t used Iron Rose or Illusion Magic.
If grand magic is impossible, we’ll act as decoys and inflict small amounts of damage, while Kitty-chan chips away at the Chimera’s stamina.
Either our magical power runs out, or the Chimera’s stamina does.
Just as we were about to act on that thought, we were made to realize how “naive” it was.
A Rank 7 Monster was never going to be “normal.”
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”
THOOM!!
Freed from the ice, the Chimera shot forward like an arrow suddenly loosed.
The Chimera, which hadn’t moved from its initial position until now, used its dozens of monstrous legs to move at a speed surpassing any beast.
“—[Iron Rose]… [World Rejection]—tsu!”
The one attacked was Aria-san.
Aria-san immediately used Illusion Magic, rendering herself intangible to dodge the attack.
This was no mere beast. Beasts leap using four legs. But the Chimera, with its numerous legs, moved without any vertical bobbing, constantly kicking off the ground, achieving terrifying speed.
“Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
Kitty-chan immediately moved to support her. But the Chimera, confirming this with one of its rear heads, changed direction at a right angle without altering its posture and sent Kitty-chan flying.
“—Gaah.”
Blood spurted from all over the blown-away Kitty-chan’s body.
All of that was from nearly ten jaws that had snapped at her the moment of impact.
If even fur with near-steel strength takes that much damage, Aria-san or I would be gouged all over and die instantly if we took a direct hit.
Just like us, the Chimera had also been probing to gauge our strength.
“—[Rock Blast]—”
I also stopped holding back and fired a cannonball of exploding rock.
“!?”
In that instant, the rock shattered the Dungeon floor, and the Chimera’s massive body, having dodged by leaping over it, lunged at me.
“Graaaaaaaaaa!!”
THOOM!!
Kitty-chan, still injured, rammed it from the side, and the airborne Chimera’s speed dropped slightly.
The next instant, just as Aria, using World Rejection, scooped me up and pulled us away, the Chimera’s massive body slammed into the spot where I’d been, with a deafening roar.
“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”
It’s so absurd, all I can do is let out a dry laugh.
“Any ideas?” Aria, having deactivated World Rejection, asked me while still holding me.
“Well…”
If things get truly desperate, I’ll use my Divine Protection. But Aria hasn’t given up yet.
Aria never gives up on her own, no matter what kind of enemy she’s facing.
If she’s going to risk her life like this, then even if it means breaking my promise to her…
“There’s one thing I want to try.”
＊＊＊＊
“I have a good idea.”
What was this method that Snow came up with? It’s not a flag!
“Demon Princess 2” is now on sale nationwide. I hear some bookstores are starting to run out! Get your copy soon!