Level Eater

Chapter 69: The End of the Magic Dragon

Tatsuro's laser struck the regenerating flesh, pushing through and successfully hitting the red gem. However, the gem proved to be much tougher than expected, and the laser alone could not shatter it. So, Tatsuro retrieved an iron ingot from his [Item Box] and stretched it out into a thin wire-like form.

Then, he fired the laser again to create a hole and manipulated the wire to wrap around the stone inside the dragon's body.

"Raaaah!"

Once it was securely wound, Tatsuro used various spells and magic to pull the wire towards him as if he were fishing. When it was within reach, Ai stood ready with her gem sword to cut it.

However, despite Ai's strength, the wire made a loud "clang" and bounced back when she attempted to cut it.

"What?!?" (Ai)

"Ai, step back for a moment!" (Tatsuro)

"Wha?" (Ai)

Tatsuro's words were accompanied by the realization that the dragon had fully regenerated its head. It turned toward Ai, baring its fangs. With no time to dodge, Ai met the attack with her gem sword.

"Raaaah!"

She did not try to cut but used the flat side of her sword to push up the dragon's jaw. After that, she leaped back to Tatsuro's side.

However, during that time, the dragon's massive body had fully regenerated.

"Could it be we have to start over?" (Ai)Follow the latest novels on no/velbin(.)com

"No, at the very least, we've made progress." (Tatsuro)

Tatsuro chuckled at this dire situation while showing Ai the wire in his hand.

Ai was surprised to see that the wire's end continued inside the dragon's body.

"The wire didn't break." (Ai)

"Yeah, I made it quite sturdy." (Tatsuro)

While Tatsuro spoke, the object attached to the wire's end could be seen moving around inside the dragon's body. Ai and Tatsuro waited for it to stop while dealing with the dragon on the ground alongside Cardina. However, the wire's end kept moving, like a fish on a hook, never stopping.

"It just won't stop." (Ai)

"Do you think it knows what we're aiming for?" (Tatsuro)

They had planned to immobilize it and then use Tatsuro's magic, with him as the central axis, to blow it away. However, this technique did not allow for precise course corrections after firing. Additionally, Ai's mixed magic had too wide a range, making it difficult to target a moving object accurately.

So, what to do? Tatsuro was pondering, but Ai came up with a brilliantly simple solution.

"Hey, Tatsuro, you know what? When you're in trouble, just punch it directly!" (Ai)

As Ai said this, she took Tatsuro's hand in a lovers' clasp.

Tatsuro raised an eyebrow at her balled-up fist.

"Punch it directly, huh? Surprisingly, that might just work." (Tatsuro)

"I know, right?" (Ai)

Ai was delighted that Tatsuro shared her sentiment and began swinging their joined hands.

With a smile, Tatsuro readied himself for their final move.

"Let's do it!" (Tatsuro)

"Alright!" (Ai)

First, no matter what they decided to do next, they needed to stop the dragon's movements and create an opening. So, once again, the two of them took to the sky.

Zendo understood their feelings and laughed heartily in response. In turn, they smiled, thinking that this easygoing relationship with Zendo was just right for them.

As the three of them talked, Leela approached them. They expressed their gratitude for the assistance with magic, and Leela also thanked them. After a brief conversation, the topic gradually shifted to their future.

"What do you two plan to do next?" (Leela)

"We're thinking of leaving Obsul and heading to Holmuz, known as the blacksmith's town." (Ai)

"We want to make armor using that material." (Tatsuro)

"Yes, to use that, we'll need to rely on a skilled blacksmith." (Ai)

Leela thought of the golden crystal fur while saying this and offered a word of caution to the two.

"Indeed, aiming for Holmuz to commission equipment is a good idea, but you might want to be cautious of the individual currently in charge of the merchant guild over there. It's still just rumors, but I've heard a lot of unpleasant stories," (Leela)

"Which means, aside from regular shopping, it seems wise to avoid places and people associated with the merchant guild," (Tatsuro)

"That sounds like a prudent choice. For armor crafting requests, it's best to rely on trustworthy individuals," (Ai)

As they nodded to this discussion, they felt grateful for the letter of introduction given to them by the old man, which seemed like it might come in handy here. Tatsuro then tended to the people in the workshop who were still under the influence of [Fear] and they discussed heading back together.

Zendo suddenly looked out at the lake and noticed something resembling a black mist floating above it.

"Hey, Tatsuro. What do you think that is?" (Zendo)

"Huh?" (Tatsuro)

"What is it?" (Ai)

With a puzzled tone, Zendo pointed ahead. Both Tatsuro and Ai followed his gaze, and it was clear that something unusual was floating over the lake, gradually expanding in size.

"Is that a spiritual apparition? Tatsuro-san, use light ma" (Leela)

Leela, who had seen something like it before, immediately recognized its nature and was about to ask Tatsuro to use light magic, the most effective countermeasure. However, it was already too late.

The mist completely covered the lake, and then sank into the water as if dissolving. The once beautiful lake turned pitch black, and the water became muddy and viscous like sludge.

"Wait what's going on here" (Tatsuro).

Zendo, who had spent more time with this lake than anyone else here, could not contain his shock as he picked up the changed water with his hands, his voice trembling.

"Zendo-san, don't touch it!" (Leela)

Silently, Zendo allowed Leela to pull him away from the lake. The other salt workers who had come with Zendo were also standing there in astonishment at the sight.

Seeing the distressing sight, the two of them approached Leela, who seemed to know something about the cause and urgently asked her for information.

"Leela-san, what is this?" (Tatsuro)

"How can we undo this?" (Ai)

"Please tell us; we need to know." (Tatsuro)

First, Leela calmed them down and made sure they were in a state where they could listen attentively. Then she began to explain what had just happened.

"The entities that appeared earlier are called spiritual apparitions.' If you leave a corpse unattended for too long, occasionally it will transform and scatter curses like this." (Leela)

"So, you mean" (Tatsuro)

"Yes, most likely, it's the final struggle of the Magic Dragon." (Leela)

"Is that so" (Ai)

They stared at the lake in shock, realizing that even in death, the Magic Dragon continued to wreak havoc with its persistence.