Chapter 73 Is This Really Okay!?
I activated [Rapid Flash] and sprinted across the snowy plain.
From the edge of the barrier to where Nord was, near the center, I reached in under ten seconds.
Nord was engulfed in a fierce flame tornado, surrounded by Garon and others who were forming a shield. Io and the others were maintaining their magic, and Fiona and Glen from the Cutting Squad were attacking Nord with all their might.
Their momentum was incredible, and they were actually whittling down Nord's body.
However...
It was likely that we could take down Nord before the [Giant Heavy Dragon Scale Spear] disappeared, but it was still uncertain whether we could really defeat him.
So, I decided to lend a hand.
My unique sword technique, [Blast Flying Blade] variation――[Blast Bullet]
I took the final step, and with the momentum of my sprint, I swung my sword.
The aura that flew out from the tip of my sword was like a cannonball, flying towards Nord.
It pierced through the flame tornado, and hit Nord's head.
The explosive sound shook the air.
The flame tornado expanded from within, and a part of it burst. In an instant, I confirmed that Nord's head had disappeared on the other side of the flames, and then the flames returned to normal.
There was no sign of Nord's head regenerating again.
Moreover, by destroying his head, another variation occurred.
The defensive aura that had been circulating on Nord's body surface――his skin was already burned off――had vanished.
"As expected of Master Gale. The attack route has become much clearer now."
I stopped to unleash my technique near Glen, the silver-haired, blue-eyed beauty in male attire.
While rapidly firing magical energy-infused arrows from her silver bow, Glen smiled coolly and said.
I also released [Heavy Flying Blade] alongside her, responding.
"This time's Unique Individual has an almost immortal regenerative power, but it's not like it can ignore its body's structure. Until it regenerates its head, it's almost impossible to use magic or aura.
Manipulating magical energy and aura is a caster's thought process――in other words, it's their consciousness. Therefore, if the brain or its equivalent is destroyed, even a Unique Individual can't manipulate magical energy or aura.
It's predicted that the Unique Individual's main body is some kind of parasite, but during the time it's parasitizing, it's being dragged along by the host's body and consciousness, which we've learned from past battles.
It's likely that the parasite itself doesn't have high intelligence――that's what the Guild's information department predicts.
In other words, the parasite parasitizes a highly intelligent host and uses its brain to think highly, for the first time.
This information was shared with the members participating in this operation, but the amount of information was overwhelming, and it was too obvious that destroying the brain would render thinking impossible, so it wasn't considered important.
Moreover, this kind of thing is difficult to understand with just knowledge. Most of the operation members are fighting a Unique Individual for the first time, so it's not unreasonable.
Io, who has as much actual combat experience with Unique Individuals as I do, would have realized this, but unfortunately, he's not in a state to command the entire team right now.
The Cutting Squad's attack is constantly scattering flames and whirlwinds. Normally, a group magic would be impossible to maintain, and it's not strange for the spell to be canceled. They're constantly adjusting and maintaining the magic from the outside, so they don't have any spare attention to devote to anything else.
"I see."
I didn't explain it that thoroughly, but Glen seemed to understand it fully from my brief explanation.
With a fierce grin on her neutral face, she pulled her bowstring even tighter.
"Then――how about this?!"
'Spirit Archer' unique skill――[Purifying Aurora Arrow]
Under the clear sky, a light brighter than the sun's rays shines.
It's not an aura arrow, but an arrow of light that's been compressed and formed, shot from Glen's bow.
In an instant, it hits its mark almost simultaneously with its flight.
The light arrow that pierced the flames has accurately struck Nord's chest, right at his heart.
Immediately after, it's clear that Nord's speed of being burned by the flames has increased. What's happening is that Nord's regenerative abilities have decreased, and the damage he takes has relatively increased.
I'm genuinely impressed by the skill that accurately shot Nord's heart, which was hidden by the flames.
Glen's archery skills are amazing, but it's also thanks to the attack power of her Unique Job, 'Spirit Archer'.
'Spirit Archer' is a special combat Job that can handle both aura and magical energy at the same time.
However, it's not like she can use magic; as the Job's name suggests, she can "employ" spirits and imbue her aura with attributes.
Unlike special combat Jobs like 'Spirit Sorcerer', which can cause various phenomena, Glen can utilize the power of spirits to imbue her aura with attributes――all attributes except Space, Holy, and Gravity.
Well, the downside is that it consumes magical energy to imbue attributes, but being able to switch attributes according to the enemy or situation is an incredible advantage.
"This is it, I can do it!!"
"I don't know what's going to happen, don't let your guard down!"
I caution Glen, who's gleaming with confidence, not to relax.
We haven't won yet, and besides, Unique Individuals are monsters that are different from the norm. A moment's carelessness can lead to anything happening.
Well, Glen is an ultra-elite explorer, after all. It's obvious, even if I don't say it.
"You're so worried, Master Gale!"
Glen says with a mix of jest, but her hands don't stop, continuously firing arrows.
I didn't let my guard down, continuously chipping away at Nord's massive body, while keeping an eye on Glen's carefree attitude.
"You idiot! Take the fight seriously!"
"...Master Gale, weren't you just naked until a little while ago?"
"So what if I was?"
"..."
What's the connection between that and this? Is she trying to change the subject? I don't know, but she's really getting on my nerves.
――As I continued to attack Nord alongside Glen,
"Aaron!"
"Yeah, Fiona!"
Fiona, who was dancing around Nord while attacking, came running towards me.
Fiona didn't let up on her attack, unleashing a super-powered [Flying Slash] with [Sword Dance] and [Dance of the God Offering], and for a brief moment, she stopped and looked at me with a satisfied expression.
"Good job wearing clothes today! You're amazing!"
――I got praised for wearing clothes!
I chuckled and puffed out my chest, as if it was only natural.
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
Wearing clothes is a given, right?
Fiona seemed relieved that I was wearing clothes, and she took off running again.
"...Huh? What was that conversation just now?"
Glen looked at me with a puzzled expression while firing an arrow.
I answered without stopping my attack.
"What's with that question? You heard it yourself, geez!"
"No...as far as I know, only little kids get praised for wearing clothes..."
I didn't know how to respond to that.
It's a bit embarrassing, but Fiona had a reason for praising me. I had to answer honestly to avoid any misunderstandings.
"No, I'm usually naked at night (after getting out of the bath)."
"Why are you suddenly talking about perverted stuff?!"
"Fiona also throws my underwear at me or slaps my butt to get my attention, you know."
"Lady Fiona threw your underwear and slapped your butt to get your attention? What kind of play is that, Master Gale?!"
"Play...? Uh, well, sometimes I just go outside like that (to cool off in the garden)..."
"Outdoor Exposure Play!?"
"If I get seen by the neighbors, it'll be too embarrassing, so I can't go outside naked, got it?"
"Lady Fiona is being surprisingly normal about this, isn't she?"
"Well, anyway, I rarely dress modestly, so I got praised for it."
"When I asked for details, all I understood was that the 2 of you were enjoying some abnormal play..."
Abnormal play...?
I do recall getting scolded by Fiona for exposing myself in the garden, and the neighbor's wife spreading weird rumors about it... but that's not what we're talking about.
It feels like there's been a misunderstanding.
I tried to clear up the misunderstanding, but before I knew it, I didn't have the time to do so.
The first one to notice was Fiona.
While attacking Nord, Fiona suddenly stopped and shouted loudly.
"Everyone!! Get away from Nord!!"
Her urgent voice.
Without hesitation, I jumped back and refocused on Nord.
The intense magical energy building up inside Nord's body was hidden by the Cutting Squad's fierce attacks and the Magic Squad's magic, but I sensed it.
Following Fiona's lead, I shouted.
"It's going to self-destruct!! It's going to explode!!"
The others started to notice, and the Cutting Squad began to retreat. However, the Magic Squad was slow to react.
They must have been worried that if they stopped [Fiery Deathstorm], Nord would regenerate instantly. If they cancelled the magic now, it would be irreversible.
Their judgment was correct, and I couldn't blame the magicians.
Garon and the Restraint Squad stood in front of the Magic Squad, forming a shield while retreating.
As the Cutting Squad members retreated, I stood my ground and swung my sword.
I only used 2 techniques.
My unique sword technique――[Continuous Blade Barrier]
I sent countless blades flying forward, deploying them even further ahead of Garon and his group. However, considering the area that needed to be defended, 2 uses of [Continuous Blade Barrier] were like pouring water on a hot stone. If I could even slightly mitigate the impact of the attack on Garon and his group, that would be a blessing.
Immediately after.
A massive explosion occurred, shaking the entire Snowfield Floor――.
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