Chapter 40

Chapter 40 –You’re Finally Becoming Useful. (3)

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As the mercenaries clung to the Blood Python’s body, relentlessly striking it with blunt weapons, the serpent thrashed its tail wildly in all directions.

The mercenaries who were struck by its tail were sent flying in an instant, but others quickly filled the gaps and continued the attack.

Kaaaaaaah!

The Blood Python let out a furious, rage-filled scream.

At its head, Ghislain, Gillian, and Kaor were inflicting wounds and drawing its attention while mercenaries clung to its tail and body, swinging their blunt weapons.

Sharp daggers occasionally sliced through the air, aiming for its eyes, preventing the creature from fully concentrating.

Anyone would become enraged if a swarm of flies continuously buzzed around them.

The Blood Python thrashed even more violently, twisting its massive body.

Kwoooom!

Each time its tail slammed into the ground, another mercenary lost their life.

However, the mercenaries gritted their teeth and pressed on with their attacks.

Everyone was risking their lives, doing their utmost to take down this monster somehow.

“Gillian! Go to the tail and help the mercenaries!”

Even while deftly dodging the serpent’s attacks, Ghislain kept an eye on the situation and issued orders.

As the wounds on the Blood Python’s body increased, the speed of its tail-whipping gradually slowed.

When Gillian joined the mercenaries in their assault, cracks began to appear on the scales.

After relentlessly attacking, ready to face death, they finally saw some results.

Crack!

“It’s breaking!”

As one of the mercenaries shouted, Gillian yelled while channeling mana into his axe.

“Stand back!”

Boom!

The axe embedded itself deep into the serpent’s body, with the blade sinking in more than halfway.

It was a wound far larger than any they had inflicted so far.

Blood began to gush from the Blood Python’s skin.

Seeing this, the mercenaries were filled with hope.

“Here! Stab it here!”

They frantically hammered at the wound, driving in swords and spears.

Weapons that hadn’t been able to penetrate the smaller wounds now went in much more easily.

The accumulated internal damage had weakened the creature’s muscles.

Kaaaaaahk!

The Blood Python screeched in agony, thrashing its body.

In the chaos, the mercenaries crushed beneath it or struck by its thrashing tail had their bones broken or were killed.

Although the Blood Python’s movements had slowed compared to the beginning, the sheer destructive power of its massive size remained unchanged.

‘This won’t do.’

As Ghislain dodged the serpent’s fangs, he continued to think.

Those capable of inflicting real wounds had exhausted their mana from the very start of the battle, rapidly growing fatigued.

Ultimately, it was a race to see whether they would be wiped out from exhaustion first or the Blood Python would fall.

Boom! Boom!

“Aaaargh!”

While he was lost in thought, the mercenaries’ screams filled the surroundings.

No matter how much damage they dealt, at this rate, the mercenaries would be eradicated first.

The longer the fight dragged on, the more unfavorable it became for them.

Just then, the Blood Python’s eyes glowed a fiery red as it swung its tail in a wide arc.

Whoosh!

Boom!

Several mercenaries were sent flying, and in that brief opening, the Blood Python swiftly withdrew, retreating to the rear.

As it began to distance itself from the mercenaries, hopeful words escaped from their mouths.

“What... what’s happening? Could it be... it’s running away?”

“Is it over?”

“Fall back for now! Pull the wounded to the rear!”

The mercenaries also retreated, regrouping as they murmured among themselves.

It would be the best possible outcome if the Blood Python truly withdrew.

They had managed to break through its scales, which were said to be impervious to anything but a powerful mana blade or high-circle magic, and they had successfully driven their weapons into it.

Given the party’s capabilities, this was an impressive achievement, yet no one rejoiced.

Boom! Boom!

As time passed, the four began to run low on mana and grow exhausted, forcing them to focus solely on dodging.

Unable to bear it any longer, Kaor shouted loudly and rushed toward the Blood Python’s head.

“Damn it! I’ll be the bait; aim for its eyes!”

As soon as Kaor entered its range, the Blood Python relentlessly targeted him with its head, ignoring the others who were inflicting wounds on its body.

Boom! Boom!

Overwhelmed by the sheer pressure and speed, Kaor couldn’t even swing his sword. All he could do was desperately dodge with every ounce of strength he had.

However, thanks to his actions, Belinda seized a fleeting opportunity.

Boom!

The Blood Python’s head slammed into the ground, and in that instant, Kaor barely managed to avoid it.

“Die!”

Belinda’s dagger surged toward the Blood Python’s large eye at an incredible speed.

She poured all her remaining mana into the dagger.

They would all be doomed if she failed to inflict a meaningful wound here.

But at that moment, Belinda locked eyes with the Blood Python.

The snake seemed to be mocking her.

“No way...”

Tang!

The mana-infused dagger struck the Blood Python’s eye, only to be pitifully deflected.

“This can’t be happening!”

The Blood Python living in the Forest of Beasts was unlike the ones they knew.

Its eyeball’s surface was made of a material even harder than its scales.

If the eye, known as the Blood Python’s only weak point, was this tough, it was essentially invincible.

How were they supposed to kill this thing?

As everyone reeled in shock, something even more astonishing happened.

Kaor was already in the spot where the Blood Python had been aiming.

Whoosh!

The tail, which hadn’t moved until now, swung violently toward Kaor.

Cunningly, the Blood Python had been waiting for this moment, refraining from using its tail to strike until now.

“No!”

The others quickly rushed toward the Blood Python.

But even that was a trap.

Hisss!

At that instant, the Blood Python’s head twisted unnaturally and lunged at Ghislain with blinding speed.

The movement of its tail had only been a preparation for this deadly strike.

Ghislain, already closing in on the Blood Python, had no way to avoid it.

He had no choice but to detonate all three of his cores simultaneously in a desperate attempt to endure the attack.

“Young Lord!”

Suddenly, Belinda appeared and shoved Ghislain forcefully out of harm’s way.

Boom!

“Belinda!”

Ghislain, who had tumbled to the side, shouted her name as he looked back.

Thud!

Belinda flung at tremendous speed, crashed into a tree, and collapsed to the ground.

She lay there, coughing up blood, but she wasn’t dead.

Even as she was hurled through the air, she twisted her body to minimize the impact.

“Ugh... Idiot... I told you to run... Why don’t you ever listen... Hurry back to the estate, reflect on your actions, and lock yourself in a cell... You never listen, that idiot...”

Belinda muttered weakly as she continued to cough up blood.

“Kaor! Save Belinda!”

At Ghislain’s urgent shout, Kaor, barely having survived, quickly grabbed Belinda and retreated.

Hisss!

The Blood Python flicked its tongue in satisfaction as it scanned the surroundings.

Although it hadn’t achieved its primary goal, it had successfully neutralized the annoying prey that had been swinging daggers at it, so it was pleased.

But Ghislain had no intention of being treated like a mere plaything by a monster.

Glaring at the Blood Python, he turned to Gillian.

“Gillian, go for its body and finish widening the wound. If the opportunity arises, attack with the mercenaries.”

“What are you saying? Don’t tell me... you plan to face its head alone?”