The number of monsters was decreasing, so I thought I could finally launch an attack on Hanuman. To my surprise, most of the monsters were already dead, taken down by the S-rank spell Meteorite Light Sphere, which Mako had just developed.
My father’s generation is said to be exceptionally skilled, perhaps due to the many incidents they were involved in, and seeing Mako, I can honestly say I understand why.
But for now, I need to focus on the fight with Hanuman!
Hanuman is a monster about 20 meters long, perfectly described as a kaiju from old movies. To make matters worse, it can use not only earth attribute magic but also fire and lightning attribute magic. I didn’t expect it to be this large. However, many Demise Species are enormous, and I’ve hunted even larger monsters like Dragoons and Fortress Whales before, so I won’t be intimidated by its size alone.
Suppressing my eagerness, I generated five Gracious Bunkers for a preemptive strike and fired them. Gracious Bunker, upon impact, activates Ice Mist Explosion and Mist Solution, dealing significant damage to the target’s core. I’ve made some improvements to it. Gracious Bunker looks like a missile made of ice and earth attribute magic, launched by wind attribute magic and guided by telekinetic magic, thus ensuring high accuracy.
However, I considered that due to the elemental compatibility issues with some monsters, its effectiveness might be reduced. Also, if a monster had high physical defense, it might not be able to pierce its surface. Therefore, I embedded Ice Mist Explosion-activated Multi Edge into the rear of the Gracious Bunker, adjusting it to activate upon impact and thus enhance its penetration power. I recall Earth having similar weapons.
Because of this, my Mirror Ring’s processing capacity became insufficient. It was only manageable because Multi Edge is a consumable item. While consumable Engraving Tools have low processing capabilities, they can still be activated upon impact or with a slight time delay, so without that, I would have given up.
However, Hanuman shot down all my Gracious Bunkers and retaliated by throwing lava balls made from fire and earth attribute magic, enhanced with lightning attribute magic.
There may not be much earth in the Gagun Great Forest, but it’s not completely absent. Especially since it’s home to Treasure Trees, earth is more abundant here than elsewhere. Yet, Hanuman is creating multiple lava balls from just a handful of earth.
Even a handful from a 20-meter-tall giant is larger than any ordinary shell. Furthermore, they are not just boiling lava but also infused with lightning, so a direct hit, or even a graze, would be devastating.
“Damn it! Ugh!”
I deflected the lava balls with Aqua Arms or my Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green imbued with Mana Ring, and defended with Knight Magic Shielding. However, I couldn’t deal with two of them in time, and they hit my arms. Despite being protected by my Crest Defender Coat and Magic Gauntlet, as expected of an attack from a Demise Species, the part of my left arm from the wrist down instantly turned to charcoal and crumbled.
I immediately used Knight Magic Aiding to alleviate the pain and stop the bleeding, but Hanuman didn’t miss the opportunity to pursue. I’m in trouble, I can’t dodge it!
“Yamato!”
Prim, flustered, charged in with Flare Penetrator, deflecting Hanuman’s attack away from me.
“Yamato-san! Please retreat once!”
Mina then stepped in front of me, holding a Silverio Shield. Flam’s Tidal Blaster and Mako’s Meteorite Light Sphere also attacked Hanuman, and Lydia and Ludia, along with Athena, were also engaging it.
“B-but…!”
Thanks to Aiding, the pain has finally subsided. But my reckless solo challenge against Hanuman has caused trouble for everyone. With several Catastrophe Species still remaining, everyone is focusing on Hanuman to make me retreat…
“Uwaaah!”
“Kyaah!”
“Athena! Lydia!”
Athena was blown away by the charge of the Blast Blade Beetle, a Catastrophe Species, and Lydia was slammed to the ground by a swipe from the Abyss Panther’s front paw. Although the pursuit was avoided thanks to Mako’s Meteorite Light Sphere, both of them sustained serious injuries.
Seeing this, an unprecedented rage surged within me. Why… why did I strive for strength… for power?! It was to protect everyone! Yet, instead of protecting them, I became the cause of their injuries!
This is probably the second time I’ve been this angry at myself. At the same time, I remembered anew for what purpose I had sought strength. The reason I pursued power, desired evolution, and tried to become stronger was to protect my friends and family. I also have the objective of defeating the Abyssal Emperor, but protecting everyone is more important than that. I swore I would…
But ironically, the moment I clearly recognized my anger towards myself, the engravings on my right and left hands reacted. Engravings are usually on the back of the hand, but my left hand was burnt off by Hanuman’s lava balls. However, engravings do not disappear even if a hand is lost.
So, holding Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green with telekinetic magic, and with my left hand gone, I regenerated the Mirror Ring that had disappeared along with my left hand onto my right hand, and then regenerated Multi Edge onto the same right hand, and activated Engraving Fusion Magic, driven by my emotions.
“W-Yamato-san… that…!”
“Wing Bit Liberator.”
“Wi-Wing… Bit?”
The newly generated wing-sword-shaped fusion accessory, Wing Bit Liberator, appeared on my back. When I generate an Engraving Tool, I instinctively know its name, shape, and performance, so I wasn’t surprised that Multi Edge and Mirror Ring had disappeared from my hand. I was surprised by its shape, which resembled an advanced weapon from a certain old mecha anime, but it was convenient for me in my current state, unable to use my left hand.
“Mina, take Lydia and Athena to Mako. In the meantime, I’ll handle the monsters.”
However, it was my carelessness, or rather my impatience, that caused Athena and Lydia to be seriously injured. Thanks to Mako, they avoided follow-up attacks and are safe, but the thought of what might have happened if Mako hadn’t been there chills me to the bone.
Therefore, I detached twelve wing blades from the Wing Bit Liberator, imbued them all with Gracious Bunker, and fired them at the Catastrophe Species, including Hanuman. The Wing Bit Liberator, generated through Engraving Fusion Magic, has immeasurably superior processing capabilities compared to Multi Edge and Mirror Ring. Furthermore, since I can project my consciousness into all twelve bits, I have the luxury of engaging in close combat while controlling the Wing Bits. Moreover, the Wing Bits seem to possess the characteristics of Multi Edge, allowing me to change their blade shape and even increase their number. I can also hold them in my hands, and with my familiarity with Wing Burst, their usability is largely unchanged. In fact, the strength and precision of my magic and engraving techniques have improved, making it a significant upgrade in combat power. As proof, all the Catastrophe Species around Hanuman, including the Blast Blade Beetle and the Abyss Panther that had blown away Lydia and Athena, were struck by the wild Gracious Bunkers and fell.
“S-so amazing…”
“Mina, please!”
“Y-yes!”
Entrusting Lydia and Athena to Mina, I then detached twenty-four bits, infused them with Ice Edge Javelin, and fired them all at Hanuman! Unfortunately, projecting my consciousness seems to be limited to twelve, but that’s still more than enough. Hanuman countered with lava balls, just like before, but I anticipated this. Do I look like someone who falls for the same trick twice? I continuously generated Wing Bits from my Reaarrak, infusing them with Ice Edge Javelin, and engaged in interception. Perhaps due to the improved processing capabilities, firing the same magic repeatedly is not difficult at all. Conversely, Hanuman seemed bewildered by the seemingly endless barrage of Ice Edge Javelins. Even a Demise Species cannot unleash magic indefinitely. But that’s precisely why Hanuman can’t take its eyes off me.
I glanced briefly towards Lydia and Athena, who were being transported to Mako by Mina’s telekinetic magic. Mako is also a healer, so they are in good hands.
“Prim! Ludia!”
I returned my gaze to Hanuman and signaled my beloved wives who had provided support earlier.
“Roger!”
“Un!”
Prim, clad in Seraphim Penetrator, and Ludia, clad in Assault Blazer, charged at Hanuman. Hanuman noticed them, but it was too late. Seraphim Penetrator pierced its right arm, and Assault Blazer shattered its left leg. The fallen Hanuman was sent flying into the air by Meteorite Light Sphere and impaled by several Tidal Blasters. Taking advantage of the opening, I gathered the Wing Bits at Hanuman’s landing spot and created a colossal Gracious Bunker.
“Taaahhh!”
Hanuman, who was then slammed down by Mina’s Mace Quake, fell onto a giant ice spike about half its size, but being a Demise Species, it was still alive. However, an Ice Mist Explosion, activated a moment later, dealt significant internal damage, and Hanuman looked at me one last time before succumbing.
After confirming this, I hurried to Mako.
“Mako! How are Lydia and Athena!?”
“They’re alright. Look.”
Prompted by Mako, I saw Lydia and Athena, who had fainted but were completely unharmed.
“They didn’t lose any limbs, and they weren’t pursued, so Noble Healing was enough. I have a lot to say, but we’ll discuss it when we get back to Alka.”
“I see…”
Mako is angry, and rightfully so. Before heading to subjugate the Slume Lord, Mako had asked me if I was fighting like it was a game. I didn’t intend to, but recently I’ve been defeating high-rank monsters with ease, so I was definitely getting complacent. Mako had sensed that I was becoming that way back then and warned me, and this battle proved her right. No matter how much I deny it, I have no convincing argument this time.
“Anyway, Yamato-kun, your treatment takes priority now. We need to regenerate your left hand.”
“Huh?”
“Did you forget? How frustrating.”
Right, my left hand was burnt off by Hanuman. I was more worried about Lydia and Athena, so I had completely forgotten.
“Here, it’s done.”
“Thank you.”
With Mako’s Extra Healing, my left hand regenerated. I moved it lightly; it felt completely normal, just like before. It was the first time I’d used it, but healing magic is truly amazing.
“That’s your fused weapon, Yamato-kun. It has an interesting shape again, and its abilities are terrifying.”
“I can generate bits infinitely as long as my mana allows. It’s different from what I expected, but it’s a blessing for me right now.”
Since I have Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green for close combat, a weaponized form would have been problematic. I think this still falls under the weaponized category, but it seems Wing Bit Liberator is classified as an accessory. I don’t understand the criteria.
“That’s how Engraving Tools work. So, what’s your level?”
“Ah, let me see.”
Mako looked at me with a exasperated expression, but my focus had been on Lydia and Athena’s safety, so I had genuinely forgotten about my level. I hurriedly checked my license.
Yamato Hydrangea Mikami
18 years old
Lv. 102
Human Race – Element Human
Union: Wing Crest
Hunter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom – Feel
Hunter’s Rank: O
Order’s Guild: Amister Kingdom – Float Outside
Order’s Rank: O
Crafter’s Guild: Amister Kingdom – Feel
Crafter’s Rank: G-S
“I had a feeling, but it seems there really is a rank above Ancient Class.”
“Yes. It seems to be an Element Class, perhaps.”
I had successfully evolved into an Element Human. There were no apparent changes in my appearance, but there was one significant change.
“Yamato-kun, have you deactivated Wing Burst?”
“Yes. I’ve defeated Hanuman and the Catastrophe Species.”
“Then why are your wings still out?”
“Huh?”
When Mako pointed it out, I looked at my back and saw that my wings were still extended. I knew the Wing Bit Liberator was still generated, but I was truly surprised that my wings were still out.
“Is this proof of evolution to Element Class?”
“Does that mean if you evolve to Element Class, you’ll always sprout wings?”
“They aren’t innate wings, but they’re not that different from the Winged Tribe, are they? To know how they feel, it would be best to ask Prim.”
Indeed. Prim is currently with everyone else, collecting the monsters, so I’ll have to have a thorough conversation with her later.
“It seems the other battles are over too. Once the collection is done, let’s head back to Alka.”
It appears Holy Grave, Falcon’s Beak, and the Beastars have also finished defeating the monsters. There seem to be some injured, but no casualties, so reporting to Mistol can wait until tomorrow.
However, what truly matters to me is that Lydia and Athena are safe. I really need to be careful not to grow complacent.
