Published at 5th of April 2022 03:38:19 PM

561 Another Head

I look down at Lilixira from above the cliff. Not only does she have an advantage in HP, she has the [Immortal Qigong] skill to heal her body with magic from the atmosphere, and the [Body Alchemy] skill to create medicine within her body.

Her attacks are most effective at mid-range. With [Immortal Step], she avoids an attack while moving into position, then launches an attack using [Aparajita]. I have no choice but to somehow bring the fight into close combat, and leverage the oneiros attack strength and magic power to inflict big damage in one go.

Lilixira should be fine with this fight becoming a protracted battle. Since she has the versatile [Aparajita], she has little reason to fight at a close distance.

I cant see a future where I can win against Lilixira at all. The more I think about it, the more it looks like her skills shut down the oneiros methods of attacking.

Suddenly I think about what my partner would do. Each time I would get lost in decision paralysis, worrying about all the unknowns, she would simply push through and produce results before looking at me with a smug expression.

The situations dire, but somehow, it feels nostalgic. Whenever I got stuck overthinking things, my partner would rush in, and then if I thought she was overdoing it, Id use my full strength as the one in control to hold her back. At the time I thought we were a mismatched pair with opposite ways of doing things, but we might have been complementing each other more than I had realised.

Thats right, partner. In front of the enemy, I cant just be thinking. If I dont see a way forward, then Ive no choice but to create an opportunity by forcibly attacking again and again. Going on the defence and handing Lilixira free reign to attack would border on stupidity.

Even for Lilixira, theres no way she could have as much leeway as Im supposing. A fight to the death between Legendary ranks thats new to us both should be a development that even Lilixira didnt wish for.

Lilixira has the advantage in skills that are simple, easy to use, and fast. That much is clear. However, that being the case, the explosive power of the oneiros skills, and my edge in my strength and magic stats makes me a constant threat to her. She might be better at pressing a steady attack, but the oneiros should have much higher potential to break through a disadvantageous situation.

I kick the top of the cliff wall, and throw a [Dimension Claw] as I leap towards Lilixira. After I swing down my arm, her surroundings become a blur. Here it is, [Immortal Step]! Lilixira displaces to the side with a bizarre movement, avoiding my [Dimension Claw].

That strange movement skill has, bluntly speaking, no weaknesses. Since her movement is so unpredictable, its not possible to strike at the gap between when she begins to move and when she stops. Its not pragmatic to aim to shave off her MP, either. As far as countermeasures go, all I can really hope to do is nail her in close combat.

However, immediately following her usage of [Immortal Step], I can act to improve the situation even a little bit. I breathe in, aiming at the area she looks set to appear at, and release [Scorching Breath] from my mouth.

Its difficult to pinpoint the destination of her [Immortal Step], but I can see the direction from the start of her motion. With the wide area of [Scorching Breath] its not impossible for me to hit her as she comes out of it.

And In this situation, Lilixira, whos been fighting reliably up till now, doesnt seem likely to rush the fight and put herself in an unfavourable situation. To deal with me going on the attack, she wouldnt deliberately choose to shorten the distance herself.

Lilixira isnt such a simple person. Shes an enemy, but Ill trust her for just this one thing.

Thats why, there youll be!

I adjust the position of my torso. The latter half of the [Scorching Breath] catches Lilixira.

I read it correctly! But, the main event starts now. In the opportunity afforded by Lilixira being blinded, Ill shrink the difference in HP in one go!

To go on the attack and continue raining blows even when the odds arent in my favour. This is such a time. Isnt that right, partner?!

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As I fling [Dimension Claw], I dive straight into the midst of the raging flames. Faster than my swung arm pulling back, I open my jaws wide and bite down at Lilixira.

But I missed. Within the fire, I see Lilixira fluttering directly above me. She predicted that I would punch in and attack, and already repositioned using [Immortal Step]. The swords of light clutched in her four arms are aimed towards my head.

To use [Scorching Breath] as a smokescreen, which has a smaller area of effect than [Plague Breath] and would damage yourself if assaulted through You probably did that to throw off my ability to predict you, but It was a little too simplistic.

Lilixira hurls the swords of light. I twist my body, but naturally Im in the worst possible position. Two of the swords miss, but the other two stab into my jaw and neck.

An intense heat flows from the places Im stabbed. My neck stiffens up as if paralyzed. It feels as though Ive been poisoned.

I barely avoided having my head pierced, but naturally, jumping right into an opponents ready stance is going to be harsh.

Lilixira raises her arms to the skies as if to attack further, but Looking at me, her eyes open wide and she stiffens.

Ouroboros?

Thats right, in the instant I jumped into the [Scorching Breath], I changed my form to the ouroboros using [Dragon Mirror].

Space distorts. Shes probably trying to escape with [Immortal Step]. However, Im too close. She also noticed a moment too late. More than anything, the snake portion of the [Holy Naga]s body is much longer than a human body.

My other head punches through the flames and clamps down on Lilixiras snake lower half.

I knew that Lilixira would be able to tell that Id try to take advantage of [Scorching Breath]s smokescreen to attack. The reason I used [Scorching Breath] rather than [Plague Breath], was because [Plague Breath] would have likely set Lilixira on guard, thinking that I must have further plans besides a simple smokescreen.

Since I knew they were coming, Id even managed to avoid two of the [Aparajita] swords from point blank range.