#219
Lycanthrope (4)
-“Where the hell do these cursed creatures think they are!”
-“It’s a monster! Kill it!”
-“M-monster! Someone save me! Please!”
In the not-so-brief history of the continent.
Lycanthropes have always been a type of ‘plague,’ facing persecution and rejection.
An incomplete race that can only increase their population through infection, as normal reproduction is impossible.
Even those who were fine would begin to be tainted by dark magic immediately after infection, and eventually, their identities twisted to the point where their former selves were barely recognizable.
Even if they somehow manage to maintain their sanity, they often lose their reason to the madness that surges every full moon, rampaging with infection and slaughter.
It is only natural for people to try to remove those ticking time bombs to protect themselves and their families.
Not only that, but a normal boy bitten by a wolf-man ended up killing the villagers and his family who tried to kill him.
Given the countless sacrifices he caused before becoming a complete monster, this isn’t surprising in a world like this.
…That he became so strong as to eventually become a ‘king’ after surviving for centuries is indeed an unusual tale.
There was also someone’s intervention and help along the way.
BAM—!
“Hehehe! Gotcha! Annoying little bugs!”
The Lycanthrope King, Baukalakas, shredded the Earth Spirit that had been constantly obstructing his steps with a chilling aura.
Just that alone created claw marks on the earth within a 5-meter radius, and with the immense essence of destruction in his hand, the Spirit was helplessly banished, losing even its status as a high-grade entity.
“Ugh!”
“Horut! Are you alright?”
“…Cecily, just focus on this! If it takes even a step outside, it’s over!”
A thin line of blood trickled from the mouth of the high elf Horut, who was the summoner of the spirit.
However, he showed no sign of weakness, gritting his teeth and concentrating even harder on the remaining spirits.
In the middle of the battlefield, where the two races clashed head-on, all four high elves remaining in Drasha were mobilized to bind the foot of the Lycanthrope leader.
Ugh, to barely hold on this close to the World Tree…! Who would’ve thought such a beast would invade without considering the aftermath? The difference in class is one thing, but the compatibility is terrible.
High elves generally have their powers amplified several times when near the World Tree, but the beast’s abilities amplified by the fusion of dark magic and madness were no joke.
Above all, the creature’s transcendental power, ‘Partial Ignoring of Attacks/Defense by Lower Class,’ combined with its terrifying physique had reached an unmanageable level.
No matter how much powerful firepower they unleashed, a certain percentage was wholly ignored, while it endured and regenerated, and the already powerful being’s attacks easily pierced through their defenses.
Thus, the best option was to tie the creature down in a war of attrition like this.
At least their regeneration power was superior as they were near the World Tree.
…But really, is that true? Looking at that monster’s state, I feel quite the opposite. If only we had just one opponent of equal class here, we could finish it quickly.
With the absolute advantage of longevity, the ratio of strong beings among the elves is quite high.
Thanks to the guardians spread across the territory, they could somehow cope with the simultaneous emergence of White Giants and the invasion of Lycanthropes.
However, it seemed there was some additional restriction that prevented surpassing their limits, as not a single elf had reached a transcendent state in the present age.
The leader of the sentinels, high elf Lydia, was said to be just on the brink, but she had bravely crossed the ocean to join the hero party.
“Kakakak! Are you tired now? Huh? Is it over? Let’s finish this!”
At that moment, amid the silly laughter, the monster charged toward the high elves.
The destructive magical power emanating from its body shattered the atmosphere, and as the trajectory of its outstretched fingertips tore through the air, the smell of burning filled the area.
“Ugh, I’ll stop it!”
“Support me!”
Platina, the Spirit Knight whose swordsmanship and magic were both at a high level, blocked the path of the incoming beast, with her entire body radiating aura.
Her sword, glimmering with starlight, met the crimson claws that flew toward her.
CLANK—!
For a moment, she staggered at the overwhelming physical disparity, but with the support magic from the queen, a great wizard, she managed to stand her ground somewhat evenly.
However, it was only for a moment…
CRACK! KABOOM—!
“Gah!”
Even with additional support from others, the time she held out was barely just over a minute.
In the end, after being knocked away like a projectile, she was barely able to escape.
Had it not been for Cecily, who cast a water barrier at the last moment, she would have incurred severe injuries from the ensuing attacks.
“Phew! I could have taken one down, but it’s a bit frustrating! If not for the World Tree, it would’ve been over long ago! Ah, I need to burn it fast!”
Baukalakas’ eyes grew darker with blood as his patience began to wear thin.
His sanity was probably dwindling, but his physical prowess was likely on the rise.
I have to find a way somehow.
Cecily swallowed her sigh and bit her lip.
They were barely holding on to their positions, while the opposing side had at least five general-level entities heading to the battlefield.
Of course, it wasn’t like they had no capable fighters to counter them…
Casualties will be unavoidable. Wait, speaking of which, where’s Harris?
At that moment, she suddenly realized it had been a while since she heard from him.
She thought the last news was that he had entered combat with a general-level enemy.
Since there was no time to maintain the World Tree network, she didn’t know what happened afterward.
…He should be on his way back by now. It should be better once he arrives. Let’s hold on as best as we can.
While Cecily was refocusing on the battle.
Harris was just stepping into Drasha.
*
CRACK!
“Ugh! World Tree…”
KABOOM—!
“Meow!”
Death was spreading from the center of the Enamel Continent, which had long been the center of peace.
Death that equally approached both Lycanthropes and Elves.
The hastily constructed wooden walls in preparation for the invasion had long been breached, and the elves were slowly retreating to reduce the number of foes as much as possible.
Lycanthropes, with their superior physical abilities and instincts, dodged or deflected all moderate range attacks, and even if they were hit, their durability and magic resistance, along with their overwhelming regeneration speed, meant they seldom fell.
No matter how much larger the elven numbers were, the opposing side was composed of elite units ready for a serious fight.
The elves needed immediate reinforcements that could be deployed more effectively… Fortunately, there were excellent human resources prepared in Drasha.
On the outskirts of the battlefield, slightly away from the center.
CRACKLE—
Shapiron Silvesty calmly pulled back the bowstring, slowly gathering natural energy.
“RAAAH! I’ll kill you!”
A warrior-level Lycanthrope zigzagged as it approached, evading her line of fire.
With its inflated body and crimson aura swirling around it, its crazed red eyes and drooling fangs gave off a ferocious vibe.
Though the appearance was terrifying, Shapiron maintained her composure and waited until the very last moment…
Firing a ‘Deadly Shot’ infused with the wind spirit at the optimal moment the creature could not evade.
SQUELCH—!
The arrowhead pierced right through its forehead.
For a normal warrior-level specimen, the attack would have been fatal, even with their regeneration powers. However, the Lycanthrope, enhanced by dark magic and madness, merely staggered for a moment after being hit.
As if seeking to die attacking Shapiron, it charged at her with ferocious intent, an arrow lodged in its head.
“Die!”
Even in this critical situation, Shapiron’s expression remained unfazed.
In truth, it was okay that the creature didn’t drop dead from the single shot.
Naturally, she was not alone.
SPLAT—! BOOM—! THWACK! ZING—! SLASH—!
While she drew the creature’s attention, arrows and magic from behind thoroughly shredded it.
At this point, even a knight-level foe wouldn’t survive.
From the direction of the assault, two of her peers, Timer and Quri, who once shared a festivity stage with Harris, quietly approached.
“Shapiron, are you really alright this way? The effect is good, but it seems too dangerous for you to handle alone.”
“…What about changing the plan?”
“It’s fine. After all, we’re only dealing with the wounded and the leftovers, right? Now’s not the time to be hesitant; a bit of risk has to be accepted.”
Drasha Academy was the best educational facility in the Elven Kingdom.
Naturally, all students were elites, capable of being instantly deployed as high-level resources.
Even in this crisis, they could be entrusted with rear support like this.
“If we move just a bit faster, we can save at least one more person. So starting now…”
RUSTLE—
Just then, a noise that sounded like someone breaking through the brush cut off her words.
The expressions of the three hardened instantly.
…Though they could hear it, their sensitive instincts felt nothing unusual.
Exchanging glances, they turned their heads slowly toward the source of the sound.
Before them stood a rugged-looking woman, who’d seemingly made the noise intentionally, observing them with a strange expression.
“I originally intended to pass by quietly, but upon reflection, you were right. If I pushed myself a bit more, I could probably save at least one of my people.”
She casually opened her mouth.
With short black hair, and scars visible on her exposed skin, she stood tall at 180 centimeters, muscular and imposing.
“…Taking down a few along the way shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
A sly smile revealed a mouthful of beastly teeth and gradually sharp claws.
“Ah, it was getting annoying to sit back while everyone else hunted and played. This works out perfectly. Heh heh heh.”
Coincidentally, the woman that Shapiron’s group encountered was a general-level Lycanthrope on a covert mission from the king.
*
Harris immediately moved to Drasha.
Even flying at top speed, it would take a couple of hours at least, but the ‘Path of the Forest’ technique was practiced for situations like this, wasn’t it?
Originally, it was a pilgrimage route, so it’s taboo and all that… but in a crisis like this, who cares!
After all, he was on his way to fulfill a direct request from the World Tree, so this was certainly within acceptable limits.
He set his steps towards the World Tree as a guide.
About 5 minutes later.
When he emerged from the Path of the Forest, he was already atop a branch of the World Tree.
…I didn’t intend to come this high. Though, maybe it’s actually better?
From this open view, he could probably grasp the battle situation more easily.
Harris looked down at the area near Drasha and frowned slightly at the progressing war.
To him, who recalled Drasha as always peaceful and beautiful, the current scene just didn’t sit well.
For the World Tree to offer such extravagant rewards means there’s a serious issue here.
What he could see was a tense battlefield.
There was a hint of a slight pushback, but it didn’t seem on the verge of collapse, and if they bought some time, the guardians would come rushing in with the sentinels.
…I’m not sure. I’ll need to look more closely to understand.
Quietly, he adjusted his grip on his bow, Temis, and activated ‘Star Observer’, glancing downward quietly…
And as he did, a feeling of elation stopped him in his tracks for a moment.
What’s this? Why is this suddenly happening?
It wasn’t a bad feeling.
It felt closer to the essence, more connected than during a normal skill use…
Is this because I’m in contact with the World Tree?
All the abilities of high elves grow stronger the closer they are to the World Tree.
Naturally, standing right above it, it made sense to feel things more vividly.
…Moreover, given the special situation, it felt like something more was being granted.
…I feel lacking, somehow. Let’s see, just a bit more.
Harris set off to maximize his affinity with nature, especially with the World Tree, activating ‘Heir of the World Tree’ and ‘Nature Assimilation’ in that state.
As he looked down at the earth—
Ah, this…
He.
《Special Skill ‘Star Observer’ absorbs its sub-abilities ‘Clear Reflection’ and ‘Insight’ and evolves into ‘Observer of the Milky Way.’》
The World Tree— he could glimpse the world seen by the gods.
