Akatsuki Translations

How to Defeat the Gashadokuro?

The key was the “traits” the Gashadokuro displayed during the battle.

It had a colossal body, formed from countless undead soldiers, which acted as a versatile shield. Moreover, it could disperse its body and control the soldiers. Even if its armor-like vessel was damaged, it could consume the treants from the underground dungeon as a substitute.

They couldn’t drag it into a war of attrition. Given time, it would likely absorb more monsters from the underground dungeon and grow even larger. However, Ur and his team lacked the firepower needed for a quick battle.

So, what was the solution? The ray of hope was discovered by Ur.

“When Diz triggered the 【pulse】of that red-black magic stone, which is the ruin of what was once the necromancer, while supplying magical power to the undead soldiers, the Gashadokuro ‘did not move’ .” -Ur

While Shizuku was negotiating with the Skeleton Knight, Ur was wary of the Gashadokuro. Though Shizuku and the Skeleton Knight were negotiating, the Gashadokuro didn’t care and could strike at any moment, which had Ur on edge.

But, the Gashadokuro did not attack.

While the red-black magic stone pulsed, sending magic to the undead soldiers, the Gashadokuro remained still, even though it should have been able to move freely using the treants as feet.

From this, a hypothesis was formed.

Maybe the Gashadokuro couldn’t move during the pulsation.

“The ‘pulse’ occurred regularly.” -Ur

The Gashadokuro wasn’t a single entity. It was formed by gathering undead soldiers, using them to shape a giant. Moving would consume magic power. The core held immense magical power, but it needed to be replenished regularly.

Perhaps, the regular pulsations were designated to replenish the “vessel” that composed its own body with “magical energy.” It was a moment of vulnerability.

“First, we make the Gashadokuro swing around to tire it out!!” -Ur

“B-b-b-but, won’t we die before that?!” -Laura

As Ur outlined his strategy, Laura continued to shriek and run. They were currently evading the attacks of the Gashadokuro, continuously running through the ruined fortress’s outer pathways.

『ＧＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡ！！！！！』

The two fists continued to batter down the fortress. To pause even for a moment meant risking the shattering blow that would reduce one’s body to dust, and the constant evasion was taking its toll on their nerves.

“Is it really necessary to keep moving like this?!” -Laura

“Probably.” -Ur

“Probably?! You’re just saying ‘probably’?!” -Laura

『ＧＡＧＡＧＧＡＧＡＧＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡ！！！』

Amidst the relentless pursuit of the Gashadokuro, that pulsation had occurred multiple times. It seemed this colossal monstrosity wasn’t exactly known for its fuel efficiency.

A single strike could spell the end, but fortunately, Ur and his companions moved with swiftness surpassing their foe’s every action. With unwavering focus on evasion, continuous avoidance was achievable. The pulsation would soon surge forth.

And so, the pressing concern became…

『Kieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! 』-Skeleton Knight

“Oh, the geezer’s here.” -Ur

From the depths of the shadows, the Skeleton Knight, shrieking eerily, approached from behind Ur.

『You there, lad! Here’s a strike from above aimed straight at your head! Will you dodge or block it with that shield?! 』-Skeleton Knight

No sooner had the words been spoken than the knight was upon him, sword crashing down. Under normal circumstances, neither dodging nor defending would have been possible against such a blow. But, forewarned, Ur was able to brace his shield in the right spot.

With sheer grit, he endured the searing pain and jarring impact.

“…Ugh!” -Ur

『Ha! Now, your right side! Neck, eyes! 』-Skeleton Knight

He defended in sequence. No matter how much the Skeleton Knight might have been holding back, to Ur, each blow felt lethal. A chill ran down his spine every time he blocked.

“U-Ur! The living dead are approaching!”  -Laura

“Old man! I’m kicking you off! Don’t you dare dodge!” -Ur

『You’d better not let me block it, lad! 』-Skeleton Knight

With a swift side kick, Ur’s foot slammed into the Skeleton Knight’s waist. No matter how skillful this warrior might be, he was still just a skeletal knight. Lightweight. And without wings, if thrown off the fortress walls, it would take the knight some time to return.

『Ouhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!? 』-Skeleton Knight

Thrown off, the knight was quick to leap back up, using his agility. But it bought Ur some time to fend off other foes.

“I-it’s coming!” -Laura

『ＧＵＧＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡ！！！！！』

“【Fireball】!” -Ur

He unleashed a fire spell from his magic tome, incinerating the advancing living dead. Seizing the moment, he delivered a punch. His magic was nearing its limit and soon he wouldn’t be able to use magic tomes. The enemies were relentless. Even so, he maneuvered through the tangle, leading Laura forward, running desperately. Sweat stung his eyes, but he couldn’t stop, not yet, not yet…

『Ga—』

A pulsating, dark red pulse raced towards the fortress.

“It’s here! Be ready!” -Ur

“【Come O Magic, House the Spirit of Ice, Take Form ――― 】” -Laura

Following Ur’s instruction, Laura began chanting a spell. The Ice Needle spell, known to many mage adventurers, was one that launched blades made of ice.

“【――― Stack them!! 】”  -Laura

The spell underwent a slight alteration. The inherent ability to shoot a blade was omitted. In its place, the ice needle was greatly strengthened, transforming it into a lance nearly two meters in length.

“It’s done… but!” -Laura

With a thunderous thud, the colossal icicle dropped to the ground. It couldn’t be hurled. If one wanted to project it, another spell would be necessary. Moreover, controlling something of this size proved challenging.

Yet, this was sufficient. Ur grabbed hold of it.

“Alright…” -Ur

Ur steadied his ragged breath, then swiftly tossed a 【Pill of Stalwartness】 into his mouth, chewing it vigorously.

“…so bitter.” -Ur

The pill temporarily imbued one’s body with magic, similar to an enhancement spell. However, for its cost (20 copper coins), its effect was fleeting and, above all, incredibly bitter. With a grimace, Ur gripped the needle with his “Hawk’s Talons”. The massive chunk of ice was manipulated by him, and he cast a menacing glance at the Gashadokuro.

『ＧＡ――――』

It remained still, as expected. As long as it replenished its magic through the dark red pulsation, it couldn’t move. No matter how big of an opening that might create, it had no other option. Though the Skeleton Knight would attack during such moments, right now…

『Uooooo……. 』

“Ok, they’re pretty far.” -Ur

The knight was far away and the undead soldiers were absent. At least, none were in the vicinity right now. It was an opportune moment.

“Shizuku, can you hear me? Are you ready?” -Ur

《No issues here. 》-Shizuku

“Good, I’ll go first.” -Ur

Grasping the ice needle firmly, Ur pushed off the ground and dashed forward. He channeled the enhanced strength of his body into the arm holding the needle. He increased his speed, rotated his shoulder, flexed his arm, and at the exact moment when the force from his entire body converged into one focal point, he released it.

“Pierce!” -Ur

In an instant, as the ice needle left “Hawk’s Talons”, a piercing sound of the wind tearing through the air was heard, followed by a shard of ice speeding forward. It moved far swifter than any ordinary spell, so fast that one could scarcely track it with the naked eye.

『――――ＧＡ！！！！？？』

The shard collided with the torso of the Gashadokuro. Even upon impact, the icy spear did not shatter. Instead, it gouged, penetrated, and pushed further. But then,

『ＧＧＡＧＡＡＫＡ……！！？』

Near the core’s right side, the shard was halted by the numerous shields of the undead soldiers.

“Missed…” -Ur

“B-but, it reached!” -Laura

Indeed, it did. It had reached the enemy’s vital point. Although the attack might not inflict damage, the very fact that it reached was pivotal. Even without the roar of the Dragonfang Spear, this attack could destroy the enemy’s vital spot.

“One more time!” -Ur

“I’m already crafting another ice needle!” -Laura

Compared to the Dragonfang Spear, the charging time was significantly shorter, which was convenient. The attack could be launched faster than the Gashadokuro could regenerate its lost flesh from the underground dungeon.

“Another shot!” -Ur

With all of Ur’s might, a second ice needle was released.

“!”-Ur

『ＧＡＡＡ！！！』

However, this time, the aim was off.

The icy bullet missed the Gashadokuro’s core. Ur felt the moment he released the large ice spear that it wouldn’t reach the core.

『ＧＡＧＡＧＡＧＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡ！！！！』

However, the Gashadokuro couldn’t “understand’ this.

Lacking eyes and perceiving only through magical detection, the Gashadokuro had no means to ascertain whether Ur’s aim was true. To it, the previous attack and the current one were indistinguishable, both being “magical techniques of immense mass capable of reaching the magical core.”

Naturally, it had to defend itself. It had to ward off the attacks with all its might.

『ＧＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡＡ！！！！』

Rising from after a pulse, the Gashadokuro directed all of its undead soldiers towards Ur in one fell swoop. It conjured a massive barrier of human bones, striving to fend off the onslaught with all its might.

Unaware that Ur’s erratic attacks were merely a “decoy”.

《【O Ice, Sing and Play with Me. Become a Lance that Pierces All, and Shatters the Wicked.】》-Shizuku

Shizuku had already begun her chant.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

“This bastard!! -Nina

『ＫＡＫＡＫＡ、ＧＡ！！？』

On the rooftop of the barracks, Nina swung her sword, destroying the approaching undead soldiers. No matter how she wielded her blade, she couldn’t sever them. The blade was battered, and she could do nothing but strike with it. Despite this, against the slow-moving undead soldiers, she could manage.

But their numbers were overwhelming. She was clearly being cornered by the countless hordes of undead soldiers.

“Shizuku! Shizuku-san! I’m nearing my limit!” -Nina

Nina cried out, desperately swinging her sword. If things continued like this, she would be crushed. However, Shizuku, without taking her eyes off the Gashadokuro, continued her magic chant. The advanced magic required extreme concentration and consumed a lot of magical power. Even for her, who had defeated the crystal golem and grown stronger, it was an intense strain.

But the magic was completed. Above her, a long, large, sharp spear of ice appeared, ready to pierce and tear the enemy.

“【Ice Spirit’s Shattering Spear】” -Shizuku

With a chilling aura, the ice spear was launched. With a speed rivaling Ur’s throw, it shot straight toward the thin protective magic stone of the Gashadokuro, who had directed its undead soldiers toward Ur. And then—

『ＧＡ！！！？』

The direct hit from the ice spear destroyed the Gashadokuro, freezing and shattering its bones. The frozen area rapidly expanded from the point of impact. The skeletal creature struggled to escape, but the frost continued to spread relentlessly.

In no time, a massive icy statue of human bones stood in the center of the courtyard of the Fortress of Canaan.

“Am… Amazing! We did it!” -Nina

Nina cheered.

It was the first time she had seen such advanced magic as a novice adventurer. She was convinced that Shizuku, who had single-handedly executed it, must be a seasoned adventurer. It never occurred to her that Shizuku might have even less experience than herself.

Yet, amidst Nina’s admiration, Shizuku’s face darkened.

“…N, o.” -Shizuku

She said, sweat pouring down, shaking her head.

She had seen it. Just before her magic pierced the core of the necromancer, the dark red core had slipped away, as if dropping down, evading her attack.

Shizuku’s words seemed to linger in the air: “It managed to… evade.“

Moments later, a rumble echoed throughout the entire fortress.