Will I End Up As a Hero or a Demon King (WN)

Chapter 225

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Chapter 225 – Third Phase

(Wow…)

I watched the pillar of flame stretch upward and emit an unfamiliar roar as it sucked in the air.

It was about three meters wide.

It looked more like a tornado than a pillar.

This was because the pillar was not fixed in place but was slowly moving at a pace similar to a person walking.

Its movement didn’t seem to have any particular pattern, and it swayed back and forth between the close-range and long-range groups, about 15 meters in front of Varakan.

Even if you don’t touch it, getting caught in it would be disastrous, not to mention the trouble of having the rock wall on the ceiling erode and have flaming rocks fall around you.

Fortunately, the rocks weren’t very large. However, if burning rocks the size of a person’s head fell from above, it would be impossible to focus on the boss because your attention would be drawn to the pillars of fire, the temporarily burning sky, and the ground.

And then…

That was it.

It was definitely there.

Whether or not the pillars of fire were its dwelling place, a long, slender dragon emerged from within them and returned to the pillars.

Though I shivered slightly with fear, the pillars of fire were so intense that I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.

(If this is a skill, I absolutely have to learn it!)

Abandoning the mission midway was now out of the question, although it wasn’t part of the plan from the start.

If this is the second stage, does that mean we’ve reduced the total damage by half or a third?

I inflicted deep wounds on its neck and tail, melee classes attacked its hind legs, and magic spells were aimed at its back.

I think the long-range attackers could have done more, but we all worked together to weaken it.

“Urah!”

I slash at its face while flying.

I want to gouge out its eyes.

Its horns prevent me from doing so easily, but attacking its face allows me to quickly gain its attention.

I dodged the massive breath attack I saw coming and dealt with it.

The break didn’t come as promised.

“Everyone! After the breath attack and the flames from its tail, Varakan will be immobilized for about five seconds. There won’t be any counterattacks, so keep attacking! Destroy its legs to stop it from moving!”

I knew it was a waste of time, but I hurriedly shouted the words anyway.

“Well done, boy…!”

“Hah… Hah… No way…”

“The break signal isn’t coming, is it?”

Some people looked happy, while others looked anxious because they couldn’t take a break.

Joffman-san is covered in sweat and looks like he’s about to cry.

“I negotiated that there would be no break during the immobilization, so it’ll come right after this!”

As I talk, I keep my eyes on one target.

“Sword technique—Power Slash! Ooh!”

“Gwaaah!”

“””Uoooh!”””

Yes! Finally!

I cut off the tip of that dangerous tail!

“Break!”

The break came just as Varakan started to move. The melee class moved behind the tank and panted.

The tank, however, couldn’t afford to take a break and looked pretty rough.

Even though the work is split between two people, they’re still the ones who have to stay alert the most.

Even with dedicated healers, they could only heal physical wounds, and mental fatigue would still accumulate.

(I have more than enough magic power.)

Based on the information I had, I decided to give it my all at the third stage. With this level of consumption, I should be able to move without any problems now.

From above, I used my skill again and slashed deeply at its neck.

Then, I dove toward the ground.

“I’ll take over as the tank for now! You two take a break!”

“…Huh?”

“H-Hey… What about your shield?”

I took the aggro with my last attack.

It tried to bite me with its wide mouth, so I dodged and crossed my arms, lowering my hips to meet its huge front legs swinging down from above.

―Hardening―

“Ugh… Heavy…”

Varakan doesn’t have enough speed to do that.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have enough speed, but in exchange, its muscle strength, defense, and possibly even its magic defense seem to be outstanding.

If I take this on head-on, I’ll die.

It’s trying to crush me by pressing down from above without letting go. I quickly grab its arm-like fingers and lift it up with all my strength, trying to escape.

“Gwooooooah!”

Then, because I was pushing it toward myself, one of my fingers easily turned toward the other side.

“Hah…hah! While I’m at it, Martial Arts—Superhuman Strength!”

I grabbed its two fingers and pulled them hard in the opposite direction. Huh?

The skin tore away surprisingly easily.

Could it be that different parts have different defense stats…?

I thought I understood this from the game’s perspective, but I didn’t really get it.

Come to think of it, it’s the same with humans.

Exposed skin takes more damage, and vital points can be fatal.

Since there’s no HP bar, it’s not surprising that the same thing applies to monsters.

While there are elemental weaknesses in games, weak points are rare. However, if you inflict deep wounds on the face or neck, they’ll flinch and definitely get aggro.

I see, I see. So that’s why.

I remember a melee class that was easily devoured after losing aggro at an inexplicable moment.

Neither I nor anyone else around me could react in time because it happened so unexpectedly.

But if that man was eaten because he accidentally hit a weak spot at that moment, it would make sense.

(It’s not a common weak point because it’s out of reach for a melee class. The legs or tail. A weak, fragile part. A part without scales?)

Honestly, there’s almost nothing.

That’s the reality.

The only suspicious area within reach is around the claws.

I scanned the area and nodded to myself, thinking, “I see.”

The underside.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the center of the front paws are the only parts without scales.

The front paws themselves are out of reach unless you draw its aggro, and they’re too high to attack.

Therefore, it’s unlikely that attacking here would accidentally steal aggro. If that’s the case with the front legs, then the hind legs are likely the same.

In other words, unless you attack the soles of the feet or the claws—which are also likely targets—there is little chance of unnecessarily stealing aggro.

If the front legs aren’t always on the ground…

“Gwaaah!”

“Bingo! I found its weak point!”

I only grazed it with the tip of my sword on purpose.

Even so, it’s angry enough that it’s probably a sure thing.

It’s a weak point but not a fatal one.

If you view it as a living creature, like a human, you’d ultimately have to decapitate it or crush its heart. You’d need a more lethal attack to kill it.

Now that I’ve confirmed that, I need to prevent further damage.

I used this skill, which happened to be next to Encourage, for that purpose.

―Command―

(I’m not sure if this will get through, but for those in close combat, please avoid attacking the scale-free areas, as this could cause unnecessary aggro—especially the underside of the hind legs and the claws!)

I conveyed this not with words but with my thoughts.

It’s fine for now.

I still have enough leeway to convey this with words.

However, once we reach the third stage, which Yuria-san referred to as ‘the real deal,’ there won’t be time for casual communication.

If this message gets through safely…

As I thought this, I confirmed it while flying through the air. Those with time responded with their eyes, and those without responded with words.

All right, we’re good.

If communication goes smoothly, we can win. We’ll minimize casualties and emerge victorious.

▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

“Gyaaaahh! Help me!”

It’s probably completely random.

That’s why it’s so troublesome.

Thinking this, I avert my eyes from the hunter being eaten by the dragon on the edge of my vision.

I want to help, but there’s nothing I can do once it’s like that.

Pss…

The hunter in the dragon’s jaws evaporates as if swallowed by a pillar of fire and disappears completely.

The pillars of fire move on their own and prey on people within an uncertain range.

In the third stage, another pillar appears.

With two pillars of fire roaming around, rocks covered in flames rain down from the sky, and Varakan’s attacks become fiercer and more vicious.

“Hii…”

“Damn it!”

A tank wearing red salamander leather armor from head to toe collapses to his knees with a scream.

This was the boss’s third use of Intimidation—there was no other way to see it.

It’s like cheating for a strong boss to use that, but this tank has mental strength worthy of respect for not running away and picking up his shield again.

I absolutely don’t want someone like that to die.

“Martial Arts—Strong Wind!”

I kicked Varakan in the face. His face had been close to mine as if he were bait. I immediately prepared for my next move.

(Fly up! It’s swinging its tail!)

If its center of gravity shifts to the side, it swings its tail.

I had figured out its pattern, but I couldn’t keep up with its speed due to fatigue and the heat, even though it was fast enough under normal circumstances.

“Joffman-san! Don’t jump backwards!”

“Ah…”

I shouted instinctively, but…

“…”

He was unlucky.

There was a pillar of fire behind him.

Joffman-san was silently grabbed by the dragon and disappeared into it.

“Damn it…”

Now, only four melee fighters remain.

However, those two still haven’t joined the fight.

On the contrary…

“B-Break… come…”

“Above!”

Thud!

“What?”

The red salamander leather tank was on the opposite side of Varakan.

Rocks rained down from above, hitting him directly and blowing off his helmet.

His bare face was exposed.

Not just sweat but also blood and tears of fear drenched his face, which swayed unsteadily, and he was easily devoured by Varakan.

(Where’s the break? Reinforcements? Why are the melee fighters the only ones isolated!?)

I tried to call out a command instinctively, but there was no response or action.

“Hah… Hah… Have we been abandoned…?”

The only remaining tank was breathing heavily as he managed to block the attacks with his shield.

His leather helmet had been torn off halfway, exposing his bleeding scalp.

Looking closely, I recognized him as one of the three whom I had judged to be of equal rank at the selection venue.

“Th-That can’t be…”

I don’t understand.

He didn’t flee in despair at the state of the battle.

Looking around, I could see the other two, as well as the long-range fighters.

Yet they did nothing.

They just stood by the wall, watching—some were even chatting.

“That pillar of fire… split us into two groups… and now… I can’t even heal…”

“Ugh…”

“I can’t take it anymore! Something’s wrong! All the melee fighters are newbies! Except for those two, everyone else is a newbie!”

Bam!

“Ugh…”

I used Hardening to deflect the attack, then slashed from the side, dodging its front legs.

Damn it!

“S-Stay there! You’ll get hurt!”

The man, who had lost his right arm and weapon, was already several meters away from the battlefield.

His face was not turned toward us; his gaze was fixed on the two pillars of fire.

“I’m getting out of here! We’ll die if we stay here! You guys run too!”

With that, the man ran toward the wall, trying to pass between the pillars of fire.

There was no way to stop him, nor any right to do so.

On the contrary…

“Tank, you should escape too. While you still can.”

While still holding the enemy’s attention, I flew into the air. After catching my breath, I urged the tank to escape.

Staying here will only lead to certain death.

I can’t save him either.

“Don’t be stupid. There’s nothing more worthless than a shield bearer who runs away from the enemy. Besides, even if I run, I don’t think I’ll survive.”

“…”

Now is not the time to worry about the man who ran away earlier.

But if we wait here, we’ll die.

Bam!

It’s definitely a hallucination.

But I definitely heard something.

From the beginning, the melee group worked harder than anyone else to defeat the boss and contribute to the team.

We’ve faced death countless times, with ragged breath and blurred vision from sweat, but we’ve clung to our weapons with all our strength.

We endured fear and pain, hoping for victory—and this is the reward we get?

The pause after the breath.

I used that precious time to check my remaining magic and introduce myself.

“It’s a bit late, but my name is Loki. What’s yours?”

“Grom. Even in this state, I’m an A-rank hunter…”

“Then, Grom…”

“?”

“From this moment on, please pretend you didn’t see anything.”

Fine by me.

I made up my mind and threw the two swords I was holding.

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