The beholder was expected to be a tricky creature to fight against.
Hence, the three half-bloods prepared multiple combinations of tactics to make sure any possible scenario was covered.
Other than the big one, the 10 eyes would need to be destroyed in a certain order to successfully defeat the creature.
The order was petrifying eyes, recovering eyes, dispelling eyes, and finally, the eyes that shoot energy rays.
As the eyes could attack simultaneously when they engaged in battle, Emery and the two girls would have to avoid the powerful energy ray blast attacks, while keeping the main eye in check by forcing it to blink or having a good enough power to block it. All without using any spells.
Through practice, it was decided Silva was the most agile among them. The Kimoyin transformation was able to boost her agility significantly, so she was given the role of bait to distract the creature.
Annara possessed the best long-range non magical ability, as she could alternate between her skillful dagger throwing ability and her whip. Hence, she was tasked to keep the main eye in check, while becoming a support role.
As for Emery, he was proven to be the physically strongest among the three, so he chose to be the main offense and was tasked to kill the creature.
The sneak attack managed to cut off the two petrifying eyes, taking away the creature's most terrifying ability. However, they couldn't relax, as they were barely out of danger.
Their immediate step would be to cut the eyes with the recovery ability. As soon as the first petrifying eyes were cut, the two recovering eyes had already started to glow. According to the information given, depending on how mature the beholder was, they only had around 15 to 20 seconds before the two petrifying eyes would be restored, rendering their sneak attack in vain.
As soon as Emery was able to chop off the first two eyes, he quickly used his [Weeping Phantom] battle art skill to dash around, confuse the creature, dodge away from the main eye's sight, while he aimed to cut the third eye.
However, as he was being so close to the beholder, it became almost impossible to dodge its energy ray attack.
Bzzz bzzz!
One of the rays managed to land on his chest, causing part of his clothes to disintegrate. It was such a hard hit that pushed him back a step, but he wasn't hurt as the ray was unable to actually pierce its body.
With Emery unable to cast magic for the duration of this fight, he had no defensive spells such as [Granite Skin] or [Jade Skin] to protect him. Instead, where his clothes were torn, a shiny red scale could be seen hidden beneath, protecting him from the worst of the blast.
The red scale was a piece of Killgragah's scale he prepared specifically for this fight.
However, even though he managed to deal with the energy rays, the creature's 250 battle power came with great agility. It moved almost as fast as Emery did, making it incredibly difficult to cut the third eye.
Clank!
Annara accurately threw another dagger to the big eye at the right moment. Even though it bounced off the appendage with a resounding clang, it ensured Emery did not get paralyzed. Meanwhile, Silva kept on running in the opposite direction from Emery to distract the creature, forcing it to shoot the other energy rays toward her.
It took Emery no less than 10 full seconds before he finally managed to get close enough to the third eye with his [Weeping Phantom] steps to cut the offending appendage away.
With a splat, the eye fell onto the ground in a puddle of rancid blood.
However, there were only five seconds left.
Unable to waste more time, lest his efforts be rendered in vain, Emery was forced to take more risks in his attack. He jumped around as fast as he could and took another two energy ray attacks square on his body. One was blocked by the dragon scale, but the other he had to block with his other arm to cover his face.
A sharp pain erupted from the wound, Emery saw a gaping hole in his arm. He gritted his teeth, willing the pain away, and swung his sword to his fourth target.
[Heroic Slash]
Swissh!
Unfortunately, the attack missed, as the creature dodged to the side on instinct.
15 seconds.
Now, they were in a critical moment. In any second from now, the petrifying eyes could be restored and the fight would become almost impossible to win.
Realizing Emery needed the help, Silva decided to dash in closer. No, she jumped right in front of the big eye. Turning herself into the bigger threat to the beholder and becoming the target of all the beholder attacks.
Multiple energy rays and the powerful spirit attack from the main eye attack her.
Bzzz! bzzzz!
Craackkk!
Unable to hold another attack, the life-saving emblem given by the headmaster cracked and split in two before it shattered into a million tiny pieces.
Without any protective means to defend herself, the main eyes captured her, causing her body to stiffen and her movements to stop as the paralyzing effect coursed through her.
It was a reckless act, but it did create an opportunity for Emery to go after the fourth eye. However, at the same time, the beholder's eyes were all directed towards the now defenseless Silva.
In that split second, he was forced to make a decision. Should he take the chance given and cut the fourth eye, or should he save the girl?
Within a glance he could see that Silva would want him to cut the eye, but with a life on the line, Emery decided he couldn't just stand by and watch a slaughter unfold.
He chose to dash towards Silva, pumping his legs as quickly as he could. While shouting her name on top of his lungs, he charged.
"Silvaaaa!"
To her surprise, Silva saw Emery swing his sword toward her. For that moment, the two minds interlink as if they were one. With pain racking her whole body, Silva resisted the paralysis effect and used what was left of her strength to swing her own sword.
Clank!
The clash between two swords created an opportunity for Emery to use his battle art.
[Chain Strike]
The striking force of the two sword allowed Emery to push Silva away from the range of the beholder's magic, while he bounced back towards the creature with three times the speed.
With such speed, he needed extra focus not to miss. It was as if time went in slow motion, Emery swung his blade at the target, and…
Splat!
The fourth eye, the recovering one, was successfully cut off.