They had already cleared the area of grass and packed the ground.
On top of that, they had drawn a huge magic circle with white pebbles.
In the center of the magic circle was a severed white cow’s head, with a magic stone placed on its forehead.
It was a 10th-grade magic stone.
Although the mages could naturally use silent casting magic, chanting was necessary for great magic.
“I, Alcandura, de magica.”
“I am Ishen, de magica.”
“Dezaka de magica!”
The ground’s vibrations became more intense, and the rushing monsters came closer into view.
Nevertheless, the mages maintained their composure.
As they continued to mutter in rune language.
Whoosh!
The white cow’s head spontaneously burst into flames.
Even the magic stone that doesn’t burn in fire started to burn.
Powerful mana gushed out from there.
It was amplified by the magic circle.
The amplified mana was transferred to the mages and then released again, increasing in size as if resonating.
It was magic that maximized its power by sacrificing stability against external intervention.
Pyromancer Ishen put the finishing touch on that great magic.
“Draco- Flamme. Ignite!”
A dragon made of flames rose from the magic circle.
The heat was so intense that it looked like a lump of light.
“Go!”
The great magic of the flame dragon.
It was shot towards the incoming monsters.
Gunter swallowed his saliva and opened his eyes wide.
The dragon, and the monsters beyond it.
A giant snake made of wood, and on the snake’s neck… a small white snake.
==
‘For now, let’s stay quiet. Depending on the situation, let’s try to escape from this wooden chimera.’
That was my original plan.
But in the end, I couldn’t even attempt it.
This fake snake that growls ‘Grwooo’ instead of ‘Hiss’ had no intention of letting me go.
Not only that, but the wooden branches that had grabbed me were gradually getting closer to its body.
That’s how I became one with it.
Not in any other sense, but literally.
Half of my body was buried in its wooden body.
Is this what it meant that ‘Taming’ was partially successful!
I tried to escape several more times after that.
I really tried my best to run away through the gap between monsters.
Just when I thought I succeeded! The wooden branches would suddenly pop out and pull me back in.
After that, only my head was left sticking out.
Just like a twin-headed snake.
The problem was that one head was abnormally small, and that was me.
The chimera seemed angry and took it out on the surrounding monsters.
Other monsters were eaten without much resistance, and the chimera grew even bigger.
It was a terrifying chimera.
“It’s the worst chimera. Poorly made.”
But it didn’t seem to please the eyes of Pelerian, who was a self-proclaimed chimera expert.
Although he was very excited about the fact that the World Tree had created a chimera, the state of the chimera was not proper.
It looked like a snake, perhaps modeled after me, but that was only in appearance.
Important organs of the body, including the anus, didn’t seem to be properly formed.
“A hastily made chimera without even an asshole… The World Tree…”
──────────────
[Status]
[Madness], [Hunger], [Terminal]
──────────────
Moreover, there was a status clearly written as ‘Terminal’.
‘Just think of it as taking a taxi.’
“I don’t know what that means. But we need to head towards the central continent someday anyway.”
Pelerian seemed to be a bit happy about the current situation.
He wanted me to find his other dungeons.
Especially, he really wanted to visit one dungeon where his corpse might remain.
Since it’s not in the great forest, he wanted to ride this monster wave all the way to the continent.
Not bad.
Although it’s a more sudden flow than expected.
I wonder if Nanaluk is safe.
Is she still in the great forest?
If so, I hope she wasn’t swept up in this monster wave.
“There’s fire again.”
The monsters changed their course once more.
Fires were breaking out here and there.
It was extremely suspicious.
Wheeeeee-
That’s when a signal was shot into the sky.
Something ominous was spewing light from up ahead.
I thought it was another fire, but.
‘Oh, oh oh!’
A dragon made of flames was flying towards us.
It was heading precisely towards me, no, the chimera snake.
‘I’ll burn to death!’
The chimera snake might not die, but I certainly will.
As I was about to attempt an escape once more.
“It’s Draco Flamme, great magic.”
Pelerian said calmly.
Is he trying to show off his knowledge in this situation?
“Why did they refine it like that? Idiots. Hey snake, drench yourself with water.”
‘Water?’
“Yes, water magic!”
Shouting Teacher Pelerian.
I decided to trust him, the Heaven Defier mage, just this once.
「Using Basic Elemental Magic: Water lv2.」
My mana had increased quite a bit since evolving.
I could spray enough water to soak not just myself but the entire chimera snake.
“Grwooo!”
The chimera snake roared as if pleased. Does it like water because it’s made of wood?
‘Can, can this block that magic?’
“Are you crazy? Of course not.”
‘Then what!’
“Create a fireball up there. At a distance that’s neither too far nor too close. Yes, about the height of that tree’s fruit.”
There was no time to argue.
「Using Basic Elemental Magic: Fire lv4.」
I created a flame about the size of a human head in mid-air.
Meanwhile, the flame dragon drew closer.
The chimera snake kept running, seemingly unaware of fear.
Like a living real dragon, the flame dragon opened its mouth wide.
And instead of pouncing on me to turn the snake into a roast.
Whoosh-
It quickly twisted its head and swallowed the fireball I had created in mid-air.
Then it fell right in the middle of the monsters following us.
Kwaaaaang!
A hot wind blew from behind.
It felt like the back of my head got a bit cooked.
Considering that my Heat Resistance level is already 10 and it wasn’t a direct hit, it’s spine-chilling.
The water that had drenched my body evaporated in an instant.
“You may express your gratitude.”
I showered Pelerian with praise as he stood there looking smug.
Despite dozens of monsters being roasted, the advance didn’t stop.
Instead, I noticed some old men who seemed to have used magic.
The three old men didn’t look particularly impressive.
Even now, they’re squabbling with each other.
“Ishen, you incompetent fool!! Can’t you hit even one target?”
“Damn it, why don’t you try it then!”
They seem to be arguing about missing with their magic.
I thought they might be formidable given their use of powerful magic, but they might just be second-rate magicians.
And the moment I saw the knight standing next to them.
Rustle-
My scales stood on end.
「Using Black Scales lv2.」
In an instant, their color turned pitch black, of course.
‘It’s Gunter!’
Gunter.
The human hero who killed Mother Medusa.
And who threw a spear at me.
He was waiting for us.
It seems he was the one who brought the magicians too.
I thought of Father.
The heartless father who just left like that.
But looking at the rampaging monsters, I think it’s fortunate that he left.
If he were here.
He wouldn’t have stayed still facing his wife’s enemy.
Gunter staring at me blankly.
In that moment. I noticed an opportunity had come.
Die right there, Gunter.
Destruction Beam, fire.
「Using ‘Beam’ lv1.」
A beam shot from my mouth.
Ting!
Surprisingly, Gunter blocked it with his arm.
The beam hit the armor covering his arm and dissipated pathetically.
Gunter drew out his infamous axe spear.
‘I’m screwed!’
As regret surged through me.
“Guooo!”
Perhaps sensing the hostility directed this way.
The chimera snake didn’t stay still.
A tendril shot from its body and struck Gunter.
Well done!