In the darkness, a creature suddenly lashed out at them with a tail as thick as a tree trunk.
Even in the black depths of the sea, it emitted an especially dark and ominous presence, then lunged out like an enraged lion.
When the group noticed and dodged, a pillar-like tail struck the spot they had just vacated.
A powerful water pressure surged where the tail had passed, and the currents swirled violently.
The group, well-prepared to avoid being swept away by the aftermath, naturally regrouped.
This was to the point where even Rune was slightly impressed.
'You're growing fast, indeed.'
Kuroumi, Dullahan, and Amelia were gradually getting used to coordinating with each other.
Now, without a word, they seamlessly switched positions, and their coordination in attacks and support was excellent.
Kuroumi's charm partially neutralized the opponent's madness, and as if waiting for it, Amelia's light of purification burst forth.
However, before the madness could be completely washed away, Leviathan opened its black mouth, lined with ivory fangs, and lunged to swallow them.
A mouth capable of tearing a large ship in one bite.
The grotesque feel from its sleek scales.
True to its nature as a monster that feeds on other sea creatures and monsters in the deep sea, it reveled in slaughter and exuded a ferocious aura.
The evil emanating from the creature pressed upon the group with a foul stench.
At a loss on how to deal with Leviathan, the group heard Rune's calm command.
[It has no intelligence, but its instincts are vicious and cunning. Everyone, stay alert.]
Rune's telepathic message made everyone look at Leviathan with serious eyes.
The sea's butcher, now drenched in madness, had evolved into an even more bizarre creature.
A gray eye above its lips emitted a pale light.
Leviathan, whose appearance alone was enough to make one's breath catch in fear.
Amelia calmed her mind and prepared a more powerful purification incantation.
'Calmā¦ stay calm. If I can't overcome this, I won't be able to save my parents.'
Biting her lip, Amelia once again emitted the light of purification.
Leviathan's body turned white, and soon, the black pupils in its previously white eyes flickered.
[It'sā¦ it's workingā¦!]
She instinctively felt that the purification had succeeded.
Just as Amelia, filled with joy, was about to lower her spear and smile, a sudden movement caught her attention.
Parting the water, Leviathan's gaping mouth reached the mermaids in an instant.
Dullahan, who had been on guard, grabbed Leviathan's upper jaw with both hands, planted his left foot on the ground, and braced his right foot against the lower teeth.
Pushed back by the inertia, Amelia quickly regained her composure and turned her body.
She then swiftly aimed her spear and fired a water cannon.
Taking advantage of the moment when Leviathan's head was tilted back, Amelia and Dullahan quickly dodged.
The creature, having lost its prey, flashed a hungry look with a heavy rumble.
Regaining a position where it could see its opponents, Amelia's pupils trembled.
[Thisā¦ can't be. Itā¦ it was purifiedā¦?]
[That's its nature. It just returned to its original state. More importantly.]
Rune cast a spell on the group as he continued.
[Plug your ears tightly.]
Rune paid more attention to other matters than to Amelia's confusion.
'Dullahanā¦ are you going to use that?'
Hearing Rune's telepathic message, Dullahan immediately stood alone in front of Leviathan.
The moment the remaining group members covered their ears, a mouth appeared on Dullahan's black face and opened wide.
A cry erupted from the deep abyss.
Kuroumi, Amelia, and Byakuya were startled and covered their ears with wary eyes.
The roar of a cursed soul.
The deep sea trembled, and the bodies of miscellaneous monsters were flung up.
Rune calmly pressed his ears with his front paws.
'Even with the spell, it's this intense.'
He clicked his tongue and displayed Dullahan's information.
<Name: Death Knight Dullahan>
- His name as a deceased was forgotten.
- Race: Undead & Elemental
- Hatching Condition: Born with a slim chance when the forging of a powerful death knight Dullahan's armor and the soul of a deeply resentful superhuman is successful.
- A knight of the elements who follows darkness.
With a slim chance, it possesses a phoenix feather and a seed of emotion.
Its disposition changes with growth experience.
- Belongs to Rune Eclipse
- Servant transformation complete.
- Disposition: Loyal, Gloomy
Rune took a closer look at the last part, ā² Caution: Roar ā².
'Fortunately, I noticed. If I hadn't, what would I have done?'
Dullahan's roar was the final pronouncement to call forth the death of its target.
Leviathan, foaming at the mouth and twisting its body, thrashed with its eyes rolling back.
It seemed to be struggling against an invisible death.
'Too much noise might attract other monsters.'
Feeling the need to take action, Rune approached quickly with a sphere made of pitch-black darkness and forcefully shoved it into Leviathan's mouth.
The creature resisted, trying not to swallow the power of darkness, but eventually, all of it entered Leviathan's body, causing it to swell.
Soon, the swollen body returned to its original state.
Leviathan, with the light in its eyes extinguished, lost its strength and slumped.
Dullahan lifted the falling massive body with both hands, and Kuroumi stood beside Amelia, on guard for any potential threats.
Rune then opened his subspace pocket to Dullahan.
[What are you doing? Put it in quickly.]
Dullahan silently pushed Leviathan into the pocket.
[Justā¦ just like that?]
'There's no need to mention that its soul was devoured by the darkness.'
Though the soul was preserved, it was as good as dead.
But Amelia, feeling a chill at Rune's calm response, was startled.
Rune, ignoring her reaction, tidied up his pocket.
[Let's call it a day here. It's going to be tough from tomorrow, so get plenty of rest. Everyone did a great job.]
āHuh. Kuroumi had a lot of fun!ā
Kuroumi, who had felt thrills and excitement while overcoming various crises, smiled widely, revealing her front teeth.
In response to Kuroumi and Amelia's greetings, Dullahan lightly placed his hands on his chest and bowed his head.
'With this, the field is almost cleared.'
There were almost no uncleansed fields in this area.
With the area now a realm of pure water, the groundwork for the upcoming battle was almost complete.
'When we fight the Blue Dragons, we won't have the time to deal with these minor issues. Better to clear them now.'
Amelia's growth and absorption of the power of darkness, the purification of monsters, the development of Kuroumi's charm ability, the team play training of the group, and the acquisition of the field boss monster 'Leviathan'āall these tasks were completed.
Finally, he confirmed Dullahan's abilities with his own eyes.
'I'm satisfied. It was quite a productive day.'
Still, training was just training.
He didn't plan to exhaust all his strength just for this.
Having confirmed the maximum capabilities of the group after they ate the mana cuisine, he considered his tasks done.
'Now, there's only one thing left to confirm.'
Rune called out to Amelia as he headed toward the passage created by the mana key.
[Amelia. Your desire to save your parents, is it still unchanged?]
[Thatā¦ why are youā¦ askingā¦?]
[Like Leviathan today, I can't guarantee that your parents will be the way you remember them after purification.]
A shadow fell over Amelia's face.
The girl, who had vaguely wanted to free her parents from the curse, had seen various results of purification today and was deep in thought.
But she soon nodded with a determined look.
[Yes. Even soā¦ I want to wake them. If I don't even tryā¦ Iā¦ I'll regret it. Becauseā¦ if I give upā¦ itā¦ it will all be for nothing.]
Dullahan nodded and straightened his upper body, walking confidently.
āAmelia-nee, you're awesome-!ā
Kuroumi, giggling like a bell, raised her thumb.
Amelia, blushing, shook her head and murmured that it wasn't true, but she didn't seem to mind.
Rune, folding his arms, chuckled to himself.
'With this, I can rest easy.'
All preparations were now complete.
The final battle was in three days.
Rune intended to end everything within that time.
Upon arriving at Christina's lair, Rune pulled up Kuroumi's information in his mind.
- Race: Baby Succubus: Ilmiho
- Hatching Condition: Born with a slim chance when the Master's dream is granted to the black rose of charm.
- To grow, it needs nutrients with the same attributes as its Master.
With a slim chance, the seed was imbued with the soul of a demon (succubus).
- Belongs to Rune Eclipse
- Servant transformation complete.
- Born from the fusion of the souls of a demon and a succubus with Ilmiho's soul.
- Fire affinity (Intermediate)
The fire affinity and charm in the characteristics bloom section had both risen from beginner to intermediate.
'After training hard with the fire elementals, her fire affinity has improved.'
Dullahan, excited about the upcoming three days of battles in the deep sea, stayed in the dark room to maintain his armor, while Kuroumi went to take a nap with Byakuya until dinner.
'I should make something while I have the chance.'
Rune, who rarely had time alone, took out the 'Cursed Tool Making Set.'
'I have enough intermediaries and mana stones. For the final touch, the soul for detailed commandsā¦ Leviathan will do.'
Pouring out the materials from his subspace pocket to make the item he had in mind, Rune grumbled inwardly.
'I should send some to Jedd. He's been giving me strange expectations.'
Rune wasn't the type to meticulously collect items.
But for Jedd, who would have lamented the loss of monster remains swept away by the currents, Rune had collected some decent-sized mana stones and hides.
'He might be lucky enough to create something unique and useful.'
Rune was giving Jedd a high value for his ability to create the communication artifact 'Mokoji Stone.'
Since the deep sea provided a lot of rare materials, Rune intended to give Jedd a chance to fully utilize his skills.
Rune, sorting the collected materials, resolved.
'I need to make sure Jedd can properly use these materials.'
At the same time, Jedd felt an inexplicable chill, but Rune had no intention of letting the materials he had brought go to waste.
āEat plenty. Make sure to remove the shrimp tails properly.ā
Buttered grilled shrimp for dinner.
Recalling the shrimp drenched in madness from the deep sea, Rune felt a strangely meaningful mood.
'Of all things, seafood?'
He wondered if Christina had somehow noticed his sea excursion, but fortunately, that wasn't the case.
Rune picked up the shrimp, which were neatly arranged on the plate, emitting a fragrant aroma.