Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 109

In Monmon Hunter, encountering monsters while undertaking quests such as gathering or hunting is indeed one of the highlights of the excitement, but when it actually happens in reality, it’s no laughing matter.

I was intending to conduct a simple investigation in the underwater temple, but encountering a monster of danger level S was unexpected.

“Shuu-kun, do you know where the Kraken is?”

Saffy asked me, and when I activated my investigation skill again, I could see the silhouette of a giant Kraken directly below.

“It’s directly below.”

“Directly below?”

Lumia blinked in surprise at the unexpected location.

“It seems to be extending its tentacles from a deep trench below the temple.”

There’s a deep trench below the underwater temple. It’s likely connected to the crack near the residential area.

It’s presumed that it entered through there and settled inside the temple.

“If we continue straight ahead, there seems to be a hole, so we might be able to engage it.”

“It would be troublesome if we’re sneak attacked. Let’s engage and draw it out.”

That’s the most troublesome part. It’s more dangerous to keep our distance.

Either way, since there’s no escape route, closing the distance is our only option.

We move through the corridor leading from the chapel.

Then, we arrive at what seems to be a large courtyard.

In the center, there’s a large hole, with tentacles ominously emerging and writhing.

There’s no doubt the Kraken is there.

“What kind of magic do you use, Shuu-kun?”

Saffy asks, probably wanting to confirm before entering combat.

“Since we’re underwater, I use ice and wind magic for offense, and water magic for barriers and support.”

“That’s sufficient. I use lightning magic and items.”

Lightning magic is a derivative of wind magic.

In that case, the lightning from earlier must have been conjured by Saffy herself.

It’s reassuring to have such powerful magic underwater. Especially considering it was able to scorch the tentacles.

“I’ll focus on support through items.”

“It’s tough to wield weapons underwater. If we had weapons imbued with magic or attributes, it would be good, but given the current circumstances, that seems like the best option.”

Lumia still carries a sword on her waist, just like before, but facing the Kraken will be tough.

When confronted with those tree-like tentacles, it’s like facing mere sticks.

Saffy and I will focus on attacking the Kraken, while Lumia should handle skirmishes and support.

“Oh, just in case, I’ll give you both some equipment.”

Saying so, what I pulled out were Adamantite bracelet and shield made of hard magic stone.

For this emergency, I hand over the items made by Drogan to the two of them.

Lumia gets the shield, and Saffy gets the bracelet.

“…Was this made of hard magic stone? It seems darker in color than usual though…”

As expected, Saffy, who is knowledgeable about materials, noticed that this wasn’t just ordinary hard magic stone.

“It’s hard magic stone processed with magic to its limit. When subjected to a certain impact, it activates a magic barrier.”

“What!?”

“So, if we’re attacked, will this protect us?”

Saffy was surprised by my explanation, and Lumia blinked in response.

“That’s correct.”

“…So if you infuse magic into hard magic stone, it transforms into something like this? Shuu-kun, if there’s any more of this extremely hard magic stone left, could you spare some? I feel like I can create items to protect ourselves!”

Saffy asks eagerly, almost panting.

She seems terribly excited, or maybe it’s just that she’s gotten quite close.

“Sure, but that’s assuming we survive from here.”

“With such inspiring material to work with, there’s no way I’m dying!”

Perhaps stirred by Saffy’s enthusiastic shout, the tentacles that were writhing began to extend.

“It’s coming! Spread out!”

Being clustered together is just asking for trouble for the three of us.

At Lumia’s signal, we scatter in different directions.

However, the Kraken extends more tentacles and launches attacks in all directions.

I increase the propulsion force of the water magic infused in each of us.

With our increased propulsion force, even underwater, we move freely, dodging attacks.

We owe our ability to operate underwater to the power of the Sea Guardian’s bracelet — covering our entire bodies with magic.

If the membrane were to be breached, the protection would be immediately disabled.

While it’s possible to quickly replenish the magic and reinforce it, facing such creatures leaves no room for a moment’s vulnerability. We can’t afford to even graze their attacks.

Once caught by such tentacles, it would be easy to be crushed in an instant. Either way, being struck by their attacks was not an option.

With each pass of the tentacles, we hear a booming sound in our ears.

Even underwater, the sound is clear. Just how fast are they moving?

“Impulse!”

Saffy dodges an attack and casts lightning magic on one of the Kraken’s tentacles.

One of the Kraken’s tentacles is charred.

It seems Saffy’s magic is particularly effective against the Kraken.

Since it’s not a basic spell, it must be intermediate or advanced magic. It packs quite a punch.

“Take this!”

Lumia also scattered round objects towards the attacking tentacles.

Upon contact, they exploded one after another.

Perhaps they’re like underwater mines. They may not have the power of Saffy’s magic, but they possess quite a frightening capability.

That’s it. Even if the main body isn’t revealed, we can attack the tentacles.

The tree-like tentacles lash out like whips, but thanks to magical assistance, our maneuverability surpasses theirs.

“Air Cutter!”

I shoot out wind magic with an extra dose of magic power from the side of the attacking tentacles.

The wind blades slice through the water and halfway through the Kraken’s tentacles.

Seemingly angered by the damage to its two tentacles, the Kraken vigorously shakes its tentacles as it emerges from the hole.

【Kraken Danger Level: S】

Upon appraisal, the name appeared in our field of vision.

It unmistakably looks like an octopus.

However, it’s far larger than anything we’ve encountered before.

“…It’s huge.”

Its spread legs as it floats underwater resemble a jellyfish.

The sight of its tentacles writhing with numerous suckers elicits a visceral disgust.

While there’s no aversion to consuming it as food, its sheer size is daunting.

“Looks like you’ve come out of your hole.”

Saffy, without showing any fear, observes the Kraken with interest.

Facing such a creature without changing facial expressions, is it because they’re brave, or because they only see it as material for items? I feel it’s more of the latter.

“We’ve disabled two of the tentacles with that last attack. If we keep reducing the tentacles like this, we should be fine.”

Of the eight tentacles of the Kraken, one that I severed and one that Saffy burnt are hanging limply. While the tentacles that Lumia attacked still seem to be movable, if we continue the assault, they’ll become immobile.

It may seem like an easy victory, but normally, such creatures, which we wouldn’t stand a chance against even with the overwhelming advantage of being underwater, are a real threat.

However, having three people who can act underwater without any problems thanks to items is significant. Plus, all of us are skilled in long-range attacks.

While they are dangerous opponents that could kill with a single blow, if we continue steadily attacking the tentacles like this, we’ll gain the upper hand…

“The Kraken’s behavior seems strange!”

Lumia’s voice, which resonates well even underwater, brings me back to reality.

The floating Kraken in the sea is moving its tentacles, wrapping them around its own body.

Specifically, around the injured tentacles.

“What is it planning to do?”

Puzzled by the Kraken’s unpredictable behavior, we watch cautiously, raising our guard.

The Kraken pulls off the injured tentacles with its own tentacles.

As we’re taken aback by this sudden self-harming act, new tentacles start sprouting from the pulled-out roots.

Cells bulge and swell, transforming into undiminished massive tentacles in an instant.

“The tentacles are regenerating…”

“Does the Kraken have regenerative abilities?”

“No, I’ve never heard of such information.”

Saffy’s confident smile fades away, replaced by a serious gaze.

Lumia, who is behind us, seems unable to hide a similar expression.

We thought we could just keep reducing the number of tentacles by attacking them, but if they regenerate, it changes things.

Isn’t this bad?