Chapter 30
The highest-ranked lizard species, when left in a mana-rich environment for about five hundred years, will rarely revive as a Bone Lizard. Fierce, evil, with unparalleled defensive power—this monster goes all out in destruction.
According to Ariana, but why the hell was it sealed here?!
Whoever sealed this should've taken the hint and done it deeper in the grasslands!
This is seriously such a pain!!
"Gather, spirits of water. Pierce, blue blades. Shark Tail!"
Ama Kuso struck a pose with a dramatic *zubishii*, and a water blade resembling a shark's back slid across the ground. He flicked his bangs with a *fuwasaa* and winked smugly.
"Shark Tail" struck the Bone Lizard's right arm directly.
A *bosshun* sound of water colliding echoed, scattering droplets. The five-meter-tall Bone Lizard (ten meters including its tail) didn't even get scratched—it was like spraying a dump truck with a hose.
"W-w-w-what the...? My Shark Tail...?"
Ama Kuso stared at the Bone Lizard in utter shock.
An advanced attack spell having no effect? That's bad.
And Ama Kuso's wink was the lamest thing ever.
"KISHWAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
The Bone Lizard's deafening roar.
A wave of mana rippled outward, forcing us back.
As the Bone Lizard roared again, eerie shadows gathered in the grasslands, and a swarm of Little Lizards emerged from nowhere. Thick arms for quadrupedal movement, flicking red tongues, reptilian eyes gleaming. One punch from those arms would send even a fat guy like me flying.
A chill ran down my spine.
Roughly twenty of them.
These guys are definitely bad news.
I think Clarice mentioned some high-tier monsters can command lower-tier ones. Yeah, pretty sure. Hahaha, please tell me she was lying, Clarice.
"Lightning!"
Professor Harshüge raised his staff, and an orb of light shot upward, illuminating a ten-meter radius.
"Everyone, into the light!"
Snapping back to reality, we scrambled inside.
Just in time—the Bone Lizard's tail slammed where we'd stood. It spun sideways and swung its tail again in a sweeping attack.
"Eek!"
Scarlet, overwhelmed, instinctively crouched and covered her head.
The skeletal tail collided with Harshüge's "Lightning," rebounding as if hitting a wall.
"Bone-type monsters are vicious but weak to Light Magic! It can't enter the light! Handle the Little Lizards while I hold it off!"
Harshüge barked orders.
Meanwhile, two-meter-long Little Lizards with dark green scales ignored the "Lightning" and lunged at us—three at once. Light Magic means nothing to them. We've got no choice but to fight!
"Fireball!"
"Take this!!"
"Sleep Mist!"
Surume, Gargaine, and Ariana countered.
A Little Lizard hit point-blank by "Fireball" flew backward, its upper body charred black. Surume fired two more follow-up shots since one wasn't enough.
Gargaine's Iron Hammer smashed into another Lizard's gut, sending it flying left like a home-run swing—straight into the Bone Lizard.
A Little Lizard charging into the "Sleep Mist" faceplanted into the dirt. I finished it off with a max-output "Wind Cutter."
The Bone Lizard, frustrated, repeatedly attacked the "Lightning" barrier—tail strikes, bites, swipes—only to be repelled each time.
"Tch...!"
Sweat beaded on Harshüge's smooth forehead.
Even the scant sideburns dripped with sweat.
"Lightning!!"
He raised his staff, generating another orb of light.
"Professor, take a break!"
"Y-yes!"
A ten-meter radius around me glowed with "Lightning."
"Buy us some time!"
Surume, barely outside the light's edge, readied his staff and shouted.
Ariana and Gargaine moved to cover him. Ama Kuso stood frozen, traumatized that his strongest move, "Shark Tail," failed. A Little Lizard pounced on him.
"Waaah!"
"Earth Spear!!"
A sharp earthen spike erupted from the ground, impaling the Lizard. Harshüge had aimed his staff.
Ama Kuso sat down, on the verge of tears.
"Pull yourself together, Debussy!"
"Here we go!!"
Surume yelled.
Ariana and Gargaine backed off to give him space.
"Fire Snake!!"
A two-meter-long serpent of flames shot from Surume's staff—five in total.
The fire snakes homed in, striking one Lizard each with remote-controlled precision.
Five Lizards writhed, screaming, before collapsing charred.
"Holy crap, that's awesome!"
"One more..."
Gargaine and Ariana, fending off Lizards with basic spells, praised Surume while shielding him.
Surume began another spell.
Once his mana stabilized, he signaled them.
Ariana and Gargaine retreated flawlessly.
"Fire Snake!!"
Four slightly smaller fire snakes sought their prey, diving headfirst. Direct hits—four more Lizards turned into grilled lizard skewers.
"Can you keep going?"
"Maybe...?"
"I'm done..."
Surume, pale and sweating, drew his buster sword.
One step from mana exhaustion.
Meanwhile, I'm in trouble too.
Rapid spellcasting feels like sprinting full-speed. I've got mana left, but maintaining "Lightning" is impossible.
"Scarlet! Switch!"
"Lightning" is advanced Light Magic—rare affinity, brutally hard for non-specialists. Having three light mages here was a lucky break.
The prim woman looked up from her crouch.
I yelled again.
"I can't hold it much longer!"
"Y-you dare order *me* around?!"
"This isn't the time! If the light goes out, that thing eats us!"
The Bone Lizard gnashed its jaws at the "Lightning," trying to devour it.
Exposed teeth slammed the light barrier, the shockwave straining me. Frustrated, the Lizard stomped the ground in rage.
"W-why should I listen to *you*...?"
"Hey, lady! Hurry the hell up!"
Gargaine erected a "Sand Wall" behind us—three meters high, ten wide—blocking Lizards from flanking.
We're seriously screwed now!
Move it, princess!!
"Lightning!"
Harshüge joined me, swinging his staff.
I released my mana, drenched in sweat, gasping.
Almost lost the spell.
Close one. Gotta steady my breath.
Deep breaths. Calm down.
"Y-you... Piggoo... How dare you..."
"Hah... Hah... You can't do it, can you?"
Scarlet shuddered violently.