BAM! BAM! BAM!

The mercenaries clung to the Blood Python’s body, relentlessly striking it with their blunt weapons. The snake swung its tail wildly in response, sending mercenaries flying through the air, but for every one knocked away, another quickly took their place and continued the assault.

Kaaaargh!

The Blood Python let out furious roars. Ghislain, Gillian, and Kaor were attacking its head, drawing its attention, while the mercenaries hammered away at its body and tail. Belinda’s sharp daggers flew through the air, widening the wounds the others had made, and she occasionally aimed for its eyes.

It was like being surrounded by a swarm of flies, relentlessly buzzing and biting, driving anyone mad with irritation.

The Blood Python thrashed in rage.

BAM!

Every time its tail slammed into the ground, another mercenary lost their life. But despite the carnage, the mercenaries gritted their teeth and pressed on, determined to bring the monster down no matter the cost.

“Gillian! Head to the tail and help the others!” Ghislain called out, skillfully dodging the snake’s attacks while keeping an eye on the overall battle.

As the Blood Python’s wounds multiplied, its tail’s movements gradually slowed.

With Gillian joining the mercenaries in their assault on the tail, small cracks began to appear in its scales.

After what felt like an eternity of desperate attacks, they finally began to see some progress.

Crack!

“It’s cracking!” a mercenary shouted.

Hearing this, Gillian poured mana into his axe and yelled, “Get back!”

BAM!

Gillian’s axe buried itself deep into the Blood Python’s body, cutting more than halfway through.

It was a wound unlike any they had inflicted so far.

Blood began to gush from the wound, spilling out over the serpent’s scales.

Seeing this, the mercenaries were filled with hope.

“Here! Aim for this spot!”

The mercenaries swarmed the new wound, stabbing it with swords and spears. Weapons that had been ineffective before now sank easily into the softened muscle beneath the scales, which had been weakened by the internal shock.

Kaaaaargh!

The Blood Python screeched in agony, thrashing its body violently. Mercenaries who were caught by its flailing were crushed, bones snapping as they were thrown to the ground.

Though the creature’s movements had slowed, its massive size still made it a devastating force.

‘This won’t work,’ Ghislain thought as he dodged the creature’s fangs. He could feel the mercenaries’ mana depleting fast. They had been fighting non-stop, using their powers since the beginning of the battle, and exhaustion was setting in.

It had become a race to see who would collapse first—the Blood Python or the mercenaries.

BAM! BAM!

Screams filled the air as mercenaries were crushed under the weight of the creature’s strikes.

Even though they had finally started to deal significant damage, at this rate, the mercenaries would be wiped out before the Blood Python could be defeated.

Suddenly, the Blood Python’s eyes gleamed crimson as it swung its tail wide.

Whoosh!

BAM!

Several mercenaries were flung into the air as the serpent took the opportunity to retreat a short distance.

Seeing the Blood Python pull back, some of the mercenaries spoke hopefully.

“What’s happening? Is it retreating?”

“Could this be the end?”

“Pull the wounded back! We need to regroup!”

The mercenaries slowly fell back to reform their lines, murmuring amongst themselves.

If the Blood Python was retreating, it would be the best possible outcome.

Breaking through its scales and landing blows on its body had been an impressive feat for their skill level, but no one could celebrate. They knew full well that even if they’d done well so far, if this dragged on, they would all die.

They had fought admirably, but they were nearing their limits.

“C-could we call it a draw?” Gordon muttered, his legs trembling. No one responded.

Hissss...

The Blood Python gazed at them, its tail flicking lazily back and forth. Its scales were stained with blood from its many wounds.

It was a remarkable achievement to have inflicted such damage on a creature that was powerful enough to crush an ogre with ease.

Belinda turned to Ghislain during this brief lull and asked, “Young master, don’t you think it’s time we consider running away?”

“Not yet.”

“I figured as much. You never listen, do you? Sometimes I wonder if you’re just plain crazy.”

“Really? I thought I was a pretty reasonable person,” Ghislain replied with a smirk, earning an incredulous look from Belinda.

Gillian, having surveyed the mercenaries, leaned closer to Ghislain and whispered, “My lord, if this keeps up, we’ll be wiped out before the snake falls. Our current tactics are effective, but we don’t have enough manpower to continue like this.”

“You’re right. But we have no other choice. We need to keep the pressure up while those with mana look for an opening.”

“We’ll have to aim for the eyes,” Gillian agreed.

The Blood Python wasn’t exclusive to the Forest of Beasts—it could be found in other regions as well. Its only known weak point was its unprotected eyes.

Of course, aiming for the eyes was easier said than done. The attacker had to get close enough while avoiding the Blood Python’s fangs, and even if they managed that, the snake could shut its eyelids in an instant to protect itself.

Still, attacking its eyes in the midst of its confusion was their only option.

“For now, we’ll have to rely on Belinda to take the shot,” Ghislain said.

Belinda nodded firmly, her expression serious.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, the Blood Python slowly began advancing toward them again. It was clearly being cautious, scanning its surroundings, but suddenly, it accelerated.

Kaaaargh!

“It’s coming!”

“Just like before! Focus on the wounds and stab!”

“Let’s see who dies first!”

As the Blood Python charged toward them, the mercenaries quickly reorganized, aiming their attacks at the fresh wounds.

But this time, the Blood Python’s approach was different. It struck with calculated precision, smashing its head down like a hammer on each mercenary it reached.

BAM!

“Aaaaargh!”

BAM! BAM!

Every time the mercenaries tried to approach, it withdrew, only to slam its head down again, shattering bodies with each strike. It had shifted tactics, now targeting them one by one, picking them off with terrifying accuracy.

“F-fall back!” one of the mercenaries screamed as they all scrambled backward in fear.

Hissss...

The Blood Python’s eyes narrowed as its tongue flicked out, almost as if it were smiling.

Panic spread among the group.

The strategy they had been relying on was no longer working, and now they had no idea how to fight back.

Hissss...

As the Blood Python coiled itself and began moving forward again, the mercenaries retreated, unsure of what to do.

At that moment, Ghislain dashed forward and shouted, “Mercenaries, stay back and wait for an opportunity! Gillian, Kaor, Belinda, fight with me!”

The mercenaries quickly withdrew, leaving the main combat to the four of them, just as they had at the start.

While they all wanted to join the fight, their skill levels simply weren’t enough to make a difference now.

BAM! BAM!

The four fighters dodged the Blood Python’s attacks, trying to land blows on it just like before, but the snake had grown cautious, making it much harder to deal any significant damage.

Even when they did manage to wound it, the cuts were shallow and ineffective.

BAM! BAM!

As time passed, their mana was drained, and exhaustion made it harder to dodge the Blood Python’s relentless attacks.

Kaor, seeing no other option, shouted, “Damn it! I’ll be the bait! Aim for its eyes!”

With Kaor in range, the Blood Python fixated on him, attacking him with its head over and over again.

No matter what wounds the others inflicted on its body, the snake ignored them, focusing solely on Kaor.

BAM! BAM!

The overwhelming pressure and speed of the attacks terrified Kaor, making it impossible for him to swing his sword.

All he could do was dodge with all his might.

But Kaor’s efforts gave Belinda the moment she had been waiting for.

BAM!

As the Blood Python’s head slammed into the ground, Kaor barely managed to dodge, creating an opening.

“Die!” Belinda shouted, launching her dagger straight at the Blood Python’s massive eye.

She poured every ounce of mana she had left into the blade.

If this attack failed, they were all as good as dead.

But just as the dagger was about to strike, Belinda’s eyes met the snake’s gaze.

It almost seemed like the Blood Python was mocking her.

“No way...”

Clang!

The mana-infused dagger bounced harmlessly off the snake’s eye.

“That’s impossible!”

This Blood Python, native to the Forest of Beasts, was different from the others they knew. Its eyeballs were reinforced with a material even harder than its scales.

If its eyes were this impenetrable, it was as good as having no weak points at all.

How in the world were they supposed to defeat such a creature?

Just as everyone stood in shock, something even more terrifying happened.

Kaor had unknowingly been herded into the exact spot the Blood Python wanted him.

Whoosh!

The tail, which had remained still until now, suddenly lashed out at Kaor.

The serpent had cunningly waited for this moment, keeping its tail in reserve as a trap.

“No!”

The others rushed toward the Blood Python to draw its attention, but that was just another part of its plan.

Kaaaargh!

The snake’s head twisted unnaturally, and it struck at Ghislain with blinding speed.

The tail’s movement had only been a feint.

Ghislain had no way to dodge in time.

In that split second, he prepared to unleash all three of his mana cores at once, hoping to withstand the attack.

“Young master!”

Suddenly, Belinda appeared out of nowhere and shoved Ghislain aside with all her strength.

BAM!

“Belinda!”

Ghislain shouted her name as he tumbled to the ground, turning back to see what had happened.

Thud!

Belinda’s body was hurled through the air, slamming into a tree before crumpling to the ground.

She coughed up blood but was still alive.

Even in midair, she had twisted her body to minimize the impact.

“Ugh... Run... You idiot... Just run... Get back to the estate and throw yourself in prison... You never listen... You never have...” Belinda muttered, coughing up blood as she lay on the ground.

“Kaor! Get Belinda to safety!”

Ghislain shouted urgently. Kaor, who had narrowly escaped death, quickly scooped Belinda up and retreated.

Hissss...

The Blood Python flicked its tongue in satisfaction as it surveyed the battlefield.

Though its original target had escaped, it had incapacitated one of its most annoying enemies, and it seemed pleased with the outcome.

But Ghislain had no intention of being treated like a plaything by this beast.

He locked eyes with the serpent and spoke to Gillian.

“Gillian, go back to the body and widen the wounds. Attack with the mercenaries if you see an opening.”

“What do you mean? You’re not seriously thinking of fighting the head alone, are you?”