(EP-299.2) Master #3

299 – Master of the Forest #3

A whirlwind large enough to easily engulf the entire lake.

This fierce, shockwave-like wind, absorbing and pulling in everything around it, looked like long-bodied dragons dancing in the sky.

━Hmph, do you think mere wind can put a scratch on my body?

Angala curled her body into a ball.

A very large ball. Coiled into a perfect sphere like a small asteroid. It could be described as complete and absolute defense.

Clang—!

A sharp, metallic sound echoed as if steel clashed against steel.

However, the sharp winds still failed to penetrate Angala’s thick, hardened carapace. If there had been coarse sand or rocks nearby, the wind might have had more cutting power.

But that didn’t matter.

My goal wasn’t to wound her with the wind.

━What…!

Did it finally notice?

For the first time, Angala let out a flustered sound. It was because her tightly coiled body was lifted into the air, caught in the massive whirlwind.

━Y-You scoundrel, let me go!

“Angala-nim, even the faintest sound or breeze is loud to me right now. I know well that you breathe through the tiny openings in your body.”

━You little brat! You wouldn’t dare drown me!

Angala correctly deduced my intentions, as if she could read my mind.

Just as she said, I intended to plunge her enormous body into the lake. The giant whirlwind was just a means to that end.

Having heard from Narmi, who guarded graves, about poisonous insects, I knew that centipedes were very weak against water.

“I endured more than a minute in the poison mist. I’m curious how long Angala-nim will last when submerged in the lake.”

It liked damp places but hated water.

What a peculiar creature.

━You, you think I’ll let that happen!

Swish.

Inside the whirlwind, Angala’s coiled body unraveled into its length. Did it think exposing its weak spot was better than being plunged into the lake?

You underestimated me too much.

I immediately began chanting the next spell I had prepared—a magic that triggers a massive explosion with the same principle as a supernova.

Star Slayer.

With no walls to collapse and no comrades to worry about, I could unleash it at full power.

Just as I was about to cast it.

Splash, Kwaaaaaaaaa—!

Angala threw itself into the lake. Like a centipede dropped by a crow, it flung its body into the water.

‘Suicide?’

No…

It must have judged that throwing itself into the lake was safer for its own preservation than taking a direct hit from my magic.

「You have calmly judged the situation!

You have gained experience points through the talent 《Calm Thinking》.

All job experience +5」

「One who drives life to death.

Gained job experience for ‘Little Demon King’. +50」

* * *

The lake where the giant centipede had plunged remained eerily calm, without a single splash.

It was as if a dragon, clutching a sacred pearl in its mouth, waited deep beneath the surface for the moment of ascension. Not a ripple disturbed the tranquility.

Silent would be an apt description.

“……”

… It was quieter than I expected.

I thought there would be thrashing or cries like a beast drowning in water. I stared into the deep blue lake, a sense of unease creeping over me.

The centipede’s body hadn’t surfaced.

Reinhardt had once said not to assume victory until the enemy’s breath was gone. As I recalled his words, I scanned the surroundings, tense, anticipating anything to happen at any moment.

Should I look into the lake?

No, I didn’t have the courage to look into a place with a giant venomous centipede. Then, I could sense something ominous happening beneath me when—

Squelch.

Something emerged from the deep waters, reaching toward the shore. Soaked through, it had two pairs of limbs and pale white skin.

“Achoo!”

A woman sneezed and shivered as she pulled herself up. Or rather, it would be more accurate to call her a girl.

She appeared as youthful as a nymph, no different than a middle schooler. Her long amber hair dripped as she squeezed the water out.

“Well, you certainly dunked me well, didn’t you? I hate getting wet.”

“… Are you perhaps Angala-nim?”

“Can’t you tell from my dignified presence? Foolish creature.”

Snap.

When the small Angala snapped her fingers, her soaking wet appearance vanished, replaced by a long, slender black cheongsam, matching shoes, and a fluffy white fur collar.

At the same time, centipedes appeared from nowhere, forming into the shape of a chair.

Seated with her legs crossed, Angala spoke.

“You fool. Using such powerful magic will only shorten your already brief lifespan. If I hadn’t jumped into the river myself to stop the magic, you would have lost several years of your life.”

What a haughty little queen…

She reminded me of Serazade from Tureuki. If you transformed the Empress of the Desert into an Oriental style, she’d look just like this.

“How dare you be lost in thought while receiving a prescription from the great Angala!”

Ttak.

At that moment, something struck my head with a sharp thud.

“Hieek…!”

Angala had hit me on the head. I clutched my head, tears welling up in my eyes. Turning slightly, I saw her amber eyes glaring at me with a frown.

“Many have waited years in line to receive my prescription. And yet, you dare daydream in my presence. You wasteful fool!”

“……”

I didn’t fully understand, but it seemed wise to listen to what this small Angala was saying. I tried to recall what she had just told me.

“You’re saying that using great magic reduces my lifespan? Less than the 200 years I originally had?”

Edit by: faker