Chapter 268.1. Ultimately, It’s Just a Doll

[Plasma Bird III] struck Hvergelmir. 
The lightning bird, harboring vast amounts of superheated energy, gracefully spread its wings like a phoenix and enveloped Hvergelmir and the sacred tree behind it with its wings. 
Lightning flashed, and the superheated plasma didn’t incinerate the surroundings… 
But only Hvergelmir itself. There was no impact on the surroundings. Even the weeds barely rustled in the faint breeze.
“I kept it contained to single-target magic! Goodbye, doll!”
With a cute smile, Mii-chan waved her hand.
[Plasma Bird III] was a game-specific magic designed for single-target attacks, and it had no impact on the surrounding area. And after receiving the most potent magic from the most powerful magician, there was no way a cursed doll could withstand it.
“That won’t do, will it?”
I lightly jumped, and the tentacles passed by horizontally. The trees behind her were cleanly cut, showing off their beautiful cross-sections as they fell.
“Teyaa!”
Admiring the sharpness, she kicked off the air. Mii-chan’s body seemed to bounce in the air as if creating a foothold in mid-air.
The sound of wind being cut rang out as the razor-sharp tentacles sliced through the air.
Multiple tentacles followed Mii-chan, one after the other.
“These tentacles are unusually sharp. If they catch me, I’ll get  torn to shreds.”
Sliding to the right, she glanced at the tentacle passing in front of her and immediately stepped to the left. The next tentacle sliced through the air, barely cutting Mii-chan’s hair.
“They’re pretty fast!”
She lowered her head, and the tentacle above her became a guillotine-like blade, slicing through the air. Multiple tentacles turned into spears and charged at Mii-chan from behind as she rolled through the air.
The tentacles cutting through the air were rapidly deforesting the forest, creating deep trenches in the earth. Sand and smoke billowed up like an erupting volcano, transforming the tranquil shrine forest into a barren wasteland in no time.
A monster born from the sacred tree didn’t seem to care about its surroundings, repeatedly splitting its hands into countless tentacles and attacking Mii-chan.
It seemed to have power and speed. And it doesn’t seem to be the guardian of the sacred tree.
It seems like I’ll have to get serious. That doll has that much power.
“Here we go! Jarngreipr!”
With a quick wave of her hand, Mii-chan rapidly changed her equipment. In the blink of an eye that gentlemen shed tears of blood wish they could have seen the beautiful girl convert it in slow motion., Mii-chan donned the magic armor, Jarngreipr.
Radiating a mysterious glow, the magic armor boasted immense energy and absolute defense. Mii-chan smiled confidently.
“Sorry, but I’ve defeated plenty of power types before.”
With a shout, she assumed a defensive stance, and Miu shifted her focus. As the tentacles closed in on her right temple during the moment of changing, their sides turned into sharp blades, seemingly capable of slicing her head clean off.
“Take this!”
However, with a calm expression, Miu used her right forearm, protected by a divine artifact gauntlet, to deflect the approaching tentacle, redirecting it in a different direction.
“Shish!”
Without confirming the outcome, Miu swiftly spun her left hand and simultaneously deflected three approaching tentacles as if entwining them.
“You think you’ll hit if you throw more at me!”
Following that, I pierced through the wall of wind and was greeted by five high-speed tentacles. Each aimed at different parts of my body, from my feet to my head, with various types of attacks, from sweeps to thrusts.
For a wooden doll, it seems to be using its head somewhat. 
But I’m used to attacks like this.
“Take this!”
I summoned a radiant sword into her hand. I lightly twisted her wrist, transforming it into a flexible, bell-like shape. 
With a delicate and beautiful sound, I gracefully spun the radiant sword in a spiral motion.
Ribbons of light danced around Miu as she swung the sword, and the approaching tentacles were deflected as soon as they made contact. 
The radiant sword moved through the air as if it were a living creature, displaying an enchanting grace that would captivate anyone.
However, despite this fantastical sight, Hvergelmir remained an emotionless doll and calmly prepared for its next attack.
“Oooooh!”
Its body contorted, and the thick, rough ropes that composed its form began to thin and transform into eerie, skinless muscles, turning the crude straw doll into a grotesque figure with exposed muscle tissue.
“Powering up, I see? It’s become more human-like, but the creepiness has increased too.”
Hvergelmir was ignoring Miu’s question as she flew through the sky with her gray hair billowing.
Hvergelmir let out a disturbing groan and launched itself into the air with a tremendous leap, creating a resounding impact that caused the ground to sink. Hvergelmir set its sights on Miu and soared toward her.
“If you’re coming at me defenseless, I’ll show you the power Grand Mage!”
Chuckling, Miu gathered magical energy in her palm and cast it toward Hvergelmir.
[Flame Bird III]
A blazing phoenix emerged from her palm and glided towards the approaching Fvælgermír with outstretched wings. 
Hvergelmir showed no signs of defending itself; it simply charged forward and collided with the flaming bird.
A massive explosion occurred, and the intensely hot flames that would incinerate anything engulfed Hvergelmir. 
Miu had expected the fire to be effective against this wooden monstrosity, but her expression shifted to one of surprise.
“What?! A magic barrier?”
Hvergelmir had pierced through the blazing flames and was still charging. Furthermore, to protect itself from the flames, it was covered in multiple geometric-patterned magic barriers, with not a single burn mark in sight.
Unaffected by the damage, Hvergelmir continued to move mechanically, delivering a punch like a doll mechanically.
“Hup.”
However, while showing surprise on the surface, Miu remained as calm as a machine deep down. She broke through the wind wall, and when Hvergelmir’s mana-charged fist came at her, she gently redirected it.