Pick Me Up!

Chapter 85: Mission Type, Subjugation (5) (1)

“Han, let’s give it one more try!”

Edis shouted from atop the ramparts.

I shook my head. Their formation had crumbled when Asher and Diran died. Just the fact that the three of them were still alive was a stroke of luck.

“If you do that, you will die, stay put and watch.”

“If we don’t go…”

“We’ll finish this on our own.”

Edis bit her lip, her head bowed.

It wasn’t the fault of the second party. We were just one step short of having a good third party, which would have made dealing with the creature much easier.

‘In the end, it’s a gamble.’

I pointed my blade at Eloka.

“Ignite the flames.”

“What?”

“The white flames in your hand. Use it on my blade.”

White flames danced in Eloka’s right hand.

It was the blessing attribute fire that Eloka had drawn out before the altar was occupied.

“Try infusing it with elemental power. You can do it, right?”

“I’ll mix in some telekinesis energy.”

Eloka took a deep breath and extended the flames from her palm to the sword.

Sizzle. The sound of burning wood accompanied the white flames merging with the blade.

“Just once. If we amplify this, I can use magic only once.”

Eloka looked at the remaining embers in her hand.

“That should be enough.”

“What do we do now?”

“Grur…”

The black dragon knelt, drawing closer.

Shadows emerged from its scales, gathering around it.

“Don’t let them lay a finger on Eloka.”

“Understood.”

Neryssa handed Velkist a dagger.

Velkist accepted the dagger.

“Oppa, stay strong!”

“No need to say it.”

I smiled and readied my sword, dispersing the white flames into a circular pattern.

The flames on the blade wouldn’t last long. If the creature was still intact by then, we’d be done for.

“This time, it ends!”

Bang!

I kicked up sand as I surged forward.

【La Gran Inpegyo.】

Eloka began her casting.

I charged. My target was the spot where the ballista had pierced through.

“Grr…”

The creature lowered its wing.

‘So you caught on it.’

It seemed to have sensed my intent to aim for its weak point.

With its right wing shielding its injuries, the creature thrashed with its claws and tail. I brought my sword down.

Clang!

Claws and blade met, and white flames erupted.

‘No immune message appeared.’

I drew my poisoned dagger.

Then, I cut the opposite side of the weak point with the fiery longsword. Scales tore, and black blood spurted. Simultaneously, I struck the other side with the dagger in my left hand.

“Argh!”

The black dragon thrashed wildly.

Wings, teeth, tail, and claws – it swung them all around. Rocks beneath the sand scattered like debris. After stepping back, I observed its rear.

Fwshh!

Eloka’s entire body was ablaze.

Heat emanated, swirling like a whirlwind.

“Back away from Eloka!”

The three who had formed a triangle around Eloka retreated a few steps.

“Deal with the shadows. Don’t let them get close!”

“Yes!”

Flash.

Eloka’s eyes flashed blue.

The flames around her intensified.

The black dragon’s gaze shifted toward Eloka.

It blinked before curling into a ball.

‘…It’s coming.’

I hastily sheathed my sword and positioned myself in front of Eloka.

Dozens of spines shot out from the stretched body of the black dragon. Their target was Eloka.

Kagagang!

I swung my sword wildly. If that wasn’t enough, I used the dagger. And if that wasn’t enough, I’d take the hits with my body. Thigh, shoulder, ribs, calf – the scales pierced my body like paper.

[‘Han (★★)’ is now in a bleeding state! Health decreases periodically.]

“Ugh!”

My vision swayed.

I clenched my teeth. My staggering body regained its composure.

“Are you okay?!”

“Don’t worry about me.”

‘These damn scales.’

Blood trickled from the pierced areas.

Thorns protruded from the scales, designed to induce bleeding if removal was difficult.

“Kraaa!”

The black dragon raised its head towards the sky and let out a deafening roar.

At the same time, its body turned crimson. Red-black veins became vividly visible throughout its body.

[Warning!]

[‘Half-Black Dragon Halkyrap’ has entered a berserk state!]

The black dragon stared at me and swung its right hand at an incredible speed.

Whoosh!josei

I dodged. The fierce shockwave resonated in my eardrums.

The floor, swept by claws, split apart like tofu. As soon as I withdrew, the left-hand claw came crashing down.

‘Frenzy!’

[‘Han (★★)’ has entered a Frenzy state!]

A hot surge rushed through my mind.

Bang!

The sword and claw clashed.

I felt a pressure as if my body would shatter. The ground I stood on caved in. The black dragon’s muscles writhed. Its tail swung at an unseen speed. Instinctively, I blocked it.

Crack!

A sound like a toy breaking echoed, and Velkist’s sword shattered.

“Neryssa, a sword!”

“Got it!”

Shua!

The rapier slid across the ground, smoothly transferred. I immediately caught it. White flames flickered from the broken blade and transferred to the rapier’s blade.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The rapier couldn’t withstand three strikes and shattered.

I turned around and shouted, “Throw everything you have!”

I transferred fire to my left-handed dagger.

The dagger broke in two strikes. Jenna’s dagger flew immediately after. A flurry of attacks followed. Deep footprints were carved into the ground. Eloka was behind me.

I swung the dagger.

The black dragon’s right claw flew off.  Every bone and muscle in my body creaked. My vision turned red.

And then…

[The Hero’s Soul is Awakening in a Critical Situation!]

[Skill Awakening!]

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!