Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 125 (Part 1)

The massive monster’s form was grotesque.

Long ago, when Jito had seen it, it had taken the shape of a minotaur—just larger in size.

But now, its arms were of uneven lengths. Its right arm was exceptionally long, about twice the length of the left.

Its face was grotesquely swollen, as if it would deflate like a balloon if pierced with a needle.

Moreover, its entire body was covered with countless bubbles, resembling someone suffering from a severe disease.

“This thing looks horrifying.”

“Master, I think I’m going to throw up.”

It truly was hideous. Even Rodin felt a churn in his stomach, as though he might vomit.

“It’s here. Be careful of the poison.”

“Don’t worry. We’re not breathing.”

It was a contact-based poison, so breathing didn’t matter. Still, it wouldn’t harm their internal organs, making it somewhat less dangerous for them compared to other knights.

“It begins. Flame Strike, Vacuum Explosion!”

The moment the creature broke through the trees, Rodin unleashed his magic. It was the same combination he had used while escaping the underground ruins of the Moord Wasteland.

Boom! Kaboom!

With an ear-shattering roar, the surrounding area turned into scorched earth. The massive minotaur was also struck by the powerful impact, tumbling far back.

“Graaah!”

“Hah!”

One blow had dealt significant damage. The synergy of the vacuum bomb and flame explosion was substantial.

Karis charged at the fallen monster. Jena positioned herself between Karis and Rodin, creating a formation to protect Rodin.

“Jena! Don’t mind me—just focus on fighting.”

“Yes, Master.”

Jena also surged forward.

Rodin shifted to the side, standing in a position opposite Karis and Jena. They surrounded the monster from three directions.

“Graaah!”

The massive beast roared and fixated on Rodin. Instead of Karis and Jena, who wielded spears and swords, it targeted Rodin, the one who had caused it the most pain.

“Hmph. Black Thunderbolt.”

Rodin unleashed consecutive Black Thunderbolt spells.

Although it was a 5-circle spell, modifications had boosted its power to that of a 6-circle spell. Rodin further imbued it with mana equivalent to a 6-circle spell.

Crackle!

“Graaah!”

The black lightning, generated mid-air, struck the creature’s crown repeatedly. It clutched its head with both arms before blindly charging at Rodin.

“Hah!”

“You’re not getting to the Master.”

Rodin wasn’t alone.

Karis and Jena attacked the monster’s legs from different sides. Their blades, infused with concentrated aura, left deep gashes on its legs.

“Graaah!”

At that moment, a purple mist burst out from the monster, releasing a toxic fog even more potent than before, turning the surroundings hazy.

“Cure Poison! Resist Poison!”

Rodin instinctively cast antidote magic on Karis and Jena. Their briefly halted attacks resumed.

“Hah!”

Slash! Stab!

Karis and Jena’s attacks were swift and powerful. The monster was helpless, its body accumulating wounds rapidly.

‘Can we handle this?’

Just as Rodin began to feel reassured, Karis was suddenly flung high into the air. It was, of course, not of her own will.

Thud!

“Karis!”

“I’m… fine.”

It was a strike from the massive beast’s tail, swung like a broom.

Fortunately, Jena had managed to avoid the attack as she climbed onto its back.

“Fly! Vacuum Explosion! Flame Strike! Unlimited Shield!”

Boom! Crash!

Using hand seals, Rodin unleashed magic in rapid succession.

First, he lifted himself out of the monster’s range. Then, two 6-circle spells triggered massive explosions.

The massive beast, struck hard, collapsed onto its rear. A deep wound was left in its chest where the explosion had struck.

For Jena, who fought at close range, Rodin cast a defensive spell as a precaution.

“Ugh!”

“Take this!”

“Master! I’m okay!”

Fortunately, Karis got back on her feet. Although her left arm dangled broken, her life wasn’t in danger.

“Unlimited Shield. Hell Beam!”

Casting another protective spell on Karis, Rodin immediately attacked the monster. A beam of compressed fire flew straight at it.

‘It didn’t pierce through.’

The Hell Beam, a 5-circle spell meant to penetrate its target, only left a wound on the surface. The monster’s magic resistance was formidable.

‘Only a 6-circle spell will work.’

Rodin began preparing another spell—this time, the 6-circle Thunder Storm.

Inside his long sleeves, his fingers moved deftly, while resonant runes flowed from his lips.

“Roar! Thunder Storm!”

A massive lightning storm engulfed the creature. Rodin had maximized the spell’s power with his sealing techniques and an additional infusion of mana.

The creature huddled, enduring the attack. Rodin noticed its hind legs shifting subtly.

“Jena! Be careful! Blink!”

The monster lunged at Jena in an instant, striking her. The Unlimited Shield spell Rodin had cast shattered in less than a second under the force of the blow.

  *

The massive monster’s disposal was handed over to one of the Four Great Towers, the Landes Magic Tower.

It was a burdensome task. This battle could cost them numerous mage comrades.

Thus, the Landes Tower requested support from nearby towers, specifically the Cedria Tower and the Comian Tower.

The Comian Tower had already decided to confront the massive monster, having sent mages to its location beforehand.

The Cedria Tower, however, was a different story.

From the beginning, they had no intention of fighting the massive monster. The Cedria Tower was still in the process of expanding its influence, and this kind of high-risk battle was not something they welcomed.

However, ignoring the Landes Tower’s request was not an option. While the Landes Tower’s sheer magical power was terrifying, its vast influence over the western part of the continent was even more daunting.

As one of the Four Great Towers, the Landes Tower was the strongest and most influential organization in the western part of the central continent. Going against them was as good as ensuring extinction in the region.

Reluctantly, the Cedria Tower agreed to dispatch mages.

The leader of the dispatched group was Elder Kendrick, who had just returned from the Richmond Marquisate and was resting. Fifty mages from the tower were assigned to accompany him.

“Damn it.”

Elder Kendrick’s mood had been sour ever since stepping into the Kingdom of Tebia. Being forcibly dragged into this situation didn’t sit well with him.

Because their leader was in a foul mood, the mages under him were busy reading the atmosphere, not even daring to make loud noises for fear of provoking him.

“Damn it,” Kendrick muttered once again, his curses barely audible.

He mumbled incomprehensibly, and even the mages closest to him couldn’t understand his words.

“Hm?”

Hyung_Otaku2

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