The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster-Chapter 62: Solo Raid III

Buji knew he couldn’t afford to fight recklessly. That will be digging up his own grave. The remaining two Hellhounds were now at diagonals to him, their intense eyes watching as though studying to predict his every move.

It was this moment that the system chose to reward him with instant reward notifications, but he unwavered it with his thoughts. Raising his bent head towards the Hellhounds, he gnashed his teeth.

He had unknowingly used his mind to control the system and made the Aetherfang appear in his hands when he was almost at the point of death. Now, his Slayer was still stuck on one of the Hellhound’s body. He decided to try the method he had used before.

He concentrated his mind to lock unto the Slayer and moments later, he noticed his hand gripped unto an object. He opened his hand to realize his sword has appeared in his hands.

"Thanks for delaying the attack," he said to the Hellhounds as if they could hear him. He was in dire need to complete this phase of the raid so as to move on to another phase. He needed to end it right away. The confidence that he could do is creeped in...

"Phantom Step!"

He activated his Phantom Step, a skill that allowed him to be in two places at a time. The skill enabled him to teleport to a short distance, leaving an afterimage of himself to confuse his opponents.

The Hellhounds which had angrily lunged at him were momentarily confused. They attacked the being in front of them all they can, but they was no effect. It all seemed as thought their attacks were invisible and had no impact.

Before they knew it, Buji was a few metres away from one of the Hellhound’s in air while he descended. He has taken them unawares, thanks to his Phantom Step and now, he positioned his Slayer to point the unlucky Hellhound, driving the Slayer into its spine as he landed.

He didn’t want to make his previous mistake again. While still on top of the Hellhound, he pulled out his Slayer and drove it in again, targeting its chest through the back. The creature howled in pain, its body convulsing before it dissolved into ash.

"Only when they disintegrate into ash is it confirmed that they were dead?" He observed. "So easy too."

Even, he was more thankful to the book he read at his leisure. The old book his father had handed down to him, or rather, the book in his Acquisition—SEA.

There, he learnt that only if you’re able to reparate a beast or monster through its core or cores for monsters, will they be able to die faster. And each creature had their method of death.

It meant that the method of death of the Hellhounds was turning into ashes. He was also thankful to a few books he read from the academy’s library, where he learnt where the cores of a few beast was located. Coincidentally, that of Hounds were inclusive to his library.

"One down," Buji said, spinning around to face the last two.

Buji instinctively thought that the last Hellhound standing was going to be afraid, and should take to his heels. That would be make things easier and faster for him. He read in books were monsters escaped death during dungeon raids.

But...he was facing reality not novels. The creature growled, clearly enraged at what Buji had done to its teammates.

"I guess you’re astonished with my bravery, skill and strength, right?" Buji commented foolishly. "That’s what happens when you’re suddenly thrust into a kind of world you weren’t sure about."

"Although I was lucky, you might get on the bad side, so don’t pray for it..."

The speed at which the last hound charged at Buji made him to cut his crap talking. Even though he talked, he was ready this time. He waited until the last possible moment before sidestepping and slashing at the Hellhound’s legs. The Hellhound skidded to a halt, its hind leg nearly severed.

Before Buji could press on the advantage, the Hellhound opened its maw to release a flow of molten spit that directed at Buji. He stumbled back from the heat and burn the fire caused him. His health bar dropping again, but not by any much data.

"Not this time," he hissed, and called on his system. "Shop?"

Luckily, the system also operated with shops. So, he quickly searched through the skill items and saw a cheap skill he could afford without losing much.

"Burst Strike!"

[Burst Strike skill acquired.]

Burst Strike was a skill that increased the user’s attack speed for a short duration. Not necessarily, but until Buji upgrades, the skill will only serve for a short period of time.

"ACTIVATE!"

[New skill activated]

Buji staggered forward before regaining balance, and charged at the Hellhound. He launched a flurry of strikes, causing his blade flashing in the dim light of the dungeon.

His strikes sent the hound a great deal backwards but they hadn’t done much to its hard hides. This Hellhound was the only remaining creature Buji needed to take its life so as to continue but here it is, so stubborn.

"Why are you so stubborn?!" Buji asked in aggression, as he heaved in breath from the strikes he had launched.

What he said was meaningless to the hound though, since it couldn’t get a d understand what Buji said. Instead, it limped toward Buji, leaving a trail of molten blood on the dungeon floor. Despite its injuries, it was still eager. It’s eyes burned with defiance.

Buji raised his Slayer. His body still pained from the burns form the spit that hound had splashed on him, yet, he still acted unshaken. "Let’s end this!"

The Hellhound roared in reply to Buji’s angered exclamation, producing more of the molten spit to surge toward Buji. This time around, it didn’t seem to be in the appearance of a spit, but it seemed as though it formed a small pool of molten fire.

Buji braced himself, but disoriented the thought of standing at a place. ’Run!’ was what came to his mind.

’Run around.’

Buji thought that would be best in the meantime. He didn’t have any skill or shield that could save hiim from molten fire or anything flame. So, he took to his heels in a circular motion to dodge the molten which he approached him fast enough.

Once again, all thanks to the daily quests. His speed has greatly increased.

Buji ran, finally escaping the hot fluid, and instead, made his direction to the Hellhound.

"Counter Attacker!"

[Activated!]

It seemed as though he had made the right decision by activating the skill. While he approached the last Hellhound, it also lunged to meet him, slashing its claws through to air in defense. Their clash was brutal. Imagine the clash of steel meeting with molten hide, with a super force. The contact has caused echo through the dungeon.

"Why are you just so stubborn!" Buji shouted as he sucked under a swipe and drove his Slayer into the Hellhound’s chest. The creature howled in pain, its body writhing as Buji twisted the blade.

With a final outpour of strength, Buji yanked the sword free and delivered a decapitating strike.

"Thanks for making that mistake move," Buji muttered. "Stubborn creature."

The Hellhound’s head hit the ground, its body crumbling into ash moments later.

Buji immediately dropped his buttocks on the floor. This fight with the last Hellhound was hardest fight he had engaged in so far. Its deceptive moves, unknowing power which it had and stubborness.

It seemed the hound was very much higher than the others in class, and was way more stronger. The fight has weakened him already, and the thought of advancing further weakened him the more.

The system’s screen materialized in front tof him again, but Buji didn’t wave it off.

<Ding!>

"Giver of hope," Buji uttered with a smile on his grin.

[Level Up!]

[You have slain a Hellhound!]

[EXP: +150]

[Level Up!]

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[You have slain another Hellhound!]

[EXP: +150]

[Level Up!]

[You have slain another Hellhound!]

[EXP: +150]

LEVEL UP!

LEVEL UP!

LEVEL UP!...

[You have slain the leader of the Hellhound’s!]

[EXP: 600]

[Congrats! You have slain all five Hellhounds!]

[Level Attained: 34]

[Total EXP gained: 1,200]

[Congrats to the Player on unlocking a new feature: EXP!]

[+5% SP added to all stat points in recognition of this wonderful feat.]

Buji still paused at a place, trying to get and assimilate everything the screen showed.

<Ding!>

[New Skill Unlocked: Infernal Strike.]

[Shield Acquired: Molten Fluid Shied!]

"Molten fluid?"

[New Title received: Heat Resistor!]

"Crap... Title."

Buji stammered at the title. It sounded useless to his ear. But, well... every useless thing was still useful.

He rested a bit before standing to continue his adventure into the dungeon. He must complete the quest and within the specified time. If not, only HE knew what...

Immediately he stood up, he heard a voice that rang out in his mind.

Barrier Break Recorded!

You can now go further into the dungeon.

The sound was followed by a notification from the screen.

[Time limit: 14:23:05]

<Good luck!>

One thing Buji knew about this time was that it started counting only when he entered the dungeon. So, it was not the same with the normal world’s timing.

How then would he know what time it was in the real world? Anyway, if he wanted to come out, he must hasten up with the raid. Hitherto this last thought, he continued his movement.