83 Spider vs. Fire Dragon ④

Avoid the fireball expelled by the eel.

A new fireball arrives from the direction of the evasion.

This is no longer a matter of simply fleeing.

HP decreases slightly from the shockwave of the explosion.

At top speed, evasion is possible, but the yellow gauge depletes rapidly.

Maintaining maximum velocity results in the yellow gauge draining completely in an instant, leading to breathlessness.

That would be a game over.

Predict the trajectory of the fireballs using foresight and thought acceleration, dodging them preemptively.

But the eel anticipates my preemptive movements and adjusts its trajectory accordingly.

Who will outmaneuver the other?

A tension akin to predicting the opponent's counter-countermove.

The difference lies in this: if the eel misses, it suffers no significant consequence. If I miss even once, I die.

Skill level increased. Skill 'Cognitive Acceleration LV1' upgraded to 'Cognitive Acceleration LV2'.

Skill level increased. Skill 'Precognition LV1' upgraded to 'Precognition LV2'.

Timing of this skill level-up is highly advantageous.

The trajectory of the incoming fireball now feels slightly slower.

The trade-off is a perceptible reduction in personal mobility. This must be accounted for.

Evasion of the fireball.

Precognition now reveals a different movement pattern from the eel’s previous behavior.

The breath’s motion remains unchanged, but the wind-up is longer.

I release the stored top speed.

Racing forward at a velocity that leaves the scenery behind.

The area behind me is consumed by intense flames.

'Fire Breath: Exhales a wide-area flame attack.'

A skill available at Fire Dragon’s level 4.

I shouldn’t have taken direct damage, but the heat behind me is searing.

HP is decreasing steadily.

If this continues, I’ll be worn down to nothing. A single direct hit would end me.

Yet no effective countermeasure presents itself.

For now, I can only keep evading and wait for an opening.

A mounting sense of frustration as life dwindles slowly.

Another fireball approaches.

Thanks to Eel’s Accuracy Level 10 and the probability adjustment skill, the aim is unnervingly precise.

I’m not certain I could have avoided it without my combo of Dodge LV5, Speed Thinking, and Foreseeing.

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Dodge LV5' upgraded to 'Dodge LV6'.]

Good.

No way to turn the situation around, but any small advantage now would help.

Avoiding the fireball while checking Eel’s remaining MP.

Significantly reduced, but still more than half remains.

Fire Breath is a wide-area technique, and appears to consume MP more heavily than the fireball.

If it cannot be cast repeatedly, that is acceptable. Ideally, it should be conserved for now.

Precognition does not always activate. If it fails, there is no certainty of evasion.

Must monitor Eel’s movements closely, as much as possible.

Just as that thought formed, Precognition captured Eel unleashing a Fire Breath.

Dart forward at top speed once more.

But this time, Eel did not fire the breath straight ahead. Instead, it swung its head sideways, sweeping the attack horizontally!

The already wide area of effect expanded further.

Gah!

Just grazed.

Despite only a glancing hit, HP dropped by ten.

The impact struck part of the back and one hind leg.

The hind leg aches slightly, but movement remains possible.

Still, a minor reduction in speed may occur.

Not good.

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Fire Resistance LV1' upgraded to 'Fire Resistance LV2'.]

At last, the previously stagnant fire resistance has increased.

Timing is favorable.

With increased fire resistance, automatic recovery should surpass terrain damage.

The recovery amount will be minimal, but presence versus absence makes a world of difference.

Check eel’s MP.

Good.

Half remains.

MP consumption: fireball approximately 10, flame breath around 50.

Even at half, the eel could still unleash four more flame breaths if it chose.

Unacceptable.

Reposition to increase distance from eel.

The eel refused to allow it, spewing fireballs while pressing forward.

As intended.

While moving, it likely cannot unleash that flame breath again.

Now, simply maintain distance, forcing it to keep expending fireballs until its MP depletes.

Once that hurdle is passed, there may be an opening.

For now, evade.

Prioritize evasion above all, retreating cautiously without overextending.

Choose escape routes carefully to avoid being cornered at the magma’s edge.

One misstep means death.

A sensation like walking a tightrope.

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'HP Auto-Recovery LV5' upgraded to 'HP Auto-Recovery LV6'.]

Good. Good!

Real combat seems to heighten focus to the maximum, accelerating skill level progression.

The skill that had been waiting to level up alongside fire resistance finally activated at this moment.

Elation lasted only an instant.

But that instant proved fatal.

The eel’s neck twisted into a breath attack.

Completely unforeseen.

Prediction failed to activate.

This was unavoidable.

A gout of breath erupted from the eel’s mouth.

I kicked the ground hard and launched myself into the air.

The breath grazed past my feet.

Enduring the pain, I extended the thread upward toward the ceiling.

I pulled the thread rapidly and landed on the ceiling.

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Three-Dimensional Mobility LV4' upgraded to 'Three-Dimensional Mobility LV5'.]

I looked down at the eel from above.

The eel looked up at me from within the magma.

I managed to evade the breath attack, but now—what next?