109 The Bringer of Fear
The outcome is decided.
The weaklings have been cleared.
The leader is weakened.
The subordinates are no longer my adversaries.
There is no path left for them to reverse the situation.
No reinforcements like during the ape's time.
Only monsters fleeing from me are detected by the surveillance.
Who would have thought I'd become the one who flees.
The fire dragon must have realized it from the halfway point.
This was inevitable.
Yet dragons, too, possess pride. Despite being weakened and losing subordinates one by one, it still refused to surrender and continued challenging me.
If this were sport, I might have admired its persistence.
But in a war of killing, it can only be called an incompetent commander.
The catfish tried desperately to escape, but due to the fire dragon's command, it ultimately did not flee and was killed by me in the end.
The eel still attempts to flee.
Yet the fire dragon still shows combat intent.
This reckless charge may be regressing to the level of a tatsu no otoshi gō.
Regrettable, but that intent is already meaningless.
The remaining fire dragon and three eels are captured by my cursed eye.
The paralysis curse eye.
Activating the same cursed eye on multiple eyes does not change the effect against a single target.
But when facing multiple targets, a single-target cursed eye can affect multiple enemies.
My eyes number eight in total.
Up to eight entities can be consumed by the cursed eye.
Against a swarm as large as before, perhaps, but now only four creatures remain—no means exists to resist my cursed eye.
The advantage of the paralysis cursed eye is that its effect becomes permanent with sustained gaze.
Paralysis toxin—its effect diminishes over time and eventually dissipates.
But that does not apply to the Paralysis Cursed Eye.
Once resistance is broken, the target has few means of self-liberation from paralysis.
Even if Paralysis Resistance is acquired through skill progression, overcoming the effect of my Cursed Eye requires an extended duration.
By that time, I could have killed the target with spider venom multiple times.
Thus, the outcome is entirely within my control.
Though, of course, it matters little—I possess Flame Immunity, so cooking or burning is ineffective.
I descend onto the island closest to the fire dragons, suspended from the ceiling.
I extend threads, pulling the eels' bodies toward the island.
Ah, I wish I had non-flammable threads.
Heave-ho, laboriously, I proceed.
Meanwhile, the fire dragon strained desperately, gritting its teeth in resistance. The eels trembled with the expression of an ending world.
Just as I thought when I was a monkey— if you’re going to kill someone, at least prepare yourself to be killed.
Me?
No. If I’m in danger of being killed, I’ll flee.
No need to make that kind of resolve.
I pulled the fire dragon and the eels onto the island. Then I delivered the final blow.
First, the eel.
Taking advantage of its paralysis, I shoved spider venom directly into its mouth without hesitation.
The paralyzed eel convulsed once, violently, then went still.
[Experience points have reached threshold. Individual, Zoa Eel, has leveled up from LV10 to LV11.]
[Base stats have increased.]
[Skill proficiency level-up bonus acquired.]
[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Three-Dimensional Mobility LV8' has upgraded to 'Three-Dimensional Mobility LV9'.]
[Skill points acquired.]
The other eel, observing this, stiffens in terror.
Relax.
I’ll let you pass without undue suffering.
Inject spider venom into the second eel.
[Experience points have reached threshold. Individual, Zoa Eel, has leveled up from LV11 to LV12.]
[Base stats have increased.]
[Skill proficiency level-up bonus acquired.]
[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Evasion LV8' has upgraded to 'Evasion LV9'.]
[Skill points acquired.]
[Condition met. Title 'Bringer of Fear' has been obtained.]
[Title 'Bringer of Fear' effect: Skill 'Intimidation LV1' and 'Heretic Attack LV1' acquired.]
Received a title.
Another dangerous-sounding title.
Just by looking at the title, you'd think the person was dangerous.
Ah, not a person. A spider.
Anyway, I'll check it later.
I also acquired the title 'Dragon Slayer'—I'll confirm both together.
Right now, finishing off these creatures takes priority.
Thus, a poisoned gift for the third.
Made with care—please accept it.
Here you go, open wide.
Enjoyed it?
Oh? So it was delicious beyond death?
That's wonderful.
{Information Officer: Scared!}
[Good job—keep going!]
Ah, you're back?
[Yes. No need to max out synchronization level anymore.]
{Surprisingly easy win—lucky!}
Ah, I never thought it would go so smoothly.
[Good thing the Fire Dragon is an idiot.]
{No, I’d have chosen retreat immediately, though.}
That’s true.
Has this creature ever been in a situation like this before?
{Yeah, maybe.}
[You’re invincible, aren’t you?]
Exactly.
Pity. Let’s end it.
And I granted the Fire Dragon, who has never known defeat, his first and only loss.
[Experience points reached threshold. Individual, Zoa Ely, leveled up from LV12 to LV13.]
[Base stats increased.]
[Skill mastery bonus acquired.]
[Mastery level reached threshold. Skill 'Break Enhancement LV2' upgraded to 'Break Enhancement LV3'.]
[Mastery level reached threshold. Skill 'Break Resistance LV2' upgraded to 'Break Resistance LV3'.]
[Skill Points acquired.]
[Experience threshold reached. Individual, Zoa Ere, leveled up from LV13 to LV14.]
[Base stats increased.]
[Mastery level-up bonus acquired.]
[Mastery level reached threshold. Skill 'Corrosion Resistance LV3' upgraded to 'Corrosion Resistance LV4'.]
[Skill Points acquired.]
[Experience threshold reached. Individual, Zoa Ere, leveled up from LV14 to LV15.]
[Base stats increased.]
[Mastery level-up bonus acquired.]
[Mastery level reached threshold. Skill 'Impact Resistance LV2' upgraded to 'Impact Resistance LV3'.]
[Skill Point acquired.]