Published: March 21, 2026
Attacks had no effect.
It was the same as having no way to counter it.
This forest truly only gives us trials.
"Dual wield — 'Scattered Blades'"
Silver and white light raced so fast it was invisible.
Even though Nanase-kun had knocked the demonic beast to the ground and Asahina-kun drew both blades to strike, not a single wound appeared.
"Haaahhh!!"
Even when Sato-kun quickly brought his sword down, it was simply deflected.
Nanase-kun’s wind magic that was providing rear support kept the whale demonic beast pinned to the ground, but it couldn’t hold forever.
Neither magic nor physical attacks worked.
Was this what it meant to have no options left?
"Don't give up!"
Having come directly in front of the whale, I braced my shield desperately to protect Mr. Hosoyama, Ms. Ueno, and Kazuki from the beast’s attacks behind me.
I couldn't let those needles — shiny at the tips and clearly coated with poison — touch the three of them.
Backing away bit by bit while trying to think of some plan, a figure suddenly leaped out from behind me.
"Mr. Hosoyama!?"
"What are you doing!?"
Ms. Ueno and I called out in bewilderment.
Where she’d learned it, I had no idea, but Mr. Hosoyama moved with surprising speed, dodging the whale beast’s attacks and gradually closing in on it.
She seemed to be aiming for something, but I couldn’t tell what.
Still, Mr. Hosoyama wouldn’t do anything pointless.
Asahina-kun, Sato-kun, and Mr. Zeal widened their eyes in alarm and moved into positions to protect her.
Nanase-kun was focused on magic and hadn’t noticed, but since Mr. Zeal was now beside Mr. Hosoyama, it was probably okay.
Yet Mr. Hosoyama, contrary to how she looked, was surprisingly action-oriented.
She apparently conveyed a strategy verbally to the three of them, but her voice couldn’t reach us here.
The two in the back couldn’t move like she could, and the reason the rest of us could concentrate on attacking was precisely because we were taking the brunt of the needles’ assault.
Either way, we couldn’t participate in her plan, but I would’ve liked at least one word.
It was really bad for the heart.
"Alright, go!"
At Mr. Zeal’s command, the three attacked the beast simultaneously.
They all struck the same spot without getting in each other's way — a flowing coordination, but it was almost impromptu, so all three of them were amazing.
Summoned beings apparently have higher status values than normal members of the Human race, so perhaps the impressive thing was Mr. Zeal keeping up with Asahina-kun and Sato-kun.
"Now! Hosoyama!"
I couldn’t see well from here, but they must have concentrated their attacks on a single point to make an opening.
A tiny hole just wide enough for a woman’s index finger to fit.
It seemed the attacks weren’t completely nullified after all.
Even so, with the hero, the samurai, and the knight attacking at full force and only managing to make one small hole, you could guess how tough it was.
And while we were panicking because attacks didn't work, Mr. Hosoyama calmly observed and noticed it wasn’t completely ineffective — that was impressive.
I’d heard women often show strength in desperate moments, and it really seemed to be true.
"GYAAAAAA!!!"
With a great scream, the beast’s attacks weakened and then stopped.
I kept my shield raised, not letting my guard down, but from the suddenly enfeebled state of the beast it was clear it no longer had the strength to attack.
Cautiously, I gestured to the two who timidly emerged from behind me to stay alert, and we approached the beast.
The three who had coordinated the attack and Nanase-kun, who had been holding the beast down, were gathered around Mr. Hosoyama.
What exactly had she done?
"She stole its life force!?" Kazuki exclaimed, widening his eyes as he chewed on a big piece of meat.
I took only as much of the roasted meat in the center of the circle as I could eat and bit into it.
By the way, this meat was from that whale demonic beast Mr. Hosoyama and the others had killed.
Once dead, the beast’s flesh had become soft enough to cut with an ordinary knife. It was Mr. Hosoyama who suggested we eat it, and thanks to her skill, poison-tasting was perfect.