Chapter 8

Stepping forward with determination, just as I was about to approach the needle lizard,

“Shh!”

“――――!”

The needle lizard spun on the spot, using the momentum to launch its needles.

There were five of them, each large and deadly.

(Not only that, but the tips are coated with poison, making this a real nuisance.)

However, I’m not so naive as to just fall for it.

“Parry”

I dodged three of them with agile movements, and deflected the remaining two to the left and right with “Parry.”

The five needles didn’t even touch me, piercing the walls and ground one after another.

With the needles gone from the lizard’s tail, it was now my chance to attack.

If I were a novice, I would have been certain of this.

However, in the next instant, several new needles sprouted from its tail.

Seeing this, I let out a small smile.

“...Well, that’s to be expected.”

Indeed, the needles of the needle lizard are produced by converting magic power internally.

Therefore, the “Needle Shot” will not stop until the enemy’s MP is depleted.

Of course, I had anticipated this from the beginning.

Seeing the new needles fully grown, I tried to approach again.

Then,

“Shoo!”

Following its instinct to keep enemies at a certain distance, the needle lizard launched another “Needle Shot.”

I dodged and parried all of them once again, feeling confident.

“Yeah, this should work.”

One of the conditions for the appearance of the Inheritance Shrine in the “Thorn Needle Nest” is to defeat the needle lizard with its MP at 0.

In other words, I need to dodge all of its “Needle Shots.”

Therefore, even when the enemy showed an opening, I had no intention of finishing it off yet.

“Alright, let’s keep this up!”

Reinvigorated, I continued to dodge the enemy’s attacks.

The needle lizard kept launching “Needle Shots.”

The change came when the number of needles launched exceeded 100.

“――Shh!?”

As usual, the needle lizard spun its body, but the “Needle Shot” did not activate.

The tail had no needles left—meaning its magic power was depleted.

“Finally.”

Confirming that all preparations were in place, I gripped my short sword tightly and approached.

This time, it was not an act. I intended to finish it off while it was confused.

The needle lizard, not willing to be defeated so easily, abandoned the “Needle Shot” and fought back with its bare body.

However,

“Shaa!”

“Parry”

“Wha-?!?!?”

Without its needle attacks, the needle lizard’s movements were slow, even worse than the guiding knight I defeated yesterday.

I deflected the enemy’s tail attack with a parry and then swung my sword forcefully.

The silver blade cut through the needle lizard’s hard scales.

“Shaa!?”

“Not yet.”

I continued to attack the needle lizard, which was writhing in pain.

Eventually, multiple sword marks were carved into its body, and the needle lizard could no longer move.

I delivered the final blow by swinging the tip of my short sword from high above, piercing the needle lizard’s head.

‘Experience gained. Level up by 2.’

‘Gained 4 stat points.’

The system sound rang out, confirming the successful defeat.

And then, further—

‘Confirmed solo completion of this dungeon.’

‘Confirmed no HP loss during the boss battle.’

‘Confirmed that the boss’s MP was 0 at the time of defeat.’

‘All conditions met.’

‘A door will be generated. Use the keyword to enter.’

The system sound rang out one after another, and a door appeared, just like in the “New Recruit Training Ground.”

Seeing this, I smiled.

“Well, let’s go get the second inherited skill.”

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