Chapter 93

I placed the World Tree's Oathem at the forefront and retreated to a position where the roots couldn't reach.

Eibel Boun glared at me but quickly averted his gaze.

It seems he was determined to destroy Oathem as he had declared.

With Eibel Boun at the center, numerous black roots extended from the ground.

These thick roots, like logs, writhed like snakes and pointed their sharp tips at Oathem.

Hmph, despite calling it a toy, he's being quite cautious.

He seems to be suffering a lot from when his nose was flattened earlier.

The black roots, centered around Eibel Boun, attacked Oathem in a tangle.

Oathem dodged them with ease, narrowly avoiding each one.

With each dodge, Eibel Boun's rear end lifted higher, and his frustration became more apparent.

One of the black roots attacked Oathem at a slightly slower speed.

It was probably meant to be a feint, assuming he would dodge.

Oathem deliberately didn't dodge and stayed in place, performing a high-speed backflip.

Against Oathem, who only moves within the range of his programmed commands, such cheap psychological tactics are ineffective.

Dealing with such obvious feints is already built into his system.

I would be in trouble if he were to be caught off guard.

The slow-moving root, caught off guard by the unexpected counterattack, was deflected and struck Eibel Boun's main body.

Eibel Boun's face contorted, and the hole that served as his eye glared at the impacted area.

Oathem took advantage of this opening and leaped onto the tip of a black root.

He bent the root and used its momentum to launch himself at Eibel Boun's main body with a powerful body slam.

To avoid breaking it by accident, I made sure to reduce the impact slightly.

"Uhuhu!"

The tree tilted significantly, and some of the roots that had been buried underground were exposed.

The roots on the ground seemed to freeze momentarily due to the impact on the main body.

It was a good opportunity for a follow-up attack, but I decided to pull back to the original distance due to some concerns.

I needed to think for a moment.

As Oathem took his distance, the black roots rushed toward the main body with incredible speed.

It seemed Eibel Boun had concentrated all his defensive efforts.

"Wow! Oathem seems to be winning! As expected of the Oathem carved by Abel!"

Mia, who had been watching the battle between Oathem and Eibel Boun with some concern, made a victory pose, looking pleased with Oathem's apparent ease.

Earlier, Mia had seemed a bit worried.

Since the World Tree was bought with money borrowed from her, she might have been thinking about what would happen if it were destroyed.

...But, I'll definitely pay her back soon!

"But... something's not right."

As I muttered, Mia's shoulders trembled.

"Why? I mean, Oathem isn't being hit by any of the attacks..."

"Well, it's just that the black tree is slower than I expected... It's kind of disappointing, isn't it? Is this all it is?"

"Huh?"

To be honest, I had let Oathem take the lead in a fit of anger.

Upon reflection, I became uneasy, thinking that a tree possessed by a demon and cultivated with great care might not be a fair match for Oathem, who only follows pre-programmed commands.

The battle was turning out to be one-sided.

Eibel Boun, seeing the exchange between Mia and me, looked furious.

I wish he would pay more attention to Oathem.

You don't have that much room for complacency right now. Show me something better.

"...Well, there's no point in just watching anymore. Let's not think about the movements for now. We can analyze the quality later."

I raised my staff and waved it at Oathem, switching his behavior pattern from "observation mode" to "combat mode."

Oathem paused for a moment before taking a large leap backward to gain momentum for his next attack.

"Beramachi!"

In response to Oathem's floating position, Eibel Boun extended two branches shaped like hands.

They seemed to be infused with a lot of power, and I could feel strong magic.

Oathem must have been looking for a moment of vulnerability.

Perhaps he was too careless.

"Oh, this might be bad."

The investigation team had mentioned that the monster could use a wind attack.

While the root-based attacks could be countered with rotation, they were ineffective against the wind.

Oathem couldn't avoid it while floating in the air.

A powerful gust of wind erupted from Eibel Boun's outstretched hands, knocking down trees and raising dust.

When the dust cleared, Oathem was nowhere to be seen.

"The World Tree's Oathem... Abel and Mia's cherished memory..."

Mia whispered, her face filled with shock.

The area where Oathem had been floating was particularly devastated, with the ground cleanly gouged out.

"Korat!"

Eibel Boun twisted his body toward me.

"Ekabe Ami Paowa!"

Eibel Boun looked desperate.

He must have used all his strength to release the wind.

"Putul ki yemon-!"

"The magic circle needs some improvement. If we can make it capable of simple wind magic, Oathem can avoid attacks even while floating..."

I'll use this as a reference for future magic circle development.

It will be quite complex, but it's not impossible.

Oathem will also need significant adjustments.

The development costs will likely increase.

But I'll think about that later.

"Bahon"

I waved my staff and immediately put it away.

In response to the spell, the World Tree's Oathem floated to my hand.

I held it with both arms.

"Ah... it's back."

Mia, who had been on the verge of tears, whispered.

Don't worry, it's not damaged.

It's coated with magic while in operation.

When I placed Oathem on the ground, Eibel Boun's branches began to tremble.

"Mudha!"

I considered sending Oathem back into battle, but decided against it.

Let's finish this quickly.

I've made Mia worry unnecessarily.

Eibel Boun twisted his trunk and slammed the hand-shaped branches into the ground.

The ground cracked in several places, and new black roots emerged.

The area was quickly covered in black roots.

It seemed Eibel Boun had given up on focusing solely on Oathem.

"Yatheshta! Drutamaran!"

The black roots extended toward Mia and me.

"Kyaa!"

Mia raised her bow and shot an arrow.

It hit the root but didn't penetrate.

I raised my staff.

A large magic circle covered the area.

I decided to use a bit more magic power.

"Mati Kshay"

Light emerged from the magic circle, and the black roots stopped moving.

They trembled for a few seconds before becoming completely still.

"Ki! Eta Ghateche!"

I had hardened the soil and wrapped it around the roots.

This way, they couldn't move at all.

Eibel Boun tried to twist his body but couldn't.

"Asambhab! Ami Manabiy Jemon Jadupichai Poda!"

Now, the real work begins.

I need to act quickly to prevent deterioration after the demon dies.

The key is to maintain its freshness.

I pulled out my carving knife from its sheath and approached Eibel Boun, avoiding the roots.

"A, Asbena!"

Eibel Boun's palm was directed at me.

The wind is coming.

I took out my staff with my other hand and waved it at Eibel Boun.

I had a good grasp of the wind's output.

I just needed to use a bit more power than what Eibel Boun had used against Oathem.

"Vatas"

The magic circle I created glowed green, and a strong wind blew from the tip of my staff.

Eibel Boun's outstretched arm was broken by the wind.

"Mudha! Ami Devata..."

Eibel Boun pulled back his broken branch and brought the broken end in front of his face.

He opened his mouth wide, looking at the broken branch in pain.

But before he could wallow in despair, the wind struck his main body.

"Uhuu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu Uhu