Chapter 47

Since it's short, I'll post two episodes today.

For those who have become the source of the "Curse Infection," there is no way to stop it except for the person who cast the spell to undo it or to stop the host's vital activities.

However, this one probably has two curses cast on it.

One enhances and makes its physical abilities go berserk.

This is likely the tattoo on its shoulder.

The other is this "Curse Infection."

This makes things extremely troublesome.

Even if we try to kill it, its regenerative ability is too high, and it won't go down with just one hit. A half-hearted attempt might even get us killed.

I could take it out in one hit――――no...

"Damn...! Mineko! I'll stop its movement! So... crush its head!"

"Huh!? O-Okay!"

Despite being surprised by my unreasonable request, Mineko agrees.

No matter how strong its regenerative ability, it can't survive without a head.

The source of the curse is probably there.

In fact, the first person Toshima made go berserk was stopped by smashing their head.

If that's the case... Mineko should be enough.

"Let's go!"

"Okay!"

"Roar!!"

I lean my body forward and charge at Ruga.

Just as I get close, his powerful arm is thrust at me.

"Che!"

I cut through his arm from the elbow, which he couldn't handle properly due to the close distance.

The severed arm flew high and fell to the ground, but it immediately started regenerating.

But I won't let it regenerate easily.

"Swallow Return――――!"

Uncommon for me, this is a precise and pure sword technique.

I swing Kuromaru diagonally from above, severing Ruga's arm and thigh.

"!"

Next, I use my knee to thrust the sword upward after a downward swing.

Ruga, now V-shaped, loses both arms and legs and collapses face down due to the lack of support.

"Do it!"

"Okay! Heavy Foot!"

As Ruga collapses, Mineko times her heel drop to crush its head.

"Heavy Foot" is a technique that involves infusing magic power into the foot and striking.

It's a basic technique that most people with magic power can use.

Even so, with Mineko's strength, it should have enough power to crush Ruga's head――――

"!? Ow...!"

"Hey! What's wrong!?"

Mineko's face contorts in pain after striking.

On the other hand, Ruga is unharmed and doesn't even groan in pain.

"Ugh... Aaaah!!"

"!!"

"Close call!!"

Ruga, having regenerated its limbs, stands up.

As it swings its arm, it almost catches Mineko. I cut off its arm again with Kuromaru and retrieve her, moving away from the scene.

"Did you hurt your leg?"

"Yes... That body is too hard..."

I set Mineko down and cast a recovery spell on her leg.

The injured leg healed quickly, but to withstand that "Heavy Foot"... what kind of strength does it have?

During our journey, we were attacked by monsters, and I saw Mineko's fighting skills.

At that time, her "Heavy Foot" had enough power to easily crush an S-rank monster.

To withstand that, this thing might be on par with the Beast King.

"Is there a technique stronger than 'Heavy Foot'?"

"Yes... but to crush that head, it needs a bit of preparation. Also, if it's not immobilized, it's a bit difficult to be sure..."

Preparation and restraint――――if so.

"I can't use that spell... I haven't used it much, so I'm a bit uneasy."

I don't usually fight using magic.

"Roar!!"

Ruga, displeased at being dodged, charges at me with its thick arms.

If the timing is right...

"O Earth, mother of all life, capture those who oppose me――――Earth Hand Restraint!"

"Chk!?"

Since I'm not used to magic, I cast it with a full incantation.

Fortunately, the timing was perfect. Earthy arms sprouted from the ground, entangling Ruga's legs and slowing its movement. More arms extended to further entangle it.

Ruga struggles, but its overly developed arms prevent it from breaking free of the earthy arms.

Gradually, the earthy hands wrap around its arms, responding to my magic and increasing their strength to the maximum.

"Ugh... Aaa..."

Strongly gripping its body, Ruga, now completely immobilized, shows its last resistance and groans.

"Completely captured...! Mineko!"

"Okay! Cat Foot...!"

Mineko, who was in a crouching start position behind, changes the appearance of her foot to resemble a cat's.

It's a type of "Partial Beast Transformation."

A technique that allows precise control of strength to transform only a part of the body into a beast.

Mineko's beast form is, of course, a cat.

And a cat's foot is――――

"Ha!!"

Apparently, strong enough to jump more than five times her height.

"Yaa――――"

With a running start, Mineko jumps up in front of the immobilized Ruga and drives her knee into its face.

The head, receiving all the force, shatters with a sound like something breaking, scattering blood and flesh, and completing a headless statue.