Chapter 8

Thank you for the daily number one!

"I found it!"

A few hours after leaving the guild, and after introducing themselves to the new healer, Laila, the group led by Murgles had finally reached the location of the Hydra they had failed to defeat yesterday. The Hydra possessed a regenerative ability far beyond that of a human, capable of healing most wounds after a day.

However, the Hydra before Murgles and his team, while showing no minor injuries, still had not healed the two heads that Rauスト had cut off earlier. Additionally, it seemed to be exhausted, as it was in a deep sleep.

"…We can do this!"

Seeing the Hydra, Murgles felt a confident smile spread across his face. Unlike yesterday, Murgles was in perfect condition. Given his state and the fact that the Hydra was injured, there was no way they could lose. With this in mind, Murgles was about to signal for a charge…

"Alright, let's go…"

"Sorry, can I just confirm something first?"

…But Laila interrupted Murgles. For a moment, Murgles shot her a disapproving look, annoyed that his words had been interrupted. Laila shifted uncomfortably under his gaze but continued speaking.

"I apologize for interrupting, but could you please indulge me with one quick check?"

"Check for what?"

"It's obvious, isn't it? Whether we have the medicine or not."

"Medicine…"

Laila's words brought back a memory for Murgles. It was the advice Rauスト had given him when they decided to take on the Hydra, mentioning that there was a specific antidote for the Hydra's poison and that they should buy it. However, Murgles had decided against purchasing it due to its high cost, and he had no intention of buying it this time either. After all, victory was within reach. There was no need for such insurance.

"I have a universal potion as well…"

"I know! Everyone has medicine, so let's end this discussion!"

…Thus, Murgles rudely cut Laila off. Servalia and Armia, who had not known about the medicine, looked at Murgles with puzzled expressions, but they did not say anything, assuming that if their leader said they didn't need it, it must be fine.

"But, we should at least confirm—"

However, sensing the group's attitude, Laila tried to speak again, but Murgles was not about to listen to her.

"The enemy is sleeping! Now is our chance!"

"Got it!"

"Alright, I understand!"

"!"

In the next moment, Murgles acted as if he hadn't heard Laila at all, running forward with his greatsword in hand. Seeing his attitude, Laila bit her lip, unable to say anything more.

"…I hope it doesn't turn into a bigger problem."

With those words, Laila ran after Murgles and the others…

◇◆◇

"Hisssss!"

And so, the second battle with the Hydra began.

"Alright! This one is clearly weaker than before! We can do this!"

At the start, Murgles had a confident smile on his face. The Hydra was clearly moving more sluggishly than it had the previous day, seemingly at the limit of its stamina.

"Hisssss!"

"Ugh!"

"Servalia!"

…But that confidence quickly faded.

Servalia was knocked back by the Hydra's tail, and Murgles couldn't help but shout. Servalia managed to get up, but it was clear she was not unharmed.

"Servalia!"

"Please, Laila…"

Noticing Servalia's condition, Laila called her over and cast a healing spell. However, Laila's face was not looking good either. In just a few minutes, Murgles and Servalia had been injured multiple times, forcing Laila to use a significant amount of magic. As a result, she had stopped using the long-range healing spell, *Area Heal*.

"Why not! Why aren't you using *Area Heal* anymore!"

"Just hold the Hydra back for now!"

It was a reasonable request, but Murgles, used to Rauスト's constant use of long-range healing spells, did not understand and shouted in frustration. Rauスト, who couldn't use *Area Heal* or other mid-level healing spells, had always used *Heal* to treat injured teammates.

"You're useless!"

Because of this, Murgles, who had grown accustomed to Rauスト's methods, called Laila useless.

…Without realizing that Rauスト had been the exception.

"Hisssss!"

"Ugh!"

"Leader!"

Murgles's attitude created a large opening, and he was knocked back by the Hydra's tail. Thanks to his armor, he only suffered minor injuries.

"Hisssss!"

"Damn it!"

However, Murgles was not given a moment to catch his breath. The Hydra used the earth-elemental spell *Gravel*, sending fist-sized rocks flying at Murgles. He managed to block the fatal ones with his greatsword, but one of the rocks hit his shoulder directly.

"Ugh!"

The next moment, a dull pain radiated from his shoulder, and Murgles let out a muffled cry. The wound wasn't severe, but the pain caused him to pause, creating a clear opening in the intense battle…

"Hisssss!"

"Oh, no…"

By the time Murgles realized the danger, it was too late. The Hydra, which had seemed to look down on him with a sense of victory, left Murgles standing there in shock.

"Why? Why are we in such a mess? We should have been able to win this normally! Why? Just because that useless one is gone, why can't we complete the quest? All he did was attack the Hydra at the start and then run around!"

Murgles, feeling pathetic and miserable, complained to the Hydra, which looked at him with a cold, unfeeling gaze. He failed to realize that the only significant damage the Hydra had taken was from Rauスト's initial attack and Armia's magic. The Hydra, seeing Murgles as nothing more than trash, opened its mouth to strike.

"O spirits that protect me!"

"Huh?"

…But at that moment, someone's actions saved Murgles.

"Hisssss!"

The next moment, the Hydra's eyes, which had been focused on Murgles, turned to look beyond him.

"Answer my plea and show me a glimpse of your great power…"

The Hydra's attention was now on Armia, who was casting a powerful spell. During the previous battle, Armia had used her powerful spells without hesitation, but this time, she had not used any spells beyond basic control. The reason was that when she used powerful spells, the Hydra would target her, and Murgles and Servalia alone could not stop it. Therefore, Armia had held back until now, but she had deliberately made herself vulnerable to save Murgles.

"Hisssss!"

The next moment, the Hydra moved towards Armia, who was casting the powerful spell.

"Damn it!"

Murgles managed to land a blow on the Hydra, but it did nothing to stop its movement…

"Ah…"

"Hisssss!"

…The next moment, the Hydra's poisonous fangs pierced Armia's leg.

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