The attack was a dazzling spectacle for those watching from a distance—almost like a fierce dance of nature, where water and earth touched in perfect harmony. However, for those close enough to see the details, the reality was far more terrifying.
The attack wasn't just beautiful; it was brutal, prolonged, and merciless, a strike designed to destroy.
The violence of the impact turned the clearing into a chaotic swamp. The once-firm ground became a soaked, unstable mass, cracking and giving way under the weight of the attack. In the central area, where the impact was focused, the scene was even more devastating.
The entire ground had been torn apart, diluted, and thrown away, leaving behind a small lake of muddy, deep, and turbulent water.
The Aligodon, a creature of near-absolute dominance moments before, could no longer be seen. Its massive body had been mercilessly punished, sinking more than eight meters into the ground, dragged and buried under thick layers of dense mud and dark water.
What was once an unstoppable monster was now buried in a temporary grave, suffocated by the crushing weight of the very environment it had dominated until then.
Zara, aware that she had done her part, disappeared into the forest as soon as the attack ended. Vivian also retreated, quickly moving to hide—but not without hesitating for a moment.
Her eyes were fixed on the pit where the Aligodon had fallen, her expression filled with evident internal conflict. A desire pulsed within her, the urge to keep attacking, to ensure the enemy would never rise again.
But she knew that wasn't the strategy, which left her deeply frustrated…
Gregory watched everything in silence through his screens, which clearly showed Vivian's hesitation to him.
"…" But he said nothing.
His eyes scanned the battlefield with attention. The situation was becoming more complicated than he had anticipated. The Aligodon was more resilient and adaptable than expected. He couldn't let the fight drag on. He needed to end the battle as quickly as possible—before an unforeseen event or circumstance slipped out of his control.
"They're almost here."
Behind him, Daira broke the silence, pointing to the ropes tied to the edge of the wall. They swayed slightly—the unmistakable sign that Louise was climbing up.
"Finally." Gregory stood up, but as he glanced back at the screens, his expression hardened. On the monitor, the Aligodon was emerging from the hole, wounded but far from defeated.
GRRRRWWAAAAHGGGGG
Its roar echoed through the clearing, filled with fury and resistance. But this time, it wasn't unscathed…
Its skin, once impenetrable like a living fortress, now showed deep cracks, remnants of the thermal massacre it had endured. The extreme heat from Vivian's flames, followed by the impact of the icy whirlpool, had pushed its body to brutal limits.
"The wounds are superficial, but its defense has been compromised. From now on, attacks will be much more effective." Gregory announced over the radio after analyzing the images, his voice filled with animosity and expectation.
"Well done, girls. A few more hits, and it won't be able to protect itself anymore… It's up to you, Vivian and Zara. Keep attacking, but remember, with caution."
"Understood," Zara replied immediately.
"We could finish it off with a strong enough critical hit. Why not do that now?" Vivian asked impatiently.
Gregory shot a sharp look at the screens before responding. "Because we have no guarantees. You don't have the time or synchronization for that, much less the necessary help or buffs. If you waste your strongest attacks now without guarantees and it survives? That would increase the risk of it escaping and regrouping with its partner, or worse, it entering a state of fury and killing you both."
There was a heavy silence before Vivian responded. Her voice lost its impatience and took on a lower, more dangerous tone.
"I'm sure we can kill it here and now, Hunter Gunn."
Gregory felt a sudden discomfort with her choice of words. Certainty. Vivian wasn't just confident—she spoke as someone who saw an inevitable path, an absolute outcome. There was something in her tone that sent chills down his spine, as if they were about to cross an invisible line.
"But I'm not. And I'm the leader here." He replied sharply. "Do as I say and continue with the cadenced firepower. Understood, Hound Wynne?" His tone became firmer, a command with no room for debate.
For a moment, Vivian remained silent. Then, almost mechanically, she replied: "...Okay."
She left her hiding spot in the forest and resumed her attacks, maintaining the pace ordered by Gregory. He watched intently through the screens and confirmed that she wasn't defying orders and was keeping her firepower cadence.
But he knew she wasn't following orders out of discipline—it was something else.
And that made him even more uneasy.
After that, Gregory stood up and turned his gaze to Louise. She was standing next to Daira, who remained kneeling, providing first aid to Rebecca, still lying on the ground.
He approached the three and, without preamble, asked: "How are you holding up?"
Louise lifted her chin, steady as ever. "In perfect condition, don't worry. I can take on my next task without issues." Her response came without hesitation, filled with conviction.
Gregory exhaled lightly through his nose, as if that relief were fleeting. "Thank you… But I apologize in advance. What I'm about to ask of you isn't just difficult—it's complicated on a level I don't even like to admit." His voice carried an unusual weight, and at the end of the sentence, he lowered his head for a moment.
Louise raised an eyebrow and let out a small nasal laugh. "Heh… And what, in this mission, isn't complicated?" She gave a half-smile before continuing. "Don't feel guilty. Giving orders is a Hunter's right."
Gregory crossed his arms and looked away toward the distant battlefield. "With every bonus comes a burden…" His voice was low, almost to himself. "In this case, for every order a Hunter gives, they must take full responsibility for the consequences. Whether it's the mission's failure… or even the death of their comrades and subordinates."
Louise narrowed her eyes. "Are you afraid?" Her question was serious, with no trace of provocation.
Gregory was silent for a moment before sighing. "Afraid? Maybe…" He finally replied, his expression sharpening. "The plan is solid, and under my leadership, I know I can lead us to success."
Then, he turned to Louise, looking her directly in the eyes. His voice took on a firmer, more calculated tone.
"But what worries me… is whether you're capable of following my orders." He narrowed his eyes, weighing each word. "Because I don't know if you trust me enough to follow them blindly."
"I see…" Louise immediately understood what he was getting at. Her gaze became more attentive, her body preparing for what was to come.
"Your task is simple, Louise." Gregory began, his voice maintaining a calculated firmness. "You need to cut the main artery that pumps blood to the Merlinian glands in the Aligodon's snout."
"!?!!"
The shock was instant. Even for someone as experienced as Louise, the mission sounded absurd.
Gregory continued without hesitation. "Rebecca will be crucial for this task. With Vivian and Zara's help, she'll pry open the Aligodon's mouth and buy enough time for you to act. She's already aware of the plan and has agreed to create the necessary opening."
He then picked up a small portable screen and, after a few quick commands, displayed a detailed three-dimensional model of the Aligodon. The image automatically adjusted to show the creature with its mouth open.
Gregory zoomed in on the crucial area. "Here." He pointed to the exact spot. "This is where the artery branches, in the equivalent of our palate, right between the eyes. This area is extremely resilient—ordinary blades won't be able to pierce the skin, much less the bone plate protecting the structure."
He slid his fingers across the screen, adjusting the view. "That's why you need to aim a few centimeters forward, where the branches are still close but less protected. This is the only vulnerable point."
Louise furrowed her brow, absorbing every detail. But in the end, she let out a sigh of disbelief. "This is insane…"
Gregory held her gaze. "I know." His voice was calm but carried undeniable weight. "But without this, killing the Aligodon without casualties will be nearly impossible. And if it escapes, the consequences will be even worse."
"..." Louise didn't respond immediately, but her silence wasn't hesitation. Her gaze carried understanding—she knew exactly what her role was.
Gregory continued, his tone balancing seriousness and confidence. "Rebecca will fully recover. Daira won't limit her power in the treatment, so once that happens, the four of us—Rebecca, Daira, you, and I—will head to the battlefield to initiate the next step." He paused briefly before concluding, his eyes fixed on hers. "Can I count on you, Louise? Can you trust me?"
This time, it wasn't an order. His voice carried a different tone, something between a request and an appeal.
Louise straightened her shoulders, her expression becoming firm. "I trust you, Hunter Gunn. Just as you can trust me." Her response came without hesitation, filled with resolve.
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