Chapter 106: Touya’s Special Move

With our roles determined, the first battle with the Giant Bull finally began.

At the start, Sakura’s water magic attacked the Giant Bull.

Numerous large water bullets were fired, each one hitting with a resounding boom. The creature staggered a bit from the impact, but there were no noticeable injuries.

Quickly followed by freezing magic, its body started freezing rapidly. It seemed that the first water bullets were a preparation to freeze the monster. Its wet fur had solidified like ice.

The Giant Bull was still in a sitting position. With Drago in front, and Touya and me on either side, we moved in. In an instant, Drago’s skill “Dragon’s Roar” landed a direct hit on its face. One of its horns broke completely from the base, and the other had a crack.

“Grooaa…”

“Nuu, two horns broken.”

Perhaps due to the freezing, its jaw movement seemed restricted, causing its cries to sound muffled. It tried to stand up, attempting to get on all fours despite its sluggish movements.

“Village Chief, attack the hind legs!”

“Got it!”

Seizing the moment when the Giant Bull was trying to stand, I closed in from both sides and swung my swords horizontally. Simultaneously, there was a “Zushu” sound, and immediately after that, the monster’s body collapsed as if its waist had been severed.

Its enhanced body from “Hardening” was pierced by the magic-infused swords. The Giant Bull’s hindquarters were detached from its torso.

“Guaaa…” *Thud!*

In the moment it let out a helpless cry, Drago’s striking sound drowned it out.

Drago had slipped under its jaw and delivered a powerful uppercut.

“Everyone, step back! I’ll drop something on it from above!”

Looking up, a massive ice pillar was forming in the air. Its tip was sharp and spinning at high speed.

As I started to create some distance, the ice pillar came crashing down. I narrowly avoided being caught in it, but Touya and Drago had already positioned themselves at a safe distance, so it seemed like I was the only one who was a bit slow.

With a sound that could be described as “Gusa” or “Gusha,” the Giant Bull’s body was pierced through, firmly stuck to the ground.

“Haruka-san! Merinard-san! Please attack now. Test if your swords can penetrate.”

Sakura, who perceived that the Giant Bull was near death, called out to the two.

Afterward, we tested whether regular attacks without magic sword techniques would work. However, the tough fur prevented clean cuts. While we could thrust our swords into it, we couldn’t sever its limbs. With a normal iron sword, we probably wouldn’t even be able to leave a scratch.

In the end, Touya finished it off with his finishing move, and our first subjugation was complete. Touya had learned “Magic Swordsmanship Lv3” and skillfully sliced through the Giant Bull’s thick neck.

As the Giant Bull turned into a black mist and disappeared, the tense air that had enveloped us relaxed. I felt like collapsing on the spot, but Touya quickly called out.

“Alright, let’s pick up the drop items and head back to the surface. We need to decide how to proceed from here.”

“Yes, you’re right. Let’s move right away.”

I nodded in agreement.

We collected the items dropped by the giant cow, retraced our steps through the original path, climbed the stairs, and moved to the teleportation room on the 20th floor. We immediately teleported back to the surface and returned.

◇◇◇

Back on the ground, we were scrutinizing the drops, checking levels, and discussing the future.

The drop items from the Giant Bull were a volleyball-sized magic stone and “Giant Bull’s Hardened Leather,” not regular “hide,” but leather that had already been processed.

According to the appraisal, it was “a material harder and smoother than iron, and it becomes even stronger when infused with magic.” It was ideal for making headgear to protect the head or armor to protect joints and shoes.

Since we couldn’t obtain it anywhere else, and it was a reward worthy of a formidable enemy, it was a valuable drop. Moreover, the “size of the leather drop” being huge was just perfect.

As for levels, defeating just one had raised everyone’s level. Drago and Merinard even rose by two levels at once.

As expected, facing a level 85 opponent, the experience gained was significant. At this rate, further leveling up was within our reach. However, it wasn’t guaranteed that we could always restrain it successfully. Imagining it going berserk… it was too dangerous. We needed to discuss whether we should continue hunting or not.

“By the way, doesn’t ‘Bull-type monster’ written on that stone tablet sound more like a Giant Bull than a Minotaur?”

“You thought that too, Sakura? When I saw it, I also thought it might not be a Minotaur.”

“If they told me that Giant Bull was the one that destroyed the city, I’d believe it without a doubt.”

“That thing was insanely huge. I totally agree. If it really was that creature, then it makes sense.”

Until today, we had never seen a Giant Bull near the ruins. It’s unclear whether it was just a coincidence or if they are located further away, but I believe there’s a high possibility that they exist.

Considering that we can teleport to the 25th floor, it’s highly likely that the ‘Bull-type monster’ refers to the Giant Bull.

If there were hundreds of them… we would have no choice but to abandon the city. We would have clearly violated a taboo.

“To summarize our findings so far… Orcs are released on the 15th floor, Minotaurs on the 20th floor, and it seems that Giant Bulls are released on the 25th floor.”

“There’s still the possibility of advanced Orcs on the 15th floor and regular Orcs on the 10th floor… but if we consider the change in species with each floor, I think Sakura’s opinion is correct.”

“And according to what they said, Orcs started overflowing from the city and capital… Oh, right, the Amaldia Kingdom had a similar situation too, didn’t it?”

“That’s right. If we go with this rule, it seems like clearing the 15th floor in the village’s dungeon shouldn’t be much of a problem.”

“Depending on the circumstances, we could even unlock the Minotaur on the 20th floor.”

“Well, there’s the barrier. But… well, if we think about the possibility of the barrier disappearing, it’s not something we can easily do.”

“Yes, of course. If we want to hunt Minotaurs or Giant Bulls, we can just come here.”

As it was still early for lunch, we discussed what to do next and decided to spend the rest of the day hunting Giant Bulls and return to the village tomorrow.

There were two reasons for this decision.

One reason is that it’s better for all of us to conquer the Eastern Forest Dungeon and strengthen everyone together, rather than just us becoming stronger individually. We have many individuals with a strong desire for improvement (including battle enthusiasts), so it also helps to avoid a sense of unfairness.

The other reason was the change in the situation throughout the western part of the continent, where Orcs have been swarming. The inability to secure slaves, the situation of the Heroes, and the matter concerning Ryuunosuke all contributed to this decision. In times of crisis, it’s easier to handle things while being in the village.

“Well then, everyone. We only have half a day left, but let’s gather materials while finding a way to tackle the giant bull. Remember, we need to be cautious.”

“If we show these materials, our blacksmith will be delighted. Let’s make sure to bring back a good haul!”

“I want to fight a rampaging bull-like one this time!”

“What!? In that case, let me have a one-on-one match too! Just a short amount of time is enough!”

“Hey now… Even if I say that, you won’t listen, will you? Remember, it’s only for investigation purposes. Don’t forget that…”

“As expected of the Village Chief, you understand!”

“Yes, indeed. This time, I’ll give it my all too!”

After all, it’s just half a day. Let them do as they please for the last time.

With such thoughts, we challenged the Giant Bull once again.

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