Chapter 22: An Early Boss Battle

“Lloyd-sama, do you know this monster?”

“Yeah. I don’t quite remember its name, though.”

I answered Lilina, who was peeking at the gorilla-like monster from behind me, and then shifted my gaze back to the monster.

This gorilla-like monster appeared in the opening of the first season of the anime. I loved the battle scenes with this monster and watched the anime several times.

In the anime, it was a monster that was defeated by Lilina, with the support of the protagonist Kane, thanks to her overwhelming power and speed.

Unfortunately, we’re not in a situation where Kane’s support is available right now.

Naturally, we can’t fight by just brute force like in the anime.

I knew we’d eventually face this monster, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon.

I’m not sure how much we can handle at our current level, but we’ll have to give it our best shot.

“Lloyd-sama, I think it was this monster that attacked me a few days ago. It has the same smell as back then.”

“I see. That makes sense. If it attacked with the same speed as before, you’d be blown away without knowing what happened.”

Lilina, who is skilled at sensing the presence of people and monsters, probably couldn’t detect it because it used a skill to charge in at high speed from outside her sensing range.

I still don’t understand why it’s here, but there’s no point in pondering it deeply right now.

“Lilina, use ‘Stealth’ and ‘concealment’ to deal damage whenever you can. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“But if I do that, won’t you be targeted more intensely, Lloyd-sama?”

“That’s fine. Don’t worry, I won’t lose so easily.”

Seeing Lilina still worried, I smiled at her. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded and moved away from me.

Alright, this should work.

I’m not yet experienced enough to fight while always protecting Lilina.

In that case, it’s easier for me if she can provide surprise attacks.

“Gigiiy!”

“Did I keep you waiting too long? Well then, if ‘Lightning Slash’ doesn’t work, I guess I have no choice but to use this next.”

I directed my blade at the roaring monster and then raised my longsword.

“‘Wind Claw (Magic)’!”

I swung my longsword vigorously, sending a huge slashing attack straight towards the monster.

‘Wind Claw (Magic)’, leveled up to the point where it can cut down thick trees.

It’s my most powerful attack right now, but I wonder how much damage it will deal.

As I watched intently to gauge the monster’s strength, it showed no sign of dodging the attack and instead reared back its fist.

It then brought its fist down with full force to match the timing of my slash.

Boom!!

The fist, which had struck the ground with excessive force, made a dull sound as it crushed the slashing attack from ‘Wind Claw (Magic)’ through sheer strength.

Dust and sand flew up from the impact.

“Damn, how much of a strength freak are you?”

“Gii, gii…”

“Well, it was to be expected that it wouldn’t be unscathed.”

As the dust settled, I saw the monster dripping blood from the hand that had smashed the slashing attack.

It wasn’t a massive amount of blood, but it was clear that my attacks were making some impact.

“However, it still lacks a decisive blow.”

I said this and then thrust my longsword into the ground, turning my right hand towards the monster.

I may not have a skill like Kane’s ‘Support’, but I do have a skill that’s just as overpowered as ‘Support’.

“I don’t have a skill for a decisive blow, so I’ll just take one from you. A skill that can deliver a decisive blow.”

Saying this, I tensed my right hand and prepared.

“‘Steal’!”

That’s right. There’s no need to fight with only the skills I currently have.

If necessary, I can take them. From the opponent I’m fighting.

This is a fighting style unique to Lloyd, permitted only for him.

As I felt my right hand faintly glow, I relaxed my mouth into a smile.

It seems the ‘Steal’ was successful.

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