Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 36: Lilina’s Awakening
Using our “Stealth” skill, we proceeded deeper into the forest.
However, despite our increased levels, as the number of strong monsters grew, there were more that couldn’t be deceived by “Stealth.”
Fights often occurred even if we were hidden from view, especially between the middle and upstream areas.
And now, we were facing one of those situations.
“What is that bat-like creature? It’s huge!”
“Gyagya-gya!”
In front of us was a massive bat-like monster, more than twice my height.
It had suddenly appeared behind us, despite our “Stealth” attempt.
This was the first time we had been exposed like this, and we scrambled to create distance from the monster.
“Lilina, take advantage of its openings from the shadows. Be careful; it might be a monster that’s hard to deceive with ‘Stealth.'”
“Understood! Please be careful too, Lloyd-sama!”
With that, Lilina vanished from my side.
She was likely using the “Shadow Cloak” skill she had acquired during our previous descent through the forest.
“Shadow Cloak” is a skill that makes it harder for others to notice your presence, even when you’re visible to them.
Since she had always used “Stealth” and “Concealment” skills during our previous battles and travels, she probably acquired this skill through that experience.
Lilina was evidently progressing well in her assassin-style training.
Regardless of her own thoughts on it, I was glad to see her growth.
“If I’ve told her to exploit openings, I need to make sure I create some for her.”
I drew my longsword from its sheath.
“Now, what kind of attack will this one use?”
Recalling past battles with monsters, I pointed my sword at the bat-like creature.
It didn’t look like it had the brute strength of the gorilla-like monsters we had fought before, given its graceful flying movement.
Nevertheless, I didn’t know what it would do, so I prepared to use “Mineral Transformation” at any moment.
“Gyagya-gya!”
As I was considering this, the bat-like monster flapped its wings widely.
In the next moment, a tornado-like attack, centered like a typhoon, charged towards me.
From its ability to gouge the ground slightly, its power was evidently immense.
Such a wide-area attack couldn’t be countered by “Mineral Transformation”!
“Damn it! ‘Storm Claw!'”
I slashed down with my longsword to counter the approaching tornado.
Boom!
The slashing attack collided with the tornado, causing a shockwave that dispersed the surrounding wind.
The slash slightly overpowered the tornado, but the monster had already vanished.
“Cough, the dust is intense. Hmm? What’s this black mist?”
When the swirling dust settled, the area was covered in a thick black mist.
It was perfectly clear just a moment ago; why was this happening?
“Gyagya-gya!”
“Huh? Ugh!”
Kakya!
While I was bewildered, a sharp kick suddenly flew out from the black mist.
I barely managed to deflect it with my left hand, which was covered by “Manage Transformation,” but if I had been even slightly slower, I might have lost an arm.
“Lloyd-sama!”
“I’m okay! No problem!”
I responded to Lilina’s voice coming from beyond the black smoke and took some distance from the monster.
“Gyagya-gya!”
Slash!
“Ugh!”
Once again, the monster quickly closed the distance and landed a sharp kick.
Due to a slight delay in the timing of “Mineral Transformation,” my left hand was left with a significant wound.
Damn, how sharp are its claws?!
“…Lloyd-sama.”
I wanted to respond to Lilina’s strained voice, but making any sound could reveal my location to the monster.
In a situation where I was being targeted, making noise was a bad idea.
I couldn’t come up with any ideas on how to change the current situation.
Perhaps using “Storm Claw” to clear some of the mist would give me a better view of my surroundings.
But using such a large-motion skill now felt risky.
Additionally, even if the mist cleared, it might quickly return.
Desperation set in. I really had no viable options left.
As I was pondering this, I saw something flicker in the black mist for a brief moment.
What was that?
I turned my body toward the flickering object.
“Gyagya-gya!”
Clang!
I deflected a kick from the monster with my left hand covered in “Mineral Transformation.”
Looking up at the monster, I noticed something flickering behind the bat-like creature.
“Huh? Lilina?”
“…’Presence Detection,’ ‘Weak Point Detection,’ ‘Sharp Blade.'”
Lilina muttered something under her breath, then fixed her gaze on the monster.
“Move away from Lloyd-sama.”
With that, Lilina spoke in a tone devoid of warmth and swiftly slashed at the monster’s neck with her dagger.
Slash!
“Gyagya-gya?!”
The monster, surprised by the attack, let out a small scream and tried to distance itself from me.
Seizing the opportunity, Lilina lightly thrust her dagger into the monster’s foot.
“Gyagya-gya-gya!!”
The monster, panicking, forcibly pulled its foot away from the dagger, leaving a large wound as it retreated.
“Gyah?!”
However, the retreating monster couldn’t stabilize itself and collapsed onto the ground.
Stunned by the sudden turn of events, I saw Lilina turn back with vigor.
Her face was back to the Lilina I knew.
“Lloyd-sama! Are you okay?”
“Y-yeah. I’m fine. Thanks.”
“Yes! I’m glad to see you’re safe!”
Lilina smiled brightly and wagged her tail happily.
Her expression was a stark contrast to the cold demeanor she had just moments ago, leaving me a bit confused.
“What exactly happened… No, more importantly, we need to deal with that monster.”
“Gyagya-gya.”
Looking at the monster, it seemed unable to move its injured leg properly, repeatedly trying to stand but failing.
It didn’t look too damaged, but the monster’s inability to stand was puzzling. I directed my left hand firmly toward it.
Thanks to the damage it had sustained, the black mist had cleared considerably.
This likely meant it was taking significant damage.
Given its current state, even a somewhat strong monster might be vulnerable to having its skills stolen.
“‘Steal!’”
Using “Steal,” my left palm glowed briefly, and a status screen appeared immediately.
“Success with ‘Steal’ — Skill: Black Mist (Magic).”
As I stole the skill, the remaining mist around us quickly vanished.
Ahead, the monster was still struggling to get up properly.
“Still unable to move well? That’s advantageous. ‘Steal!’”
I directed my left hand again and used “Steal.”
The palm glowed once more, and another status screen appeared.
“Success with ‘Steal’ — Skill: Dragon Wind (Magic).”
“I see. That attack indeed resembled a tornado.”
Nodding at the status screen, I smirked.
Though the monster seemed agitated, it still couldn’t maintain its footing and fell over again.
“Then, this is the finishing blow. ‘Storm Claw!'”
I swung my sword downwards with a final, sharp strike.
Slash!!
“Gyagya-gya-gya!!”
The monster, hit by the sharp blow, let out a final scream before becoming motionless.
Thus, we managed to win the battle against the monster.