Chapter 106: The Hydra Hunt – Part 3

The next day, we set out for the site.

Of course, the night before, we had returned to Arcel and spent the night at our respective homes, so we didn’t make use of any inns in this town. Even though Lua had kindly given us a recommendation, it couldn’t be helped.

By just before noon, we arrived at the destination town. Loin and his party were already there, and not long after, Chris’s group arrived as well, trailing slightly behind us.

Once everyone had gathered, the town’s magistrate, who was the client for this mission, began to explain the situation in detail.

“About two weeks ago, it seems a creature made its home in a cave near the highway… Occasionally it emerges, and several travelers have already fallen victim. We would be most grateful if you could deal with it promptly.”

According to eyewitnesses, the hydra had eight heads and was said to be the size of a two-story house.

“It may also be poisonous, so please be cautious.”

Not just hydras, but snake-type monsters often carry venom. A creature that large and potentially poisonous was certainly a menace—but we had already stocked up on plenty of anti-poison potions from Merlin, just in case, so we should be fine.

“Then, let’s depart.”

At Loin’s command, we began making our way toward the cave. It was close enough to go on foot.

…Of course, I wasn’t an adventurer myself, so if I tried to join them openly, Loin and the others would surely have stopped me.

So, as usual, I concealed myself within my portable garden, sealing it with both camouflage and protective wards, and decided to follow them quietly.

I didn’t want to stay alone waiting, and besides, having me nearby could provide a convenient escape route in case things went south.

Though I worried that such experienced adventurers might sense my presence even with the concealment, it seemed my concerns were unfounded—they didn’t notice me at all.

“That must be the cave,” Loin said.

Soon, the cave came into view—a massive hollow at the base of a cliff, its interior appearing incredibly spacious.

“Fighting in a narrow cave isn’t wise. We should lure it outside,” Loin suggested.

He had a point. Confined spaces could be dangerous, so he started preparing at the cave’s entrance using a monster-attracting incense, something I had often relied on myself.

“Perle, please,” Loin called.

“Got it,” Perle replied.

The wizard, Perle, stepped forward. With his tousled hair and scruffy beard, he had a disheveled yet capable air. Raising his staff toward the cave’s interior, he began to cast a spell.

“Wind.”

He seemed to be sending the scent of the incense deep into the cave with a gust of magic—or perhaps dispersing it outside to prevent other monsters from being attracted to the aroma.

“…It’s coming!”

After a short while, Anii called out, her eyes sharply scanning the darkness.

Blessed with the Gift of “Hunting Sense,” she was adept at detecting such things. Most parties didn’t have someone as skilled in scouting as she was, so these duties were usually shared among members.

Following Anii’s warning, Loin issued orders immediately.

“Outside the cave!”

Just as they dashed out, the hydra revealed itself.

“Shhhaaaaaa!!”

Multiple snake heads bared fangs, each one big enough to swallow a human whole.

Despite their intertwined bodies, which seemed like they would hinder movement, the creature surged toward us with surprising agility.

Two wizards stepped forward to meet it head-on, shouting their incantations.

“Tornado!”

“Lightning…!”

Perle and Sarassa unleashed their full power in magical attacks. The hydra, massive as it was, could not dodge easily.

“Ahhhhhh!?”

The force of wind and lightning hit, and the hydra screamed in pain. The two leading heads were scorched and lifeless, and the remaining ones had suffered considerable damage.

Slightly impressed, Perle commented,

“Wow, you’re good. Using a lightning spell with that much power at your age…”

“Thanks,” Sarasa replied with a light nod, shy as ever.

“Wizards, huh… I wish our party had one,” Chris’s group muttered enviously. Apparently, they had no magic users among them.

“The opponent’s staggered! Let’s press the attack!”

“Yes!!”

Seizing the opportunity, everyone launched themselves forward.

All of them were C-rank or higher adventurers. The hydra struggled but was swiftly overwhelmed; one by one, its heads fell.

“Shhaaa!”

“Take this!”

“Ahhh!?”

Sena dodged an attacking head effortlessly and delivered a precise counterstrike. The serpent’s head writhed briefly before collapsing completely.

“Wow… that girl… is she really C-rank?”

“Feels like she’s performing above B-rank…”

Before long, all the hydra’s heads lay motionless on the ground.

“…I think that’s all of them,” Loin said, exhaling in relief.

“Wait!… It’s not dead yet!” Anii warned.

“Look, it’s regenerating…?”

“What? But we crushed all the heads!”

Everyone was stunned to see the hydra still alive. From the far end of the cave, where its entwined body lay, something began to emerge slowly.

“What the…?”

“Looks like one head at the tail end survived.”

It was a single head, thicker than the others, with black speckled patterns marking its scales.

Suddenly, the black serpent opened its mouth wide and exhaled a sinister purple poison.

“Not good… Everyone, don’t—”

“Loin!?”

The toxic breath hit Loin directly, and he instantly lost consciousness, collapsing to the ground.