Chapter 24: Regeneration
--- [Lett’s perspective]
I’m so pathetic…
Shin is fighting that beast over there, yet I’m here struggling against a single skeleton…
Those guys are on a level of their own…
No…
This is not the time to be thinking about that stuff, I can save that for later.
For now, I have to focus on actually beating this thing.
The skeleton rapidly swings its bone weapon around, but I manage to hop away from the attacks.
It ends the combo by doing one powerful overhead swing, and I roll away.
The swing yet again hits the floor and the weapon breaks.
Hold on…
What?
The weapon isn’t regenerating back like before.
Wait…
That’s not it.
The broken pieces fly towards the golem.
I see…
It seems like only the golem is regenerating, not the skeletons.
This skeleton was the only skeleton that didn’t get turned put into that golem.
I’m assuming that’s because only broken skeletons were used for creating the golem.
This skeleton regenerated before the other ones and was fully formed when the golem was being made.
But what this all means is that I just need to beat this skeleton once and I’ll be able to go help Alex.
It looks like Shin is having a hard time as well, and I feel bad for just powering up the golem even more by killing this skeleton…
But I believe in him.
The skeleton no longer has a weapon, so that should make it a little easier at least.
I still have to be careful though.
It already broke my left arm.
But…
If I can’t even do this, then I don’t even deserve to be a hunter at all!
The skeleton charges forward headfirst.
I want to finish this quickly.
I run towards the skeleton too.
Right before it hits me, I sidestep it and kick its feet with all my might.
Yes!
It tips over and faceplants on the ground.
This is my chance; I won’t hesitate to take it.
I lift my leg up high, then slam it down on its neck.
The neck breaks and the skull gets detached from its body.
The skull then goes flying over to the golem.
Did I do it…?
“Agh!” – Lett
It grabbed my ankle!
It pulls my leg, and I fall over.
I won’t be able to get out of this one without any sacrifice.
I pull my leg back as hard as I can and rip its hand straight off.
However, my ankle also broke in the process.
I jump back a little on my one foot, then when there is some distance between us, I start charging up an attack.
The skeleton gets back up on its feet and it continues to chase after me.
My left arm and my right foot are broken.
I won’t be able to dodge, and I won’t be able to block.
It all rides on this one attack.
I’ve seen Shin and Alex charge up attacks like this many times before, but I haven’t done it myself outside of training.
As the skeleton gets closer and closer, I get more and more nervous.
The skeleton is now within attacking range, but I will keep on charging for as long as possible.
The skeleton throws a punch straight for my stomach.
“GAH!” – Lett
It throws another one on my broken left arm.
Then another one in my face.
And another one.
And another one.
It’s giving me an all out barrage, but I’m just taking all the hits.
If I fail this attack then I will lose anyways.
I don’t care how much it hurts me, I need to make sure I finish it off!
All that matters is that I win!
It throws one more punch straight for my chest, but right before it connects, I finally release the attack.
This power!
I didn’t know I had it in me.
My fist hits the headless skeleton and the point of contact gets pulverized.
All the joints in its body breaks and the bones fly everywhere.
Immediately after, they all go flying into the golem.
I did it…
Now I can go help Alex!
--- [Shin’s perspective]
Nice!
Lett was able to beat that skeleton.
She can finally go help out Alex.
Now I don’t have to worry about the golem suddenly deciding to attack her instead either…
I can finally go all out too!
But…
I know one thing for certain.
I won’t be able to win against the golem no matter how hard I try.
It’s simply just because it keeps regenerating.
The best I could do is distract it until Alex kills the boss.
There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll be able to do that; I won’t lose to a big pile of bones!
I start running away from the golem, and it chases after me.
When reach the end of the room, I stop for a moment to let it catch up.
Right before it reaches me, I use the wall as a jumping pad; launching myself behind it.
While still in the air, I hit it as hard as I can in the back of the head.
The speed it was running at combined with the force of my punch made it impossible for it to slow down.
It violently crashes into the wall, shattering parts of its body.
It’s yet again stuck in the wall, just with its head this time.
I immediately take this opportunity to destroy its knees and shoulders.
It’s no longer able to get out, but this will change the moment it regenerates.
To buy as much time as possible, I start punching the bone piece away, just like earlier.
But there are just too many pieces; I know I won’t be able to keep this up for long.
The golem regenerates and gets its head unstuck.
That however does not mean I’ll let it get the advantage back.
I jump on top of its right shoulder and completely rip its arm off.
It tries to swat me with its other arm, but I jump away, and it destroys itself in the process.
I run as far away as I can before it can start regenerating, while still carrying its torn off arm.
I jump on top of the arm, and it starts flying back to the golem.
While riding the arm like a flying skateboard, I charge up an attack.
There won’t be enough time to make it that strong, but the speed I’m moving at will make up for that.
The arm flies back to its socket, and I fire off the attack straight at its head.
The skull shatters into a million pieces; painting the room with bone dust.
I’m yet again on top of the golem, baiting it to attack itself.
Without any hesitation, it takes the bait and destroys itself even more in the process.
What a dumbass…
The head regenerates back together and comes flying back.
I kick the head away like it’s a football, and it yet again breaks into a bunch of pieces.
Like always, I’m not able to stop all of them from reaching the golem, and eventually it regenerates back.
It lets out yet another roar, this time even louder than before.
Agh, my ears…
While still shouting it rips its own arm off.
What the hell?!
Why did it do that, and why is it not regenerating back…?
…
Oh…
The arm reshapes itself; turning into an insanely sharp longsword.
“Shit.” – Shin
--- [Lett’s perspective]
I’ve been moving down this dark hall for a while now, how far away is he?
“Ouch!” – Lett
What the-?
A wall?
It’s a dead end?!
I moved all the way here just for there to be a dead end?!
Wait…!
I can hear them fighting!
But…
I can’t get to him…
I can’t help him…
So, all I’ve done so far is make the golem stronger?
…
I’m so useless…