Chapter 97: Chapter 97: What a pity
As Eren's second sword pierced the scorching skin of the Sea Serpent, a surge of energy coursed through his body.
The sea water turned murkier with blood, making it even harder for Eren to see. But he didn't let that deter him. With each strike, he channeled all his strength into his attacks.
He used both the swords like claws and kept moving forward on the back of the Serpent that was moving chaotically.
The Sea Serpent thrashed and writhed in pain, its enormous body creating powerful waves that threatened to throw Eren off balance. But he held on, his grip on the swords unyielding.
He could feel the Serpent's strength waning with each strike, but he knew he couldn't let his guard down. It was far too little to kill the Serpent. He had to hurt it even more, to the point that the creature could bleed to death.
Suddenly, the Sea Serpent unleashed a powerful tail whip, aiming to knock Eren off its back. But Eren anticipated the attack and swiftly dodged, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow.
He kept moving forward, predicting the attacks of the beast, based on the pressure and flow of water that he could feel. It was also with the flow of water that he was able to guess the direction of the Serpent's head.
It allowed him to keep moving in the right direction, even when he could not see clearly. With each second, the effects of the talismans were waning. Eren could only increase his speed as he rushed forward, akin to climbing a mountain.
He had roughly seen the size of the Serpent and the point where he had initially landed. With each step, he was predicting his location. And soon, he stopped moving forward the moment he reached the Serpent's head.
Even after bleeding so much, the Serpent was still alive. Unfortunately, even though it was alive, it could not do much to Eren who was right in his back.
The Serpent tried twisting his body, or even creating whirlpools to throw Eren off his back, but none of it worked.
It could only leave the water if it wanted to kill Eren, but it knew that the flaming beast was waiting outside.
'This should be the place...'
Using both swords and his calculation, Eren struck with precision, aiming for the vulnerable spots he had identified earlier.
The Sea Serpent roared in agony, its massive body convulsing beneath him as its eye was stabbed. The Serpent could not take it anymore! He had to leave the Ocean to kill this insect that was hurting him.
The Serpent, which was previously moving under the water, swam upward, and soon jumped out of water.
As if waiting for this exact moment, Eren called out, "Once more!"
The Phoenix, which had been following Eren's trail, thanks to their link, opened her mouth and fired another wave of intense flames towards the Sea Serpent as it leaped out of the water.
The bright flames engulfed the Sea Serpent again, causing it to writhe in pain and fury, like a wild beast caught in a trap.
Eren could feel the Serpent's life force fading, but he knew he had to finish the job quickly. He did not want to take another trip under this disgusting ocean of blood!
Summoning the last of his strength, Eren drove both swords deep into the Serpent's skull.
With a final shudder, the Sea Serpent let out a deafening cry before its life extinguished.
The Phoenix rushed forward, and used her claws to hold onto the giant sea serpent's body before it could fall in the water.
Eren still was not sure if this beast was actually dead or not. If he allowed the body to fall on water and that thing was alive, he could never forgive himself.
Moreover, even if the beast was dead, he wanted the body of this thing, mainly to test something that he had long been wondering about.
He hadn't thought that the Phoenix was actually strong enough to carry that thing, but he still decided to give it a try. And when it worked, he was quite pleased.
Eren stood atop the lifeless body of the Sea Serpent that was being carried by his Phoenix.
His breath was ragged and his body covered in blood and sweat. The battle had been intense, but he had emerged victorious, right before the effects of all the Talismans ran out.
Bloody water dripped down Eren's clothes as he watched the ocean that had began to calm
And so, with the wind in his hair and the taste of victory on his lips, Eren looked ahead to the unknown. This was his first victory, which he was proud of.
"I still can't believe that I did it."
Eren fell on the dead Serpent's back, looking at his beautiful summoned beast, whose flames shimmered under the moonlight sky. With this, he had gained a lot more confidence.
"Maybe... Just maybe I can survive in this chaotic world."
....
While Eren and the Serpent's body was being carried back to the island, not far from him, a Spirit was looking at him with a pleasing smile on her lips.
"He's not bad looking at all. No wonder that girl fell for him. What a pity..."
"Looks like he doesn't need my help at all. What a waste... I thought I could..."
She did not complete her sentence.
....
As Eren reached near the island, the Sea Serpent was actually considered dead.
[Congratulations on killing a Sea Serpent]
[You have gained 3 Experience Points]
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
A notification appeared before him which congratulated him on killing the Serpent, alone with notifying him of his level ups.
At the same time, another screen appeared before him.
[You have completed the Selected Option]
[You have been rewarded with the Pendant of Poison]
As soon as he finished reading the notification, another pendant materialized around his neck.