Xernrex the Usurper

It was a stupid idea. A very stupid idea, but Leo had a limited MP supply and he had used three big spells that were pointless because of the damn deer’s healing. Or, what everyone perceived as healing.

Opening his eyes as he began to hear again. Surprisingly (not that he had any expectations) they were on the ground in the forest, but not exactly. Everything was in an etherial like blue. Nothing had a true form and were almost silhouetted outlines of themselves..

“Too bright.” Zentella stated covering her eyes.

Leo turned and patted the little girl. It seemed that they were the only thing solid in this space. “Sorry about that Zen, but if I’m right.” He then took another look and saw what he was looking for. “The true Xernrex was hiding all along.”

There was a snort directed at them. It was the same ethereal blue buck with the same intricate antlers, but in a more standard size. It wasn’t the giant that claimed its presence and it’s eyes were no longer glowing red. However, the malice seeping from it seemed to have increased. Obviously since its secret tactic was discovered.

Leo made the gamble on his very rudimentarily knowledge of mana in the world of Azaladan. Hyper condense mana form mana crystals and stones. This process could be replicated because of the amount of near modern living amenities that Leo experienced, the showers, cooking, and even lighting. The mining from the dungeons are for the more potent mana stones/crystals. So if the antlers could produce extreme mana lasers while looking similar to the fire crystals the Tail Rune Clan used while Xernrex was classified as a natural born monster, that meant it was manipulateing a lot of mana. So when Leo asked what for, he realized that they were wasting their time fighting an astral projection. Then, with Zentella still being able to track it, he figured the real body had to be close by. However, since Zen also accurately located the reappearance of the projection that meant that the real Xernrex was still moving relative to the projection. It should have stayed back and just summon the projection in another direction and Zen wouldn’t be able to know where it would appear because in that scenario Xernrex wouldn’t have moved. So, it was using this phantom space to hide and watch the battle.

“Well, time to see if this one can true damage.” Leo said reading himself, “Are you okay to fight Zen?” He asked knowing that this world of mana is probably too much for her eyes.

“Yes…” She took a breath, “I’ll only focus on it.”

“Good.”

They both charged at the true deer. This version was more spooked and was willing to dodge, not trusting its antler lasers. Xernrex tried to create distance, but Zen cut it off with her speed. Startled, it picked up its front legs and flailed. Seeing his opportunity, Leo slashed.

ALIEISTER’S TRIPLE SLASH

While Leo’s mana still didn’t fully awaken yet, the power from the skill was still improved from his repetition of the movements. This indeed was the real Xernrex, the slashes found their mark and left gashes on the beast. Roaring at them it rebound its footing and tried to back kick Leo. Dodging as he was tired from always being kicked, Leo put a little distance. It seems that the monster wasn’t built for taking damage.

Zen seized her moment and drove her dagger into its neck. It recoiled and swung its head around. The presence of the antlers forced Zen back as well.

Now desperate Xernrex gathered mana to its real antlers, but Leo and Zen made a miscalculation. This Xernrex was smaller, it didn’t have the same charge up time as the giant projection. Before they realized their mistake lasers were already about to hit them.

“Damn! I didn’t think you to be as crazy as I am!”

Leo opened his eyes and saw Lupa blocking the attack with her greatsword, “Lupa?” Then the reality set in and he turned to Zen’s direction, “Zen!”

“Don’t worry, she is fine.” Lupa said cackling. Then Leo saw Zentella being held… in the mouth of a big panther? The panther looked just as ethereal as Xernrex with strange patterns on it. Zen looked shock before looking at the panther and nodded.

“What?”

Lupa then clarified, “That’s Sophia’s summon beast. I asked her to hitch a ride with it here.” Leo had many questions but Lupa’s intensity made him focus, “Now.” She then bit into her hand activating her runes, “We got a hunt to complete.”

The Blood Runs crawled up her arm and onto her face. Zen was released from the familiar and they were both reading themselves. Leo refocused and also got ready. Then with ought a word they all charged. Lupa’s increased strength and speed got her closed and she shattered the antlers. Sophia’s panther latched itself onto the neck of the beast attempting to drag it down. Then, something unexpected happened.

[Party Strike Activated!]

The system screen appeared and had informed him of what his body was doing. In the instant that both Leo and Zentella recognize the kill, their movements became synchronized. The system’s party option seems to have been hiding this effect. Then with the movement of years of teamwork neither of them had with each other they began to slash in tandem Xernrex. The monster howled in pain before its life ended with a cross slash between the human from earth and the little assassin.

Then the strange are began to crack. Like shatter glass, reality around them faded away and they were back in the real world where the other warriors of the hunt looked at them with worry. Sophia seemed to breath a sigh of relief as her panther walked back to her and slid into her shadow.

“Thank the Goddess that worked.” She breathed

Lupa then looked over the hunting party and picked up Zen putting her on her shoulder. Then, grabbing Leo’s hand she raised it. “The Hunt is complete! Xernrex is slain!”

The warriors then cheered.

Leo took a second to register what happened, still receiving from the sudden coordinate attack and just the situation. He was getting praised. Sure he helped and just wanted to see if he was right, but these people hated him just the other day. Still… maybe it was ok and just take the situation in and bask in his victory.