<purga> shaman 39

The Shaman can't become a Hero
Act 4: Two-Headed Hound
Chapter 39: Cerberus
=================

Level ups done, equipment upgraded, we progressed through the dungeon better than ever. The usual Skeleton platoons were coming up, getting more numerous as we went deeper, but that isn't enough to stop us anymore. If all the Skeleton Troopers were as strong as the Captains, maybe it'd itch a bit.

But before we could feel too proud of defeating enemies left and right, we had arrived.

"This, has to be the boss room, right?"

A conspicuously large door, no, it would be easier to call this a gate. Reina's folks are pretty rich, with a mansion and all; this door was as big as their main gate. Otherwise said, it's big enough to let a large truck through when opened.

"I hope the  boss is a Skeleton too"

"But we can't know what kind of monster is inside till we look inside"

Since we're not in a game, there wouldn't be any reason for it to be one. But if the thing in there was a big Skeleton, we'd certainly be more thankful.

"We're gonna have to beat it whatever it is. So let's trust in our strength and press on"

"Yep, if it's this team, we'll be fine!"

"Kotori's cheering for everyone too!"

We're ready as can be. Spirit, strength, we're in perfect condition for both.

"Alright, yeah... let's go!"

"With great courage, we pushed open the thick gates, and stepped foot into the boss room."

"—!?"

A fierce presence assailed us the moment we entered. Even in our old world, if you sharpened you senses, you could somehow sense something like a person's presence... but this, I've never felt something this big. Rather than feel, it was more like I was slapped in the face by it.

Seems like the lord of this chamber doesn't intend on staying hidden.

It's a circular room, big enough that you could hold a pro baseball match in here. It was dark enough that you couldn't see all the way to the back, but torches evenly spaced on the walls caught fire automatically all at once.

"<Hyaa!?> W-what's that... too big..."

"Yeah, that's, a boss for you..."

Natsukawa-san and Asuna, acting vanguard on either side of me, both take a gulp. I wasn't an exception, seeing the boss' giant frame illuminated by the flames came as not so little of a shock.

"... Cerberus"

The boss, I could only describe it as such. With the supple yet tight muscles of a doberman, it boasted the size of an elephant. With crimson fur that looked as if it was on fire, thinking how similar the color scheme is to all those Red Dogs we've beaten, maybe this guy's an evolved form?

And its most characteristic trait being, its three heads. Its sharp, ferocious faces lined up along one another, tongues out in rough breaths, pairs of eyes glaring at us, looked exactly as Earth's depiction of the <Hound of Hades>

"Nii-san, this monster is clearly too different from the ones we've been facing"

"I know. But if we can't beat this guy, there's no going ahead... there's not going, back home"

Facing a beast surpassing even that Armor Bear, I can't say I'm not afraid. Maybe we're not even a match. Someone could die too. Most of all, my sense of self-preservation is screaming at me.

But I won't withdraw even one step.

"Yes, that's right, you're absolutely right Yuuto-kun. Everyone, we must do this"

To Class Rep's words, everyone nods with strength.

"From its looks, it's no different from a Red Dog. But the size, it's in a different league all together, so don't panic when it charges. Sakura, Class Rep, if you guys can stop them with your defence magic, we'll go for the kill"

"Yes, nii-san"

"If it's slowing down, it'll be good if we can lure it in. Korori, can you see how it fights?"

"Ehm, it uhm... it goes *blam!* and shoots really big fire, so head's up guys! And also, if it got serious, maybe all three heads will go at the same time!"

"If it's a flame thrower, my Ice should come in handy. It's going to decrease our attack, but I'll be focusing on everyone's defense"

"We'll just have to work harder then!"

"Yeah, like we practiced. Leave attacking to the vanguard, while the rear focuses on support"

Now then, as though it's hunger had reached a peak, the Cerberus sluggishly rose and was about to start its hunt. Its six bloodthristy eyes piercing into the prey that is our party.

Sorry, but I won't let you have a single person standing here. Everyone's definitely getting out alive.

So please, Goddess of white light, please grant me the power, the power of a <Hero>, the power to protect everyone—




Our death match with the Cerberus continues.

"*Haa... haah... Almost, there...*"

Its large, sharp fangs and claws grazed me many times; and with my whole body riddled with cuts, there's the occasional fire breaths scalding my skin. Even so, I managed to avoid any direct blows, and with Sakura's <Healing Light> cast down at miraculous timing, it never got to anything fatal. I can still move, still fight... But me, and everyone, our exhaustion is severe. We've damaged the Cerberus to the same degree. Slashes from me, Asuna and Natsukawa-san have engraved on its body uncountable times, it's gotten bloody all over. All three heads are releasing hoarse breaths, revealing the color of fatigue.

We're still somehow standing. No one has collapsed yet. But we can't relax yet. We're at our limit just concentrating on the fight, and most importantly, the Cerberus is in the state of a wounded beast.

"—Souma-kun! Watch out, the boss' mana is rising!"

The one shouting the warning was of course, Takanashi-san. Withe her <Mana Analysis>, she can kind of tell when an enemy's magic activates. Thanks to this skill, we could know when the Cerberus would shoot its flamethrower in advance, and had success in defending against, or evading it.

So Takanashi-san raising her voice this time, could only be because that the Cerberus was attempting to do <something> different from the usual. I also somehow sensed a slight presence... maybe I should call it a presence of mana, around it.

"Guys, something's up, get away!"

Tired as they are, Asuna and Natsukawa-san used their respective mobility boosting battle arts without fail and withdrew. The moment they took a distance from the frontlines, the Cerberus drew back its heads and released an extreme roar.

"**<—oOOOOohn!!>**"

Instantly, the red fur of the Cerberus dyed in black. Pitch black as if dipped entirely in ink. But its blazing red pupils retained their original glow.

This is getting ugly— Instinctively, I thought.

"Hey, it's coming! The fire's—"

Practically erasing Takanashi-san's words of warning, all three heads burst out flames. As if, it was spitting out every bit of it's acumulated, seething anger towards us.

"*Kuh*, it's going everywhere"

"How're we gonne close in now!"

The Cerberus bellows its flame in rage. No aim, no nothing, as if submerging everything in hellfire, it spat flame in every which way. Natsukawa-san is right, we have no way of approaching the layered walls of fire clumbed before our eyes.

"**<GaAAAUuu!>**"

Forget attacking, the Cerberus moves, blankly ignored us as we had even lost a path of retreat in the torrent of flames. Naturally, it wouldn't burn in the slightest. The Cerberus nimbly crosses the blazing sea of fire.

Its destination being, none of us in the vanguard, but behind us. Damn, it was aiming for the support team.

"Class Rep![Note 1]"
=================
*Note 1:  (a joke note, I'm too bored) Why does everyone not just use Ryouko, *Class Rep* just sounds awkward as fuck when I'm tranlating it.
It's a culture thing, I get it. In old anime (and some modern crunchyroll loligagging) they used to translate stuff like Onii-chan into their names, like Kyousuke of something. But I don't think that's all that required nowadays.
Plus I bet a lot of weebs (not excluding myself) find the inclusion necessary as it gives a sense of the level of intimacy shared by the characters. That is not to say it can't be done in English (I wouldn't know, I'm just a lowly WN reading weeb) but it's because we're weebs that we require it.
But Class Rep. Class Rep tho. it's *Iinchou* if anyone was wondering. I try to justify it in my head like, *I've seen other TLers do it!* or *It's just one extra syllable to say!* or *How else am I going to imagine a sexy-cool bespectacled bishoujo <without> calling her Class Rep!?*
 I try to do all that but it's kinda getting ridiculous. Is it though? Aren't I just stressed? I'll lie down, then keep translating... Eh, since we're on the subject of weeb stuff, Iinchou ends most sentences with —wa —da wa, hopefully someone finds that a good thing to know.
=================

"I know— <Ice Defan(Ice Wall)>!!"

Aiming to put a stop to the rushing Cerberus, Class Rep used her latest Ice attribute, area-wide defense magic, <Ice Defan>. Its magnitude is leagues different from the self-protection wall of ice made using <Ice Shield>. It was a giant ice barrier capable of holding even a giant monster the likes of the Cerberus at bay.

And up till now, it was because of this magic that the Cerberus had endured aiming for our rearguard.

"**<GAAa!!>**"

But there was no stopping that frenzied, blotted jet black beast. With great force, the Cerberus slammed its body into the wall of ice and, a large crack spiralling along its surface, the wall seemed close to crumble.

Bent on demolishing the obstacle, the Cerberus spewed flamethrower from its two peripheral necks, weighing on, it beat the wall with its forepaws.

"*KyaAAAAAAAA!!*"

Along with Takanashi-san's scream of desparation, Class Rep's <Ice Defan> is pulvarized. Nothing more obstructed the Cerberus.

The walls of flame surrounding us have yet to ease, forbiding any chance of counter-attack. We're not even 10 meters apart, but a maze of scorch divides us. We've got no more time either.

Shit, please, please let me make it. I'm getting there, really soon so, please hold on!

"*Aaa!?* Sakura-chan, run! It's after you!!"

As Takanashi-san called out, my spine froze. Beyond the flames,  I saw the central head of the Cerberus sucking in a noticably large amount of air; my foreboding changed into conviction.

"<Sakuraa—!!>"

Something I'd never seen it do in the whole battle, the Cerberus gathered scorching blaze into a point, shooting it as a large fireball. Too fast. The fireball shot and hit at bulletspeed. A pillar of fire rose, grand enough to reach the tall ceiling of this room.

"S-Sakura... no..."

*No way*, I couldn't say. I clearly saw how powerful that fireball was. It wasn't something you could dodge by stepping a bit to the side. And Sakura only had her <Lux Shield> to defend. There's no way she could ward off that level of explosion with a simple shield of Light.

"Sakura-chan! <Sakura-chaan!>"

"Don't, Kotori! It's dangerous that close!"

I hear the voices of Class Rep and Takanashi-san from the other side of the flames. *It's at least good that Sakura and those two were standing spaced out*... It's frustrating I can't consider that lucky.

No, not that, that's not it. That's not what I mean.

"N-never..."

Right now, it isn't the time to lament on my small-mindedness, or my powerlessness

"Never, forgive—"

It isn't even time to grieve for the loss of my cherished little sister.

"— Just you, I'll <never forgive you>!!"

Yes, now, right now was time for only revenge. Because I'm her brother.


=================
|<Cross Calibur>||The unique Sacred Sword granted to the Hero by the White God.[Note 2]|
=================

=================
*Note 2:  So this is the same way they say *White God* in KnM... *snicker*
=================

Just as that flows into my brain, the <Paladin's Sword> in my hands gushed in light. I remember. This feeling, it's the same one I had when I awakened as a Hero.

Yeah, right, that's right... this was granted to me, to the Hero, my <Innate Skill>.

"<HaAAAAAAAAaaa!!>"

I make a swing with the dazzling, brilliant sword of silver. Just that, and the fire wall in my way is cut away like butter.

And I have nothing more in my way.

"**<GoAAAa!>**"

Looks like it sensed my presence. The Cerberus turned all three of its heads to my direction, bearing its fangs and letting out a howl of intimidation. No, not so much intimidation, as it was actually getting ready to attack.

Its thick, beastly paw, one that would squash a human body easily, flies towards me. Of course, garnished with sharp claws. If it hit, it'd certainly work as a devastating weapon but it's— slow.

"<Haa>!"

I twist my body to dodge, and throw in a swing. The resilient meat that only gave fractions of an inch even with battle arts was now being cut through like a heated knife on butter as the blade of Light passes through.

"**<GyoOAAAAAa!?>**"

The foreleg flies as my blade arcs through. The Cerberus bellows in excruciating pain. So even a monster cries if it loses a leg or two huh.

But I won't let it be over with just that. This <Cross Calibur> won't last forever. I'll end it now.

"<UoOOOOoh— Tri Slash!!>"

First, the head parallel to that leg I sent off. The Tri Slashes that occur almost simultaneously shred its tongue, chop its snout, gouge its eyes. This head won't be doing much anymore, but it needs to be finished off. With a <Thrust> between the eyes, I end its function.

"—**<Ghaa!>**"

I guess taking the time to use two whole battle arts would make the other heads react. The central head gaped its jaws and attacked. A simple but valid counter-attack, closing in with the shortest distance and digging in with the fangs.

"<Counter>"

Seeing through the moment it was about to seal those jaws that could swallow a person whole, I stir my sword. The flat of the sword slams into the central head, making it swivel.

"**<KhoOOoo—GoAAAa!!>**"

Its remaining head didn't try biting but attempted to shoot a fireball. It takes a large breath; the pre-attack action's simple enough. Looks like it want's to shoot immediately, so the size is smaller than the one shot at Sakura. It should be somewhat less powerful, but more than enough to barb-a-que a person whole.

But I won't step back. If I did, I won't beat thos demon.

"<Reflector>"

Faced with a scorching fireball in my face, I cut. Not the beast, but the flame itself; it may seem wierd to say, but I've already used this <Cross Calibur> to wipe away a wall of fire. That being so, there's no way it can't do the same for a fireball.

Feeling the remains of the fireball, that had split as if avoiding me, explode some ways behind my shoulders, I leap towards the head. Trampling over the middle head that I had hit with <Counter>, I swing the sword of Light towards the one that shot the fireball.

The brilliant blade enters from the nose, going straight and deep, reaching all the way to the middle of the eyes.

"One, left!"

When I turn, even with its second head destroyed, the last one still kept its fangs ready. With its gaping mouth, it looked as if attempting to bite again, but the embers leaking from its teeth— I see, so its actually planning to use a flamethrower.

I'm can't go betting <Counter> or <Reflector> can cut a conspicuous beam. I need to dodge here, but I don't want to lose this distance. I probably have the stamina and mana to attack one more time. Lame, I know, but my body has started creaking as if warning me of its approaching limit.

I can only attack once. I don't have any spare energy to evade, find a weak spot, and attack from there on. That's why, I'll have to just go for it.

"<Haa!!>"

Just as I jump, the area under my feet inundates with a torrent of crimson. If I was a moment late in that instant decision, I'd be roast by now. But the fire hasn't stopped. The Cerberus calmly saw my dodge by jumping, and raised its head, bent on reducing me to ash with its unending fire breath.

"<UoOOOOOOOooh—>"

And as the swirl of flame closed in, I kicked the air and shot forward. I happen to know <Hi Step>. Its not much, but it is a technique for mobility in mid air.

Marking a step in the empty air, its head, the root of the Cerberus' neck connecting to its final head, was there.

"— <Nero Lightning>(Instant Slash)[Note 3]"
The <Paladin's Sword>'s light dazzled further, glaring. This was no <Slash> and neither was it <Tri Slash>, but a new battle art. The luminence of my sword extended into a further blade of Light purposed to slice my enemy.

With that <Paladin's Sword> that had become a sort of giant light sword, I swing at the Cerberus' neck with the limits of my strength.

My head felt like it was going white from the torrent of light... But I somehow landed on my feet.

Then, as if its stores of energy were completely emptied, the light from the blade vanished. With which, came the unbearable fatigue. Heavy, my body's too heavy. I could collapse any second now.

"*Fuh, haaa...*"

After breathing deeply as if letting out sighs, finally, my body regained a bit of vitality.

"... I did it, Sakura"

There stood the large Cerberus. Its peripheral heads hediously chopped up, and the one in the middle, completely sliced off. No doubt its dead.

But the gruesome corpse of the monster quickly morphed into light. Towards the death of this sworn enemy of mine, there was no kind of emotion, but only, what could perhaps be described as, a mechanical process of absorption. The largest amount of those brilliant particles of light to date had formed, and as usual, they are sucked towards my body... leaving only the core at their origin. No trace of the fearsome monster remains.

*Ah, over, it's over now. I did it, I avenged Saku—*

"—Really nii-san, always with the overdoing it"

"Wh-... S-Sakura... huh"

I don't care if the voice is a delusion. I thought, truly.

"I'm sorry, it seems I caused you some worry... Nii-san look, I'm fine"

From the smog remaining from the flames, a large white sphere of Light emerged. Repelling both scorch and soot, inside that beautiful and bizzare ball of Light, I could make out a very familiar shape.

"<Oracle Field>(Heavenly Barrier), It seems to be an innate skill of the Saintess[Note 3]"
=================
*Note 3:  For those not in the know (as in, aren't reading Kuro no Maou), firstly, <why>(naze)!? Anyway, Oracle Field is like, a staple move from one of the main girls in KnM. And a little before, Nero Lightning, Nero is a character from there too. and he uses dem Light attributes with dat special sword too. A lot of parallels, Shaman is like an alternate(?) universe from the KnM stuff. So I'll bet you, the reader, will have a greater appreciation for this if you read that one also. Yoshi is actually consistant with the TL schedule too!
=================

I don't care about the justification. For me, just Sakura, her being safe there, beyond the light, that was all that mattered.