CHAPTER 64: TWIN FANGS OF THE HYDRA

Celia and Linda stared at him, stunned, as the flames roared brighter around his arm.

"This thing may be huge," Nolan continued, his gaze locked on the hydra, "but it dared to attack you. For that alone I’ll show no mercy."

The cavern shook as Nolan’s aura flared. The flames ignited fully, coating his arm like a blazing gauntlet. He raised his fist, eyes blazing.

"I’ll end you with a single strike!" Nolan roared, charging straight at the beast.

The hydra lifted both heads, scales glinting like black armor under the glow of the crystals. One head bent low, jaws splitting wide with a hiss, its tongue flicking like a serpent’s. That was when they realized it wasn’t just a hydra. It was a two-headed hydra.

"Stay back. I’ll end this with a single punch," Nolan said, fire already kindling across his arm. He stepped forward, but before he could unleash his strike, Celia and Linda grabbed him by the arm.

"Master, no," Celia said firmly. "Let us be the ones to end this."

"What are you talking about?" Nolan frowned, flames dying down.

The hydra lunged toward him, its two heads snapping forward with bone-rattling force. Nolan raised his hand, summoning a shimmering green shield that enveloped himself, Celia, and Linda. The monster’s fangs slammed against it again and again, but the shield held firm.

Even as the blows rained down, Celia’s voice didn’t waver. "Master, we want to prove ourselves. We want to show that we’re useful and strong."

"Yes," Linda added, her eyes sharp with determination. "We don’t want you to carry this burden alone. Please... let us try."

Nolan’s gaze lingered on them, conflicted. They don’t understand how dangerous this creature is. Its scales are too thick, its power too great... Yet he also remembered the protective crystals he had given them, charms that would trigger in the face of mortal danger. They wouldn’t save them from being swallowed whole, but they would keep their bodies from being pierced or fatally wounded.

Still, his chest tightened. "I don’t like this," he said at last.

"Don’t worry," Linda pressed. "We want to fight, because if we don’t, we’ll never get stronger."

Nolan paused, then finally nodded. "Fine. But hear me, if I see either of you about to fall, I’ll step in immediately."

"Yes, Master," they said in unison, smiling with newfound resolve.

The hydra was still gnashing at the shield, its fangs scraping like iron against glass. Nolan let the barrier dissolve, stepping aside. At once, the monster lunged again. Nolan answered with a swift punch, not his full strength, but enough. The blow sent the beast hurtling backward into the crystal wall, shattering it with a thunderous crash.

The two-headed hydra writhed, stunned. It had devoured countless humans before, but never had it faced one that could send it flying with a single strike. Hesitation flickered in its reptilian eyes as it slowly slithered back toward the lake.

The hydra slipped back into the lake, its massive bodies stirring waves across the glowing surface. Celia and Linda stepped forward, determination etched on their faces. Nolan moved back, giving them room, though his voice cut through the air like a warning bell.

"You two—don’t let your guard down!" Nolan shouted.

They nodded without hesitation. Celia raised her sword, gripping it tightly as her voice rang out.

"White Phoenix Flame."

At once, fire blazed across her blade, not the usual red or orange, but a dazzling white. A crest shaping itself into the wings of a phoenix on her arm.

The water rippled violently as the two-headed hydra stirred beneath the surface. Celia’s eyes sharpened. "I’ll take the head on the right. You take the one on the left."

"Yes. Let’s do it," Linda answered firmly. She nocked an arrow, mana coursing through her fingertips until the bowstring hummed.

The surface of the lake erupted as the beast rose again, both heads lunging at once. But instead of splitting, they both struck straight toward Linda.

Celia’s breath caught for a split second. It’s targeting her... both heads at once.

"The one on the left is mine," Linda said calmly, her eyes narrowing. She lifted her bow, mana coursing through her veins. "Wind Affinity."

The air around her stirred, circling her arrow as she drew the string back. With a sharp release, the wind surged, propelling the shot forward at blinding speed.

The arrow struck true. The left head reeled back with a roar, crashing onto the crystal ground.

But the right head didn’t slow—it lunged straight at Linda, jaws gaping wide enough to swallow her whole.

At the last moment, Linda pushed off the ground, her body twisting through the air. The hydra’s teeth slammed shut where she had just stood, sinking deep into the crystal floor.

I nearly stepped in," Nolan muttered under his breath, watching closely. They’re growing so fast. When we first entered this dungeon, they were still amateurs... but now, they’re moving like experts.

He clenched his fists, eyes fixed on the battle. "No... no, no..."

The right head of the hydra, its eye blinded by Linda’s arrow, thrashed violently. The other head that had been knocked to the ground began to rise again. Nolan instinctively stepped forward, ready to rush to Linda’s side—

But Celia intercepted.

"Not so fast!" she shouted, leaping high with her flaming sword. She slammed it down onto the hydra’s skull. Sparks burst, flames flared—but the blade barely left a scratch.

Her eyes widened. "It didn’t pierce... Even with phoenix flame. Master was right—this thing’s scales are too strong!"

The beast turned its massive head toward her, advancing slowly. Linda, meanwhile, was dodging its snapping jaws, firing arrow after arrow that bounced harmlessly off its scales.

"It’s no use," Linda hissed, frustration in her voice. "I can’t pierce its scales... My shots aren’t doing anything."

She steadied herself, forcing mana into her eyes. The world slowed around her, every detail sharp and clear. Think... there has to be a weak point...

Her breath caught. "There! A dot—on its forehead!"

She drew, aimed, and loosed.