[What's wrong with Allan!] Yona's voice crackled over the headset.

  [He's stiff as a rock, or something.] Yoru replied from the other end.

  [Allan…] Albina's voice was hesitant.

  [This is bad! If the mercenary fails again, we won't survive!] Kuzunoha screamed, unclear whether she was furious or panicking.

  “I was only joking that the snake was like a Medusa, I didn't think it would actually do it!”

  One of Jei's eyebrows furrowed. He was still observing cautiously through his binoculars. A good distance away was a Black Giant Snake. Standing before it, H?ggormur stepped onto the sand. The Archdruid fixed his eyes on Allan, who had frozen stiff as a statue.

  “Calm down, everyone. If magic can turn Allan to stone, there must be a way to reverse it, right?” Elina reassured the group.

  “Right. Yoru's a Cleric, he can handle it.” Jei replied as quick as a flash.

  [Yes, with Dispel Magic or Greater Restoration, but…] Yoru's explanation came through. [The petrification spell is Level 6. My highest spell is only Level 5, and Greater Restoration costs 100 Gold… or over 1,000,000 Yen.]

  “And wonderfully, the divine and nature don't take credit cards.” Jei pinched the bridge of his nose.

  [If I can cast a spell alongside Yoru at the same time, perhaps it can substitute for the material component.] Albina asserted.

  [But that's only if we can get out of this slimy, stinking place.] Kuzunoha complained with a bitter truth.

  [Allan's failed, Yona's group can't save him. Retreating now might ensure our long-term safety.] Cide suggested, providing further evidence. [Allan couldn't even scratch that big snake. We have no chance of taking down the Druid. So, retreating now is the best option.]

  “My job as a doctor and gas station manager cannot be abandoned.” Jei clenched his fist, his eyes never leaving the Giant Black Snake. “Those who oppose being turned into monsters will regret it!”

  [This doctor is quite dedicated to money.] Cide commented.

  “You're mistaken.” Jei looked up at the round moon, lost in thought. “Money is a motivator, but I also have a responsibility after receiving this Dream power.” He looked at his own clenched fist. “With this new power, I must save the cancer patients!”

  [... What the hell does your bizarre ability have to do with curing cancer?] Cide questioned after a few seconds of pause.

  “It doesn't hurt a bit, just like an ant bite.” Jei smirked.

  [Sensei, calm down.] Yoru's voice intervened.

  “...It seems he hasn't done anything worse to Allan yet.” Elina commented after observing with her binoculars and drone.

  [There's still hope!] Alb said cheerfully.

  [But how are we supposed to get out of here…] Kuzunoha grumbled. [Even Yona, with power similar to Allan's, can't pierce the skin of this damned snake!]

  Zap zap zap

  The sound of electric sparks continuously came from the headset. Not too different from the sound of Allan's gun, but the group outside still saw no change.

  [Sensei, I conceived an idea most ingenious.] Yoru spoke up after a moment of silence, perhaps a switch had flipped in his head. [I assure you, it's very ideal.]

  “I'm not entirely sure, but I've also thought of a few things.” Elina also spoke, a new determination dawning on her worried face.

  “Go on, my dear assistants.” Jei smirked and nodded. The smile of a man who felt the world was on his side.

  [Oh, that sounds hopeful.] Cide sighed, his voice lacking enthusiasm.

  While the group was conferring, H?ggormur remained silent. He walked on the cold sand, his eyes fixed on the unmoving Allan. After circling the statue a few times, he let out a sigh.

  “After all this time, I had felt my cold blood boil again, but it was so fleeting.” The Archdruid flicked his sharp fingernail against the statue's metallic shell. “Should I dispel the magic on you to try again?” He looked at his pet, his golden eyes full of weariness. “Or is this the limit of you, ones from another world? Or is true power the inevitable balance everywhere?”

  Bang

  A small explosion rang out, almost inaudible in the vast desert. A hole appeared right in the middle of H?ggormur's forehead, and he fell to the sand, a red liquid oozing from the wound.

  “Did it work?” Cide frowned, peering through the scope on his sniper rifle. “That kid was really struggling against this guy?”

  [... It seems I judged too hastily.]

  The voice echoed in Cide's head, making his hair stand on end and his nape feel cold. He was used to shooting down Monsters and seeing them writhe or lie still, but the thing before him was the complete opposite. The Druid was surely dead, but he got up after collapsing, turning his reptilian eyes toward Cide! Sensing the danger, the Hunter immediately started his hoverboard and sped far away.

  Cide held his breath. The sound and movement around him stopped. He and the hoverboard moved a distance in silence, no wind pressing against him. More than 10 seconds passed, the wind rushed back and the sound of dust returned as he began to breathe. A loop Cide repeated several times before he started breathing in short, quick gasps.

  “...Did we get away from him?”

  He looked back. After a few hundred meters, or maybe a few kilometers, he used his scope. The monster snake was still stationary like a pillar to the sky, but H?ggormur was nowhere to be seen. Even after scanning his surroundings continuously, he couldn't see a trace of the enemy. He took a deep breath, held it, and read a scroll filled with the Archdruid's thoughts. He couldn't understand it. The druid's mind held weariness, excitement, and then anticipation, especially when Cide had drilled a hole in his forehead. The only piece of information Cide got before he disappeared was that he had used magic, but what it was, he had no idea!

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  [What's wrong? You look a bit flustered.]

  H?ggormur's voice echoed in his head again. Cide flinched, swinging his gun around. No figure met his eyes, only gusts of wind. Sand particles were swirled by a small tornado, forming a human shape.

  [Cheer up, warrior from another land.] H?ggormur whispered in the form of the tornado. [After a long time, you are the one who has taken a life from me!]

  “... The ability to transform into an Air Elemental is at least Level 10, but he controls that giant snake and took down Allan so easily, he must be far beyond that level…”

  Cide mumbled. He tried to breathe evenly, then lit a cigarette. He took a long, deep drag and blew out the smoke.

  “Well… the honor is all mine.” Cide replied. “It would be even better if it came from a beauty.”

  “...Hahahahahah.” H?ggormur laughed long and hard. [Today I meet not only a strong one but also a funny one like you.] He said in a more relaxed tone. [State your name, comical sniper.]

  “...”

  Cide took another deep drag from his cigarette, his brain working at full capacity to think of a solution. He sifted through his own experiences, the lines of dialogue and thoughts of his opponent he had glimpsed. Fleeing or fighting were not on his list of priorities right now.

  “Lord H?ggormur, do you wish to display your strength or experience some fun?” Cide spoke after a few short seconds of stopping to think.

  “...” The Archdruid was silent for a moment. [I have lived the life of a strong man and tasted the weariness it brings.] His golden eyes glowed from within the tornado. [And I suppose you don't ask an empty question or give a weightless answer?]

  “Very sharp.” Cide lifted the corners of his mouth. “In that case, I will help you relieve your boredom, with advice from a hedonist like myself.”

  [Interesting, do tell?] H?ggormur was curious.

  “A little music, a little story to help you enjoy your sense of hearing, before your blood boils again, if you'd like?”

  Cide sat down, reached into his Bag of Holding, and pulled out a phone and a speaker. He placed them on the sand, turned them on, and the ethereal, mystical music of a game title played. Next, he took out a few glasses, a bottle of wine, a plate of fragrant grilled beef, and a side of crispy french fries.

  “With some alcohol and snacks?”

  Cide poured red wine into a clear glass. He offered the drink and a fork to his opponent and waited.

  [...Very well.]

  H?ggormur replied after a silence that was not too short and not too long. The tornado weakened, and the Archdruid's body materialized again from within the wind. He took the fork from Cide's hand, sat down, and stabbed it into the meat along with the potatoes and began to eat.

  ---Inside the Black Giant Snake---

  Yona was clinging to the steep, crimson wall, with Albina on her back. Next to her, Kuzunoha and Yoru were doing the same.

  “Are you okay?”

  Albina asked, handing a Potion of Healing to Yona. The scratches on Yona's face and hands revealed tiny, crackling sparks of electricity in the dark space. They gradually closed as she finished the potion, and the leaking electricity stopped.

  “Much better now, thank you.” Yona smiled.

  “If you're hurt or need help, don't hesitate to say so.” Albina reassured her. Beside them, Kuzunoha let out a breath after finishing her potion. The scratches and redness on her body also vanished.

  “If we stay here long, we'll be digested by whatever it eats, or worse, melted by its stomach acid.” Kuzunoha complained, handing back the empty bottle.

  “Can you create any creature to deal with it from inside this snake?” Yoru put the empty bottle into his Magic Tool pouch.

  “If I could, I would. Some stubborn worms could teach this thing a lesson.” The Beastfolk vixen said with a sour smile. “…But this damned crawler is absurdly tough!” Her eyes turned to Yona. “And do you think there's any creature stronger than her firepower?”

  Seeing this, Yoru stroked his chin, lost in thought. “Snakes aren't afraid of poison, so Contagion is ineffective. We can use Charm Monster for Mind Control, and Antilife Shell would work to prevent bites.” He smiled wryly. “Healing spells are what we need most right now.”

  “Tiny Hut could also be effective if you need to save your strength for a stronger spell.” Albina suggested.

  “Then you prepare to cast it. We'll try to go deeper towards its mouth.”

  Yoru nodded, proposing the idea. Before his words had been out for two seconds, the crackling sound from the headset came through.

  [Everyone, try to find a way to get out of there. We're buying time with the Archdruid.] Jei's voice came through the group's comms, accompanied by the loud sound of wind.

  “Jei-sensei!” Yoru shouted.

  “Which Archdruid?” Kuzunoha cocked one of her fox ears.

  [He's controlling this snake.] Jei reported. [Cide is currently drinking with him.]

  “...Huh?” All four of them shouted in unison at the incomprehensible situation.

  [Assistant Yoru, instead of shooting the monster, do the bare minimum to make it open its mouth. Use your knowledge of biology, if you have any.] Jei issued the command, his voice firm and without hesitation.

  [If that method doesn't work, Kuzunoha, give Yona the weapon with the highest firepower!] Elina's voice continued.

  “That sounds feasible.” Kuzunoha frowned, her fox ears standing straight up. “I just hope the firepower doesn't blow us all up and the snake is unharmed!”

  [The body of the Black Giant Snake is huge. I believe we can find a place that won't be caught in the explosion.] Elina stated.

  “Don't worry, I'll make sure you and everyone are safe.” Yona replied, her voice full of optimism.

  [I'm sorry I can't be there to help you.] Elina's voice was tinged with melancholy.

  “Please don't worry, we'll help each other.” Albina replied to the scientist's concern.

  “The fact that we're still alive and kicking is proof that the team is doing well.” Yoru offered the most practical assessment.

  [...Thank you. I'm counting on you all.] Elina let out a light breath before continuing. [Hang in there, Yona. Mom will do her best to support you from this side.]

  “Yes!”

  Yona replied, her voice louder. A sparkling light returned to her mechanical eyes.

  [I'll see what I can do about Allan to handle the Archdruid. You all focus on dealing with this fat black snake.] Jei laid out the plan.

  “Wait, Jei-sensei, how are you planning to dispel the magic on him?” Yoru's eyes widened.

  [Dispel it?] Jei asked back.

  “What?” Yoru was confused again.

  “Then what are you going to do with Allan?” Yona blinked, bewildered.

  [Trust me, Jei-sensei will handle everything.] Jei replied confidently.

  “We'll do our best, you guys be careful too.” Albina said reassuringly.

  “Right.” Kuzunoha began to quickly climb the wet, fleshy wall with her hands. “Let's climb to the softest part of this snake's body!”

  “Where?” Yoru asked curiously.

  “You'll know when we get there.” The suggestive smile returned to the vixen's lips.