Six-Headed Serpent

"It's grown six heads already?" Nikolayevich looked at the enormous creature, unsurprised. "A pity its Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline isn't pure. Otherwise, it might have grown a seventh head. Now there's little hope." He gave Director Hiddink a searching look. "No wonder you're determined to claim a share of the God of Nature's Legacy at any cost. You've hit a dead end and need another way forward."

Hiddink's expression tightened, but he did not deny it. That he was a Contract Summoner was no secret. And with Nikolayevich's discerning eye, there was no hiding the truth once Hiddink had to summon his Contract Pet. But these were desperate times. He could not afford to worry about that. "Finish this quickly!"

Before Hiddink's words had faded, he flashed forward and plunged into the Six-Headed Serpent. Thick white light burst from the creature's body.

When the light faded, tattoo-like Magic Runes covered the Six-Headed Serpent, and its aura surged. Apart, Hiddink and the serpent were both Early Legendary. Fused together, they had not advanced in rank, but their strength had soared to the peak of Early Legendary. The serpent's already massive body swelled even larger. Ignoring Nikolayevich, it charged straight at the opening they had just blasted through.

Boom! It slammed into the black opening as it was repairing itself. A translucent, spindle-shaped barrier appeared before the serpent, and it struck like an enormous cannonball, heedless of the space's chaotic distortions. The impact shook the surrounding space as though a sledgehammer had struck it, widening the opening.

The collision hurled the serpent back over a hundred meters. It roared in pain and fury, then charged again.

A second time. A third. A fourth.

Fused with the Six-Headed Serpent, Hiddink battered the damaged space without pause, attacking at a speed that belied its size.