'Okay, it might not actually be the second day, but for me it is, so it doesn't change anything.'
Thinking nonsense is a good escapist way to escape, but now I have to face the reality in front of me. The reality of having to fight a tiger-crocodile hybrid the size of a two-story building, surrounded by an army of kobolds.
While I have to rely on myself, thankfully with almost full mana and HP reserves thanks to the kobold commander.
[HP: 100/110
MP: 78/85]
However sour his unintentional help may have been. But I still doubt that will be enough to fight this mini behemoth.
Besides that, I also have two magical animals that have probably already spent almost all their mana fighting what I imagine must have been just a platoon of kobolds (the biggest one, but still just a platoon).
These were the main points; now, the points that might help me.
1. The terrain, even though it was full of debris here and there, was still large and open for us to move around without problems, unlike the big guy. He seems to have trouble turning around or attacking from under his belly, the best place for us to attack. Although I doubt the kobolds will stand still and let that happen, or the earth dragon itself (or earth Drake, I don't know which one this creature is).
2. Even with my mana almost depleted, Impetus can still turn into that phoenix like last time, so we have a method of attack, but it will only be a single attempt, so I'll have to risk it (again) to find the big guy's most vulnerable point and secure a kit kill.
3. My mana reserves are almost full, so I'll be able to use my spells at maximum power.
Negative points of all this.
1. Every single positive factor was pushed to its maximum and has far greater chances of failure than success. (yeah, I was coupin myself)
2. Even with my full-strength mana attacks, there's very little chance they'll do anything. Dragons and their subspecies are well-known for their defense and attack; earth-type dragons and subspecies, like the one clearly in front, are well-known for their physical and magical defense, so...
3. For some reason, I feel like the only spell that will work is the one I least want to use, since its description has left me, at the very least, worried about the consequences for myself and even the enemy, but if necessary, I'll use it.
Points considered, now it's time to act.
"Impeto, you and Lumi find a place to protect yourselves and recover as quickly as possible; I'll buy as much time as I can. While you rest, carefully observe the big guy and try to find a weakness, and pay attention to the kobolds, understood?"
It wasn't a question, but a statement.
"Krroo kooo!" (Yes, master!)
Impeto gave a light nudge with his wing near Lumi's eye and signaled a small depression in the rubble of the UPA, right in the middle between the big guy and the kobolds surrounding us. Lumi seemed reluctant to go there, but a few clucks and gestures and they're gone.
'Not even a glance at me, is that confidence or total indifference?'
I actually already have the answer.
During that time, the drake (I'll consider it a drake since it doesn't have wings) didn't move; in fact, it just slightly shook its head, blinked a lot, and let out guttural grunts ten times a day. One minute they sounded like yawns, the next like orders, considering the kobolds were realigning themselves and changing the position of their "spears."
'Aaaaaahhhhhh okay, if anyone complains about me just wanting to sleep after this, I swear I'll throw the biggest punch I can muster, regardless of who it is.'
Getting into an attack stance like American football linemen, I propelled myself towards the Drake. Even though my HP had recovered, the fatigue from the fight against the commander remained, but I was determined to ignore that fatigue so I could move as best I could.
[Unique skill: resistance activated.]
[Acquired skill: fatigue resistance 0]
[Experience gained]
'Unexpected but definitely useful'
Even at level zero I could already feel my body's fatigue decreasing slightly; what previously felt like a thick blanket on my body now felt like a slightly tight jacket.
In the 4 seconds since I left where I was, I reached one of Drake's paws and, using my [obsidian claws], tried to make a gash in it.
*Criiing, track*
'QQQQQQQQUUUUUUEEE DDDDDOOORRRRR!!!!'
I can't say I didn't expect something like this, but not that it would be so incredibly useless, remembering that my body reinforcement is always active, and it, along with my claws, are the highest-level abilities I have. But that doesn't help to lessen the pain in my fingers from having my claws broken like glass against steel.
The only thing I achieved with this attempt was a hand with broken claws (and probably fingers), a mere scratch that didn't even draw blood, and an unbelievably sharp pain. Even though my attack barely did anything, the drake still felt it (it seemed).
With a quick backward movement, I saw its head right above me, open and already descending to swallow me. I jumped and rolled to the right once or twice, stood up, and jumped again when the tail came in front of me.
Another forward roll, I stood up and gave myself another push forward, reaching the ruins of the municipal guard post. With a small shield (which would certainly be as useful as a piece of paper) I managed a moment to take my bow from the [item box] along with my most intact arrows.
Trusting my instinct, I jumped to a pillar(?), climbed to the top of it and from there jumped to the nearest tree that hadn't fallen (but was crooked). I went to the edge of the highest point, and turned in time to see the drake's gaping maw open and a yellowish energy directed towards me.
I jumped to the right and rolled to lessen the impact just in time for a burst of yellow energy that looked like a jet of sand to hit where I was and... I can't say if the tree was shredded or had its top disintegrated by the beam, maybe it was both.
Right after sending that beam, the drake seemed somewhat disoriented, lowering itself and shaking its head with its eyes closed. I didn't understand why he did that; I wasn't going to let an opportunity pass. With an arrow on the string, I pulled and shot at the point where one of his front legs joined his body.
Unexpectedly, the arrow went in instead of ricocheting or just hitting and falling. But it doesn't seem to have done more than irritate the drake.
With one of its reptilian eyes fixed on me, it swung its tail towards me again. This time I didn't jump but dove to the ground while running and nocking another arrow. The tail passed inches from my head and ripped out several strands of hair in a very painful way.
[Unique skill: resistance activated.]
[Acquired skill: pain resistance 0]
[Experience gained]
Still moving, I pulled and sent it towards its open eye. In response, it closed its eye and turned its head, but that was what I needed. With it briefly distracted, I used the [shadow barb] to remove the arrow from its place and bring it back to me. With the arrow in my hand, I could see that it had reached the flesh, thanks to the blood on it.
'Vulnerable points so far, obviously the eyes, the joint of the paws, and possibly a vulnerable moment just before and after releasing its breath.'