Binary Soul

> Narrator PoV <

Kotero’s citizens, guards and adventurers could scarcely believe their eyes.

The unreachable Elder Dragon that had been assaulting the capital had been grounded. To the vast majority of onlookers it seemed like it flew up into the air and exploded all on its own. Only a select few people managed to perceive a black-clad figure zooming around it like a mosquito prior to its sudden fall.

Every single person there saw this as a chance. Flying monsters were always difficult to deal with. Bringing them down to the ground was the most difficult task. The main reason being that the vast majority of combatants could not take part in an air battle.

Battle-oriented mages were not very common. While a lot of people could use magic, most abstained from battle, focusing on research or selling their services for nonviolent profit. Magic was a flexible tool and a powerful weapon, but not everyone had the courage to seek a life of combat.

Archers and rangers suffered in a different way. No matter how good the bow or how skillful the person, an arrow that could actually harm something like a dragon didn’t exist. Even if it penetrated the scales, the wound would be too shallow. You’d need a ballista to inflict any sort of meaningful damage. Landing a shot in the eye or putting holes in the wings is all a bow could do against a dragon.

In short - the vast majority of adventurers and guards defending the capital had no way of actually striking back against the flying dragon. So seeing their foe suddenly fall to the ground with what looked like a completely severed wing was something they welcomed readily. Most Rank A and B adventurers could smash or cut through dragon scales if given the chance.

So the now bloodthirsty crowd approached the walls that could overlook where the dragon was. It was a perfect vantage point to assess the situation. Also the guards refused to open the gates under any circumstances, so their best bet was to leap from the high wall and engage it.

*KEEEYAAAAAAAAAA*

However, the dragon was already screaming in pain. That part baffled them - none of them had reach that dragon, so how come it was still screaming? Dragons were tough bastards - their wounds would close up in a matter of minutes and their blood seemed to flow without end. To hear that sort of monster let out these constant cries, what sort of enemy was it facing?

Approaching the giant lizard that was thrashing about, they saw several people. The first person to grab their attention was the infamous [Green Sage] flaunting his Life Magic.

Giant roots and vines had sprung up out of the dirt and were already coiled around the dragon’s limbs, restricting its movement. For those who had never seen the elves’ magic in action, it seemed to lack destructive power and was disregarded as ‘playing with flowers’ by the ignorant. That preconception was currently being shattered.

“------- [Nature’s Spear] ---- [Strength of Oak]” (Picorio)

An odd, transparent crystal-like tree trunk sprang out from the ground under the dragon. It was shaped closer to a needle than an actual tree. It grew upwards into the dragon’s abdomen, the beast’s own weight pushing down on it. With the additional enchantment that heightened natural strength and durability, it endured until it finally pierced the tough scales and invaded the dragon’s chest.

“---- [Sprout]” (Picorio)

*KEAAHAAH KAHAH*

The dragon screamed out once again, coughing up blood from its throat. The crystal tree which was current lodged in its lung had sprouted spear-like branches and roots in all directions. It invaded both the flesh and the soil, locking the two in place.

“------- [Demon Grass Seed] -- [Gust]” (Picorio)

Several seeds appeared out of thin air above Picorio’s palm. Their size and shape was certainly seed-like, but the bright red color was clearly unnatural. The following magic breeze blew them gently towards the dragon’s head.

“---- [Sprout]” (Picorio)

The seeds erupted into a giant mass of long crimson grass in mid-air, encasing the dragon’s face.

“-- [Firebolt]” (Picorio)

A simple fire spell set the whole mass ablaze. It burned with an intensity rivaling thermite, boiling up its eyes until they burst. As a result of Picorio’s spell combinations, the Elder Dragon was rooted to the ground, blind and unable to use its breath.

However, dragons were tough bastards. Its eyes would recover and the crystal tree lodged in its chest would be crushed into dust under its powerful muscle contractions. But right at that moment, it was helpless. It was then that the onlookers took notice of the second person.

“------ [Fire Step]” (Kelly)

A blood-stained set of impractically bulky armor performed a mighty leap while jets of flame shot out from its legs. Even without the assistance of Kira’s magic, the makeshift boosters could still propel Scrappy several meters in the air.

“Ha-YAAA!” (Kelly)

Using the momentum of her rocket-assisted jump, Kelly smashed right into the Elder Dragon’s head with both maces swinging. One of the dragon’s proud horns was snapped off with a dull, sound, followed by yet another painful roar.

*GURAAAAAAH*

Kelly then grabbed onto the spines protruding near the dragon’s still-recovering eyes and started pounding incessantly at its forehead.

*SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK*

Dull sounds echoed through the surrounding area as she furiously complained right to the dragon’s thick skull with her mace as an intermediary. The dragon bent its neck and shook its head, trying to shake the heavy lump of metal. After some thrashing, it managed toss the annoying pest in the air above it.

“------ [Fire Step]” (Kelly)

Feeling awfully proud with itself for a split second, it then felt a heavy impact on its upper back. Kelly had used the boosters to adjust her flight path, landing squarely on the dragon’s long spine.

“Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut! Hut!” (Kelly)

With every ‘Hut’ she took a step. With every step she planted a mace strike with all her weight behind it on the dragon's back. She liberally tenderized the dragon as if it was a piece of sirloin. The scales were crushed mercilessly, forming an odd path up and down its back.

The crystal tree binding the dragon’s chest was finally broken off, allowing it to move freely once more. At least for an instant.

This is when the adventurers turned their attention the third person - a red-haired woman standing almost shoulder-to-shoulder with Picorio. She was rapidly chanting spells of her own.

“--- [Earth Bind] ---- [Ice Block] ---- [Ice Block]” (Kira)

Kira was perfectly sealing all of the Elder Dragon’s limb movements. The instant a limb broke free, it was encased in ice or buried in stone once more. This allowed her teammates to mercilessly beat down on the largely immobile huge target.

“------- [Nature’s Spear]” (Picorio)

Picorio was assisting her, attempting the same combination as earlier. Unfortunately, dragons are tough bastards. It crushed the crystal sapling with its weight before the spell could progress any further. As a pinnacle of power, it would not allow itself to be contained so easily. On that point, Kira displayed something new.

The result of pouring mana into one’s [Telepathy] had given birth to a new school of magic - Soul Magic. Similar to the elves’ Life Magic, this school would affect living beings. But unlike Life Magic, it would not affect the body, but rather the mind and the heart. The metaphorical heart, not the actual one.

Currently, there existed only two Soul Magic spells. The first was [Unity]. The second could only be used under the first one’s effects. Kira needed to borrow her wife’s experience with psionics to properly activate the second one.

“------ [Thought Echo]” (Kira)

This particular spell allowed her brain to exceed its human limits, gaining something akin to Nano’s multi-thread processing. She could now think about two different things at the same time. And those two things just happened to be her favorite offensive spell.

“---- [High Thunder]” (Kira)

The chant was uttered once, yet two lightning bolts struck the dragon. Using both her gauntlet and staff at the same time, her output doubled in an instant. It was the world-first premier of dual wielding magic.

“---- [High Thunder] ---- [High Thunder]” (Kira)

Lightning keeps raining down upon the dragon. Upon closer inspection, the adventurers realized it wasn’t hitting at random. It was accurately striking black handles driven into the dragon’s flesh. Some in the shoulders and others in its neck, it was vaguely resembling a pincushion. That’s when their eyes locked onto the fourth person at the scene- a black-clothed, cat-eared girl.

Right now Ellie was suffering the pain of archers. Her scalpel-like strikes had very little effect in actually hurting the dragon. The cleaner the cut - the faster it would heal. And since her cuts were very clean, they would heal in a matter of seconds. She could not rely on ‘salting’ the wounds as grenades were a limited resource. The legs and neck were much thicker than the wing, so they would be difficult to sever using that strategy.

So she resorted to a new one - driving black swords past the tough scales. Dragon scales were notoriously resistant to magic, but using the metal blade as a lightning rod would bypass their defense. When struck by Kira’s lightning, the electricity would permeate through the dragon’s body, frying its insides and paralyzing its limbs.

Having found another good spot for her attack, Ellie drove another sword deep into the dragon’s right shoulder. She kicked off the scales, separating from the dragon.

“---- [High Thunder]” (Kira)

Kira’s lightning accurately hit the sword handle not even a second later. Being able to instantly transmit its location and coordinate the timing made for a devastating combination. The limb was numbed from the shock and wouldn’t move properly.

“Nano, sword!” (Ellie)

{This is number 10, 2 more left.}

The [Armory] golem which was keeping a distance opened up its chest plate. Out of twelve identical looking slots, only 3 had sword handles sticking out. Using a built in pneumatic launcher, it fired one of them straight at Ellie using compressed air. She caught it effortlessly in mid-air and considered her next target.

However, dragons are tough bastards. So far, none of the five’s attacks would leave any permanent damage. Wounds closed up, foreign objects were absorbed into its body and even the previously sliced off wing was steadily growing back even now. But compared to when the battle started, the speed of its movements and regeneration had dropped significantly.

This was Nano and Ellie's strategy. They regularly encountered opponents with high-speed regeneration before arriving in this world. They knew from experience such a convenient power was not free. The plan so far was to deal wide-spread damage, making the dragon expend its energy while it grew back scales and stitched together ripped flesh.

It’s getting tired just like Nano said. We should move in for a finishing blow. (Kira)

How about [Solar Flare]? (Ellie)

Not enough. It only took down the High Dragon because that one is actually a weakling and a coward. It won’t break past the Elder Dragon’s scales. (Kira)

So it really was called that just because it flew up high? (Ellie)

That’s right, you can’t use it as a standard at all. (Kira)

Kira’s complaint about its name at the Ministry of Information was indeed a valid one, despite her screaming the word ‘poop’ at the top of her lungs.

Can you reach its brain with your swords? (Kira)

Tried, skull too thick. I can’t stab it properly and the blade is too short. (Ellie)

Then how about- (Kira)

Oh, I see! That could work! (Ellie)

““Picorio, can you bind its head to the ground for several seconds?”” (Kira and Ellie)

“I can, but mana is low so only one try!” (Picorio)

““Good! Do it! Kelly, come to the front and help out!”” (Kira and Ellie)

{“On my way!”} (Kelly)

Kelly, who was currently busy bashing the dragon’s reverse leg joints on its hind legs, dashed around it, moving towards its head.

“------- [Binding Vines]” (Picorio)

Thick thorny vines sprouted from the ground. They coiled around the Elder Dragon’s protruding snout, sealing its mouth and dragging it down.

“------- [Nature’s Spear] ---- [Strength of Oak]” (Picorio)

The crystal needle appeared once more, this time directly under the dragon’s chin. However, dragons are tough bastards. It resisted the vines vehemently, refusing to bow down to these tiny creatures.

“Incoming!” (Kelly)

That is until Kelly’s weight slammed down on its nose from above. The dragon’s head involuntarily lurched downwards, impaling its chin on the tree.

“---- [Sprout]” (Picorio)

Like before, branches and roots spread out from both ends of the transparent tree, locking the jaw near the ground.

““Kelly! Hit Ellie’s sword! Nano, toss her another one!”” (Kira and Ellie)

Ellie stabbed her sword as far as she could, embedding 15 of its 42 centimeter length into the flesh, but it stopped at the skull. She simply lacked the leverage to penetrate the sturdy bone. Kelly had already climbed up the dragon’s immobile face and stood next to her.

“YYAH!” (Kelly)

Raising her fist, she slammed it along with all of Scrappy’s weight into the sword handle, driving it into the skull.

““Good, keep going!”” (Kira and Ellie)

With every strike, the black blade dug deeper and deeper into the skull like driving a nail into it. The dragon let out grunts with each strike, but it couldn’t break free from the binding just yet. Since the sword had no guard, it was plunged completely into the flesh.

“Now what?” (Kelly)

Ellie who had leaped without her noticing had caught the next sword thrown by [Armory] drove it right on top of the previous one.

““Do it again!”” (Kira and Ellie)

“YYYYAH” (Kelly)

Once again they started hammering it into the skull. The sword on top pushed the one below deeper and deeper until the dragon let out the most painful roar yet.

*KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHNNN*

It thrashed its head wildly, breaking its jaw free from Picorio’s tree.

““Good, now stand clear of the head!”” (Kira and Ellie)

Kira then pointed her staff at the still thrashing dragon and channeled a spell - the final stage of the [Thunder] series. It existed in theory, but the mental image required to mold the mana and cast the spell was too complex to make it into practice. However, Kira was currently under the effect of [Thought Echo], which doubled her normal processing ability.

“------------------- [Grand Thunder]” (Kira)

*BZZZZAZAZAZAZAZAZAZA*

The result was a spell vastly different than a [High Thunder]. Rather than a literal bolt out of the blue, it created a sustained arc of electricity that flowed from her staff through the air, then into Ellie’s swords and finally into the dragon’s defenseless brain.

*GYAGYAGYAGYAGYA*

The dragon shuddered immensely with a strange noise. The sustained electrical current ravaged the insides of its head for several seconds. When it ended, it collapsed motionless on the ground.

However, dragons are tough bastards. It still hadn’t died, it had just lost consciousness for a moment. When it woke up almost right away, all its previous anger was gone and replaced by something new. It opened its freshly regrown eyes and upon seeing the four people in front-

*PIKYAAAAAAAAA*

-it let out a never before heard scream. The sudden loss of its wing in mid-air had planted a seed of fear in its heart. The pummeling that followed nurtured it and the indescribably painful shock had made it blossom splendidly.

Gripped with fear for the first time in its millennia-long life, it cowered desperately, bowing its head in submission. Its eyes were wide open and swimming all over the place. If it could sweat, it would be pouring out a river right now.

*GURURURURURU*

It involuntarily let out a low rumbling sound from its throat, its body no longer obeying it properly.

“I think… it’s admitting defeat?” (Kelly)

““It’s a bit pitiable when we see it like this…”” (Kira and Ellie)

Its pride, scales, teeth and horns were all shattered. The sad visage before them could hardly be compared to the majestic beast Kira saw break out of its bindings. It was wallowing in the dirt with uneven breathing and its limbs twitching uncontrollably. The damage was so great it was unable to even stand up.

““We almost feel a bit bad for it.”” (Ellie and Kira)

Sensing the animosity from before was gone, Ellie slowly and warily approached the terrified creature. She raised a hand and gently placed it on its bloodied snout, as if to pet it.

Now, this being the dragon’s first experience with fear, it had no idea what to do with itself. When it felt the tiny warm hand press against the sensitive skin under its broken scales, it stiffened. A mind gripped by terror reacts in unpredictable ways, but that soft soothing touch had managed to instantly calm down its unsteady heart. Having conquered its fear, the Elder Dragon surged with emotion!

Unfortunately the only other emotions it knew were anger, rage and a general state of piss-offed-ness.

*CHOMP*

It tried to swallow Ellie whole, but it was a futile effort. Ellie had easily dodged the attack and had simultaneously thrown two grenades into its briefly open mouth. The first to go off was a F.A.R.T. grenade. The second was an incendiary.

*PAKKKKOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNN*

It was a risky combination that would only be effective at the right moment, but the effect was a dramatic explosion inside the Elder Dragon’s mouth and throat. It had enough force to separate the head from the rest of its body. There was a brief moment of silence before the barely intact head landed in the dirt with a wet thud.

“HURRRAAAAAAAAAHH!!!” (Peanut Gallery)

Having witnessed the breathtaking battle and spectacular finish, thousands of adventurers and guards raised a cheer in celebration.

Sorry folks, I tried, but dragons in this world are irredeemable assholes.