Chapter 637: An unexpected ambush

As the massive expanse of blue water came into view, the first things Elion noticed were the dozens of dark, gelatinous tentacles slowly emerging from the lake.

He kept running, his gaze quickly finding Yaana, who was hacking at one of the larger tentacles with her scythe, dodging and jumping around to the best of her ability to make sure none of them caught her.

Mayumi was doing something similar, though the tentacle she was trying to chop off was wrapped around a half-naked Maya, holding her in the air while she wore nothing but her wet undergarments.

Then Elion spotted Nora, who was also struggling to wrench herself free from a slimy tentacle wrapped around her body.

Whatever creature was responsible had yet to reveal its whole body, and it must have possessed some impressive concealment abilities.

After all, Elion had checked the surface of the lake earlier, and he hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

’So where the hell did it come from!?’ He thought, already unsheathing his sword as he increased his speed. His gaze swept over the writhing tentacles before returning to Maya and Mayumi.

"Cole! Uta! Go help Yaana!" he shouted. "I’ll free Maya and take care of the left side with Mayumi!"

The pair nodded and immediately dashed toward the right-hand side of the lake. Elion continued straight toward Mayumi, his sword already raised as he closed the remaining distance.

Elion reached Mayumi just as she ducked beneath another sweeping tentacle, its slimy surface passing over her head before slamming into the ground behind her.

Booom!

Dirt and torn grass flew into the air, but he was already moving past her, his gaze fixed on the thick limb wrapped around Maya.

"Catch her!" he shouted, bringing his sword down in a powerful swing.

His blade bit into the dark flesh with far more resistance than he expected, but he pushed through, severing the tentacle before it could pull Maya any farther toward the lake.

Dark blue blood spilled from the wound as the severed length lost its grip, dropping Maya toward the ground.

Mayumi easily caught her beneath the arms and pulled her back, while the massive tentacle struck the water with a loud splash, sending a wave washing over the bank.

Elion barely spared them a glance before turning toward Nora, who was still desperately trying to free her arms.

The tentacle around her tightened as he approached, dragging her backward, but he stepped forward and swung again, cutting through the thick flesh just below where it held her.

The severed limb jerked violently, its hold loosening enough for Nora to wrench herself free.

Elion caught her arm before she could fall and pulled her onto solid ground, while the rest of the tentacle dropped into the lake with another heavy splash, dark blue blood oozing from its open wound.

"Get back!" he told her, stepping between her and the water as several more tentacles began writhing toward them.

Mayumi joined him a moment later, while behind them, Maya hurriedly pulled a long robe around her half-naked body, her trembling fingers tightening it securely around her waist.

On the other side, Yaana and Cole were already retreating from the water, with Uta following close behind them.

The tentacles pursuing them abruptly stopped, then began drawing back toward the lake, leaving deep trails through the wet grass.

Elion thought the creature might have decided to retreat. Then the water farther out began to rise, forming a massive, swelling mound as something enormous pushed its way toward the surface.

"Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me..." Cole muttered, slowing beside the others as the lake erupted in a rush of water.

Elion tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes following the horrifying shape that slowly emerged.

A massive, bulbous head rose above the surface, its dark skin glistening beneath the sunlight as water poured down its sides.

Beneath it, dozens of thick tentacles twisted over one another, some bracing against the shallows while others lifted into the air, their undersides lined with pale, fleshy suckers.

The severed limbs were still bleeding, dark blue streams running into the water around it, but the wounds seemed pitifully small compared to the rest of its body.

Two enormous eyes turned toward the seven figures standing on the bank, and Elion found himself lifting his chin just to meet their gaze.

The eyes were a deep brown colour, with black, horizontal slits.

Its shadow spread across the grass and swallowed the ground around them, leaving all seven standing beneath the towering mass.

Behind Elion, someone drew in a sharp breath, but before any of them could speak, Maya’s voice rang out from the rear.

"Nora, physical buffs on those four! Mayumi, Cole, target its eyes and draw its attention!" she shouted, pointing toward the front before turning her gaze to Elion and Yaana. "You two, attack its head and finish it! Work in pairs, rotate and switch in between!"

Elion glanced back at her, briefly surprised by the sudden commands.

Her face was still pale, and one hand was holding her robe close around her petite frame, but her resolute eyes were already moving between the monster and the people in front of her.

Her long staff flashed into her hand as she continued shouting out to them.

"Uta, ranged support with me!" she continued without pausing. "Nora, buffs and debuffs as needed. I trust your timing!"

Nora swallowed and nodded, raising her hands as light began gathering around her fingers.

Uta immediately stepped back and moved closer to Maya, while Mayumi and Cole exchanged a quick look before spacing out to give Elion and Yaana room.

Less than ten seconds had passed since Maya started shouting, yet everyone already knew what they needed to do.

Elion couldn’t help commending her quick thinking, especially considering that she had been dangling helplessly above the lake just moments earlier.

’She truly is a great leader,’ he thought, turning back toward the monster as Nora’s magic washed over him.

A warm surge spread through his limbs, making his body and his sword feel lighter in his hand, and beside him, Yaana adjusted her grip on her scythe.

"Ready?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the enormous head looming above them. Elion gave her a small nod, bending his knees as Mayumi and Cole moved ahead to draw its attention.

Roooooooaaaaarrr!!!

The creature let out a rumbling roar, its eyes following them, and a massive tentacle rose over the bank before crashing downward with enough force to shake the ground.

Mayumi darted to one side, while Cole broke the other way, leaving the limb to strike the empty space between them.

Elion was already moving before the dirt settled, Yaana rushing forward beside him as he raised his sword.

With Maya casting a spell from behind them and Nora’s magic surging through their bodies, the pair charged into the opening.