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I used [Compact Whip] to wrap the whip around my axe and swung it around to strike. But just before impact, my movements slowed.
"(What!?)"
Fortunately, I attacked before the pincer was retracted, but the exoskeleton covering the pincer didn''t show a scratch. Still, there was no time to be disappointed.
"(It''s probably that my [Escape] skill ended.)"
Since my [Escape] skill increases my agility only when I am escaping, it was expected for me to return to my normal stats when I was attacking. How dumb of me.
Indeed, my speed returned when I resumed dodging the attacks. With my newly acquired [Evade] skill, I easily handled the continuous pincers.
"(Alright, time to find a way to win.)"
I thought while dodging its attacks. I could counter it and defeat the crayfish. However, since my agility decreases during offence, there is a huge chance of me getting fatally wounded. The biggest obstacle in defeating the crayfish was its exoskeleton.
The exoskeleton blocked the axe I threw using my skill [Compact Whip], providing a solid defence. To win, I had to break through the exoskeleton or find a place without it.
I summarized my thoughts while dodging them and put them into action. First, I threw my axe.
"Zagua!"
The crayfish, pulling back its arm for the next attack, calmly used it to guard. The axe was deflected and stuck into a nearby tree. Thinking it had disarmed me, the crayfish intensified its attack. But my weapon wasn''t just the axe.
"Slaslasha."
...
>> Jewel Slime has acquired the skill [Slash].
...
I grabbed the knife I had brought along with the axe and slashed while dodging. The slowing of my movements due to the end of [Escape] wasn''t as scary as I expected it.
Though I couldn''t fully utilize centrifugal force due to the close distance, I gained the skill [Slash]. Checking my status frequently paid off. I continued dodging and slashing with the knife. I could feel the activation of the combo within me.
...
>> Jewel Slime has acquired the skill [Compact Slash].
...
By focusing on quick slashes, I learned the compact version, reducing the gaps in my attacks and stabilizing my cycle of dodging and attacking.
I hadn''t inflicted any wounds yet, but my combo power was steadily increasing. However, the crayfish seemed irritated by the stalemate and unveiled a new attack method.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Burrubobobo."
The crayfish spewed several bubbles from its mouth. I doubted they were just ordinary bubbles; they probably exploded on contact or something similar. The bubbles had iridescent stripes and emitted a fair amount of mana. It seemed the crayfish, valuing its mana in the monster realm, decided it couldn''t win without using it.
''Well, it''s a logical choice against a dodge-type opponent to use an area control spell.''
The bubbles spread out in a radial pattern, creating a dense area. Dodging them all would be difficult, even with my confidence in speed.
''But I''m better at defense than dodging!''
I accepted the risk of some hits and charged towards the crayfish, maximizing the effect of my combo. Naturally, I hit some bubbles, splashing them.
[Jewel slime has resisted the Poisonous Saliva!]
They didn''t explode as I had initially thought, but the plants touched by the spray melted. It seemed similar to my dissolving liquid skill.
[Jewel slime has resisted Poisonous Saliva!]
Well, acid wouldn''t harm my toughness. I broke through the bubble storm unscathed. However, something unexpected happened when my sword came in contact with the bubble.
"Susle!?(It''s melting!?)"
While I could withstand it, my weapon couldn''t. Still, the knife handle struck the crayfish''s exoskeleton, increasing my combo count.
"Guani!"
''Evade, [Compact Whip].''
The crayfish, moving its legs to close the distance and swinging its pincers, targeted me at close range. Not needing to retract made it faster.
But I had plenty of evasion skills: [Escape], [Evade], [Leap]. I dodged backwards while countering with [Compact Whip].
The crayfish kept closing in with pincers, which I dodged, maintaining just the right distance. I used [Taunt] and [Alluring Shine] to lure it into my trap, successfully positioning it.
"Zari!"
"(Leap!)"
I dodged another pincer attack by leaping and grabbing onto a tree. I quickly climbed up using [Climb], retrieving the axe I had thrown earlier. Thanks to [Carry], the added weight of the axe wasn''t a problem.
"Slaslasha (Taunt)!!"
"Guani!?"
I taunted one last time, completing my preparation. Using the tree''s flexibility, I jumped high. While airborne, I spotted the crayfish below. As I fell, I spun the axe with the whip and used my weight and fall speed.
"(──Slash!)"
The axe embedded into the crayfish''s face. The recoil made my body bounce slightly, confirming I had shattered the exoskeleton and skull.
''Yes!''
That''s it! WAIT...Ahha uhh!!
But I underestimated the fury-driven persistence. I let my guard down after landing the [Slash], thinking I had won.
"Zaguaaa!"
''What!?''
Despite the axe in its face, the crayfish swung its pincer at me. It must have been preparing a counter or planning to chop down the tree. I wasn''t sure, but it had been charging an attack since I started climbing. The attack, likely using a skill, was much more powerful than its previous ones.
"(Guahhh──)"
The impact launched me into the air. Damn, I didn''t expect a counterattack from that.
''Moreover, the attack pierced my defence and caused critical damage to me.''
[Health: 12/30]
...
>> Jewel Slime has increased its Soul Accumulation Level to 21.
>> Evolution is now possible.
...
Then, a surge of power welled up from deep within me. My status showed my level had increased. It seemed the crayfish''s last-ditch effort was the cause.
''Good, it''s going up.''
[Health: 15...17...19/30]
I relaxed, seeing my health increasing at a constant rate, ending the fight. Though I was still high in the air, this wasn''t as bad as being launched by the giant monster before. I had no fear of injury and landed with a thud.
"Kyahhh!"
''Oops!?''
Someone nearby had seen me fall.