Volume 3 Chapter 33: Gadurot

The pier plaza was scattered with countless huge pits. These pits were actually docks. Unlike the dry docks of land piers, these undersea docks were more similar to automotive repair pits in garages, all sunk below the ground.

Most of these docks were empty. Only one in the center held a somewhat damaged warship. The ship’s design wasn’t Japanese, but resembled a large Western galleon.

The forecastle and sterncastle were partially embedded into the hull. Three thick masts stood on its deck, and many old-fashioned cannons lined both sides of its hull. Its sails had been removed. A large hole in the front nearly shattered half the bow, exposing the inner bulkheads.

With just a glance, Qin Lun discovered its keel was cracked too. No wonder the Phantom Demons had abandoned this ship. Repairing a warship with a broken keel was impossible. The right approach was to salvage any usable timber from it.

Right now, in the center of the pier plaza, powerful winds whipped around as a group fought a large monster fiercely. The distance was still too great for Qin Lun to make out details clearly.

Scattered sandbags and wooden crates lay everywhere around the plaza and docks. Qin Lun lowered his body, using these piled-up sandbags and crates for cover as he slowly crept closer to the central combat zone.

About a hundred meters from the battlefield, Qin Lun dared not advance further. Occasional bursts of fierce wind from the fighting center worried him. He probably couldn’t handle this level of combat, and he could see both sides clearly at this distance anyway. No need to risk getting closer.

At the heart of the battle stood a large monster. It looked like two enormous dogs joined together side-by-side, with two fierce and terrifying dog heads. Its neck bore white boar-like bristles. The twin-headed behemoth stood five meters tall, and from head to rump, excluding the tail, stretched a solid seven meters long.

The creature snarled low, saliva dripping from its massive fangs. Hook-like claws at the tips of its toes were long and sharp, like steel fingertip weapons. It wore iron armor, and special helmets covered both heads. These helmets completely encased the dog faces, not even showing the eyes, and crowned by a steel spike each.

According to the Phantom Demon Rumors Record, this twin-headed dog guarded the Undersea Temple Boss. It was called Gadurot, and in life, it served as two of Oda Nobunaga’s watchdogs.

Seven humans surrounded Gadurot. Among them was a handsome Japanese warrior who strongly resembled one of the Oni Warrior protagonists Lü Kuang had described – Akechi Samanosuke.

Akechi Samanosuke wore crimson armor and wielded an imposing katana. His right hand was clad in a uniquely designed gauntlet. This gauntlet had an eye-like ruby embedded in the wrist guard. Likely, this was the hallmark weapon of the Oni Warrior – the Oni Gauntlet.

Much of the Oni Warrior’s power stemmed from this Oni Gauntlet. After defeating a Phantom Demon, the Oni Gauntlet could absorb its Remnant Soul, instantly restoring the Oni Warrior’s vitality and magical power, and even refining their weapons and armor.

In essence, as long as they avoided being surrounded and overwhelmed, Oni Warriors could sustain themselves through combat within the Phantom Demon World. This made them its strongest individual fighters. Evolved fully, some might even surpass the Phantom Demon King himself.

However, only those acknowledged by the Oni Clan could wield the Oni Gauntlet, bonding it permanently to their Soul. Killing an Oni Warrior wouldn’t grant anyone else the Oni Gauntlet.

Beside Akechi Samanosuke, four Reincarnators fought the twin-headed dog Gadurot. Two were Matthew, the black man, and Yoshida Junko, the young Japanese girl. Their other companion, Jote, lay face-down nearby, alive or dead uncertain. Beside Jote lay two piles of Phantom Demon ashes, specific type unknown. Seemingly, those two demons and Jote perished together.

From the occasional furious shouts drifting his way, Qin Lun recognized the other two Reincarnators. They were the two Veterans he’d encountered in the maze: the tower-like, formidable Reincarnator called Pan Hu, and the handsome, Pan An-esque Reincarnator named Lou Ying.

Unlike Matthew and their unseasoned group, Pan Hu and Lou Ying were true Veteran powerhouses. They’d survived over a dozen Quest Worlds and unlocked their combat professions.

Even with four Reincarnators assisting Akechi Samanosuke, they were still losing ground. The problem wasn’t Gadurot itself, but the two Phantom Demon faction Reincarnators standing protectively close beside the Boss.

This man and woman from the Phantom Demon faction: The man wore mage robes, clearly a Magician. The woman wielded a long halberd axe, indicating she possessed a rare polearm weapon profession.

Their strength rivaled Pan Hu and Lo Ying’s. The battle was currently deadlocked. Frankly, purely in terms of combat strength, the Oni faction held the edge.

If neither side had Reincarnator assistance, Akechi Samanosuke alone could likely have finished Gadurot.

The twin-headed dog was powerful enough – one head breathed fire, the other spat frost. Yet its size slowed its movements. Its underbelly and hindquarters lacked armored protection, making them prime targets for the agile Akechi Samanosuke to exploit.

But with two Phantom Demon faction Veterans added into the mix, the dynamic changed completely. The Magician and the Axe Halberd Woman effectively shielded Gadurot’s weak spots. Now, not even Pan Hu or Lou Ying dared dart under its belly, and even Akechi Samanosuke hesitated taking such risks.

They had tried splitting their forces to circle and attack Gadurot’s rear. If they sent too few, they were no match for the Magician and Axe Halberd Woman. If they sent more, Gadurot would pivot. Even though it turned slowly, the Magician and Axe Halberd Woman’s delaying tactics bought ample time.

If the Oni faction Reincarnators focused on eliminating the Magician and Axe Halberd Woman first, the pair would retreat, fighting only defensively using Gadurot as their bulwark. The armored twin-headed beast served as the perfect shield, its massive bulk protecting them solidly.

The fight had lasted nearly half an hour. Not only were the Oni faction Reincarnators frustrated, even Akechi Samanosuke felt immensely annoyed.

Gadurot, however, grew more energized by the minute. Abandoned long ago in the Undersea Temple, no one had played this fighting game with it for ages. Its armor might be dented, but it had barely suffered even minor wounds. As a Phantom Demon Boss, its self-healing ability was formidable.

Akechi Samanosuke and the four Oni faction Reincarnators, however, grew progressively exhausted as time passed. Gadurot’s ice and fire breath attacks were potent. Though relatively slow, occasional grazes were unavoidable. Multiple minor injuries stacked up could push things into a qualitative change.

Crucially, the Phantom Demon faction held home advantage in the Undersea Temple. The Magician and Axe Halberd Woman’s restorative supplies were barely tapped. In stark contrast, the Oni faction group had fought their way here. Even if the Undersea Temple guards were few, their overall consumption far outstripped the Phantom Demon pair’s.

“What now?” Lou Ying shot a glance at his companions, asking over the Team Channel.

“Either retreat, find the leader, give up on killing Gadurot’s reward, or… use that thing,” Pan Hu’s burly face grew serious. “Gadurot’s armor is heavily damaged too. It shouldn’t withstand that kind of power!”

“If we use it, I’ll be pretty much out of the fight. Akechi Samanosuke killing Gadurot is no problem, but the other Reincarnator pair…” Lou Ying hesitated.

“Humph! Relax! They are strong, fine. But I’m a Tier One MT. Holding them off won’t be an issue. As long as Akechi Samanosuke finishes Gadurot quickly, they can’t make big waves!” A cold gleam flashed in Pan Hu’s eyes. “It’s those other two half-measures I don’t trust at all!”

After a hushed discussion, Lou Ying and Pan Hu fixed their resolve. They’d endured immense hardship just locating the Undersea Temple Boss Gadurot, even delaying progress on another major quest chain. Retreating now felt unbearable.

Though Gadurot wasn’t the main quest objective, it linked to a hidden storyline. Moreover, slaying any Phantom Demon Boss would grant the Oni Clan Reincarnators massive reputation points. These points could be exchanged at the Demon-Breaking Mirror for valuable, special treasures.

“Circle around its back again. I’ll get Akechi Samanosuke to back you up!” Pan Hu’s eyes darted decisively. He signaled Matthew and Yoshida Junko.

Matthew and Yoshida Junko didn’t hesitate. Immediately, they began circling behind Gadurot. They didn’t notice Akechi Samanosuke didn’t follow close behind like he used to. They were the weakest among these Reincarnators and had carried out similar maneuvers before, completely unsuspecting Pan Hu’s ulterior motive.

Once Gadurot blocked their view, Pan Hu gave Lou Ying a meaningful nod.

Lou Ying took a deep breath. He leaped out of the battle ring. From his Storage Space, he retrieved an ancient bronze mirror. Ancient-sounding incantations began spilling from his lips.

Its frame was carved with two small dragons. Their mouths joined at the mirror’s apex, clutching a tiny pearl like dragons playing with a treasure. As Lou Ying softly chanted, the little pearl suddenly brightened. Instantly, the entire mirror glowed, radiating an aura of majestic, golden authority.

From the mirror’s center, thick clouds abruptly coalesced. Wind swirled and thunder abruptly shook the air within. Two Gold dragons flickered amidst the turbulent clouds, twisting and turning, seemingly poised to break free from its surface.

Snap! Crackle! Fizz!

Unnoticed above, an equally massive black cloud had gathered over the plaza. Small lightning bolts snapped and crackled near the combatant’s heads – a clear prelude to an impending storm.

“Incoming! Retreat!” The Phantom Demon faction’s Magician looked up, paling instantly.

Relying entirely on Gadurot as a shield came with one critical weakness: limited field of view. Matthew and Yoshida Junko’s momentary distraction during their maneuver had stolen vital seconds needed to stop Lou Ying unleashing this powerful artifact.

Gadurot sensed peril. Its massive bulk lowered instinctively. Both dog heads tucked downward, forcing the spiked helmets towards Lou Ying.

Roaarrrr! Just as tension choked the air, a blinding flash burst from the bronze mirror in Lou Ying’s hands. The twin dragons inside its reflection roared a thunderous battle cry.