TYBMB 44

Chapter 44

 Take Better Care of Yourself

At my words, Karl jumped back from the boulder in alarm.

Then, in a cautious voice, he asked me,
“Are you saying… that huge thing isn’t just a rock, but a monster?”

“Yeah. The sun’s going down, so it’ll wake up and start moving any minute now.”

After explaining, I turned to the captain.
“As you can see, it’s a rock-type monster. Its body is solid, so normal attacks won’t do much. Once it starts moving, it’ll be even more troublesome.”

“If we can finish it while it’s still asleep, that’d be best.”

“I have a method in mind.”

Back before my regression, when I first faced this monster, I’d used the “rapid heat and freeze” method—
the captain heated the monster to its limit with his ability, and then I cooled it down in an instant, shattering its hard, stone body.

But that method had one flaw.

The monster would often wake during the heating process and thrash around, making it nearly impossible to concentrate enough heat.

So this time, we needed an improved plan.

“Elma, how many times can you use your ability right now?”

“About twice. Ah—are you thinking of having me lift the monster high into the air and drop it?”

“No. Something that size would take too much mana to lift. That won’t work.”

When Elma moved objects with her ability, the heavier and larger they were, the more mana it consumed.
There was no way she could suspend something this massive in midair.

But that didn’t mean her power was useless.

I pointed at three jutting rocks nearby.
“See those three boulders? I want you to wedge the monster between them. Lifting it sky-high is impossible, but shifting it slightly should be within your ability.”

“Yes, I think I can do that. And after that?”

I turned to the captain.
“Once Elma pins the monster, it won’t be able to move. While it’s trapped, Captain, I’d like you to heat it as much as possible.”

“Then after I heat it, you’ll freeze it to destroy it?”

“Yes. That should crack it open.”

The captain nodded. “It’s a sound plan. Truthfully, I don’t see any better option.”

That was the same way we’d defeated it before my regression.
The difference now was that we’d make sure to pin it first, unlike last time, when it had been too hard to keep it still long enough to heat properly.

“Karl,” I instructed, “watch us closely. If either the captain or I look like we’re about to collapse from mana exhaustion, use your ability to restore us. And Elma—can you do this? Your role is the most important.”

Elma nodded solemnly.
“It won’t be easy, but I’ll do it. No—I’ll succeed.”

With determined confidence, she approached the still-sleeping monster.

We had to act quickly before it awoke. She placed her hand on its body and activated her ability.

Karl’s excited shout rang out,
“She did it!”

Just as he said, Elma succeeded in sliding the monster into place between the rocks.

The shift finally woke it.
From its rocky torso, four stone legs and a head pushed out.

A turtle-shaped monster lifted its head high and looked around.

Ku-ru-ru-ruk?

It tried to understand the situation, then spotted us and let out a thunderous roar.
But pinned between three boulders, it couldn’t come any closer no matter how it flailed its stubby legs.

I signaled to the captain.
“Captain.”

“Got it. You prepare as well.”

He immediately unleashed his power, flames concentrating on the monster’s head.

The captain knew exactly how to use his ability effectively.
By focusing the fire solely on the head, the monster had no choice but to scream in agony.

Kr-r-r-r-r…!!!

I gathered my strength, waiting for its head to be heated enough.

I couldn’t strike too early.
I needed to wait until it was at the perfect temperature—then unleash my coldest strike all at once.

But just then—

Kwa-duk! A cracking noise split the air, and Karl cried out,
“The monster’s breaking free!”

I looked to the side and saw it was true.
It was smashing its bulk against one of the three rocks pinning it, shattering it apart.

If it destroyed that rock, it would regain its freedom.

I prayed the stone would hold, but my wish was futile.

Kwa-duuk—!

With a sickening crunch, one boulder broke, and the monster forced its way out, charging straight at us—
more precisely, at the captain, who was still pouring fire onto it.

I shouted quickly,
“I’ll take it from here!”

The monster’s head was already glowing red-hot. That meant it was ready.

The captain cut off his flames, and I instantly unleashed concentrated cold straight at the monster’s head.

Shhhhhh—

The icy blast struck true.

If it had only been cold, it wouldn’t have been enough.
But against stone already overheated and weakened, the freezing was lethal.

Jj-zz-zz-ck!

A sharp crack spread across its rock-hard skull.

The monster froze mid-charge, seemingly unaware that its head was fracturing.

I called out,
“I’ll finish it.”

“Wait—I’ll do it. It’s too dangerous.”

“But I’m the only one who can. Only I can freeze that overheated head completely.”

With that, I kicked off the ground and leapt high into the air.

I twisted midair and landed squarely on its back.

Kr-r-r-r!!

It roared, head cracked and staggering.

I raised my sword, filled it with chilling energy, and drove it into the split in its skull.
Then, through the blade, I poured every last drop of cold I had.

Jj-zzzz-zz-ck—!!

Its head exploded almost instantly.
The overheated stone couldn’t withstand the sudden, brutal cold, and shards flew everywhere.

“Yulia!” the captain bellowed.

He thought I’d been struck, but fortunately the shards only grazed my cheek.

“Haa…”

Exhaling a shaky breath, I climbed down from the corpse. My comrades rushed over.

“Vice-captain, are you all right?” Elma asked first, anxiously checking me.

Karl hurried over.
“You’re bleeding on your cheek. I’ll heal you right away.”

A shallow cut had formed where the shard grazed me.
I wiped the blood off roughly with the back of my hand and shook my head.

“It’s fine. Don’t waste mana on such a scratch. It’s nothing—”

“No.”

The captain cut me off.

He stepped closer, placed a large hand carefully on my face, and examined the wound with uncharacteristic intensity.

His eyes were harder than usual.

“You’ll receive proper treatment.”

“But for such a small cut, there’s no need…”

“You really don’t know how to take care of yourself, do you?” His voice carried quiet sternness.

“If Elma or Karl had a wound on their face, would you also tell them not to waste mana?”

“…No.”

“Then value yourself as much as you value others.”

I had no retort.
Meekly, I let Karl heal the cut. The sting faded instantly.

The captain leaned closer again, checking my now-healed cheek.
“No other injuries? Don’t even think of hiding them.”

“It was only that scratch. I’m fine now.”

“Even if you say that, it’s hard to believe. You’re the type who hides your pain even when gravely injured.”

He scolded me lightly as his thumb brushed the spot where the wound had been.

For some reason, it felt both embarrassing and ticklish, so I quickly stepped away.

“We should prepare camp now, right?”

“…Yes. It’s already dark. We can’t descend the mountain tonight.”

The captain slowly lowered his hand. Then he gave orders.
“Elma, Karl—set out the bedrolls. The vice-captain and I will hunt some meat for supper.”