# Chapter 6: Battle Rhythm
# Chapter 6: Battle Rhythm
The party accepted a request to hunt down a massive magical beast — and now they're in the thick of it.
"I'm not just here to be protected, y'know!
**>>> Arc Bolt <<<**"
Crackling blue-white lightning wrapped around both of Akebi's magic staffs as he drove them down with everything he had, straight into the beast's legs.
The shock of the discharge froze the monster in place.
"Got it! NOW, Enaga!!"
"Heheheh, eat my strongest attack, you overgrown lizard!!!!
**>>>>>>>> GIGA DIVOID <<<<<<<<**"
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**Field Magical Beast Zarambaran — Subjugation Complete**
**Reward: 25,000 Gold Obtained**
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**Defense... or Offense? Hard to Tell**
The monster's counterattack ripped out in every direction, and Enaga scrambled to throw up a barrier.
"Tch, THIS should hold it back!!
**>>> Barrier Dome <<<**"
A translucent golden sphere wrapped around the two of them just as the monster's attack slammed against the outside — but the temperature inside the dome shot up almost instantly.
"Ah, it's HOT! Enaga! You ARE protecting me, right!? Or are you trying to steam me alive!?"
"Would you SHUT UP! My mana's just too pure, okay, it generates heat! Suck it up!!"
The monster's attack finally shattered the barrier.
"WAAAAAH!!"
"HAAAAAAH!!"
Akebi threw himself in the way, and the beast's attack screeched to a halt bare inches above Enaga's head.
"...Thanks."
"**>>>> RRRRAAAAAAAAAAGH!!! <<<<**
**>>>>> Ex Ignition <<<<<**"
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**Field Monster Dakanabaga — Subjugation Complete**
**Reward: 30,000 Gold Obtained**
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**Monster**
"GRRRROOOOOOAAAAAH!!"
The beast's massive foreleg came crashing down on Akebi — no room left to run!
"H-hiiiieee!! ...But I'm not losing to this thing!!
**>>> Shadow Step <<<**"
The instant before the foreleg hit, Akebi vanished, leaving nothing but an afterimage inches away from the impact point. As the monster reeled in confusion, Akebi had already slipped into the space right beneath its enormous body.
"That's why... I'm taking you down first!!"
Gripped tight in both hands were the two magic staffs his family had given him.
Every last drop of his mana poured into them, fueled by sheer stubborn will to survive.
*The wooden staffs.*
*CRACKLE... CRACKLE-CRACKLE-CRACK!!*
The wood screamed under the strain of the mana it couldn't hold, wrapping itself in searing blue-white lightning.
Akebi locked his eyes on one soft point on the monster's underbelly and drove the staff upward with everything he had.
**">>> Arc Bolt <<<**
**>>>>>>>> BA-BOOOOOOM!! <<<<<<<<**"
The impact of the strike collided with an explosive burst of electricity at point-blank range!
The beast's massive body arched violently, wracked by the shock of being scorched from the inside out.
"YESSS!! ...huh? Wait."
Looking down, Akebi noticed a single crack had run through the grip of his precious magic staff.
---
**Monster Rizarua — Subjugation Complete**
**Reward: 60,000 Gold Obtained**
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The reward money's been steadily climbing.
o/
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**Author's Note:** The black bird's been quietly watching over them this whole time, by the way.
