The black liquid steam and Judy's Chaos Missile collided directly.
“Boom.”
An explosion rang out.
Eric quickly pulled up his cloak, using the leather cloak to shield himself.
After a brief impact, what Eric heard was the sound of his cloak being corroded with a hissing noise, and the white vapor rising from the ground.
“Acid—acid—is this Acid Breath?!”
Eric quickly covered his mouth and nose, then looked at the Hydra Lizard.
At this moment, one head of the Hydra Lizard was continuously spraying acid onto its body, while another head looked at Eric.
It was the first time Eric had met the Hydra Lizard’s gaze.
Those vertical beast pupils, the acidic mist steaming from its nostrils, and a faint, subtle deterrent ripple emanating from its body.
Dragon!
For some reason, at this moment, the first thing Eric thought of was a Dragon.
The feeling this Hydra Lizard gave Eric was as if it reminded him of some ancient memory, a deep fear left in his ancestors' genes.
This memory clearly told Eric that this was the aura of a Dragon.
Dragon.
Black, Acid Breath.
Damn it, this Hydra Lizard had at least devoured or bathed in Black Dragon blood.
Eric finally understood.
And the head Eric had just severed had now grown back again, according to the Hydra Lizard's rules.
One head cut off, two grow back.
Now, the Hydra Lizard had a total of 8 heads.
Eric didn't think much, he infused magic into his Wind Wolf Boots, turned around, and ran towards Judy and Margaret.
The Hydra Lizard ignored Eric.
Its primary target now was the girl who had emitted the black orb; its instinct told it that the strange energy within that orb was its greatest threat.
Ignoring the attempt to draw aggro.
Eric's speed was extreme.
He quickly darted to Judy's side.
Judy was unharmed, but Margaret, beside her, had her entire backpack, even her bones, exposed, and white smoke was still rising from her body.
“Eric, Margaret helped me block the acid just now.”
Judy tearfully told Eric.
Eric nodded, he lifted Margaret, placing her abdomen on his neck, while he himself grabbed Margaret's arms and legs.
This posture was like carrying a sack of cement.
But there was no time to worry about appearances now.
“Judy, get on.” Eric looked at Judy again.
Judy directly wrapped her arms around Eric's neck in front of him, locking her legs around his waist, securing herself onto Eric.
The roar of the Hydra Lizard came from behind them.
Eric glanced at the moonlight; from the moment he expended all his magic with the Three-Stage Chop until now, it had only been about a minute, and his internal magic had already fully recovered.
What a shame for such a good night.
Eric sighed in his heart.
Infusing magic into the Wind Wolf Boots without restraint, Eric, carrying the two, widened the distance from the Hydra Lizard.
—
Margaret was severely injured.
From her back all the way to her calves, it was all viscous liquid where flesh had been dissolved.
Eric cut away all the parts contaminated by the strong acid, then poured healing potions and used his innate skill.
【Silver Dew Blessing (Talent)】
This skill usually only slightly restored injuries.
But today was the 16th full moon, and the effect of injury recovery was exceptionally good.
Even so, from internal organ repair to muscle growth and then to skin regeneration, it still used up 30 bottles of healing potion, 12 bottles of blood-boosting potion, and 68 bottles of nutrient potion.
Judy's small satchel almost couldn't hold any more.
It lasted for three hours.
This was also under the condition that Eric's magic power was continuously supplied.
After the treatment, Eric draped his cloak over Margaret.
Judy asked nervously from the side:
“How is Margaret? Why hasn't she woken up yet?”
Eric slumped against a tree; three hours of controlling magic had made him feel exceptionally tired.
“It’s nothing, her brain needs a while to react.”
Even if Margaret were awake, the severe pain from treating her injuries just now would make her wish she were dead.
Fainting was actually a good thing for her.
A figure quietly landed beside the three.
“Now, do you still say there's no danger?”
“Uncle Atai’er.”
Judy excitedly threw herself into Atai’er's embrace.
Atai’er stroked Judy’s head.
The person who landed was Atai’er; he had disappeared since encountering the Mad Frogmen in the afternoon.
Now that the three had failed, he returned to their side.
Eric recalled the scene when they set off.
At that time, he had indeed told Atai’er that there was no danger in this mission.
Eric's lips curled into a slight smile, and he said:
“There’s no danger, aren't we all alive?”
Atai’er smiled again after a long time, gently rubbing Judy's hair, and said:
“Being able to survive is better than anything.”
Eric nodded.
The Hydra Lizard was not an obscure monster.
Its formidable reputation was such that even an army of thousands would turn pale upon hearing of it.
Its almost immortal regeneration ability and insatiable desire to devour.
Eric estimated that if there were a monster manual here, the Hydra Lizard's challenge rating would be at least Hero Level 8.
And Eric was currently a Level 4 Ranger.
Margaret was at most a Level 3 Knight.
Judy was a bit higher level, looking like a Level 6 Witch, almost Level 7, about to break through to a 4th-tier Witch and learn fourth-tier spells.
These three people challenging a Level 8 Hydra Lizard, and a Hydra Lizard modified by a Black Dragon at that.
And, the three almost succeeded.
To have achieved this much was already excellent.
“So itchy.”
A soft voice came out.
Margaret slowly propped herself up, and as soon as she opened her eyes, she reached out her arm to scratch her back.
“The newly grown skin is still very tender, be careful not to scratch it open and get an infection.”
Eric reminded her.
Judy also quickly rushed to Margaret's side, re-draping the slightly slipping cloak over Margaret.
Margaret instantly woke up, quickly withdrew her arm, and only then realized she was almost only wearing a cloak.
Shrinking into the cloak, Margaret looked at the three people in front of her.
“Now, what are you going to do?”
Atai’er asked.
He didn't offer any suggestions.
Nor did he hint at any choices.
Judy and Margaret remained silent, almost simultaneously looking at Eric.
Eric pondered for a moment, then said:
“Tonight, my abilities are more than five times what they usually are, and even tonight we failed, so—”
Margaret and Judy looked at each other.
There was a hint of disappointment in both their eyes.
Especially Margaret; this was her first adventure in this world, hoping to survive on her own abilities, but she didn't expect to fail on her very first mission.
Thinking of this, Margaret couldn't help but fall into deep self-doubt.
Tears almost welled up in her eyes.
“So—teacher, teach us to become stronger.”
Eric said again.
Margaret's tears were immediately cut off.
She looked at Atai’er, wondering if this was acceptable?
Atai’er, however, smiled slightly and said:
“Yes, I will teach you to become stronger.”
“Just right, you all lack protective gear, and the Hydra Lizard's hide is excellent material for protective gear.”
“If you succeed, I will help each of you make a set.”
It was clear that Atai’er was very satisfied with Eric's choice.