Chapter Sixty: The Forced Entry of the Boss Battle

"What... is that!"
Although they'd prepared themselves mentally, when the massive shadow finally revealed its true form before them, Eluca and her companions could not help but gape in astonishment. Before their eyes stood a creature many times larger than the pumpkin dolls they'd encountered earlier. Unlike those half-human-sized decorations that resembled Halloween ornaments, this looming figure towered above them, easily as tall as two or three people. Its appearance was much like those pumpkin dolls, save for the pointed wizard's hat that had been replaced by a gleaming golden crown. This enormous Pumpkin King nearly blocked the entire mine shaft, and around it, burning blue flames sealed off every possible path.

"This is..."
Staring at the terrifying monster, the three sisters were struck speechless. At that moment, Feiren's voice sounded in their ears.

"Enough! Now's not the time to collapse in fear—I need your help. Pull yourselves together, or you'll really end up toasted like bread in here."

The three were startled by Feiren's words. Eluca knit her brows and asked, "Commander, what do you need us to do?"

"Corona," Feiren replied, keeping his gaze fixed on the giant pumpkin monster as it slowly approached, swinging its lantern. "I need you to use your abilities and investigate this creature."

"Eh?" Corona was clearly surprised. "But my abilities don't really work on familiars, Commander... And what am I supposed to look for?"

"Anything. Find the strangest thing about it and then tell me. Clarice, Eluca, your job is to protect Corona. Understood? Delin and I will try to keep this thing busy..."

He turned to them with a smile. "Just so you know, Delin and I can escape even if we can't win—but you might end up as Mariana roast turkey. If you don't want me coming back to dissect your corpses, then do your best to survive... Good luck."

With those words, Feiren smiled and nodded to the three, then dashed toward the Pumpkin King. Delin leapt from Feiren's shoulder and followed, launching herself at the enemy.

"Wa-ha-ha-ha!"

Seeing this, the Pumpkin King let out a booming laugh, suddenly raising its lantern and shaking it violently in the air. Instantly, dozens of fireballs appeared, densely packed and raining down upon their targets.

"Delin, shield!"

"Meow!"

At Feiren's command, the black cat let out a sharp cry. Blue beams of light quickly unfolded around Feiren and the three sisters, transforming into multi-faceted transparent barriers enveloping them. At that very moment, the barrage of fireballs crashed down around them.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
With a series of explosions, the overwhelming flames engulfed them. Previously, they could have dodged such an attack, but now, with every path blocked, their only option was to withstand it head-on.

Scorching flames battered the barrier before Feiren like crashing waves. Even with Delin's protective shield, he could still feel the intense heat—the Pumpkin King seemed to bear quite a grudge.

"I've always hated forced, inescapable boss fights," he muttered, lowering his stance and charging toward the Pumpkin King. Sensing his advance, the giant pumpkin creature shrieked again, raising its lantern. A fresh cascade of blue flames appeared, twisting into serpentine fire, lunging at Feiren.

Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
The fiery serpents seemed alive, darting from all directions. Facing the Pumpkin King's assault, Feiren's lips curled into a slight smile. Gripping his scalpel tightly, he darted forward, weaving through the gaps between the fire snakes like a phantom. The blade, sharp as reality itself, sliced through the writhing flames, leaving behind fragmented remnants of fire. Meanwhile, Delin leapt from the other side, nimbly landing back on Feiren's shoulder. Above the black cat's head, a flash of mysterious azure runes appeared, and several icicles shot forward like arrows, shattering the remaining fire snakes.

Witnessing this surreal battle, Eluca and her companions held their breath.

This was the power of familiars—fantasy, magic, whatever one called it. The force they wielded transcended human understanding, a power seen only in myth and legend.

But Corona did not freeze like her sisters. Instead, she shut her eyes tightly, straining to use her abilities to probe and sense every aspect of the giant pumpkin creature. For Corona, this was an unfamiliar experience—her first time actively applying her abilities to a familiar, an existence beyond imagination and rare in everyday life.

"I see it..."
Muttering to herself, Corona clenched her fists. She sensed three sources of light before her, each a different color. One was red, like a blazing furnace—surely their enemy. Beside it, two smaller points of light engaged in battle, clearly Feiren and Delin. But that was not enough; she had to press further...

Boom!
Another blast sent a shockwave hurtling through the air. Eluca and Clarice clung tight to Corona, sheltering her from the explosion. Thankfully, Delin's shields had protected them; otherwise, the blast might have spelled death or injury. Even so, they were battered and disheveled.

Where is it... Where is it...?
The sounds of battle and explosion echoed in her ears, and Corona was nearly in tears. She had no idea how to search a familiar. She'd tried hard, but familiars were utterly unlike anything she'd encountered before, and so, despite her efforts, progress was slow. What weakness or trait did this giant fireball possess...?

Whoosh!
The fiery serpent rose again, lunging at Feiren. This time, Feiren sprang off the wall, flipping to avoid the Pumpkin King's attack. Squinting, he studied the massive familiar, gripping his scalpel and pressing forward.

Now, a dark hue began to bloom along the silvery blade.

Oblivion Blade—activate.

The silver edge swung down. Accompanied by Feiren's motion, an almost imperceptible black line sliced from top to bottom, cleaving both the fire serpent and the enormous pumpkin monster in two. Even the wall and ground behind the Pumpkin King were split. Yet, in the next instant, the divided Pumpkin King let out a shriek, and its severed body rejoined, restoring itself.

But that moment was enough for Corona.

"I found it!"
Corona opened her eyes, locking her gaze on the monster.

"Commander, there's something strange about its lantern!"