I Have a Task Log

Chapter 294: Chapter 293: The Ritual of Exorcism

WHOOSH! RATTLE RATTLE...

Four iron chains whipped out from both sides, striking toward Colin like four pythons as he was Casting.

Kase and Orelia sprang forward. One held a Giant Axe, the other a Shield, and they blocked the whipping chains. The countless Sharp barbs on the links slammed against the axe and Shield, sending blinding sparks flying.

At that very moment, Colin finished his Casting.

Shatter!

First came a sharp whine, followed immediately by the crisp clang of metal on metal, ringing out again and again.

The iron chains and the wooden racks they hung from began to explode from the inside out. Soon, they were nothing but a pile of shattered iron and wood splinters on the floor. Even the corner of the Chain Demon’s mouth began to ooze a foul, viscous blood. ’As for the one who was being tortured... better not to think about it.’

Colin focused, pushing the thought from his mind.

’A Chain Demon can only control a maximum of four iron chains at once.’

’These chains are much tougher than normal ones. They’re also immune to the Thunder Damage from Shatter, but they can still be destroyed by direct attacks.’

’Furthermore, that last Shatter destroyed all the chains on the racks, essentially wiping out the Demon’s reserves.’

’Then again, how did an Interrogator-type like a Chain Demon manage to infiltrate this Monastery?’

*I see doubt in your eyes, and doubt... is fear.*

Just as Colin was pondering this, a hoarse voice rang directly in his mind, just like the Sending spell.

’It must be the Chain Demon speaking.’

Just as Colin prepared to Cast another Spell, the lids of two sarcophagi beside him suddenly flew off, shattering on the ground.

Countless fragments of red and white flesh splattered everywhere, turning Colin’s stomach.

Then, a figure charged out from the midst of the bloody, dusty haze.

Colin’s gaze immediately locked onto the large, long-handled cleaver in the figure’s hands.

As the opponent closed in, Colin planted his feet, stood his ground, and raised his sword, catching the incoming cleaver at a perfect angle.

Even so, the enemy’s immense Power sent a jarring numbness through his palm.

Waves of rot and blood assaulted his nostrils, making his eyes and nose run uncontrollably.

Fighting back his nausea, Colin deflected his opponent’s weapon. The Long-Handled Blade then CRASHED to the ground.

Colin twisted his wrist and slashed at the enemy’s own.

Just as his blade struck home, he felt a horrific impact high on his chest, near his neck.

They broke apart in an instant.

As the blood mist slowly dissipated, Colin got a good look at his opponent.

It was a purple-skinned humanoid with a thick, stubby, fleshy tail.

It had pointed, Elf-like ears and a full beard—only the beard was composed of spiky tentacles. That was what had struck Colin in the chest.

The creature clutched a Long-Handled Cleaver and wore coppery Wrist Guards and Leg Guards, along with a tattered loincloth.

Colin’s previous slash had landed squarely on the creature’s forearm, leaving a gash that oozed black slime.

A Beard Demon.

’They’re the mainstay infantry of the Demons. Many of the frontline legions are composed of this type of Demon.’

’Their spiked beards are coated in a toxin that weakens mortals, making them incredibly tough opponents... Don’t tell me I was just hit by its beard?’

Colin tried to check the spot where he’d been hit, but he couldn’t see a thing past his Helmet.

’Thankfully, I drank an Antidote beforehand. I should be fine.’

"Ugh... argh..." "Kill..."

A series of strange, muffled shouts, like someone yelling through a mask, came from behind him.

It was followed by the clang of armor. ’That must be Battier and Morne dealing with the enemies who rushed in through the small door.’

Colin glanced to his side.

Orelia was holding off the chains on his side.

On the other side, Kase, who had entered a Frenzy, was locked in combat with another Beard Demon.

The Half-Orc had ensnared his opponent with a Capture Net and was now fighting it with his Giant Axe. The Beard Demon was immediately put on the defensive, but the chains controlled by the Chain Demon were also causing Kase a lot of trouble.

’He was essentially fighting one against three!’

Meanwhile, Ale, positioned in the rear, repeatedly cast Magic at the Activated Iron Chains. But since the chains were so nimble and small, she was having little success.

’That Beard Demon is no match for Kase on its own,’ Colin thought. ’The real problem is the Chain Demon controlling the chains from afar.’

WHOOSH!

A rush of air signaled another attack, and Colin swung his sword to parry the Beard Demon’s strike.

He quickly grabbed a glass bottle from his belt and hurled it at the distant Chain Demon. With a sharp CRACK, a cloud of Purple Mushroom spores burst from the shattered glass, instantly filling the back of the crypt.

Seeing this, the others quickly did the same.

Four glass bottles landed in the back of the crypt. The area where the Chain Demon stood was instantly obscured, the spreading mist completely swallowing the Demon’s form.

The chains it controlled immediately lost all coordination, flailing wildly like headless pythons.

’We have to thin their ranks to gain an advantage,’ Colin thought. ’And those chains are definitely easier to destroy than the Beard Demon.’

He immediately feinted a charge.

The Beard Demon opposite him quickly raised its weapon defensively, but Colin suddenly spun around and charged toward Orelia.

As Colin finished Casting the Spell, the moment the radiant energy from Radiant Sword enveloped his blade, he slashed at the chain in front of him.

Golden sparks erupted from the writhing chain, followed by a small spray of crimson mist.

CLANG!

Just as Colin was about to press his attack, he felt a heavy blow to the back of his neck. The Chain Armor Plates protecting it rattled softly.

Immediately after, a sharp, prickling pain spread across Colin’s scalp, as if he were being stabbed by countless fine needles. A numbness spread through his body, so profound he couldn’t even move his fingers.

’Dammit, is that Beard Demon really that strong?’

Colin cursed inwardly.

Beside him, Orelia swung her Nail Head Hammer and smashed another Activated Iron Chain.

With that done, she spun and charged, ramming her Kite Shield into the Beard Demon behind Colin just as it was preparing to strike again.

Colin quickly fumbled for a Healing Potion, shoved it under his Helmet, and downed it in one gulp.

As he felt his strength return, he cast Radiant Sword again, severing the chain in front of him with a single slash and leaving his blade wreathed in radiant energy.

He glanced back.

The Beard Demon had just kicked the Shield, sending Orelia flying.

After knocking her back, the creature let out a loud cry in the harsh Infernal tongue, shouting words Colin couldn’t understand.

"Finish them, quickly!"

Colin shouted as well, lunging forward and running his sword through the Beard Demon’s side.

At the same time, its mace-like beard struck him on the shoulder.

With a sickening CRACK, Colin felt a wave of weakness radiate from his shoulder through his entire body. But thanks to the Antidote, he shook his arm, and the weakness quickly faded as it worked its way through his system.

Just then, Orelia scrambled to her feet and charged forward again.

Colin quickly took a step back, seizing the opportunity to begin Casting.

’Most Demons are resistant to Magic, so a simple spell would be unlikely to work. I have to reduce its resistance with my Sword Dance Specialty first.’

As he chanted the words of the Spell, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter began to form!