Chapter 66: Hey! Squid!

【Detected intense emotional fluctuation.】

Clara’s emotional turmoil wasn’t just from the fear of facing a formidable enemy—it was the guilt and anger from failing to protect her sister.

It had nothing to do with her identity as a hero; she simply couldn’t forgive the witch, nor could she forgive her own incompetence.

But relying solely on anger to defeat the witch was clearly wishful thinking…

“The wand’s attack rhythm is too slow. Nyx, switch my weapon.”

【Switching to gauntlets.】

“No, make it a bit longer.”

Every inch shorter meant more risk. Although the power gauntlets were devastating, as weapons they still carried inherent dangers.

【Designing new weapon.】

【Data upgrade complete: Ink-Stained Staff: Spear Mode… done.】

The Ink-Stained Staff’s shaft extended, and the squid gemstone at its tip sharpened to a squid-like point. Its stretched tentacles resembled sharp needles, transforming the staff into an ornate spear taller than Clara herself.

“…Ugh, I can’t handle this.”

If it were a sword or blade, swinging it around would be easier, but a spear? No matter how long, it was never a weapon to just pick up and use—especially one this big…

【No need to worry. The spear techniques have already been taught to your combat body.】

Clara had never trained with a spear, but it was as if the necessary knowledge had been implanted. This squid spear felt weightless, and its complementary spear skills suddenly became second nature.

Nyx didn’t just learn quickly—Nyx could teach her what it learned.

Though “teach” wasn’t quite right.

These techniques weren’t simply brute-forced into her mind; they were truly comprehended and integrated…

【That’s the effect of the combat body. While you’ll forget if it’s deactivated, long-term use will turn these skills into your own.】

Nyx could not only extract others’ data and abilities but also replicate their experiences. Its danger was obvious. What exactly was the World Tree’s technology researching?

But for now, that didn’t matter…

“Squid wielding a spear… this actually suits me.”

Clara pointed the spear tip straight at the witch.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s begin.”

The witch hadn’t moved while Clara prepared but now smiled widely.

However, it was a terrifying grin stretching from ear to ear, as if mocking Clara’s arrogance.

【Directly behind.】

Thanks to Nyx’s warning, Clara sidestepped just in time, dodging a black needle thrust from the shadow.

Other heroes struggled with attacks from blind spots, often suffering heavy injuries.

But Clara, strictly speaking, was never alone—Nyx constantly monitored surrounding dangers, allowing her to evade the black needle’s surprise strike.

While the witch was shocked her ambush had failed, Clara already had her spear plunged into one of the witch’s cores—she could still see the glowing points acting as the core.

“Hmph!”

The witch snorted coldly and raised a black needle in front of her to block the squid spear.

Clara didn’t stop attacking; using the momentum, she spun in place to sweep with the spear, resulting in another sharp clang.

The witch’s defense was flawless. Clara’s palm tingled painfully from the impact, but she couldn’t afford to relax.

【Underfoot.】

Flipping and rolling, a two-meter-long needle suddenly burst from the ground where Clara had stood—but that wasn’t all…

【Don’t stop.】

Clara kept rolling on the ground, dodging the continuously emerging black needles.

【Move away from the shade.】

Following Nyx’s orders, Clara pushed off the ground, narrowly escaping the incoming needle and moving away from the dangerous shadow.

This witch’s power was tricky.

Any cluster of shadows became her weapon, making everywhere dangerous—especially right underfoot, and…

Clara glanced down at her fluffy, smooth skirt. Could the witch use beneath her skirt as a launching point?

If so, there was no reason the witch wouldn’t summon black needles from under her skirt to pierce her.

If not, then the condition to use the magic was…

Clara hesitated a moment, then dashed toward the tree she’d just left, hiding behind its trunk as the black needles chased her…

【Both sides.】

As expected, black needles shot out from both sides of the tree trunk.

Clara dropped into a crouch to dodge.

The witch approached too, and Clara seized the moment and distance, raising her spear to stab at the witch’s shoulder blades at close range.

Hit!

The spear tip pierced deeply into the witch’s left shoulder.

Tentacles beneath the tip whipped around, stabbing the witch repeatedly.

Multiple holes appeared, some even bleeding—but none hit the core.

And as soon as Clara pulled the spear out, the wounds visibly healed.

Still, Clara had confirmed something, and she ducked back behind the tree.

“I think I know the condition for her ability.”

She didn’t explain to Nyx.

She knew Nyx would search for the answer inside her mind.

“Nyx, execute the plan.”

【Acknowledged. Nyx will take over part of the combat body to assist.】

Clara felt a little more confident.

She dashed out from cover, black needles bursting from shadows as they chased her until she reached the sunlight.

Though some needles were predicted in advance, Nyx always detected them early, allowing Clara to avoid fatal strikes.

Like dancing on the edge of a blade, every move was a gamble—but Nyx’s presence let her make the right choice every time.

The black needles were always a step behind, so as long as she kept moving, they couldn’t catch her.

Clara adapted to this rhythm and charged again at the witch, spear shaking in hand.

The witch, in fact, was poor at close combat.

Compared to black needles that could pierce steel and strike unpredictably, the witch’s close-range fighting skills were almost nonexistent.

Her only response to Clara’s sudden attacks was to continuously summon black needles…

Clang, clang clang clang—

Even knowing she’d be blocked, Clara pressed closer.

Though the squid spear felt weightless, the recoil from striking black needles was strong.

Her palm cracked and bled, but she kept attacking relentlessly.

Clara noticed that when she launched continuous assaults, the witch’s counterattack momentum broke.

The black needles focused solely on defense, leaving little energy to fight Clara.

But such a fierce assault was hard to maintain.

Even if she managed to graze the witch a few times, the wounds healed quickly.

It seemed only Clara was wasting her stamina…

Yet, she was just waiting for an opening.

“Tch—”

Spotting the moment when the witch’s head was closest, Clara spat a blob of thick ink right into her eyes.

The witch instantly lost her sight—also the condition needed to summon black needles.

But that wasn’t all…

Now!!

Clara’s spear plunged into the witch’s chest, forcefully driving her to the ground…

Then, ten slender tentacles sprouted from Clara’s hair.

Each tentacle’s tip held a segment of black magical gemstone, all aimed at the two cores inside the witch.

Victory?

Yet even blind, the witch still seemed to be smiling.