Ch.111111. Tzompantli (3)

Frankly speaking, the reality is that it’s hard to consider Chompantlus weakened just because we’ve blown away all of its skull stock.

The skulls are merely supplementary to Chompantlus’s abilities.

In essence, Chompantlus’s true power stems from its overwhelming physical capabilities that, while technically intermediate-level, rival those of high-level beings.

However, this time was an exception.

The reason we had such a hard time dealing with Chompantlus was because its diverse special abilities compensated for the utility its overwhelming physical capabilities lacked.

Numerically, we had the overwhelming advantage.

In other words, if you looked purely at our combined combat power, we actually had the upper hand, which meant that a Chompantlus without its special abilities wasn’t such a formidable opponent.

If it only had high physical abilities, there wouldn’t be anything particularly difficult to handle.

Not all intermediate-level beings have the same combat power, but the difference between a “high-level” and an “intermediate-level that rivals high-level” is actually quite significant.

Therefore, the process of hunting Chompantlus was really just “hunting” in name only—it was more like a series of tedious, repetitive tasks similar to mining, and the outcome was, naturally, all but predetermined.

[■■, ■■■······.]

After gradually having both body and mind whittled away, Chompantlus finally found itself on the brink of death.

Despite its battered body, it still seemed not to have lost its fighting spirit….

“—Ah!”

“It’s, it’s escaping…!!”

Since fighting spirit and the will to fight ultimately mean nothing if you end up dead.

Chompantlus tried to flee desperately with its wounded body, not even looking back.

[Chase it! Chase it!]

[We can’t let it escape!]

Of course, not wanting to see our nearly-captured prey escape, we tried to pursue it….

But the speed at which this magical beast named Chompantlus ran far exceeded my expectations.

‘Wh-what’s making it so fast……!’

[Stop thinking and run, Master!!]

In an instant, it climbed over what could be seen as a mountain of bones—the remains of destroyed makeshift golems—and ran madly toward its own nest inside.

Sophia made a somewhat disgusted expression at the strange sight of Chompantlus seemingly paying no attention to its own body, which was bleeding profusely.

And then….

[Peeeeee(Aaaaaaah)───!!]

Suddenly, a faint scream began to be heard from beyond the pile of bones. Startled, I quickly mounted the swift Meary and crossed over the hill of bones.

What came into view was a smaller specimen that appeared to be an offspring with about half its body eaten away…. and Chompantlus trying to devour it.

After rapidly processing the situation, I could clearly see its intention.

Some magical beasts gain or manifest abilities with both high risks and high returns by cannibalizing their own kind, and isn’t the Chompantlus species inherently capable of gaining abilities through predation?

If so, by eating its own offspring like that, it could replenish its depleted physical strength and energy, and furthermore, it might gain abilities commensurate with the risk of damaging its soul by breaking a “taboo.”

While I personally didn’t want to see it devouring what appeared to be its own offspring, more importantly, it would be foolish to just stand by and watch as our nearly-defeated prey regenerated itself.

Therefore…… I decided to use one of the means I had been personally saving.

[—Bind!!!]

While it might not be particularly rare in the Western Continent, where it can be commonly found in forests of considerable size, I used seeds from a plant that doesn’t even exist in this New Continent—making it impossible to replenish for the time being—as a catalyst to form my magic.

The powers bestowed were twofold: providing nutrients for rapid growth, and placing a “prohibition” on certain actions for the bound target.

Normally, the content of such prohibitions is randomly determined, but thanks to my magical infusion, I could now specify the content of the prohibition….

[—I command a prohibition!]

Naturally, the prohibition I specified was none other than Chompantlus’s act of predation itself.

The beast, which had been chomping away at what was presumed to be its offspring, suddenly stopped its actions due to the prohibition and began to act stupidly……

“—Kill it!!!”

While Chompantlus stood frozen with its mouth wide open, we snatched away the offspring that had been half-eaten and was barely clinging to life, and at my command, we moved to end its life.

As Astra worked to preserve the offspring’s life from the rear, attacks rained down on Chompantlus’s body.

Slashes imbued with flames and lightning, energy in the form of electric currents, fangs wrapped in blue cold air, and the teeth of countless shadows—all pierced through and dug into its hide.

Additionally, a twelve-headed water snake trampled Chompantlus, claws filled with aura flew in an arc, and nearby, someone else stomped on it with hooves wreathed in crimson flames.

After mercilessly unleashing a barrage of attacks that could hardly be called a mere combination, Chompantlus, unable to withstand the accumulated damage, finally collapsed to the ground.

It was our complete victory.

※ ※ ※

In truth, my reason for wanting to hunt Chompantlus had little to do with recruiting an animal companion.

Upon further investigation, I discovered that Chompantlus was not a “species” but a singular entity.

It was a variant of Bloodsaurus born with the ability to grow through predation instead of having magical amplification organs, which had evolved into a unique, solitary species through repeated predation and growth.

Therefore, I had to give up my dream of having such a ferocious magical beast as an animal companion, as I had no confidence in controlling it….

Who would have thought such an opportunity would arise?

One might wonder how a singular species with only one member could produce offspring, but having consumed various media in my previous life, I remembered clearly.

Some vertebrates, especially certain lizards, are capable of “parthenogenesis”—reproduction by females without males—and perhaps this Chompantlus, likely female, was also a monster capable of parthenogenesis?

So, with an expression mixed with equal parts expectation and concern, I momentarily turned away from its corpse and approached Astra, who was treating the offspring in the rear.

“Astra, how’s its condition?”

[……..Bad. Really bad, Master.]

“….That serious?”

For a healer (Astra) who could cast healing magic capable of reattaching severed limbs or regenerating new ones, who had reached the level of “as long as they’re not dead, I can heal them,” to show such an intense reaction.

“Is there some other problem?”

[……..Yes.]

To my carefully posed question, Astra began to explain while continuing the healing process.

[Its limbs have been eaten away on one side each, and many internal organs have been torn out as well. Fortunately, the head is intact, and I can keep it alive with healing, but this is just maintaining the status quo.]

“Even if I help?”

[I think so. …..There’s also a curse on its body.]

“……..A curse.”

A curse, she says. To think that it would place a curse on its own child while dying.

A curse mediated by death requires emotions that far transcend ordinary hatred toward the target, so why would a parent harbor such feelings toward their child?

“It won’t recover?”

[No. The reason for the curse, apparently, is because it couldn’t eat it….that’s what it says.]

“That’s not even remotely funny.”

I feel ashamed that I initially approached this situation excited about the prospect of contracting with a new rare species as an animal companion.

To be nearly eaten by its parent (and actually half-eaten), and then cursed with such hatred by that same parent because it couldn’t be completely devoured.

“What’s the nature of the curse?”

[……Desire inhibition. It’s a malicious curse that blocks the driving force of living beings. The curse’s power also delays wound regeneration as a bonus.]

“Then…… Hey, can you hear me?”

[……..?]

“If you can hear me…. could you nod your head?”

-Nod.

“Good. Let me explain something to you.”

I tried to speak as dispassionately as possible while calmly explaining the situation to the small Chompantlus.

I told it that it was slowly dying due to the effects of the curse and predation, and that there was only one way to resolve this.

“The contract…. can’t be undone. Think carefully.”

Of course, I also proposed as many of the risks that come with this one and only solution—the contract—as possible.

In fact, while proposing the contract, I felt somewhat like a con artist deceiving someone.

But I suppressed that feeling, reminding myself that this would ultimately save a life, and observed the Chompantlus’s intention……..

-……..Nod.

“Alright, let’s begin right away.”

The moment it clearly showed its willingness to contract solely of its own volition.

With a now-familiar incantation, I—finally formed my 8th animal contract.