I Own A Brothel In Another World (Ch. 1-196)

Chapter 152 - Not So Jawsome Way to Go

I certainly haven't expected to run into a humongous shark with freaky tentacles coming out of its ass when coming here but it's not like we have any other options than to face it now. The massive creature floats in front of the gap in the gate behind it and regards our group with a calculative glance. It seems that the gummy feelers aren't the only thing it takes after its aquatic cousin. We might need to put some effort into dealing with its smarts too.

The scary shark-octopus hybrid turns towards the nearest target and compresses its body into itself. In a flash, it smacks all of its tentacles to the back while pushing itself forward like a jellyfish. Seeing a shark use weird movements like that is a sight that's equally as terrific as it is comedic.

But, we don't exactly have time to be focusing on such aspects as the angry predator lunges at Cir, who is in front of the three other Mermaids. It rushes forward like a bullet, leaving a trail of bubbles on its path. Its merciless jaws snap open and it takes a swing at the surprised matron.

Before it sinks its sharp teeth in her, though, a rounded wall of ice suddenly comes into existence right between the two and the Lusca slams into the cold surface so hard that its elastic body turns into a pancake for a fraction of a second. No matter how distressed my beautiful magician wife is, she never completely loses her cool in the middle of a fight and I send a warm smile at Cornelia, whose still-pale forehead is tensed from focus.

The monster regathers itself before any of us manage to squeeze in a follow-up to Cornelia's spell and it smacks its tentacles a bunch of times to increase the distance between itself and everyone else. In the meantime, we spread out a little more, taking positions at all angles and in all directions, making sure that it gets a headache while trying to keep up with our numbers.

Meru shows off her incredible battle sense and skill by sneaking on the Lusca from its blind spot and jabbing at it with her trident. Contrary to our expectations, the sharp middle spike of her weapon doesn't go through the creature's gummy body like through cotton candy and instead causes a small cave-in before sliding to the side over the surprisingly tough scales. The monster responds instantly and spins around, slapping Meru away with its tentacles, sending my fierce mate spinning to the back.

It doesn't get to rush after her as piercing, high-pitched sound waves hit it from the side, clearly throwing the monster into distress as its entire frame pulses and twitches frantically under the assault of the loud noise. Fei keeps floating not that far from it while releasing an offensive song from her powerful throat, which is closer to a melodic but also deadly scream of a single vowel. We can literally see the water ripple alongside the note as it crashes into the Lusca.

Safi and Emi need no orders to take action and they slither through the water in their true forms, wiggling threateningly as two giant blobs of sapphire and emerald slime. Fei halts her attack the very moment they latch onto the aquatic beast and start swallowing it together, covering the Lusca with their jelly bodies. A quiet sizzling noise reaches our ears and we can see the scales and skin touching their slime being eroded bit by bit.

A pained roar shakes the hall we are all in as the not-so-poor monster writhes in agony. No one else makes any moves, leaving the fight to my two charming Slime ladies, not wanting to accidentally hurt them in the process. We don't just watch and do nothing, though. We keep exchanging thoughts and preparing the next steps in case it won't end this easily.

And, unfortunately, it would have been too good to be true.

The Lusca starts spinning around its own axis faster and faster, becoming something akin to a detached propeller from a wind turbine. Its oblong body rotates quickly enough to turn into a smudge and all of its tentacles are extended outside as far as they can, threatening anyone who dares to swim close to them with a mighty slap if not something worse.