"It ranked up!" Ayaka shouted over the roar of flames. "It's A-rank now!"
"Then we hit it harder!" Akira formed his ice weapons, but even with tenfold enhancement, the ice was struggling to maintain form in this heat. "Aim for the heads! If we can sever them…"
The Salamander didn't wait for them to finish strategising. All nine heads struck at once, moving with precision, which was surprising for his chaotic appearance.
Akira and Ayaka split apart, each taking different angles. Even in Flow State, Akira could feel the creature adapting, its movements becoming faster and more precise.
He slashed at the nearest head with his ice blade and actually managed to sever it. The head hit the ground and dissolved into flame—but two new heads sprouted from the stump immediately.
"It regenerates!" Akira called out. "Classic hydra rules!"
