Rhode found searching for things to be a very tedious task, especially when he couldn't use the Three Wolves and Six Birds and had to rely on himself.
This might as well be considered part of the test.
After understanding the preferred habitat of the Unicorn Demon Beast, finding its cave became much easier.
He carefully observed each suspicious peak, and couldn't help but have an idea.
What if I send out the Stone Beetles now to drill around, collapsing all these mountains... Wouldn't that unicorn beast come out?
Just like when the Pangolin drilled open Gourd Mountain and released the Snake Spirit and Scorpion Spirit.
Doing it this way might be more efficient without worrying about overlooking a mountain.
Rhode was itching to try, but considering the President might cry afterward, he decided to refrain for now.
Save it as a trump card.
"Help me, help me!"
After searching for over half an hour without success, a voice suddenly came from the cards Rhode was carrying.
"In that direction, go!"
With Rhode's command, the River Crab sprinted wildly, and in just a few minutes, they found Kana's location.
"Found it?"
"Shh—" Kana pulled Rhode behind a rock and signaled him to be quiet, then pointed to a cave not far away.
Rhode listened intently, and could faintly hear strange breathing from inside the cave.
Kana whispered, "That's the Unicorn Demon Beast snoring. It should be sleeping in there. Do you have a plan?"
"Of course, ambush it." Rhode also lowered his voice, "If a kid sleeps so soundly, are we still human if we don't seize the chance to ambush it?"
"But that cave doesn't lead straight to where it's sleeping. I can't shoot the Card directly in there."
Kana considered using all available attack magic at once, but she was worried the beast would wake before reaching a position to attack.
"So we can only set traps and deliberately lure it out." She pointed to several spots at the cave entrance, explaining her trap placements, "How's this setup?"
Rhode thought for a moment, nodded: "Feasible. Leave the task of luring it out to me.
However, we don't have much sustained combat capability this time, so give it our all from the start and try to finish it in one go."
"Got it." Kana nodded seriously, took out all her cards from her bag.
She carefully combined the cards in groups, aiming to maximize the effect of various magic combinations, and then, with excellent throwing skills, shot them to the best positions.
Rhode initially planned to let the River Crab lure the beast, but immediately had a better idea.
"Summon, Magic Swamp Frog!"
Two giant toads, taller than a person, appeared, and before their cheeks could puff, Rhode gave the first order: "No croaking!"
The two Swamp Frogs stopped puffing their cheeks, remaining silent.
Rhode glanced at their feet, feeling satisfied.
This time, no excessive venom pollution was generated.
"You two, sneak in quietly. Once you see the big beast inside, spray venom fiercely into its eyes and mouth.
Once it wakes, escape immediately; after reaching that position, continue attacking. Understood? Hey... no croaking, just get going if you understand."
The two Magic Swamp Frogs turned around, jumped lightly to the cave entrance, and then, following Rhode's command, crawled inside quietly.
"Using venom? Nice idea!" Kana remembered Laxus's arrogant demeanor and retorted, "We should use it on Laxus too! There's always an antidote anyway."
Rhode shook his head, "Come on, if Granny Porlyusica finds out I'm using venom on allies because we have antidotes, she'll beat me with a broom."
Although Laxus is somewhat annoying, he's still an ally after all.
"Croak~ Croak~"
"Roar~~~"
The croaks and beastly roars echoed from the cave, and the ground began to tremble.
"Did a juvenile form cause an earthquake?" Since the tremors weren't strong enough, Rhode wasn't sure if it was using its abilities or if its heavy body caused it.
The croaks diminished, with only one Swamp Frog emerging from the cave, while the other had been sent back by the Unicorn Demon Beast.
"Croak~" The surviving Swamp Frog reached its designated position, waiting for the enemy to emerge.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The tremors grew stronger as a unicorn beast stumbled out of the cave, purple venom still on its face.
The more Rhode looked, the more familiar it seemed; it resembled "Gorzan, the Earthquake Maker" from some tokusatsu series.
Just not as large, probably six or seven meters tall, bigger than Rhode's Tree Monster and Golem, but not as big as the President transformed into a Giant.
"Roar~~~~"
The Unicorn Demon Beast let out a roar, whether from anger or pain.
The Magic Swamp Frog showed no fear, casually spewing a mouthful of venom at it.
Angered, the beast staggered towards the Swamp Frog.
Kana saw it step into a trap and immediately cast her magic:
"Tower's Constraint! Fool's Smoke! Prayer Fountain! Destiny's Call Thunder!"
Stone walls, smoke, water whip, lightning...
Various magic effects with blocking or paralyzing effects hit the Unicorn Demon Beast.
Then came Wind Blade, Blast Flame, Ice Cone, and other attack spells.
"Awo——"
"Not done yet!"
Kana continuously activated pre-set traps, adding more Flying Cards when opportunities arose.
The magic's radiance completely enveloped the Unicorn Demon Beast's massive figure.
For a moment, only Kana's shouts and various magic releases were heard, almost drowning out the beast's cries of pain.
Despite this, the Magic Swamp Frog kept diligently spraying venom.
Once she was almost out of cards, the beast-caused ground trembles had already stopped.
The mountain where the beast originally lived was affected by the numerous spells, showing cracks and sending rocks tumbling down.
Gasping, Kana paused to look at the beast covered in dust and debris: "How about it? Even if it's a true S-Class beast..."
Rhode pulled her back behind the rock. First, don't tempt fate with a flag; second, it's best not to approach dangerous creatures when unclear about the situation.
"Awo!!!"
Being cautious was wise. With a roar, the beast hurled the rubble, causing the ground to shake even more.
Debris crashed against the boulder shielding the duo and the venom-spraying Swamp Frog.
The frog wailed before it could leap, sent away by the beast's furious swipe.
The Unicorn Demon Beast looked pitiful at this point, its horn chipped, several teeth missing, and one eye couldn't open.
Additionally, its scales were shattered—some parts looked as if struck by blunt objects, others slashed by sharp blades, and blood flowed in streams.
Burn marks, frostbite, and venom corrosion were even more prominent.
Initially standing tall on two legs, it now relied on all fours, howling at the sky.
"Roar~~~"
The beast roared, striking its tail hard on the ground, causing immediate seismic disruption.
Nearby, a mountain collapsed, and Rhode quickly pulled Kana onto the River Crab's back: "Go go go! Quickly!"
It seemed to be in its second stage of berserk; best to lay low for now.
The River Crab dashed away, and the Unicorn Demon Beast, battered and bruised, chased after them.
"To think..." Kana stared dumbfounded at the rampaging beast—she had given it all she had.
In usual fights, it was hard to find a situation where she could set up the field like this...
Even that wasn't enough?