Reincarnated as a Dragon's Egg
Chapter 485: Shen

I’m struck dumb for a moment by the enemy’s appearance. I never expected the dragonfish's boss would be an enormous shellfish that looks completely unlike them. What the hell is this thing…

【Shen:[1] A- rank monster】

【A monster that uses mist to deploy large-scale illusions.】

【Also, it can cause disorientation by mimicking various sounds.】

【It’s said that a battalion on campaign once stopped by in an village they discovered in a wasteland, only to be almost all eaten by a [Shen] upon discovering that the village was an illusion.】

【As it is rarely witnessed without illusions, it is often thought of as an undead or a dragon, but it’s true form is that of a giant shellfish.】

…As expected, it's an A- rank. It’s annoyingly strong. Or rather, it’s freely using the dragonfish as disposable pawns…

It seems unlikely for all the mist on this island to have come from a single shen. In truth, the mist became denser when I went up the mountain. There are probably several of them producing the fog.

Considering that all it did was incite the dragonfish while staying hidden, it's probably not very aggressive. It might have only set the dragonfish on us to test our strength after we barged into its territory. Unable to make any sudden movements that would reveal its position, it couldn’t escape even if it wanted to. 

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Species: Shen

Condition: Physical Resistance Enhancement

Lv: 89/100

HP: 955/955

MP: 844/844

Attack: 382

Defence: 821

Magic: 892

Speed: 311

Rank: A-

Characteristic Skills:

[Automatic MP Recovery: Lv6] [Presence Perception: Lv8] [Soft Steps: Lv9] [Tentacle: Lv8] [Seashell of the Great Illusory Shellfish: Lv-]

Resistance Skills:

[Physical Resistance: Lv8] [Poison Resistance: Lv4] [Paralysis Resistance: Lv4] [Illusion Resistance: Lv7] [Instant Death Resistance: Lv4] [Confusion Resistance: Lv5]

Normal Skills:

[Illusion: Lv9] [Mirage: Lv8] [Humanisation Technique: Lv7] [Echo Mirror: Lv7] [Chant Return: Lv6] [Enshell: Lv9] [Barrier of Mist: Lv4] [Hole Digging: Lv7] [Tentacle Whip: Lv6] [Death: Lv6] [Gravity: Lv6] [Physical Barrier: Lv6] [Plague Breath: Lv7] [Aqua Sphere: Lv5]

Title Skills:

[Final Evolution: Lv-] [Lord of the Illusory Tower: Lv-]

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Upon checking, I replace that [Echo Mirror] is a skill that allows learning and replication of all kinds of sounds, and [Chant Return] seems to allow the user to pick up any magic skill shortly after witnessing it. I see, it has rather interesting skills. However, the battle ends here. It isn’t the type that can fight actively.

What spells its doom is its lack of mobility, preventing it from being able to fight in close quarters. On top of that, its precious illusions are completely meaningless against me. Now that it’s this close, it’s already my win.

From the shen’s centre a black light spreads out. It’s [Gravity] magic… A convenient and easy-to-use skill. Getting surrounded by enemies is always troublesome, but that’s where this skill shines. It’s only flaw is that it affects allies too.

However, this level of weight is of no concern to me now.

The shen’s form fades, and multiple long necks ending in ogre-like heads appear from the mist like before. However, that image quickly distorts and fades too. It seems it’s out of options. It's trying skills that have already failed, after all.

The shen retracts its tentacles and hides within its shell. It seems that it's planning on sticking to defence.

…It’s not like I need to, but I'll try using it one more time for familiarisation’s sake. Changing to a bipedal stance with [Dragon Mirror], I activate [Ideal Weapon]. A soft light gathers in my hand. Focusing on the image of a weapon that can crush through a hard shell, I come to the idea of a hammer. Upon deciding on a hammer, I focus on it being strong in some way or another.

A sinister hammer with a white head appears in my hand. Glowing-red words that look like curses are etched into it. One side of the hammer's head tapers into a spike, so I point that face towards the shen.

【[Warhammer of Disaster]: Value B】

【[Attack: +44]】

【An immense warhammer that is said to bring disaster.】

【It is made from the bones of a dragon that spread calamity.】

【Each blow from this weapon temporarily reduces the victim’s physical resistance and defence.】

【Also, it occasionally afflicts [Curse].】

I take aim at the shen, then swing down the Warhammer of Disaster.

“GuuOOOOOOOh!”

The shell shatters, and green liquid spurts out. Umu, it’s good that the weapon can change to suit the situation.

【Normal skill [Ideal Weapon] has risen from level 5 to 6.】

I let go of the warhammer and release [Dragon Mirror].

【5696 experience points have been acquired.】

【Due to the title skill [Walking Egg: Lv -], an additional 5696 experience points have been acquired.】

【The level of [Oneiros] has risen from 79 to 83.】

As expected, my stats made it an easy victory, though it could have turned into a tough battle if I wasn’t unaffected by the illusions. The surrounding mist gradually thins. Sure enough, it seems like this monster wasn’t responsible for all the mist on this island, as it doesn’t seem to be lifting completely.

…Considering that the Saint will eventually come, I should probably avoid over-hunting the shens. Well then… All that’s left is to take care of the poor dragonfish that were lured in by it.

I quickly return to helping Aro and the others. Like before, I use [Dimension Claw] to tear off the dragonfish’s fins, causing them to flop to the ground as they lose their ability to fly. With the shen’s illusions gone, it’s a steady battle from then on.

[1] – A clam monster of Chinese mythology – wikipedia