HP: Bad Intentions

The Hydra loomed menacingly in the middle of the battlefield, its nine serpentine heads weaving through the air. Each head was adorned with a pair of sharp, ominous horns, their colors ranging from deep crimson to gleaming silver.

Its massive body, covered in glistening scales, radiated an aura of ancient power. Blake stood a fair distance away, his heart pounding as he surveyed the creature.

The system interface unexpectedly popped up, displaying the Hydra's name and basic information. This rare show of initiative from the system startled Blake, but his surprise quickly turned to irritation as the display contained only surface-level details.

"No weaknesses? No battle tips? Just a fancy name and origin?" Blake muttered.

"System, this isn't helpful at all."

The system, as always, remained silent.

Blake sighed, racking his brain for any useful knowledge. Mythology had always fascinated him, and his memories from his previous life provided some much-needed insight. The Hydra, also referred to as "Hydera," was a legendary creature of Greek myth.

It was said to be the daughter of Typhon, the father of monsters, and Echidna, the serpent-like mother of all creatures.

The Hydra's regenerative powers were infamous—sever one head, and two would grow back in its place. However, there was a critical exception: the central head, which stood taller and straighter than the others, couldn't regrow. This head was unique, immortal in its essence, and even if destroyed, it wouldn't truly die.

Blake swallowed hard, his mind racing with strategies. "Killing it outright might be impossible," he thought. "But subduing it... maybe that can work."

The Hydra's enormous form shifted, its glowing eyes scanning the area. Blake decided to test his luck. Reaching into his pouch, he pulled out the Poke Ball—a device he had relied on for surprise captures. Without hesitation, he hurled it at the Hydra.

One of the Hydra's heads, moving with astonishing speed, reacted immediately. It exhaled a foul, gusty wind that intercepted the Poke Ball mid-air, blowing it straight back toward Blake. He dodged the projectile, which skittered harmlessly to the ground.

"Well, that's a bust," he muttered. Straightening up, he turned to his team and shouted, "Alright, everyone, it's time to hunt!"

A chorus of roars and growls answered his call. His beasts, eager for battle, charged forward. The black dragon, the one he hatched some time ago, soared into the air, its wings casting massive shadows across the ground. Plant-like creatures emerged from the soil, their leafy forms rustling as they prepared their attacks.

The black dragon opened the assault, spewing a torrent of fiery breath toward one of the Hydra's heads. The flames engulfed the serpent's face, leaving behind scorched scales and sizzling flesh.

The injured head reared back, shrieking in pain, while another lashed out at the dragon with snapping jaws. The dragon evaded the attack, using its claws to rake the Hydra's side, drawing blood.

Blake observed the skirmish, his mind racing. "Its physical defense isn't as strong as I expected," he noted aloud. "Or its magical resistance, for that matter."

The plants joined the fray, their attacks surprisingly effective. Pea shooters fired concentrated beams of green energy, each bolt striking the Hydra's body with precision. The watermelon pitchers launched their explosive fruits high into the air, the projectiles landing with deafening booms.

The Hydra roared, thrashing wildly in an attempt to avoid the relentless barrage. Its immense size, however, rendered it an easy target. Blake's confidence grew as the battle seemed to tip in their favor.

"This can't be right," he muttered, frowning. "Why does it feel like this thing's weaker than it should be?"

As if in response, the Hydra emitted a guttural roar. A shimmering, translucent shield enveloped its entire body, nullifying the onslaught of attacks. Pea shooter beams fizzled out harmlessly against the barrier, and exploding watermelons bounced off with no effect.

Blake's eyes narrowed. "Ah, there it is. A defense spell. I knew this wouldn't be that simple."

The Hydra's strategy shifted. One of its heads began channeling a greenish light, its healing magic quickly repairing the creature's wounds. Meanwhile, the other heads unleashed a flurry of long-range attacks.

A bolt of lightning erupted from one head, striking the black dragon mid-flight. The dragon let out a pained cry as its wings faltered, forcing it to descend. Another head unleashed a freezing blast, encasing the venomous leopard, in a block of ice.

"Dragon, melt that ice!" Blake commanded. The black dragon obeyed, exhaling flames that thawed its companion. The beast shook itself free, its alchemical armor glinting in the light.

Blake observed the Hydra's newfound ferocity. Each of its heads seemed to possess a unique magical ability: lightning, ice, fire, and more. Meteor-like projectiles rained from the sky, hurricanes tore through the battlefield, and massive mud hands erupted from the ground, grasping at Blake and his allies.

The levitation cloak strapped to Blake's shoulders activated just in time, lifting him above the chaos. "This thing's got more tricks than a stage magician," he muttered, narrowly dodging a fireball.

His beasts regrouped, adjusting to the Hydra's new tactics. Meanwhile, Blake prepared to counter. He reached for his wand—a powerful artifact granted by the system. Channelling his magic, he conjured an ancient fire spell he had long been eager to use.

A blazing orb of Gubraithian Immortal fire materialized at the wand's tip, growing larger and hotter with each passing second. The intense heat forced even the black dragon to back away, landing on the ground for safety.

"Let's see how tough that shield really is," Blake said, grinning.

With a flick of his wand, the fiery orb surged forward, engulfing the Hydra's shield.

The force of the impact was immense, causing the barrier to shimmer and crack under the strain. Blake's plants and beasts seized the opportunity, resuming their assault with renewed vigor.

The Hydra roared in frustration, its heads thrashing as the shield began to falter. Blake pushed his spell to its limits, pouring every ounce of his magical energy into the attack.

Finally, with a resounding crack, the shield shattered. The Hydra's massive body was exposed once again, its scaled flesh vulnerable to attack.

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