Reincarnated as a Mushroom?

Chapter 39: The Diamond Guardian 2

The Mushroom King.

Yuno's tiny body tensed. The combined power of those attacks caused the air to vibrate violently. Every eye on the battlefield fixed itself on the approaching destruction when the battlefield became completely silent.

The Mushroom King stood unmoved during that moment.

He remained perfectly still. His uninterpretable stare remained focused on the approaching explosion. He stood motionless as if he anticipated something to happen.

And then.

CRACK.

The ground in front of him split open.

The earth lifted itself unnaturally toward the sky in a manner resembling an ancient barrier. The surface displayed more than just stone and dirt. The surface did not shimmer but it sparkled.

A massive figure rose from beneath the earth.

A Diamond Mushroom.

The enormous crystalline body of the Diamond Mushroom reflected light from the dim battlefield illumination. The blue energy emanating from its body transmitted an intense feeling of enduring strength.

A cold sensation traveled from Yuno's head down to his base.

The object he witnessed defied all previous experiences.

The attacks struck.

A devastating wave struck the Diamond Mushroom's body which produced powerful shockwaves that spread throughout its structure. The entire battlefield shook. The explosion of dust and debris blocked all visibility for a short period.

A short period of quiet enveloped the scene.

Then.

A figure appeared through the smoke.

The Diamond Mushroom survived the attack without any damage.

A small mark from a scratch ran across its arm as the only noticeable sign of damage.

The health bar of the Diamond Mushroom suffered only one point of damage.

Just one.

The blonde warrior squeezed his sword handle with greater force. The ninja narrowed his eyes. The shooter released his breath through his nostrils.

A bone-chilling laughter emerged from the battlefield depths.

A sinister smile formed on the Mushroom King's lips.

"Foolish humans. You believed I would watch silently as you attacked me?

The Diamond Mushroom stepped forward. The blue glowing eyes of the Diamond Mushroom emitted a wise light. A slow, confident grin spread across its face.

The humans stiffened as it spoke.

"That tickled."

Yuno's breath hitched.

This thing… was strong.

Far stronger than any other mushroom he had encountered.

But more than that he recognized something.

A system notification appeared in the corner of his vision.

[SYSTEM MESSAGE]

🔷 DIAMOND SHROOM LV.92

❤️ HP: 78,659 / 78,660

🔵 MP: 8,012 / 8,012

♾️ SP: ∞ / ∞

⚔️ Attack: 2,400

🔥 Magic: 2,000

🛡️ Defense: 9,999

🧙‍♂️ Magic Defense: 4,111

⚡ Speed: 0

🎯 Critical Rate: 10%

📜 Description:

Only after finding the perfect pair of sunglasses will a mushroom evolve into a Diamond Shroom. It increases in mass as it levels up until it can no longer move, relying solely on sunlight as a food source. 🌞

Due to its immense mass, it possesses an incredible level of defense, making it nearly immune to attacks. 🛡️✨ It is said that the eyes of the Diamond Shroom are the most coveted ingredient for all jewelers 💎 in the Brave Mainland.]

A near-impenetrable wall.

The battlefield had changed once again.

And the war...

Was only beginning

A blinding glow filled the battlefield as the diamond mushroom's devastating beam slammed against the warrior's barrier. The sheer force of the attack caused the entire air around them to tremble, distorting reality itself. Despite the overwhelming pressure, the blonde warrior stood firm, his grip on his sword tightening as he braced against the impact. Beside him, the priestess maintained her spell, a faint golden aura surrounding her delicate frame.

The beams, relentless and filled with unfathomable power, refracted in all directions upon hitting the barrier. Shards of energy ricocheted off the magical field, scattering like wild lightning across the battlefield. One of the stray beams struck a nearby boulder.

In an instant an eerie transformation took place.

The solid rock did not explode or crumble but instead underwent a rapid and unnatural metamorphosis. Starting from the point of impact, a brilliant silver hue spread across its surface like wildfire. The rough texture smoothed out, its dull grey replaced by a dazzling, almost blinding luster. It was no longer a simple stone it had turned into pure diamond.

The transformation didn't stop there. Like an unstoppable plague, the effect spread across the ground. Every grain of sand, every pebble in its vicinity, and even the very soil beneath their feet shimmered under the moonlight. The battlefield itself had been corrupted by the beam, reshaping the land into a magnificent but treacherous terrain.

The shooter's eyes gleamed with greed.

His fingers twitched against the trigger of his rifle as he took in the spectacle before him. An entire battlefield covered in diamond? If they could collect even a fraction of this, they'd be set for life. His mind raced with possibilities. How much could he sell this for? How many weapons could he forge using this material? The value was beyond comprehension.

However, the thought was short-lived.

The diamond mushroom hadn't stopped.

Despite its seemingly relaxed posture, it continued to pour out its destructive light, forcing the priestess and the warrior to maintain their spell. But cracks were beginning to form in their defense. The pressure was simply too immense.

The warrior's sword, once a pristine weapon of steel and fire, now bore fractures along its blade. His hands, which gripped the hilt with all his might, had begun to crystallize. It started from his fingertips a creeping affliction that spread through his veins, turning flesh into shimmering crystal. He winced in pain, feeling his very body turn against him.

But even as his muscles stiffened and his vision blurred, he refused to let go.

A warrior did not surrender.

A warrior did not yield.

He would not allow himself to fall before such an opponent.

Yet, deep down, he could feel it the weight of the spell was too much. It was only a matter of time before his entire body turned to diamond, before his strength was drained, before he became nothing more than a lifeless statue on this cursed battlefield.

The priestess's hands trembled.

She could sense his struggle. She knew the pain he was enduring. But she couldn't falter. If she lost focus, the barrier would shatter in an instant, and they would all be obliterated. She bit her lip, tightening her grasp on her holy staff. The favor of the goddess burned brightly around her. She was running out of energy but she would push forward.

Because if they lost here, there would be no second chance.

Then, just as the warrior felt his grip slipping.

The beams vanished.

The battlefield fell into silence.

The overwhelming energy that had consumed them was now gone as if it had never existed. The only evidence of its destruction was the sea of diamond left in its wake, glimmering under the faint light of the battlefield.

Slowly, the diamond mushroom lifted its head.