When you get started on this stage, be sure to pause the game, and check your weapons. After defeating the first boss, you will have access to the Double Swords weapon which lets you fire in two opposite directions. Enable it before you proceed. This stage has points where the path splits in two. One way will let you proceed, while the other way leads to a dead-end that returns you to the last split in the path. However, in the dead-ends, you will find items to collect.
The first enemy that you will encounter on this stage is a gigantic snake that flies back and forth across the screen. It starts at the top and makes it way down to the bottom. It contains many segments, and in order to destroy it, you must shoot every segment on its body at least once. Segments which are shot change color. You will encounter four of these snakes before the first split in the path.
When you reach the split, you can go left or right. Going left will allow you to proceed, and going right will lead to a dead-end that will ultimately return you back to the split. However, if you take the right path, you will encounter a pot on the floor. If you collect it, you will obtain a health potion. You can go to the right and pick up the health potions over and over again, maxing out your collection. This isn't such a great idea to do now while you're still weak, but it's not a bad idea to return here when you are stronger, in order to collect free potions.
From the first split, head to the left. You will encounter centipedes who remain stationary but fire at you. They are thin and long, and are more easily hit by firing sideways than vertically. They are joined by beetles which fly in from the lower or upper corners of the screen, usually in pairs. Remove them as quickly as possible before they fill the screen and become a nuisance. A giant snake will fly through the screen, followed by more beetles before the path splits again.
If you go left at the second split, you will face two snakes and some beetles before the path dead-ends again. However, you will have the chance to collect a free Magatama beads item, which is a weapon you can use that hunts down enemies.
Eventually, you must go right at the second split. Going this way, you will be introduced to a new enemy, a kind of worm that appears from the left or right wall and sticks straight out into the pathway. Only the heads of these worms are vulnerable to attack, and they always appear in the center of the path regardless of which way they are facing. Alone, they aren't too bad, but they are also accompanied by pairs of beetles. The worms restrict your movement by blocking your path. While you're not obligated to remove all of them, it's in your best interest to try so that you don't get trapped. Once you get through this section, you will be offered one more chance to visit the shop or change your equipment before your meet the boss.
The boss of the second stage is essentially a very large serpent that winds its way back and forth across the room. It contains eight segments which all fire on you until they are destroyed. Each segment takes a large number of hits, but they turn color as they take damage. When they turn dark red, they are fully destroyed and stop firing at you. The serpent is destroyed when all eight segments turn red.
Defeating the boss isn't necessarily difficult, but it can be difficult to avoid getting shot or colliding with the boss and taking damage. In general, you are safest in the upper corners of the screen, opting to shoot from the opposite upper corner that the head of the serpent is heading in. So if the serpent is going to the upper right corner, you should shoot from the upper left corner. You'll still have lots of bullets to worry about, but you'll have more room to maneuver when you do.
