Alik, the leader of the main "Golden Hawk" team, was hurrying ahead to reach the 10th level of the "Mine Dungeon".


    Hurry up! Don''t fall behind the Guardians of the Magical Tree!


    Alik was leading his troops with an exasperated proclamation.


    He usually commands a unit composed of only B-class or higher personnel, but he was struggling to lead a mixed unit with C-class personnel, which he was not accustomed to.


    He was struggling to lead a mixed unit of C-class people, which he was not accustomed to. You don''t have to defeat all the monsters. Just make a breakthrough and leave the rest alone. If they take some damage, we can heal them later."


    Captain!　Team 3 is running behind.


    Tsk. Again.


    Arik looked back at him irritably.


    Team 3 was a group of C-class adventurers.


    The decision was made based on the idea that it would be easier to work together if the classes were as unified as possible, but so far it had backfired.


    The C class adventurers wanted to improve their class rather than advance beyond the dungeon, and this was often the cause of discord and conflict within the unit.


    In the "Golden Hawk," for example, where strict quotas were required, they preferred their own convenience to that of the troop.


    From their point of view, even if they conquered a dungeon, if they did not fulfill their quota, their reputation would not be enhanced.


    The excessive performance-oriented approach of the "Golden Eagles" was even interfering with the operational level of the unit.


    (d*mn it. That Lukius guy. He''s forcing me to conquer dungeons while training them. Lilianne''s squad is made up entirely of B-class troops. If we''re too slow, she''ll beat us to it.)


    Arik looked at the C-class adventurers who were dragging their feet with disgust, but he could not abandon them, and he continued to lead them in their slow progress in the dungeon search, biting his teeth.


    While Arik was giving instructions to rescue the third team, which was lagging behind, he was startled to see a heavy lightning strike ahead.


    （It was Lilianne''s lightning magic!　d*mn. (I must have fallen completely behind.)


    Captain, that''s Lillianne''s ......."


    I know!　Hurry up to rescue Team 3. After the rescue, speed is the top priority at all costs. We''ll make a comeback for sure!


    (but what the hell do I do ......)


    Alik was a versatile mage with A-class skills in all offensive, support, and healing magic, but he did not have the same firepower as Lillianne.


    She was able to kick out more than 10 enemies with a single blow, but he was unable to keep up with her.


    Arik had no choice but to sit back and watch as Lilianne continued to advance while his own unit was held back by discord among its members.


    At that moment, Jill jumps out of Arik''s unit and begins to move ahead on her own.


    Jill!　What on earth are you ......"


    I will now proceed alone to the tenth level of the dungeon to obtain the shortcut ring. The captain should prioritize the training of C-class members and the acquisition of items. I will meet you again at the entrance of the dungeon in 48 hours when I am ready to re-explore the dungeon.


    With that said, Jill proceeded through the dungeon on her own.


    d*mn. Surely there is no other way to conquer a dungeon with C-class adventurers?


    I am sure you are okay with this, Captain. Leave her to explore the dungeon on her own.


    It is unavoidable. For the next 24 hours from now, I will concentrate on training C-Class adventurers, then return to the city to rest and join Jill."


    Jill, freed from the care of her unit, pushed forward through the dungeon at breakneck speed.


    Pushing aside even the orcs and mini-golems that stood in his way, he continued onward.


    The monsters hurled spears, arrows, projectiles, and attack magic at the heavily armed knight who ignored them, but they failed to inflict a single wound on her.


    Jill ran for several hours, and in the blink of an eye, she approached Lilianne''s troop, which was far away.


    As they passed each other, Jill and Lillianne locked eyes.


    (Lilianne. The witch who pulled out Mr. Roland)


    Jill looks at Lillianne with regret.


    If only she didn''t have this guy, she thought.


    Jill takes one look at her and walks past.


    (For now, the priority is to conquer the dungeon.)


    In the blink of an eye, Jill overtakes Lilianne''s troop and pulls away.


    Lillianne''s unit was in the air, and she was pulling away from him. What a guy. He''s kicking the crap out of a bunch of monsters all by himself. He''s already that far ......"


    One of the Warriors in Lillianne''s unit sneered at her.


    Let''s calm down. There is nothing we can do now. Even she would have difficulty advancing through more than ten levels by herself. If she wants to turn things around, that''s when she will."


    (Although, it''s a mental blow to have a lead that you''ve worked so hard to earn reeled back in like this.)


    Lillianne looked at Jill with mixed feelings.


    (Jill. The potential to conquer a dungeon alone, i.e., the qualities of an S-class adventurer. Probably the best adventurer that Roland-san raised ......)


    Lilianne bit her lip for a moment, then quickly regained her composure and concentrated on commanding the troops again.


    Changing places, Roland and his team returned to the dungeon, with Lukius'' special unit behind them.


    They were no longer able to know in advance which quest Roland and his team were aiming for, and they were trying to sabotage the quest by following closely behind the unit.


    Because the two troops were advancing in such close proximity, skirmishes often occurred, but neither side was able to cause any further problems.


    If the adventurers blatantly interfered with each other''s quests, it would be considered obstruction of business and could violate the adventurers'' code.


    Still, there were times when Shakuma, unable to contain his irritation, went to complain.


    Hey you guys!　Please, enough is enough. You''re sticking right behind us, just to show off. Why don''t you develop your own skills instead of getting in other people''s way?"


    Don''t be so crabby." Miss."


    One of the three Cooter brothers said with a grin.


    ''Yes, yes. You''re ruining your pretty face.


    We''re not standing in your way. We just happen to be going to the same place as you. Let''s get along.


    We''ll take down any enemies that come up behind us.


    Shakuma continued to complain about them, but they never took him seriously.


    They kept complaining about him, but he would not listen to them. They''re so eager to get going. They''re so eager to take over the quest when it''s right in front of them.


    Shakuma grunted in frustration.


    Be patient," Shakuma grumbled in frustration. It''s a waste of time to complain to them. I don''t care.


    Yuffine said calmly.


    (though ......)


    Yuffine glanced at their armaments.


    （A troop composed mainly of archers, support mages, and healers. And all of them are B class or above. Clearly, the formation was made with the intention of interfering with our training strategy. This might be a little troublesome.)


    Roland''s team advanced through the dungeon under pressure with the "Golden Eagle" behind them.


    After several hours of advancing, the group arrived at the nest of "Hagane Eagle.


    It was a new Hagane Eagle, different from the quests that had appeared before.


    The nest of the "Hagane Eagle" was located at the top of a large, towering tree, surrounded by stone buildings.


    They are ugly, dilapidated buildings reinforced with poorly worked rock and wood.


    Inside, orcs and other monsters probably lurk.


    The eagle is usually in a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding monsters, and those who take on the quest to defeat the eagle must target the eagle while fighting the monsters around it.


    （It is important to secure a shooting position in order to shoot down the eagle. ) Using "Hawkeye," you can easily secure a position to shoot down the eagle. (The problem is ......)


    Roland glances toward Monica.


    (I wonder if she can withstand the pressure from the "Golden Eagle.")


    Monica is looking down anxiously with her lips pursed from earlier.


    Roland and his team''s quest attack has begun.


    Monica''s arrow, which has the longest range, strikes a large tree in "Hagane Eagle.


    Despite the slenderness of the arrow from the "Silver Iron Breaker Bow," it gouged the trunk of the tree and shook the nest at the top.


    The three Cooter brothers were astonished by the power of the "Silver Steel Breaking Bow.


    What is the power and range of that thing?


    The ''iron-breaking bow''!　No, or no. You don''t mean to tell me it''s exclusive, original equipment!"


    Tsk. She''s not even in C class, and she''s so cocky!"


    Starting with the attack by Roland and the others, monsters came out from the buildings and dens around the big tree and attacked with a yell.


    The sound of swords and shields clashing echoed throughout the area.


    Roland left the white combat to Shakuma and Yuffine, and instructed Monica to enter the firing point.


    (Not many chances. The moment the eagles leave the nest. The moment when the eagles leave the nest, that is, when they attack us and when they run away from the nest. It''s too late to do anything until we have wiped out the enemy''s ground forces.)


    Monica. It''s Hawkeye. Secure a firing point while calculating the flight and escape routes of the eagle!


    Yes, sir.


    Monica''s eyes glow gold.


    The viewpoint switches to looking down from above.


    （There they are. There''s an eagle over the nest. It is hiding in the shadow of the nest. Is it trying to find the right moment to attack?)


    Monica envisions the eagle''s range, our position, and several flight routes, and then derives her range and optimal shooting point.


    (There it is. That building. That''s the highest point.)


    Monica started running as soon as she found the best shooting point.


    At that moment, the "Golden Eagle" troop started to move.


    They began to attack the flank of the white army unit that Roland and his men were fighting.


    （What?　Why?　Why?)


    Even as Monica was upset, they were defeating armored orcs and armored wolves.


    Roland and his men were fighting in a defensive posture to prevent the hagane eagles from escaping, prolonging the battle, but contrary to Roland and his men, they were trying to decide the game early.


    It must have been their intention to let Hagane Eagle go.


    You guys! ......


    Yuffine surely glared at the healer of the three coater brothers.


    What is it?　I''m only helping you because you''re all being so lazy.


    I''m not trying to hinder you. It''s more of a support. It''s not uncommon for guilds to cooperate with each other (or even intercept each other''s prey in the name of cooperation), right?"


    They said it with a nonchalant smirk on their faces.


    d*mn."


    Yuffine gnashed her teeth, but she could not say anything more because it was certainly not an act that could be called criminal.


    (Even so, Monica, as she is now, should be able to finish off the hagane-washi with a single blow using her "Silver Iron Breaking Bow" and "One Strike Kill" skill).


    Roland looked at Monica again.


    Monica hurried to the shooting point, suppressing her impatience.


    (Quickly. If I don''t go fast, the eagle will run away.)


    Five archers, including a cooter equipped with a bow, pass by Monica as she runs frantically.


    (!　(Fast!)


    They were all archers with much more agility than Monica.


    (An orthodox archer. Highly agile unlike me ......)


    The complex that had almost been forgotten in Monica''s mind reared its head again and attacked her.


    They gather at a nearby rock and begin preparing to fire.


    (What?　In that place?)


    According to Monica''s calculation, the place where they were now holding their bows was out of reach of the "Hagane Eagle" even with the "Silver Iron Breaking Bow".


    However, Monica had lost all confidence and was unable to make normal judgments due to the pressure and the upset caused by the mobility they had shown her.


    (Was my measurement wrong?　(No, even if I was right, my speed might not be fast enough for the eagle to take off in time.)


    Monica hesitated and eventually decided to follow them.


    (Let''s not overconfidence ourselves. Besides, they were B-class archers with more experience than me.


    I took up a position near the small rock they were climbing, and took up a shooting position myself.


    Meanwhile, the white army was moving to cut down a large tree after annihilating the ground troops of the monsters.


    The eagle spreads its wings and takes flight.


    The archers, who had been waiting for the eagle, fired their arrows at once.


    However, none of the arrows reached "Hagane Eagle" and it fell just in front of them.


    The eagle flew off into the distance.


    (Failed ......)


    Monica looks in the direction where "Hagane Eagle" flew away, stunned.


    Oh dear," she said. I must have missed.


    Well, we got what we came for, so let''s be happy about that.


    The archers of the Gilded Hawk Special Forces relaxed their shoulders and laughed with each other.


    Monica stumbled back to Roland.


    I''m sorry," she said. Mr. Roland.


    No, it''s okay. More importantly, Monica. When you went for the position, you changed where you were going on the way, didn''t you?　Why didn''t you follow the answers you derived in ''Hawkeye''?"


    ''Ugh, it''s ......, they''re quicker ....... So, you know, I got upset. ......"


    You play with precision instead of agility. All your previous training should have been to build that style. It is meaningless if you change your style at the critical point. Isn''t that right?"


    Yes, I am. ...... sorry."


    If you fail your next quest, I will have to remove you from the unit."


    What?


    You should already be on par with a B-class archer in terms of skill. If you can''t even kill an eagle in spite of that, it''s solely because of your mental weakness.


    ......"


    I have treated you well so far. You know that. If you can''t produce results in spite of that, I don''t have the time to spend on someone who has no chance. If you can''t be counted as an asset, then I have to bring up other A-class candidates."


    Son nna ......"


    Monica. Can you trust your own talent?"


    Ugh. ......


    Next time, if you lose your fight, that''s it.


    "......"


    I will succeed in my next quest. Okay?"


    Yes, sir.


    Monica answered clearly with tears in her eyes.


    Roland and his team continued to move through the dungeon to conquer the quest again.


    As usual, the sabotage unit of the "Golden Eagle" was following closely behind them.


    Roland''s troops were trapped in anxiety.


    Even if they continued to wander around the dungeon, would it be a waste of time without being able to conquer a single quest if they kept following them?


    After all, we could never defeat the "Golden Eagle," could we?


    Sensing this atmosphere, Yuffine went to Roland''s side and advised him.


    Roland," she said. Considering our strength, it would be disadvantageous for us to confront them head-on. Wouldn''t it be better to retreat and reestablish countermeasures?


    It''s not a disadvantage!"


    Roland yelled loudly.


    Euphine was startled by the unexpected yell.


    ''We''re going to conquer the quest, no matter what!　Consider yourself not allowed to leave until you conquer it!"


    The members of the unit were surprised by the unusual behavior of the normally calm commander, but at the same time understood that the commander was very determined.


    Naturally, the hearts of the members of the team moved in the direction of strengthening their resolve, despite their fear of uncertainty.


    Roland glanced at Monica.


    She had been marching with a tragic expression on her face for some time now.


    (I''m sorry, Monica. I really didn''t mean to pressure you like this. I wanted to take my time in bringing you up if I could. But if I was going to put pressure on you, this is the only place to do it. If we run away from fighting the Golden Eagle head-on, we will continue to run away from him for a long time to come. That would be meaningless.)


    Roland stares at Monica''s profile with itchy teeth.


    （Roland looked at Monica''s profile and said, "You are no longer inferior to those guys in terms of skills, stats, and equipment. The rest is a battle against yourself. (You know that, don''t you?).


    Roland and his party fought their fears and proceeded to the nest for the archer''s quest to defeat the "Stormbird.


    The three Cooter brothers were suspicious as they followed Roland and his group.


    They had been going on and on for some time, but there was no sign of encountering any quests.


    What on earth are they trying to challenge?


    Hey," he said. Is the wind getting stronger?"


    No way. Are they on their way to the nest of the Storm Bird?


    I''m not sure what to expect. Stormbirds?　Isn''t this a quest for A-class archers?


    Yarrow. You licked me.


    The Stormbird, as its name suggests, is a bird monster that can cause a storm simply by flapping its wings.


    Its wings can also be used as an item by a mage to control the weather.


    Stormbird feathers are one of the most expensive items on the market today.


    The stormbird is one of the most powerful of all the bird and beast monsters, and there are few adventurers who have ever killed one.


    (It is fortunate that there are monsters in this low level that even B-class archers cannot defeat. ) This way, no matter how many of them there are, they can''t easily get in the way. (The rest can be found at ......)


    Roland glances at Monica.


    (Now we just have to see if Monica can conquer the Class A quest.)


    The two units were exposed to increasingly fierce winds as they advanced.


    If they did not step forward and stay low, they could have been blown away like paper.


    Debris and tree branches had been flying at them incessantly since a few minutes before.


    The troops had to hide in the shadows of the shield squads to move forward.


    This meant that the "storm bird" was almost upon them.


    Soon, the nest of "Stormbirds" came into view in front of both units.


    A large tree, entangled in layers, rises high into the sky.


    Armored orcs and armored wolves crawl out from their holes in the ground and attack the adventurers as they approach.


    They are probably monsters under the control of the Storm Bird.


    The adventurers were forced to defend themselves.


    Thanks to the strong winds of the stormbirds, the range of their arrows was extended and they were able to move forward quickly, giving them momentum in the hand-to-hand combat.


    On the other hand, the adventurers'' arrows had reduced range and power, putting them at a disadvantage in the hand-to-hand combat.


    The only one who seemed to be able to play an active role in this situation was Monica, who was equipped with a "silver iron-breaking bow," but since she had the role of shooting down "stormbirds," she stayed in the back of the pack.


    The adventurers were having a tough time, but they were still slowly moving closer and closer to the nest of the "storm bird," and they were almost within range of the nest.


    Seeing this, the "Golden Eagle" team, which had been standing by in the rear, could not stand idly by and joined the battle.


    It was just as Roland had hoped.


    If he could get them to help him in the battle, he would be able to hold out for a while even if he had to fight A-class monsters.


    The "stormbirds," impatient with the approaching adventurers, flew out of their nests and attacked the adventurers.


    Roland caught a glimpse of the stormbird from the shadow of his shield.


    （Is that the Stormbird?


    It was a beautiful bird clad in light blue feathers.


    A white whirlwind was constantly whirling around its wings.


    The "storm bird" attacked from above the unit, and it was the archer''s best chance to defeat it.


    The archers of both units immediately moved to a better shooting position, supported by the shields.


    Monica used "Hawkeye" to determine the most appropriate shooting position.


    The highest point in the vicinity.


    However, it was already occupied by the archers of the "Golden Hawk".


    (What to do?　(What to do: ......)


    The "Storm Bird" is attacking.


    Flapping its wings, it hurls wind pressure at the troops from above.


    The dense mass of air became like a bullet and rained down on the troops.


    Shields and armor were destroyed, and those who caught them with their shields were easily blown away.


    The enemy ground troops immediately attacked.


    The two units, clustered together with those who could move, gathered all their strength and somehow managed to repel the enemy''s attack.


    However, it was clear to everyone that the front was approaching its limits.


    Meanwhile, the archers continued to shoot arrows, but they were all easily repelled by the winds of the "Storm Bird".


    No use. It doesn''t work.


    Let''s retreat. If we don''t, we''ll be wiped out."


    The "Golden Eagle" troops begin to lean toward the retreat theory.


    Monica became impatient.


    If the "Golden Eagle" withdrew, the "Guardians of the Magic Tree" would have to fight the "Storm Bird" and the ground troops alone.


    That meant the failure of the quest.


    Monica desperately searched for clues using Hawkeye.


    （Please, Hawkeye," she said. I don''t want to quit yet. I still want to continue the adventure with you guys. I will never lose my fighting style again. So please, show me some chance one more time.)


    The winds around the area were against the wind, and the cry of the "Storm Bird" echoed through the air.


    It seemed to be moving on to its next attack.


    This would probably be the last chance to finish off the "Stormbird.


    After being hit once more by the wind projectiles, the troops did not have the strength to continue the fight.


    Monica continued to search for clues as if she were praying.


    At that moment, she suddenly saw what looked like a flowing blue river in her view.


    The river covered the sky like a carpet.


    Although it was a river, it was transparent and its flow could be captured more delicately than the surface of the water, as if countless threads were spun together to form a single stream.


    The river is winding back and forth around the "storm-bird.


    (This is ...... style!)


    Monica''s "Hawk-Eye" was able to visualize and capture wind currents.


    (This is the real power of "Hawkeye.")


    She had the very view of a hawk in the sky.


    She could see the flow of the wind.


    Maybe how to fly higher and more powerfully.


    She sees a red torrent coming from the distance.


    (A gust of wind!)


    The red torrent is about to collide with the blue current created by the Storm Bird.


    Monica drew her bow and prepared for the gust.


    （I don''t believe in my talent. (I don''t believe in my talent.)


    The two winds mix and for a moment there is no wind.


    (I can believe ...... what you say, Roland.)


    Roland told me himself.


    He told me that he had the talent to become an A-class archer.


    Monica''s arrow, carried by a gust of wind, pierced one of the wings of the stormbird without the slightest momentum.


    The "Stormbird," which until then had never wavered in its posture no matter what the wind storms threw at it, swayed for the first time in the sky.


    Monica''s eyes caught the spot of light on the "Stormbird''s" body, a spot that would kill it with a single blow.


    She quickly plucks the next arrow.


    She was able to make the shot more quickly than any other archer present.


    Roland assessed the skills of the Golden Eagle''s archers.


    （All of them have "B" bow marksmanship and "B" agility, which are certainly sufficient skills and status for an archer. But they are still honor students.)


    Roland then appraised Monica''s skills.


    Her "Hawkeye" was at the S class.


    (Any speculation, intrigue, or pressure ......)


    Roland looks confidently toward Monica.


    (You can never cloud true talent!)


    Monica''s arrow pierced through the vital point of the "Storm Bird" without missing a beat.


    The Stormbird exploded, sending sparkling light blue feathers flying all around.


    <>