Tsk. It keeps regenerating after every slice!　There''s no end in sight!


    Yugan was running, using his sword to clear away the bone arrows that were raining down on him.


    He had weak endurance (toughness) for an S-class adventurer.


    Instead, his agility was outstanding.


    The skull dragon swooped around Yugan''s escape route and blocked it.


    It slashes at him with its claws.


    However, Yugan saw through the Skull Dragon''s attack, and instantly moved around behind it from the slight blind spot it had created.


    No matter how agile the Skull Dragon was, there was no way to prevent its huge body from creating a blind spot.


    "Haaaaaaah!"


    Yugan slashed at one of the Skull Dragon''s wings from behind.


    Dozens of bony wings were sliced apart by Yugan''s beloved sword, which was only a meter or so long.


    It was like an attempt to break a creek with a wooden stick.


    Rah!"


    However, Yugan''s dagger blade cut through the bones of dozens of wings without wavering.


    Gruaaaaaah!"


    The Skull Dragon turned and swung its claws at Yugan, but Yugan flinched and dodged.


    （Yugan dodged it with a flutter. I can do this.)


    Yugan was becoming convinced of his victory.


    （I''m much more agile than you. I know all the attack patterns, and I''ve seen them all. If I keep on ticking like this, he will reach the limit of his stamina at some point.


    Yugan then dispels the falling bone arrows with his sword.


    (After this, he should regenerate the wing he cut off. (After this, he should regrow the wings he cut off.) He takes advantage of this opportunity to deliver another slash or two.


    Yugan continues to run in a circle around the Skull Dragon, holding his sword at the ready and looking for an opening.


    However, the skull dragon made a different move than Yugan expected.


    With its right hand, it grabbed its left wing and tore it off.


    （What?)


    The bones of the purged wings fell apart and decayed.


    （He tore off his own wing?)


    The Skull Dragon runs along with Yugan.


    Once again, a pause began between Skull Dragon and Yugan.


    Both sides try to get just the right pause for themselves.


    Skull Dragon was clearly more agile than before.


    With small steps, he tried to lure Yugan into his claws.


    He swiped his claws away, grazing Yugan''s cheek and making a cut.


    （His agility has increased!　Calm down. (But you still see through the attack.)


    Yugan moves in behind the Skull Dragon, which has been knocked down by the attack.


    (Humph. No matter how powerful the attack is, it doesn''t matter if it doesn''t hit!)


    Yugan goes behind the enemy''s back at once, as he has done many times before.


    （Once you''re behind them, there''s nothing you can do!)


    However, contrary to Yugan''s prediction, the skull dragon fought back.


    No matter how fast it moved, it never used its bone legs to attack, but it raised them and kicked backward like a capoeira.


    (Nah!　(Kicking with this figure, huh?)


    That was not all.


    A second and third wave of kicks followed in rapid succession.


    Yugan was unable to dodge and was grazed by the third wave.


    Even though he was grazed, the force was as if he had been hit by a truck.


    Gah!"


    Yugan rolls on the ground, spitting blood, and somehow manages to get out of the way.


    He gets up and moves away.


    (Tsk. I let my guard down.)


    Yugan somehow manages to deal with the bone arrows that are raining down on him, and he manages to get out of the way and regain his stance.


    While dodging the skull dragon''s slamming attack, he drank a potion to regain his strength, but his body did not move as fast as he wanted it to.


    （d*mn it, my agility has been reduced.


    Since I had already seen through the skull dragon''s attack pattern, I was able to dodge its attacks, but I was unable to get behind it as I had done earlier.


    I could not find a clue to counterattack.


    （This is not good. If we continue to fight a war of attrition, we''ll be in trouble. ......)


    Seeing that Yugan was exhausted, Skull Dragon shot out all the bone arrows he could muster, determined to win the game.


    Tsk. You''re doing exactly what I don''t want you to do!


    Yugan tries to run while brushing away the rain of bones with his sword, but he is nearly knocked off his sword.


    （d*mn, my arm strength is getting low too.


    Reluctantly, Yugan stops and holds his sword in both hands.


    The Skull Dragon takes advantage of this opportunity to come around behind him.


    Yugan barely dodges the Skull Dragon''s attack.


    But his arm goes numb.


    （It''s no good. I''m going to have to recover once I''m back on my feet. (I''m going to have to retreat.)


    Yugan glanced at the Skull Dragon while protecting his arm.


    (The question is ...... how to escape from it.)


    The Skull Dragon came again, sending bone arrows flying.


    ''Tsk, give me a minute.


    The skull dragon comes around behind me again.


    (YABBE)


    Yugan prepared to die.


    But then a shield flies up and hits the skull dragon in the head.


    (This shield is ......)


    When Yugan looked in the direction from which the shield flew, he saw Jill running at full speed, dragging her sword.


    (Jill Irwin!　What the hell is that guy?　(Your equipment has changed!)


    Until a few minutes ago, Jill had a large sword, but it was at most long and large enough to be carried on her back.


    However, her current sword was long and large enough to be carried on her shoulder.


    Thanks to this, she was always dragging the tip of the sword on the ground, somehow managing to carry it.


    (I wondered what she had been doing all this time, had she changed her equipment?)


    Jill was frowning as she dragged the "Dragon Hammer.


    (d*mn. I''m not sure how heavy it is. Even though he was only carrying it like this, he could feel his toughness and stamina being drained away. (But ......)


    Jill glares at the Skull Dragon with a snap.


    (I can''t disappoint Mr. Roland. We can''t let him down any further, keep him from his rightful place in our estimation.)


    The Skull Dragon captures Jill and leans in.


    （He''s going to fight in that condition?　(That''s absurd.)


    To Yugan, what Jill was doing seemed reckless.


    (He can''t even carry a sword on his back, can he? (How can you handle the agility of a skull dragon in that state?)


    Jill recalled what Roland had told her.


    With your current status, you can only use the ''dragon hammer'' twice.


    Twice......"


    The weight of the dungeon is too heavy for me to fine-tune it to be suitable for dungeon operations. I''m not sure how many times I can swing it around.


    Yes.


    We need to make sure we kill the enemy with a single blow. You know how to do that, right?　Just fight like you normally would, like I taught you. Can you do that?"


    Yes!"


    (What Roland taught me. Instead of using agility (agility) to dodge brilliantly, use endurance (toughness) and arm strength (power) to fight straight at the enemy''s attack. (That is my way of fighting!)


    Jill carried the "dragon hammer" with as much strength in her legs as possible.


    By doing this, she was able to save her agility and save her power and toughness.


    The skull dragon used its entire body, flexing its bones like muscles, expanding and stretching its arms, and pointing its claws at Jill.


    （I can''t do it. I can''t dodge it.)


    You idiot. Run away. You''ll die!


    Yugan shouted.


    Still, Jill did not run away.


    The determination in her eyes did not leave the Skull Dragon.


    The skull dragon''s claws hit Jill squarely in the body.


    A tremendous impact struck Jill''s body.


    However, her body was not blown away, but only backed up slightly.


    Rather, the Skull Dragon''s claws broke.


    What?"


    Yugan rolled his eyes.


    (Doesn''t that armor blow away, let alone get a scratch on it?　Unusual weight!　(Is that a new material?)


    I got you. The Skull Dragon."


    （If I''m going to make sure I get you, it''s going to have to be at this moment, when you''re out of position.)


    Jill whipped her body, which was screaming from the heavy damage, and gripped the sword with both hands.


    I threw my shield so that at this time I could hold the sword with both hands.


    I dragged the sword to save my strength for this moment.


    Activate the skill "Single Point Concentration (Burst)" (temporarily increases any status to twice its highest value in exchange for a significant drain on all statuses).


    Kuray!"


    Jill swings her great sword with all her might and strikes the Skull Dragon''s claws.


    The Skull Dragon''s arm burst from palm to shoulder.


    The Skull Dragon was stunned, not knowing what had just happened.


    Jill kicked the ground with all her might and dove into the Skull Dragon''s chest.


    She swung her "Haryutsu" down on the Skull Dragon''s shoulder in an exaggerated slash.


    The "Ha-Ryu-Tsuki" shattered the skull dragon''s thick ribs as well as its core.


    It was a hammer blow in the shape of a sword, but with the weight of the sword, it could crush even the largest of enemies, leading even the dragon to ruin.


    The light of life was completely extinguished from the huge skeleton.


    The bones decayed on the spot and crumbled into pieces.


    Jill falls to the ground, buried under the dismembered bones.


    Yugan watched in dismay.


    (Seriously? He did it. With a single blow to the Skull Dragon''s thick ribs ......)


    Jill!"


    As Yugan is stunned, a man rushes up under the crumpled and broken skull dragon.


    (That guy is ......)


    From the looks of it, he didn''t seem to be much of a fighter.


    Looking at his equipment and the way he carried himself, he was probably a D-class adventurer at best.


    Frantically digging through the pile of bones, I pulled up Jill, who was buried among the bones.


    Jill. Pull yourself together."


    He looks at Jill as if measuring her condition.


    It was like he was appraising her status.


    (That guy. Appraiser?　Don''t tell me that''s the guy you''re talking about, the S-class appraiser in town?)


    Yugan remembered what Monica and the others had said about the appraiser.


    (Was that the one who delivered that new weapon to Jill? Not only can he spot hidden skills, but he can develop a weapon like that?)


    Ugh, Mr. Roland. ......"


    Jill woke up moaning.


    ''Jill, thank God.


    [Jill Irwin''s status.


    Arm strength (power): 1-110


    Endurance (toughness): 1-120


    Agility: 1-105


    Physical strength (stamina): 1-200


    (All statuses, the lowest value is 1. You''ve really pulled out all the stops. (Totally reckless.)]


    Mr. Roland. The Skull Dragon is at ......."


    It''s all right. It''s all right. It''s completely silent now. You beat him. Congratulations. You''re now a Class S adventurer.


    Really?　Good. Now I can finally give you the title you deserve, finally give you a little something back ......"


    Jill, you''re such a ...... anyway, let''s treat you now. Can you stand?"


    Yes, sir.


    Jill somehow manages to stand up with the help of Roland''s shoulder.


    The mission is over. Let''s go home.


    Roland looked over and saw Yugan.


    He was staring at him.


    Roland recognized his ability at a glance.


    (I don''t need to appraise him; he''s an S-class adventurer, "Knight of the Crescent Moon" Yugan ......)


    "Thank you."


    Roland bowed his head with a bow.


    ''Huh, you''re an S-class appraiser?


    Do you know who I am?"


    Yeah, there''s quite a rumor going around. There is a skilled appraiser who trains dropout adventurers to become first-class appraisers. But that''s just in a small circle. I see. His name is Roland?


    "......"


    I finally got to see your face. You look harmless enough at first glance, but you''ve got some pretty sharp fangs.


    Thank you. ......


    Ugh.


    Jill?　Are you okay?"


    Roland sees Jill moaning and sends her to be treated by a healer.


    ''I''m sorry, Mr. Yugan, but I have to take Jill back to town. If you''ll excuse me. Good bye."


    Yugan watched Roland''s back for a while.


    ''d*mn, you snatched away my earnings again.


    (I see. That Lukius is afraid of me. Roland ...... will get his name out there for this one.)


    He''s not the kind of guy who ends up in this town. We will see each other again sooner or later. ......


    The Skull Dragon has been defeated, an S-class monster downed.


    The announcement at the quest reception desk sent the town''s residents into a frenzy.


    At last, an S-class adventurer had been born.


    People rushed to the dungeon to catch a glimpse of the heroic figure of the S-class adventurer.


    Soon after, Gilles made his appearance.


    The people applauded and cheered.


    Jill was stunned.


    Jill, they rushed to see your heroic figure at first sight. Make sure you respond to them.


    Yes."


    Jill holds up a piece of the skull dragon''s heart.


    The residents rose to their feet.


    We have a new class S adventurer!


    City of Adventurers, Banzai!　Congratulations to these brave adventurers!"


    Soon the place was filled with people cheering and congratulating.


    People gathered on both sides of the street, creating the appearance of a parade.


    When Roland and Jill arrived at the plaza, the excitement reached its peak.


    Blessed Jill, S-Class Adventurer!"


    Blessed Jill, S Class Adventurer!


    Blessed Jill, S-Class Adventurer!


    Blessed be the Golden Eagle!


    Blessed be the Keeper of the Magical Tree!


    Blessed be the Arsenal of Spirits!


    People were shouting the names of guilds in a mazy way, not knowing which guilds to bless.


    Jill and Loran laughed.


    Loran-san, could you please lend me your ''Ha-Ryu-Tsuki'' once more?"


    What?　But, Jill. You are ......"


    I''ll be fine. I won''t push it."


    Jill received the "Dragon Hammer" from Marina and held it up to the people.


    The sword is engraved with the emblem of the "Arsenal of Spirits.


    The people responded exactly to Jill''s message.


    Bless the Arsenal of Spirits!


    Blessed be the Arsenal of Spirits!


    Bless the Arsenal of Spirits!


    Now, Mr. Roland, you, too, raise your sword.


    What, are you sure?"


    Of course. Here you go."


    Roland put his hand on Jill''s raised sword.


    One of the spectators tilted his head.


    Who is that guy?"


    It''s Roland. The appraiser.


    A connoisseur?"


    Yeah, I heard he''s the head of the guild of the Arsenal of the Spirits.


    So you made that weapon, too?"


    Yeah, it must be."


    This conversation quickly became contagious.


    Blessed Roland the connoisseur who created the S-class weapon, the "Dragon Hammer!


    Bless you, Roland the Appraiser!


    Blessed Roland the Appraiser!


    People started shouting so.


    Roland was feeling self-conscious, but he was still receiving people''s blessings.


    No," he said. I feel good. I''ve been blessed by all of you.


    Marina, walking beside me, said proudly.


    ''No, no, why are you beating your chest?''


    The healer man said.


    Hearing their exchange, Roland and Gilles looked at each other and laughed amusingly.


    Lilianne watched the parade from the sky.


    She had just returned to the city ahead of the others after conquering the "Forest Dungeon.


    (Good for you, Loranne. You''ve managed to raise Miss Jill with your own hands, and to earn your rightful honor.)


    Congratulations, Mr. Roland!"


    Impressed, Jill hugged and kissed Loran.


    She kissed him on the cheek, which was extremely close to his lips.


    Lillianne tilted her head.


    (Hmm?)


    Jill''s lips did not part immediately, and she kissed him repeatedly.


    Roland was embarrassed, but accepted the kisses.


    Finally, Roland returned the kisses on Jill''s cheeks.


    Jill was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed her reward from Roland with her eyes closed.


    (Well, well, it''s a love between master and disciple, isn''t it? Master-disciple love. Let''s tolerate it for today at least.)


    Lillianne thought so and decided not to think too much about it.


    A hotel room.


    The investors of "The Golden Eagle" were gathered in a room that looked like a conference room.


    They were watching the parade from the window with a bitter look on their faces.


    What an abomination!


    One of the investors said.


    Not only did they fail to conquer the dungeon, they even missed killing the S-class monster."


    And all this in the same way that he was betrayed by Jill Irwin.


    All proceeds from the defeat of S-class monsters go to the Guardians of the Magical Tree, I''m told.


    The Gilded Eagle has made zero money this month.


    On the contrary, I hear that the movement within the guild to bring down Lucius is becoming more and more violent by the day.


    How much does that man have to hurt our bottom line?


    How in the world are you going to take responsibility for this?


    The investors complained and complained to each other.


    At one point, a banker, who had remained silent until then, opened his mouth.


    He said, "Gentlemen, don''t you think it''s time to bring this to a close?


    Judgment?"


    Yes, it is a judgment on Lucius. We have given him time and opportunity and waited patiently. And he has failed us. I propose that Lukius be removed from his position as head of the Golden Eagle Guild and that a new guild leader be hired.


    When the banker said this, the investors suddenly began to become disheartened and everyone looked down as if at a loss.


    If you fire Lucius, who in the world can replace him?"


    The only adventurers in the Golden Eagle are those who know nothing but walking through dungeons, wielding weapons and relying solely on their own bravery.


    They all look like a bunch of thugs, one step ahead of the rest of us.


    Not a single one of them has any business savvy."


    Meanwhile, the Gilded Eagle is a mess.


    The finances are in shambles and the organization is in disarray. The organization is in disarray. It''s too big to handle.


    There is no one in the guild who is qualified for the job. And moreover, in the face of this difficult situation, there is no one who can steer the ship correctly. ......


    I can think of one person who does.


    Said the banker.


    ''Ring a bell?''


    Yes, he used to belong to the Golden Eagle and was one of the driving forces behind its breakthrough. He is now the head of the alchemy guild "Arsenal of Spirits" and a special advisor to the "Guardians of the Magic Tree" and has succeeded in producing a large number of A-class adventurers. I have heard that it was largely due to his achievements that Jill was raised to become an S-class adventurer."


    What?　Is there such a person?"


    I didn''t know that.


    Who the hell is he?


    His name is Roland, and he is a grade S appraiser. I suggest that you ask him to become the guild leader of the Golden Eagle and rebuild the guild.


    Lucius was busy running around the headquarters of the "Golden Eagle".


    Dianna. Dianna. Where are you?"


    Lucius called out loudly, but no response came back.


    Dianna," he said, "it looks like Jill''s S-class monster has been killed. Yugan and Mirko, they talked a big game, but they couldn''t do anything about it. Those useless bastards. Lilianne has conquered the forest dungeon, and the dungeon in the magical world will soon fall into the hands of the guardians of the magical tree. We were annihilated. I really have no income this month. d*mn it. That pestilent appraiser. Anyway, no matter what excuses I come up with, I''ll never be able to cover it up. I''m going to be fired. I''m going to get as much severance pay as I can. I''m going to cover up all the accounting irregularities and put the blame on my successor. I will make him suffer as much as possible. To do this, I need to buy time, destroy evidence, and forge new documents. Help me, Dianna. Dianna?　Hey, where are you really, Dianna? Stop hiding and come out."


    Lucius looked around his room, wide with dark clouds.


    But she was nowhere to be found, as she should always be.


    He looked around the room again to see if he had overlooked her, but she was still nowhere to be found.


    Rukius enters his office, suspicious.


    He sees a ransacked filing cabinet.


    When I looked, it seemed that every single document that could be used as evidence of improper accounting had been removed.


    That''s ridiculous. Why are all the documents being removed from ...... and by whom?"


    Lucius thought about all the suspects who had stolen the documents.


    But no matter how many times he thought about it, he could think of only one person other than Lucius who had free access to this room.


    (No way, Dianna?　(Did he betray me?)


    He gives Lucius'' weakness to his enemies and escapes from the muddy boat by himself.


    It was Dianna''s idea.


    But ......, Lucius thinks about it.


    The most important thing to remember is that the best way to get the most out of your money is to be honest with yourself.


    The trend has already been decided.


    Even if Roland did not do this or that any more, Lukius would not be able to avoid losing his position.


    From Roland''s point of view, he had no reason to go out of his way to help Dianna.


    Unless Dianna has something else to offer.


    However, there is only one thing that Dianna has that Roland would want.


    Roland demands it.


    Dianna is more than willing to give it to him.


    She opens her bosom and opens her legs, surrendering herself to the relief of being absolved and to the newfound pleasure.


    Roland plays with her body and basks in the afterglow of his small victory.


    The thought of it all made Lucius feel violently inferior.


    He feels palpitations and dizziness, and even his consciousness begins to fade.


    d*mn, ugh. That''s ridiculous. This, this can''t be ......


    At that moment, the door slammed.


    Lucius was startled.


    Rukius, are you here?　Police. You are suspected of improper accounting and tax evasion. We would like to question you. You should appear before us."


    Shit.


    As soon as Lucius picked up the sword displayed on the shelf, he ran toward the window.


    The sound of windowpanes being broken echoes down the hallway.


    ''Lucius?　Hey, Lucius. I know you''re in there.　Answer me. I''m coming in!"


    When the detectives entered, they found only broken windowpanes strewn about.


    Lukius is wanted that day.


    Learning from the Sebasta case, the police had the city''s exits monitored to ensure that Lucius could not flee the city.


    However, no one in the city, which was abuzz with the appearance of S-class adventurers, paid any attention to Rukius.


    The voices of praise for Roland and Gilles were endlessly heard in the city that day.


    <>