Having lost sight of Yugan, the "Fang Dragon" wanders the "Volcano Dungeon" in search of new prey.


    After all, he is a puppet created from a corpse by "Grand Fafnir," a giant fire dragon.


    He was doomed to decay in a few days.


    Then, at the very least, he wanted to kill someone, an adventurer, for the last time.


    Wandering around the dungeon, he found the perfect people for the job.


    Fang Dragon turned on his heel and rushed to them.


    Monica watched the battle between the Crescent Moon Knights and the White Wolves with "Hawk-Eye.


    (Thank God. Mr. Yugan will be able to return to the city somehow.)


    At Roland''s suggestion, I kept my distance from the battle between the Alliance and the bandits as much as possible, but inwardly, I was worried that Yugan might be killed.


    Even though they were from different guilds, they had fought together at least once.


    I wanted him to be safe.


    (Even so, the bandits were stronger than I had expected. I can''t believe they were able to hunt down Mr. Yugan to that level. It''s not like we have outstanding adventurers, but they are used to fighting against other people. (Maybe I should report this to Mr. Roland.)


    As Monica tried to switch her "Hawk-Eye" viewpoint, she saw a shadow approaching her at high speed.


    （What?　What''s this?)


    Monica hurriedly tried to supplement the shadow, but it was too fast for her to grasp its true identity.


    (A monster with extraordinary agility!　(coming this way)


    Monica looked back at Leon and the others.


    They had just finished their training and were taking a breather.


    Their status was completely depleted.


    If they got into a fight now, they would not be able to hold back.


    Gentlemen, hurry up and pack your bags. A powerful enemy is coming!


    Monica, "Shield of Dawn," and the group of "Heavenly Horse Arrows" were hurrying down the mountain.


    d*mn it. What the hell are you doing here all of a sudden?


    I thought the battle between the ''Crescent Moon Knights'' and the ''White Wolves'' was happening behind the mountain?"


    Yes, it should be, but ......, an unidentified monster is approaching. I didn''t see anything like this on the list of monsters in ''The Volcano Dungeon.''"


    Is the enemy that strong?


    Yes. Probably a class-A equivalent.


    Monica said as she checked the enemy''s position with her "Hawk-Eye.


    （No. I can''t shake it off. They''ll catch up with us if we don''t.)


    Monica. Can''t we fight?"


    Hans said.


    ''What?''


    I''m familiar with your fighting skills. We''ve trained for the past few days, and I''m sure we''ve gotten stronger. Even though we are strong opponents, there is nothing we can''t do, is there?"


    Monica looked up at the members.


    (Surely everyone has gone through Mr. Roland''s menu and gotten stronger; they''re all capable of being the equivalent of Class B.) But ......, there is no commander! Can I fight in this state when everyone is worn out?)


    Monica often hesitated.


    But there was no other choice.


    I understand. Let''s fight.


    (An encounter is inevitable anyway. (An encounter is inevitable anyway, and if we don''t make up our minds soon, it will be too late.)


    Monica and her team chose an easy-to-fight location and set up an intercept position.


    They took up a position on a narrow road with a slope on the right and a sheer cliff on the left.


    The plan was to fire at the enemy who came along the path.


    The plan was to shoot at the enemy who came along the road. The enemy is a very agile monster. If we get into close combat, it will be troublesome. Fortunately, we have five archers. We can use our bow fire to inflict damage at the beginning of the encounter to gain the upper hand in the fight."


    Monica said to herself, questioning her idea.


    (What if they dodge the first blow?　And what about after that?　(Is it really okay to fight this way against a Class A opponent?)


    But there was no time to think about it now.


    The enemy will soon appear from the other side of the road. Everyone, take your arrows. Those of you in white combat gear, please stand firm in the rear.


    Soon after, the "Fang Dragon" appeared with a cloud of dust.


    What is this thing?　I''ve never seen anything like it.


    A wolf?　No, a dragon?"


    Jeff and Claire, who were the first to catch sight of the enemy using their "far vision," could not hide their confusion at the sight of the "Fang Dragon.


    They were in range. Everyone, fire!


    Five arrows are released at once.


    However, the "Fang Dragon" increased its speed even more, dodged all the arrows, and ran down the cliff.


    (Fast!)


    As it is, "Fang Dragon" uses the bushes under the cliff as a shield to get behind Monica and her friends.


    It''s coming from behind! Get ready!"


    All of them pouted.


    The enemy had just run down the cliff.


    What was Monica saying?


    Get out of the way!"


    Monica pushes Elio out of the way and moves to the rear of the line.


    Immediately, the "Fang Dragon" ran up the cliff and jumped in behind the group.


    （Watch your arrows ......, you won''t make it!


    The "Fang Dragon" opens its big mouth and tries to bite me.


    Monica quickly let go of her bow and crossed her arms in front of her face to catch it.


    The fangs of the "Fang Dragon" bite into Monica''s arm.


    Ugh!


    Fang Dragon" pushed Monica down and rolled down the slope, fighting with her.


    "d*mn it!"


    Monica kicks the Fang Dragon in the gut.


    Fang Dragon" leaves Monica''s body and flies through the air.


    (...... light?)


    As soon as "Fang Dragon" lands on the ground, it immediately accelerates and starts running again.


    Monica immediately got up as well.


    Blood drips lazily from her arm.


    Ha, ha."


    (Arm strength (power) is ...... not that high. I specialize in speed. It''s as if it was born to catch adventurers with high agility (agility), such a monster ......)


    My arm throbbed and I frowned.


    (I defended myself as quickly as I could, but my status ...... was shaved off.)


    Monica looked around with "Hawk-Eye.


    There was flat land all around.


    (Have we been dragged into a big place?) Monica looked around with her "Hawk-Eye". I guess the one with high agility has an advantage.


    Monica!　Are you okay?"


    Hans calls out from the cliff.


    Stay where you are!


    Monica stopped Hans and the others who were trying to come down.


    Give me the bow!　Quickly!"


    Hans throws his bow toward Monica.


    （I can''t lead after all. I''ll think of a way to fight alone.)


    Monica checked the position of the "Fang Dragon".


    It moved away a little, but it was coming toward us again.


    (It is difficult to hit an enemy at speed. (It is difficult to hit an enemy that is riding at a high speed. Let them cut your flesh and break your bones. (If you are prepared to take damage and shoot an arrow at it as it approaches, you can make it. ......?)


    The "Fang Dragon" approached us at high speed.


    Monica tries to stand in its path.


    But then she heard a piercing cry in the sky.


    （"No way!)


    A swarm of "Fafnir" appeared in the sky.


    One of them tries to release a breath of fire.


    Tsk!


    Monica turned around and shot down the "Fire Dragon (Fafnir)".


    However, while she was in the middle of it, "Fang Dragon" slashed Monica''s shoulder with its claw and ran away.


    Agh!"


    Monica staggers, but manages to stay on her feet and tries to fight back.


    But by then, the remaining Fafnir had fled into the shadows of the mountains, and the Fang Dragon had fled into the shadows of the thicket.


    Monica. Are you okay?"


    I''m fine. Don''t worry about it.


    Even as she said this, Monica''s complexion did not look good.


    She was barely able to stand on her feet, protecting her shoulder.


    Jeff bit his teeth.


    （d*mn. Can''t you do something? But if I join him, I''ll be dragging him down. (d*mn.)


    Monica analyzes the enemy''s attack earlier.


    (They attacked from the air and the ground, as if they were trying to show us. They are communicating and working together. I knew that new species is a dragon tribe. But what do we do?　We can''t afford to get hit by the breath of fire. If we don''t do anything, we''ll just be slowly being whittled away. Think about it. What would Roland-san do?)


    Monica glances toward Leon and the others.


    (At least if Mr. Roland were here, he could direct us to work with them. (Mr. Roland!)


    Once again, "Fang Dragon" and "Fire Dragon (Fafnir)" come toward us in tandem. Monica started running toward the "Fang Dragon (Fafnir)".


    (I''m going to defeat "Fafnir" first!


    Fafnir" also sets its sights on Monica to intercept her.


    Monica turned pale when they were about to exchange shots.


    （No way. I can''t raise my arm.)


    Breath of Fire" is released.


    Monica meditated.


    At that moment, a blast of air rolled over Monica, drowning out the Breath of Fire.


    What?"


    Monica''s eyes flutter.


    ''Wow, that''s great, big brother.''


    Yeah. This wand is very powerful."


    On the cliff, two new figures had joined Leon and the others where they were.


    Both were dressed as mages.


    They were Will and Lana.


    (Are they ...... mages?　He has weapons from the "Arsenal of the Spirits. (Reinforcements?)


    Will traced his finger over the crest of the "Arsenal of Spirits" engraved on his staff.


    The staff was made for anti-air attack magic against the Fire Dragon (Fafnir). It''s not made of silver, but it''s powerful enough.


    （The Arsenal of Spirits, your alchemical skills are real.)


    Excuse me, who are you people?


    Claire asked timidly.


    I''m Will. This is my sister, Lana. Roland sent us here. Roland asked me to join you in your training.


    I didn''t expect it to be such a shurawar.


    The "Fire Dragons (Fafnir)," angered by being interrupted in their attack, come toward Will.


    Will: "Brother. Fafnir" is coming. Let''s use ''blast magic'' to kill them.


    I''m not sure what to say. That''s a good idea, but if we shoot them down at this position, we might get that archer''s daughter (ko) involved. Nicolas, you''ve got to do something here.


    Yes, yes, yes. Excuse me for a moment.


    Nicola, a bard with a lyre (harp), appeared from behind.


    Immediately a mysterious "dragon sound" tone is played.


    Then "Fafnir" suddenly quelled his hostility and returned to the top of the mountain.


    The dragon is leaving. ......


    We all watched, feeling as if we were being pinched by a fox.


    (Roland guy, did you make such awesome equipment again? You never cease to amaze me.)


    Hans chuckled in dismay.


    All of them almost lost their strength after the crisis, but before they had time to catch their breath, the "Fang Dragon" approached Monica with a cloud of dust.


    What the hell is that guy?　The ''dragon sound'' doesn''t work?"


    Will squinted quizzically.


    ''Could be a class-A dragon tribe. They can be manipulated with this lyre (harp) only up to B class dragons."


    Lana. Can''t you do something about it with your support magic?"


    Yes, sir. I''ll try.


    Lana cast "Crust Magic.


    The ground between Monica and the "Fang Dragon" rises.


    However, the Fang Dragon ran almost vertically up the raised block of ground.


    What power in his legs! It''s as if crustal magic doesn''t even make sense.


    Will looked around at those present.


    (Chi. All of them were equipped for long-range attacks and specialized in anti-aircraft. (If we go down there now, we won''t make it in time to engage them in a hand-to-hand combat.)


    (But with my "Hawk-Eye" I can catch the enemy''s movement on the other side!


    Monica locates the spot where the "Fang Dragon" will come running up, and with her last ounce of strength, she readies her bow and arrow.


    The Fang Dragon reaches the top of the ground raised by the crust magic and leaps carelessly toward Monica, drifting slowly in the air for a moment.


    Monica did not miss that moment and finished off the "Fang Dragon" with a "one-hit kill.


    Monica sat down flat on the spot as pieces of flesh and bone fell all over the place.


    When the fierce battle was over and her strength drained, she felt irresistibly lonely and wanted someone to hug her.


    Those on the cliff came down and offered Monica encouragement and praise, but they did not offer much comfort.


    Monica smiled weakly.


    (I knew it had to be you, Roland. Mr. Roland, can you give me a hug?)


    The group of "white wolves" who had descended from the mountain had returned to the city one step ahead of Yugan and his group.


    Tch. I missed killing Yugan with the double-S."


    What''s up with that? I''ve done what the Dragon''s Fiery Fire asked me to do.


    They were asked by the "Dragon''s Fiery Fire" to wear out the equipment of the "Knight of the Crescent Moon" as much as possible.


    In fact, I would say they have worn out the "Knight of the Crescent Moon" to the point of exhaustion.


    The "Knight of the Crescent Moon" had no choice but to rely on the "Dragon''s Fiery Fire" again.


    Raul was taking shots at Medes with "The Dragon''s Fiery Fire.


    What do you mean? Why am I demoted and Edgar is put in charge of the "Knight of the Crescent Moon"?


    Raul, as I said before, this is not a demotion. It''s a change of personnel. Edgar is better suited for this assignment. That''s what I''ve decided.


    I''m the only one who can repair Yugan''s magic sword.


    I understand. I understand. I''m only in charge of negotiations. You will continue to maintain the sword as you have always done.


    No, but... ......


    Raoul. This is a decision. I will not allow you to interfere any more. You should concentrate on your alchemy.


    Medes dismissed Raul with these words.


    d*mn."


    Raul had no choice but to punch the hallway wall in anger.


    Yugan had visited the "Dragon''s Fireside" to service his worn equipment.


    Edgar responds.


    No," he said. I''m sorry. I''m afraid I''m out of ore at hand, Mr. Yugan.


    Edgar said with a grin.


    ''I''m sorry, but I can''t take your request.


    Not again. Can''t you do something about it?"


    No," he said. I''m really sorry.


    Edgar continues to talk in a very condescending manner.


    (According to the information, the "Knight of the Crescent Moon" is scheduled to explore the dungeon three times. (According to the information, the "Knight of the Crescent Moon" is scheduled to explore the dungeon three more times. But if this happens, I''ll squeeze as much out of you as I can...three, four, five, six ...... times, however many times you want...I''ll do it! I challenge you to explore the dungeon, little Yugan.)


    What''s up with Raul?　I need to talk to him. ......"


    Raul has been dropped as a negotiator. Raul has been dropped as negotiator and I will be in charge from now on. So, what do we do now?　If the "Knights of the Crescent Moon" could prepare the ore like last time, we could get started right away?"


    ...... let me think about it for a minute."


    Yugan thought as he walked down the corridor of "Dragon''s Fireside".


    According to the report from the deputy, the ore procurement rate is 70 percent.


    If we provide it to "Dragon''s Fires," we will have to start all over again.


    Would it be possible to defeat the "Giant Fire Dragon (Gran Fafnir)" while collecting the ore in the last dungeon search?


    （It''s absurd. There is a hidden ball in Grand Fafnir that we haven''t seen yet. I bet the "White Wolf" will take even more countermeasures next time.)


    d*mn."


    The situation only got worse and worse.


    (What is it? Is there anything you can do?)


    Hello. Hey, there.


    "An?"


    A stranger approached Yugan as he was pondering.


    He looked like a warrior carrying a halberd.


    What are you?


    I am Gilbert, a member of the northern adventurers'' guild "Knights of the Hare. Excuse me, but you are Yugan of the "Knights of the Crescent Moon," aren''t you?　Are you having trouble with ore by any chance?　If that''s the case, I have some good news for you."


    What?　What''s the story?


    They are after a guild called The Shield of Dawn and The Arrow of Heavenly Horses.


    The Shield of Dawn and the Arrow of Heavenly Horses?


    Yes. They have a lot of ore in their warehouse in town, so if you defeat them in the dungeon and take them hostage, you can get a lot of ore.


    Yugan looked quizzical.


    ("Shield of Dawn" and "Arrow of Heavenly Horse"?　(Never heard of it.)


    Hey. You know what?　The Shield of Dawn and the Arrow of Heavenly Horses.


    Yugan spoke to a local guild member who was following him.


    He said, "Yes. I know of it, but... Well, it''s a small, insignificant guild. I can''t believe they have such a large amount of ore. ......"


    Just a small guild, huh? Hey. What do you mean, Gilbert? You''re not telling the truth, are you?


    Yugan snapped.


    No, but, sir. They will certainly be a threat to the ''Knights of the Crescent Moon. After all, they are the most evil people who have risen to power through pickpocketing, treachery, and bribery.


    Yugan frowned.


    (What the hell is this guy?　You''re suddenly changing the subject. You''re so shady.


    You may not know this, but I do. If you are a yakuza on this island, you can make a lot of money. It is even possible to own a lot of ore.


    "Oh, oh."


    Yugan sensed that there was something wrong with Gilbert, so he did not approach him any further.


    He told his second-in-command not to listen to the man with the halberd.


    Later, Yugan tried to procure ore in the city, but with no success.


    (It can''t be helped. (In this case ......)


    Yugan decided to make a decision.


    Late at night, when everyone was asleep, the "Knights of the Crescent Moon" secretly headed to the port to load the ore they had procured onto a ship.


    Then, they left the island on the first morning boat.


    （It is impossible to defeat the "Giant Fire Dragon (Grand Fafnir). I''d rather go home than be at the mercy of the "Dragon''s Fires" and the "White Wolves" any longer. (We haven''t achieved the guild''s quota, but it''s still better than going home empty-handed.)


    The people were stunned by the sudden departure of the "Knight of the Crescent Moon," but the crescent flag was removed from the inn later that day.


    The islanders were again disappointed by the adventurers'' guild from the outside.


    <>