The Kicked Out S-Rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild

Chapter 109 Karla’s fighting style

As the Spirit Workshop alliance ventured into the dungeon, the members of White Wolf observed them with a sly grin, following closely behind.

“Hah, I never thought they’d all waltz into the dungeon on their own.”

“We were worried about how to lure the Spirit Workshop in, but they saved us the trouble.”

“Laurent, I’ll settle the score from the other day.”

“They’ve become a large group, making it easier to attack. We’ll show them who really owns this dungeon.”

As they proceeded through the forest, Jeff sensed something was off.

(What is it? The others seem to be moving slowly.)

Laurent noticed Jeff’s puzzled expression and asked, “What’s wrong, Jeff?”

“Laurent, it’s just that the movements of the newcomers seem unusually slow…”

“It means you’ve improved.”

Indeed, the difference in movement quality between the new members and the existing ones was evident. Those who had steadily trained under Laurent and gained combat experience had already surpassed the general adventurers of the island.

(However, this raises a problem with the disparity between the new guild members and the existing ones. Disparities inevitably lead to friction and division.)

It was a troubling issue for Laurent as a commander.

(What should I do about this?)

To collect usage fees for the equipment from the adventurer guilds participating in the alliance, they needed to acquire ores. Not only did they need to mine and return with ores, but everyone had to succeed in doing so together.

Naturally, thieves would be aiming for this as well.

(First, the path to the mining site. We must clear it with minimal exhaustion while also training the newly joined adventurers in preparation for the battle with the thieves on our way back.)

Pushing through the forest at the base of the mountain, where the demons and wolves appear, with sheer numbers, the group eventually reached the ‘Metal Line,’ where dull iron ores were scattered all over.

(Now, the real challenge begins.)

Leading 100 adventurers through the narrow dungeon paths meant they couldn’t all move together as one mass. The formation naturally stretched out into a long line.

(The ‘Metal Line’ is where the fire dragon emerges. How do we protect a long, stretched-out unit from an opponent that breathes fire from above?)

Laurent decided to split the unit into two groups.

He placed the strongest squad at the front to face fire dragon. Using high-agility archers and thieves for reconnaissance, the plan was to spot and eliminate fire dragons before it noticed them.

“Leon!”

“Hm?”

“Can you handle the frontline command? I want to focus on the rear.”

“That’s fine, but are you sure I’m up to it?”

“You’ll be fine. I’ve assembled the strongest adventurers for the frontline, and besides…”

[Leon’s Stats]

Command: 80-90

“Your skills as a commander have improved significantly.”

“Is that so? Well, if you say so…”

“I’ll protect the rear, so you concentrate on the enemies up front. Minimize ground combat to avoid unnecessary exhaustion and only engage the dragons. Use reconnaissance to strike first. Just make sure to stay in close contact with the rear so we don’t get separated.”

“Got it.”

Leon took charge of the frontline command.

(As for me…)

While directing the rear, Laurent gathered those he had prioritized for development around him. Among them was Karla.

(The key to our success against the thieves on the return journey will be how much we can strengthen the weaker parts of the unit. However, we can’t proceed too slowly. If we move too slowly, we’ll exhaust ourselves and risk losing sight of the frontline. So, we’ll need to…select. Separate the useful from the useless.)

Laurent selected those who showed promise of quick growth and assigned them to appropriate roles.

Archers with high power were assigned as power shooters. Archers with high agility were designated for support fire. Swordsmen with high power and toughness were made into shock troops. Swordsmen with high agility were assigned to ambush from behind. Those with high ‘Shield Defense’ skills were assigned to support swordsmen with low toughness.

“That should do it. Now, lastly, Karla. You will…”

Laurent assessed Karla’s skills.

[Karla’s Skills]

Swordsmanship: C → A

Shadow Strike: D → A

Item Theft: E → A

Spinning Sword Dance: E → S

(Hmm. She hasn’t grown much since that time.)

“Karla, you’ll stay behind me.”

“Behind you?”

With all positions assigned, the ‘Spirit Workshop’ alliance resumed their dungeon exploration.

Divided into a frontline under Leon’s command and a rear guard under Laurent’s, they advanced along the narrow mountain path, maintaining a certain distance between them.

As Laurent kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, he saw three arrows shot into the sky from the front line.

(A signal from the front! Combat is imminent.)

Laurent signaled his unit to move up and guard the rear of the front line unit.

Once the rear of the front line was secured, he ordered his own unit to watch their back.

(As expected, stopping in the middle of a dungeon means…)

“Enemy attack!! From the rear!”

An archer with the ‘Far Sight’ skill shouted.

“How many?”

“Ten goblins and five armored wolves!”

“Alright. Spread out. Don’t let them surround us, spread horizontally. Karla, remember what I taught you earlier? Let’s go.”

“…”

Karla recalled the lessons Laurent had taught her earlier in the forest.

“A rear-guard type thief?”

“Yeah. Your strength and durability are both low for a frontline fighter.”

Karla Grazia’s Status:

Strength: 30-40

Durability: 20-30

“In your case, it’s best to learn how to fight as a rear-guard thief by effectively using a shield. The key to this is your skill ‘Shadow Strike’.”

(‘Shadow Strike’… I have such a skill…?)

Karla Grazia’s Skills:

Shadow Strike: D → A

Laurent holds his shield and presses his body against the tree trunk.

“‘Shadow Strike’ is a skill that lets you attack enemies on the other side through your allies. Karla, try attacking me from this position.”

“Huh?”

“Attack the tree trunk from behind me, imagining you’re hitting through me.”

“Even if you say that…”

“Just try it. Just do it.”

“Alright…”

Karla slashes at the part of Laurent’s back covered by his armor.

She feels as if the sword is passing through Laurent’s body.

“!?”

A cut appears on the part of the tree trunk where Laurent is pressing his shield.

Laurent takes no damage.

Karla quickly looks at the tip of her sword.

The sword remains pressed against Laurent’s back.

(What was that sensation? It felt like the sword passed through Laurent’s body.)

“Yeah, that’s right. It looks like you’ve got it.”

Karla Grazia’s Skills:

Shadow Strike: C (↑1)

After that, Karla practiced with Laurent several times to get the hang of ‘Shadow Strike.’

(In practice, I can almost always activate ‘Shadow Strike.’ But will it be useful in real combat?)

Laurent blocks the goblin’s sword with his shield.

“Karla, now!”

However, before Karla can slash at Laurent’s back, the goblin moves away.

Karla’s slash only damages Laurent’s armor.

(Ugh, I missed.)

Laurent loses his balance and his stamina is drained.

“Ugh.”

“Ah, sorry. Are you okay, Laurent?”

“I’m fine. But Karla, step in faster! Shorten your form so you can strike quicker.”

“Ugh, shut up. I know.”

“It’s coming. Once more!”

The goblin attacks Laurent again.

(I need to make it easier for Karla.)

Laurent uses his shield to parry the goblin’s sword and then bumps into the enemy to maintain contact for as long as possible.

“Karla, now!”

“Haah!”

Karla thrusts hard at Laurent’s back.

The goblin spews blood and is blown away.

(I did it!?)

(It’s not just that I dealt damage. I pierced through the enemy’s armor to deliver the blow. This is the true value of ‘Shadow Strike.’)

The other members of the squad also finish their battles.

“Karla, you did well in that fight.”

“Ah, yeah.”

“Keep it up for the next battle too Pat!”

“Yes.”

Pat was called over and ran up to Laurent.

“About Karla’s equipment: prioritize thrusting. Focus on lightness over durability to reduce preliminary movements.”

“Understood.”

Pat took notes of what Laurent said.

“Alright. Let’s resume the exploration. Inform the front squad that the battle is over.”

Laurent ordered the messenger to shoot an arrow.

The two split squads maintained a certain distance as they climbed the mountain again.

Laurent continued to train Karla’s ‘Shadow Strike.’

Soon, Karla noticed the damage she inflicted on the enemy was inconsistent.

Sometimes she could take down an enemy in one hit, while other times she only dealt minor damage.

(What’s going on? The power is all over the place.)

Karla tilted her head in confusion.

“Karla, it seems your ‘Shadow Strike’ changes in power depending on the enemy’s stance.”

“The enemy’s stance?”

“Yes. When the enemy’s stance is broken, you can deal massive damage with ‘Shadow Strike.’ When the enemy is leaning towards you or off-balance, it’s as effective as a clean hit.”

“I see.”

“Watch not only my movements but the enemy’s as well.”

“Got it.”

(Watch the enemy’s movements too…)

Karla started paying attention to the enemy’s movements, as per Laurent’s advice.

However, she could hardly see the enemy’s movements from behind Laurent’s back.

But eventually, by just watching the enemy’s feet, she could somewhat predict their stance.

(They’re off balance. Now!)

Karla unleashed ‘Shadow Strike.’

Despite its massive size, the armored orc was struck in a vital spot and killed instantly.

(Impressive. She’s already mastered fighting from behind the shield.)

Laurent was internally amazed at Karla’s quick mastery.

(She’s taken down both goblins and orcs. Neither her endurance nor strength can hold her back anymore. If she can just defeat the high-agility wolf and the lizard warriors…)

Pat, watching from behind, also noticed Karla’s rapid improvement.

(Karla’s movements are becoming sharper. Can learning the right fighting style change someone this much?)

Just then, the opponent Laurent was waiting for appeared.

A lizard warrior.

The lizard warrior took quick steps and slashed at Laurent with a curved blade.

(Ugh, it’s hard to catch this one.)

Laurent grew frustrated as he couldn’t manage to collide with the lizard warrior.

His armor was reaching its limits.

So were his endurance and stamina.

Meanwhile, Karla’s senses became even sharper.

(Laurent’s struggling to catch the enemy, their movements are too fast. I need to be quicker, anticipate their moves…)

Karla stayed close behind Laurent, lowering her stance even more, waiting for the perfect moment.

The lizard warrior’s sword missed Laurent’s shield, throwing it off balance.

Laurent lunged into the lizard warrior’s space and collided with it.

“Alright. Now…”

Before Laurent could finish his sentence, Karla had already stepped in.

Karla activated ‘Shadow Strike’ and deflected the lizard warrior’s sword.

(One more strike…)

However, the lizard warrior was quicker to disengage.

“Laurent, switch!”

Karla leaped over Laurent’s shoulder and slashed at the lizard warrior.

She kept spinning, unleashing a series of continuous strikes.

The lizard warrior was cut to pieces.

Karla was astonished by the skill she had just executed.

(What was that? Was that my skill?)

(Karla’s slashes… That wasn’t just normal swordsmanship. It must be the unique skill ‘Spinning Sword Dance!)

Karla Grazia’s Skills and Status:

Swordsmanship: B (↑1)

Shadow Strike: B (↑1)

Spinning Sword Dance: C (↑2)

Agility: 60 (↑20) – 70 (↑20)

(She’s mastered fighting from behind the shield and her skills and status have blossomed all at once. This will make her a formidable force in the upcoming showdown with the thieves. Karla Grazia, you’ve passed!)

“Well done, Karla,” Laurent said, patting her shoulder.

“Ah, yeah…”

“You must be tired. Take a break… Huh? More enemies!?”

Just as Laurent’s team finished their battle, a new wave of monsters attacked.

Karla tried to ready her sword again but felt something wrong with her legs.

(Ugh, my legs…)

Karla Grazia’s Status:

Agility: 10 (↓50) – 70

(The rapid increase in status caused instability.)

(This is bad, we’ll be surrounded at this rate.)

Cold sweat formed on Karla’s forehead.

“It’s okay, Karla. You can rest now.”

“What?”

Without Karla needing to ask,

The surrounding adventurers quickly formed a protective circle around them.

These were the other adventurers selected by Laurent.

“I’ll take on the biggest ‘Armored Orc.’ Sam, Trevor, cover the sides.”

“Okay.”

“Leave it to us.”

“Noah, there’s someone in the enemy ranks targeting us from behind. Cover us with ‘Archery.’”

“Got it.”

Karla wasn’t the only one who had grown.

Despite the continuous battles, the adventurers chosen by Laurent showed no signs of fatigue. They worked together seamlessly, quickly subduing the new wave of monsters.

“Alright. We’ve subdued the enemies.”

“Seems like we’re on a roll, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, this equipment is really easy to use.”

“It also helps that the commander’s instructions are clear.”

Karla watched in astonishment.

She had never seen local adventurers fight so bravely before.

(In such a short time, he’s made so many adventurers grow…)

Karla looked at Laurent with awe.

(If it’s him, he could really take down the ‘Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir’…)

“Laurent, I need to discuss something about the equipment…”

“Laurent, about enemy reconnaissance…”

“Oh, if it’s that…”