The Kicked Out S-Rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild - Chapter 154

Chapter 154   The Fire Dragon’s Plan

Elio had encountered the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior,’ a creature that specializes in illusions.

The ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ is an advanced species of the ‘Lizardman Warrior.’

Its incredibly swift movements create afterimages that look like illusions, which is why it was given this name.

Seeing Elio closing the distance and looking for an opportunity to perform a ‘Shield Charge,’ the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ smirked.

Its defense seemed high, but in terms of agility, it was clearly superior.

It decided to lightly dodge the charge, inflict some damage, and drag the fight into a war of attrition.

Just as the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ prepared to evade Elio’s charge, Karla suddenly appeared diagonally behind Elio.

“!?”

Karla’s appearance lasted only a moment before she vanished again.

This strange occurrence caused the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ to doubt its own eyes, momentarily halting its movement.

(Now!)

Seeing the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ stiffen up, Elio launched his ‘Shield Charge.’

He pinned the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ with his shield, sword and all, lifting it off its feet with raw power, rendering it unable to move.

The ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ flailed its legs, desperately trying to escape Elio’s shield that restrained its freedom, but Karla’s ‘Shadow Strike’ was faster.

The ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ was pierced through the chest and died instantly.

(We really managed to defeat the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’!)

Elio was amazed by the effect of Karla’s agility.

Until now, the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ had been a nemesis for Elio.

With the instant forward thrust of the ‘Shield Charge,’ Elio could close the distance with most enemies and push them back, but the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ had always been elusive.

However, with Karla’s current agility, she could control the aggro and even stop the movements of the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior.’

When Laurent first told him this, Elio had been skeptical, but now, seeing the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ being subdued like this, he had no choice but to believe it.

“That’s amazing, Karla. To think you could confuse the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior.'”

“Yeah, I suppose,” Karla replied with a gloomy expression.

She recalled her conversation with Laurent.

“What!? The description of the ‘Spinning Sword Dance’ now includes the ‘Dragon Burial Dance’!?”

“Yes. It seems there’s a close connection between the ‘Spinning Sword Dance’ and the ‘Dragon Burial Dance.'”

“So that means…”

“Yeah. By mastering the ‘Spinning Sword Dance,’ you might get closer to achieving the ‘Dragon Burial Ceremony’ that you desire.”

Karla suddenly felt as if a path had opened up before her.

She never expected to find a way to achieve her long-held goal in this manner.

“Karla, from here on, pair up with Elio again.”

“Huh? With Elio?”

“Your goal of increasing agility has been achieved. Now, I want you to test the ‘Spinning Sword Dance’ as much as possible. It might become a key move in the battle against the ‘Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir.'”

“Karla? Is something wrong?” Elio asked, concerned by Karla’s lack of enthusiasm.

“No, Elio. Let’s move on. I’d like to face a strong dragon-type monster where I can test the ‘Spinning Sword Dance’ as much as possible.”

“? Okay, got it.”

Meanwhile, Jill was fighting another ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ in a different location.

Even though Jill’s agility surpassed 100, it was still challenging to catch the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior,’ one of the swiftest creatures in the ‘Volcano Dungeon.’

“Haaaah!”

Jill thrust her sword forward, but the ‘Phantom Lizardman Warrior’ easily dodged.

(It dodged. Will the enemy attack next?)

Jill deliberately left an opening.

She planned to either dodge swiftly when the enemy attacked and break its stance or take the hit and counterattack.

However, the “Phantom Lizardman Warrior” seemed to see through Jill’s intentions. After landing a quick strike with its sword, it immediately pulled back, avoiding Jill’s counterattack.

(Tch. No good.)

Laurent was observing Jill’s battle carefully.

[Silver Poison Sword Status]

Compatibility Rate: 80%

(Compatibility rate at 80%. Not bad, but still needs a little more. She’s already adapted to fighting using power and toughness. The only thing left is to master a fighting style using agility…)

Jill adjusted her grip on the sword.

(If I keep fighting normally, I won’t be able to catch the “Phantom Lizardman Warrior.” To land a hit with this sword…)

Jill thrust her sword forward.

The “Phantom Lizardman Warrior” narrowly avoided the strike.

Jill thrust again.

The “Phantom Lizardman Warrior” dodged again.

Jill thrust once more, then again, and again, repeatedly.

Jill’s thrusting speed continued to increase, turning into a flurry of strikes.

The “Phantom Lizardman Warrior” began to pale.

While none of the strikes were fatal, the sword was steadily causing more and more minor wounds.

As time went on, the number of Jill’s consecutive thrusts increased, and her precision improved further.

The bleeding became harder to ignore.

With every step closer, the rain of thrusts poured down, making it impossible for the enemy to counterattack.

Eventually, the “Phantom Lizardman Warrior” took a deep wound to its leg, staggered, and was then hit multiple times in the shoulder, cheek, knee, and abdomen. It finally collapsed from exhaustion.

Laurent watched this unfold with satisfaction.

(That’s right, Jill. That sword was designed for rapid strikes. Against agile opponents, you counter with speed and volume. That’s the answer.)

[Silver Poison Sword Status]

Compatibility Rate: 100%

(Alright. The equipment adjustment is complete.)

Not only were Jill and Karla’s adjustments progressing smoothly, but so were those of the other adventurers.

[Liz Leowill’s Status]

Agility: 90 (↑20) – 100

[Archie Shetty’s Status]

Power: 90 (↑20) – 100

[Ike Belford’s Status]

Power: 90 (↑20) – 100

Liz had been moving swiftly since entering the “Barren Zone.”

(My body feels so light. I’m moving this fast, yet I’m not tired at all. This must be the effect of the status adjustments…)

She soon got a chance to test her newly enhanced agility.

While keeping watch around the unit, Liz spotted a “Fire Dragon” wearing a collar.

Magical runes were inscribed on the collar.

(That’s… the “Barrier Dragon”?!)

The “Barrier Dragon” is an A-Class monster ideal for archers.

By generating a barrier, it defends itself from enemy attacks while simultaneously attacking with its “Fire Breath.” To defeat it, one needs agility to dodge the flames and precise archery skills to shoot arrows during the brief moments when the barrier is not active.

(According to Laurent, my agility is already at A-Class. If that’s the case, I should be able to defeat the “Barrier Dragon.”)

Liz decided to take on the challenge.

As Liz fired her “Arrow Shot,” the “Barrier Dragon” activated its collar, causing a magical barrier to appear.

Her arrow was effortlessly blocked by the barrier.

After the barrier vanished, the “Barrier Dragon” launched a “Fire Breath.”

Liz dodged it with her exceptional agility.

This exchange continued for a while.

The “Barrier Dragon” would block Liz’s “Arrow Shots” with its magical barrier.

Liz, in turn, would dodge the dragon’s attacks using her agility.

After about ten repetitions of the same pattern, there was finally a change.

(To get past the “Barrier Dragon’s” magical barrier, I need to be sharper and more precise!)

Liz evaded the “Fire Breath” with minimal movement and, from a distance, delivered a precise shot that destroyed the “Barrier Dragon’s” collar.

(Got it!)

After that, all that was left was to take down the normal “Fire Dragon” with her “Arrow Shots.”

Archie continued to block the attacks of the “Mountain Ogre,” a giant ogre as large as a mountain, with his shield.

(At first, I thought the shield was too heavy, but now it actually feels easier to use.)

The “Mountain Ogre,” which had been relentlessly pounding on Archie, eventually exhausted itself and collapsed on the spot.

The thick rocks that covered its body crumbled away instantly.

(Alright. It took some time, but I finally defeated it.)

[Archie Shetty’s Skill]

“Shield Defense”: A (↑1)

Ike faced off against the “Shield Dragon,” a dragon that hides behind its massive shield.

(The A-Class “Fire Spear” felt heavy at first, but during this dungeon exploration, I’ve gotten used to it.)

Ike fearlessly maneuvered around the “Shield Dragon,” even with its enormous shield.

The “Shield Dragon” hid its body behind the shield.

However, Ike’s “Fire Spear” not only pierced through the shield but melted it, revealing the “Shield Dragon.”

The “Shield Dragon” visibly panicked.

It has a tendency to fear being seen through any hole in its shield.

“Got you!”

Ike estimated the “Shield Dragon’s” location through the hole in its shield and thrust the “Fire Spear” into the spot where it was most likely hiding.

The “Flame Javelin” struck true, piercing through the “Shield Dragon’s” torso.

(I dedicate this A-Class title to you, Lizetta.)

[Ike Belford’s Skill]

“Lance Technique”: A (↑1)

Thus, the “Spirits Alliance of ” continued to grow stronger as they climbed the mountain.

They were now just a little distance away from the volcano’s summit, where the “Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir,” awaited.

At the summit of the volcano, near the crater, the “Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir” was receiving reports from its subordinate, the “Flying Dragon Wyvern.”

Even without the warning from its subordinates, it could sense a strong force approaching.

A heavily armored knight with power equal to or even greater than the S-Class black-clad swordsman who had reached this summit before.

And unlike the black-clad knight, this one was approaching while coordinating with powerful companions.

The “Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir” was concerned not only about Jill.

There was also the girl, Karla, dressed in an outfit that made it hard to tell if she was a thief or a swordsman.

A descendant of that accursed clan that weakens the power of its dragon kin.

For a while, her power had waned, but at some point, she had improved her skills as an adventurer and now approached, accompanied by an S-Class adventurer.

After thinking for a while, the “Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir” opened his eyes with resolve.

Simply waiting here would not be enough to repel them.

Given the circumstances, it was necessary to go out and intimidate those adventurers itself.

With that conclusion, the “Giant Fire Dragon, Grand Fafnir” lifted his heavy body and headed towards the exit of the crater.