The Kicked Out S-Rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild - Chapter 72 & 73

Chapter 72   Hit and Run

Hans and his group were exploring the Volcano Dungeon when they heard the booming sound of the Dragonhead’s Gauntlet from below.

(That sound… is it the cannon fire from the Dragonhead’s Gauntlet? Has the Great Alliance started moving?)

“That was the sound of the Dragonhead’s Gauntlet, right?” Alice narrowed her sharp eyes and glared toward the foot of the mountain.

“Yes, I sense a lot of people moving. When we descend, let’s be careful not to cross their path.”

“Hey, are we really okay with not joining the hunt for the Grand Fafnir?”

“We’ve already decided, haven’t we? We’re putting our faith in Laurent and the Arsenal of the Spirits.”

“I know, but…” Alice sensed movement from a monster in a nearby thicket.

Hans and Claire also noticed and crouched down.

A Rockfang Wolf burst out of the bushes.

Hans and his group immediately started running to get away.

“Why are we always running away?” Alice complained.

As they ran, Hans recalled Laurent’s advice.

“Remove our gear?”

“Yes, your current equipment is suppressing your potential.”

Hans and his group mainly used bows and arrows, but they also wore heavy armor, shoulder shields, daggers, and even spears. They were heavily equipped.

“This heavy equipment is a shackle on the agility that is the greatest strength of an archer. Why are you so heavily equipped?”

“The Dragon’s Ember recommended it.”

“It’s actually necessary. To protect ourselves from the fire attacks of dragons like Fafnir, Wyverns, and Pterosaurs, we need this level of armor.”

“I see. So it’s for fire attack protection. Got it. I’ll handle that. In the meantime, you need to focus on training your agility.”

“Agility?”

“Yes. Right now, your agility is far from its full potential.”

[Hans Bergamot’s Status]

Agility: 50-80

[Claire Bergamot’s Status]

Agility: 50-70

[Alice Bergamot’s Status]

Agility: 60-90

(All of them have agility levels in the B to A class range, but their variability from 20 to 30 is very unstable. They must have dulled their senses dragging around that heavy equipment in the dungeon.)

“From now on, you will adopt a strategy centered around agility. You need to reduce your agility variation to within 10 points. This is the condition the Arsenal of the Spirits requires in exchange for support.”

“But what if we encounter a high-attack monster?”

“Yeah, are you saying we should fight without any armor?”

“In that case, you run!”

“Run?”

“Yes, hit and run. That’s the strategy you aim for. Use your agility to gain a superior position against the enemy. Strike once and then retreat from the battlefield. By focusing solely on these two tactics, you will tighten your agility and regain your dulled combat instincts as archers.”

Claire and Alice exchanged glances.

They had sought advice from various places to survive, but this was the first time they’d received such guidance.

Could they really trust what he was saying?

“You seem to have some doubts.”

“We understand your training plan and the strategy, Laurent,” Claire said.

“But are you sure this isn’t too slow-paced? Even if we improve our agility, what then? In this dungeon, we need to mine ores or defeat dragons to earn income. If we enhance our abilities as archers but don’t generate income, we won’t survive. We’re a small guild, already struggling with weak skills and manpower, constantly pressured by external and thief guilds…”

“I have a plan for that too.”

Laurent took out a map. It was the result of his independent research on the “Volcano Dungeon.”

“As I mentioned earlier, I believe that the great alliance led by the ‘Guardians of the Magic Institute’ will most likely fail. When that happens, there will likely be a void in the quests and the expansive ‘Volcano Dungeon’. To prepare for that…”

“Excuse me, can I say something?” Alice interrupted Laurent.

“You’ve been talking confidently about the ‘Guardians of the Magic Institute’ failing, but how can you be so sure?”

“That’s because…”

“Alice, if he says it will fail, it will. He’s an S-class appraiser, after all. Let’s leave the future predictions to him and focus on our training,” Hans said, stopping Alice from pursuing the matter further, albeit reluctantly.

Laurent was taken aback.

(This is the first time I’ve been trusted this much upon a first meeting.)

“Now, Laurent, please continue,” Hans said with a clear smile.

(He must be a naturally trusting and optimistic person. His responsible sisters support their good-natured and overly optimistic brother. What a great party.)

Laurent was confident that with the right support, this trio would flourish.

“Alright. Let’s put future concerns aside for now. Surviving in the dungeon is the immediate priority. Survive tenaciously! To do that, you need to improve your agility and master the hit-and-run strategy. That’s the most effective way to enhance your skills, strength, and ultimately, your income.”

“Still, why do we have to run away from monsters without any armor? It’s so frustrating,” Alice whined tearfully.

They were equipped only with their bows and arrows, lacking any significant armor.

“We need to reacquaint ourselves with moving without heavy armor. Practicing in real combat situations will accelerate improvement. I understand the logic,” Claire said.

“Alice, Claire, keep running. According to Laurent, there shouldn’t be any monsters around here with agility over 50. With our agility, we should have a clear advantage and be able to escape,” Hans reassured them.

Deliver a strike and then retreat.

They continued this pattern in the dungeon for three days.

This was the training regimen Laurent had assigned them.

The three managed to escape from the “Rockfang Wolf” and get away.

Once they no longer felt the presence of monsters, they took a break.

However, they remained vigilant, taking turns to drink potions while the other two kept watch for any signs of monsters or the Thieves Guild.

Hans, despite being puzzled by the unfamiliar training, felt his body improving.

(My body feels lighter. It’s not just agility. My awareness has increased too. Looking at it this way, Laurent was right. We were wearing inappropriate equipment and only hindering ourselves.)

“Ugh, by now, those who joined the great alliance are probably getting their hands on rare metals. Or maybe they’re hunting big game like the ‘Fire Dragon.’ Maybe we should have joined them after all,” Alice grumbled as she tended to her swollen legs.

“Alice, we’ve already decided. We placed our bet on Laurent’s plan this time. There’s no point in second-guessing it now,” Hans replied.

“Ugh, but still…”

“Hey, Hans,” Claire called out.

“Yes?”

“Don’t you seem more invested in this than usual?”

“Do I?”

“Yes, you do. You always trust others too quickly and end up losing out, but this time, you seem more enthusiastic than usual.”

“……”

“Why is that?”

“Hmm. Claire, what did you think of Laurent?”

“Well, he seemed extraordinary. Even though he’s about our age, he felt like someone who has been through countless battles and survived. That kind of person.”

“Exactly. I felt the same way. He doesn’t need to go out of his way for a small-time adventurer guild like ours. He could thrive anywhere. That’s the kind of person he is. But he chose to support us. He could have teamed up with a much larger guild.”

“……”

“That’s why I’m completely taken with his spirit. I felt like I could stake my adventuring life on the future Laurent envisions.”

“Hans…”

“Even if his guidance leads us to bankruptcy, I won’t regret it one bit. If that happens, I’ll give up being an adventurer and focus on a more stable job.”

Hans, looking a bit apologetic, said:

“I’m always dragging you into my whims. But this will be the last time. If this doesn’t work out, I promise to make it up to you both.”

Claire sighed.

“Fine. It’s not like your whims are anything new. I’ll stick with you until the end.”

“Thank you.”

Just as Hans said this, the three sensed the presence of enemies.

“Claire, Alice.”

“I know. They’re coming from that thicket, from above.”

The three readied their bows, keeping a low profile and positioning themselves advantageously behind trees and rocks, ready to flee at a moment’s notice.

They focused on the enemy’s movements while remaining alert to their surroundings.

Claire felt her senses sharpening.

(I can tell that my condition is improving now that I’ve taken off my heavy armor. It’s not just me; Hans and Alice too. We were so dulled. I hadn’t realized until Laurent pointed it out. Though I said what I did to Hans, Laurent’s advice is spot on.)

A pterosaur emerged from the thicket.

The three quickly took advantageous positions.

Hans readied his bow from a distance where the creature’s fire breath couldn’t reach them, but they were within shooting range.

Despite his focus, Hans could hear the distant rumble of the “Dragonhead Gauntlet” cannons.

(Damn, those noisy “Dragonhead Gauntlet” guys again.)

Hans felt a mix of urgency and frustration but tried to concentrate on the enemy before him.

(They probably can’t hear our bow shots from over there. But still…)

While they were fleeing from small monsters, the alliance might be engaged in grand battles against formidable foes.

What are we even doing?

Is this really the right thing to do?

(Even so! While they are all caught up in the hunt for the “Giant Fire Dragon Grand Fafnir,” we will hone our skills and tactics. That’s our only way to survive as adventurers on this island!)

The pterosaur closed in on Hans, ready to breathe fire.

But before it could, Hans released an arrow, striking the pterosaur and then retreating.

Meanwhile, the great alliance led by the “Guardians of the Magic Institute” was making steady progress through the forested area, located at the lowest level of the “Volcano Dungeon.”

The various guilds that had gathered were eager to gain their recognition and focused on clearing the path for the group.

“Look, Arl. They’re clearing out the small monsters and guiding us. Thanks to them, we can advance without exhausting ourselves. It was indeed the right decision to ally with the islanders.”

“So far, yes.”

“Don’t worry. This journey will continue to be smooth sailing. Not even the bandits will dare to attack us. We should be able to reach the ‘Giant Fire Dragon Grand Fafnir’ without any issues.”

“I hope you’re right…”

Suddenly, a piercing cry echoed through the air.

“What was that?”

“That cry… Is it a ‘Fire Dragon’?”

“Impossible. We’re still in the forest area.”

“It must have descended from the mountain in response to our large group.”

A murmur spread among the weaker guilds. Many of them did not have equipment capable of withstanding the ‘Fire Dragon’s’ fiery breath.

“The ‘fire breath’ is coming! Magic armor unit, deploy!”

“Those with weak equipment, hide behind the rocks!”

A squad equipped with armor and shields adorned with magical sigils positioned themselves towards the direction of the roar.

Soon, an agitated ‘Fire Dragon’ appeared and unleashed its ‘fire breath’ on the squad.

It seemed as though the scorching flames would incinerate the ground, but the ‘Magic Shields’ held by the magic knights deflected the breath.

The flames were completely blocked, rendering the dragon’s attack ineffective.

The magic infantry, wielding swords embedded with magic stones, aimed at the dragon and unleashed ‘explosive flame magic.’

Numerous magic circles flashed in the sky, setting it ablaze with orange flames (for magic knights of their caliber, creating magic circles in the air was a simple task).

One of the explosive flame spells struck the “Fire Dragon” directly.

“Did we get it?”

“No… look!”

The “Fire Dragon” emerged from the black smoke, flapping its wings as it flew through the sparking sky.

“What? It’s unharmed?”

“What incredibly thick skin.”

“Use the fire spears!”

“No use, it’s flying too high.”

“Archers, what are you waiting for? Take it down…”

“Stand back. I’ll handle this.”

Sein stepped forward, wielding the “Dragonhead Gauntlet.”

Seeing that Sein wasn’t using a magical shield, the “Fire Dragon” aimed its fiery breath at him, determined to incinerate him.

A torrent of fire, far more intense than the breath of a “Pteranodon,” surged towards Sein.

“Hmph. Take this.”

The fired projectile sliced through the dragon’s breath and pierced its throat.

The “Fire Dragon” flailed in the air like a battery-depleted remote control before crashing to the ground.

Adventurers hiding behind rocks murmured in awe.

“Did you see that? He took down the ‘Fire Dragon’ with one hit…”

“Yeah, what power…”

Sein grabbed the “Fire Dragon” by the neck and held it up for all to see.

“Gentlemen, witness the power of the ‘Dragonhead Gauntlet’! Not even the scales of the mighty ‘Fire Dragon’ can withstand it. We have nothing to fear. No matter how strong the ‘Giant Fire Dragon Grand Fafnir’ may be, with this ‘Dragonhead Gauntlet,’ we can vanquish it in no time.”

Applause and cheers erupted among the adventurers.

Faced with their commander’s combat prowess, everyone recognized his charisma and became certain of their success in the upcoming battle.

* * *

Chapter 73   Rip

Just after Sein shot down the “Fire Dragon” and declared their victory triumphantly…

(Now!)

A young girl silently drew her sword and dashed towards Sein’s unguarded side.

“Sein! Look out!”

“Hmm?”

At the last second, before the sword could reach Sein’s throat, Arl subdued the assailant.

The adventurers buzzed with confusion at the sudden commotion.

“Damn it!”

“Whoa, close one. Who is that?”

“No idea. She suddenly attempted a PK (Player Killing) attack. Could she be from a thieves’ guild?”

“Let me go, you scoundrel!”

“Karla! What are you doing?”

The elderly leader of Karla’s guild hurried to her side, looking completely flustered.

“Is she from your guild?”

“Yes. She ran away a few days ago and disappeared. I never thought she’d do something like this.”

“What should we do, Sein? Should I just kill her?”

Arl pressed a blade to Karla’s throat as he held her in a chokehold.

“Hey, girl. Why did you try to kill me? Who put you up to this?”

“No one asked me to do this. I came to kill you of my own will, to stop your ‘Giant Fire Dragon Grand Fafnir’ hunt.”

“To stop the ‘Giant Fire Dragon Grand Fafnir’ hunt? You’d try to kill me for that reason…”

“Captain, this girl is still naive and ignorant of the ways of the world. I’ll reprimand her harshly, so please, spare her life.”

“Damn it, kill me!”

“Please, forgive her!”

“Tch. Alright, fine. Let her go. But you all must take full responsibility and escort her back to the town.”

“Thank you for your leniency.”

Arl twisted Karla’s arm.

“Ugh, aah!”

“Sorry, but I need to ensure you can’t fight. Additionally…”

Arl stabbed Karla’s upper arm with a dagger.

(What is this blade? It doesn’t hurt. There’s no blood either?)

“This is a cursed sword made from ‘Curse Stone.’ It doesn’t draw blood, but it will stay embedded in you for a week, preserving the damage. Even healing magic can’t fix it for a few days.”

After saying this, Arl stepped away from Karla.

“Hey, Arl, don’t overdo it.”

“I just did my duty.”

Karla endured the dull pain in her arm as she felt the two men walk away from her. Other adventurers also passed by, leaving her behind.

(Damn it!)

“Hey, Karla. Can you stand?”

“Don’t touch me. I can… gah, I can stand on my own.”

“You idiot, do you even understand what you’ve done?”

“Seriously. Because of you, this expedition is ruined.”

“Dragging us down like that.”

Her guildmates spat their curses at her. Karla bit back her bitterness and struggled to her feet.

(If only I had more power…)

Sein and Arl watched as Karla was taken down the mountain by her guild colleagues.

“Damn, what was her deal?”

“She was one crazy girl.”

“Even though infighting is allowed in the dungeon, to sneak into the alliance, kill the ‘Fire Dragon,’ and then attack us in a surprise assassination… Was that her plan from the start? And she’s just a kid. What’s going on with this island?”

“But Sein, are you sure about letting her go? She might come back to try and kill you again once she’s healed.”

“It’s fine. Kids getting all riled up and doing stupid things is nothing new. If we killed everyone who did that, it would never end.”

Sein spoke bitterly.

(Tch. This brings back bad memories.)

Karla’s eyes, filled with immature yet genuine murderous intent, had stirred up Sein’s bitter memories of his past.

Back when he was still inexperienced, powerless, and struggling with his own helplessness.

The great alliance led by the “Guardians of the Magic Institute” advanced through the dungeon with unstoppable momentum, facing no enemies along their path.

This did not change even when they reached the Metal Line.

Fire Dragon, Flying Dragon Wyvern, Winged Dragon Pteranodon, Giant Rock Orc, Wolf Rockfang, etc.

These powerful monsters banded together and blocked the alliance’s path, but the great alliance defeated each monster one after another.

Eventually, they reached their first rare metal mine.

The mountainside was glittering with high-purity rare metals exposed all over.

These ores could be extracted without even using the “Ore Mining” skill.

The group cheered.

“Rare metals!”

“Incredible! There’s so much!”

The adventurers competed to collect the rare metals.

However, a deafening roar echoed through the mining area, halting the adventurers in their tracks.

Sein had unleashed the “Dragonhead Gauntlet.”

“Don’t act on your own!”

Sein shouted sharply.

A commotion arose among the people.

“All the rare metals here will be collected and managed by us. No one except the ‘Guardians of the Magic Institute’ is allowed to collect any rare metals!”

“What, what did you say?”

“Are you saying we won’t get any share?”

“The distribution for each guild will be decided later. Appropriate rewards will be given based on each one’s contribution. However, we will be the ones to decide that. At this moment, any independent actions are not allowed! Otherwise, you will be reduced to ashes by this ‘Dragonhead Gauntlet.’ Now, if you understand, drop the rare metals you have in your hands onto the ground!”

When Sein commanded them, they reluctantly placed the rare metals on the ground.

In the end, most of the ores at the site were collected by the “Guardians of the Magic Institute.” Only a small portion was distributed to the allied guilds, and even that was limited to the relatively large guilds closest to the “Guardians of the Magic Institute.”

(Sein’s bad habit has surfaced again. He becomes overly greedy when faced with treasure.)

However, it wouldn’t do for the captain and vice-captain to show discord in public.

Arl was internally opposed to Sein’s policy, but decided to keep silent for now.

He planned to gently advise him when they were alone later.

While Arl was thinking about this, he overheard the small guild members whispering among themselves.

“Hey, just a moment…”

“Yeah, I know.”

Looking around, he noticed that the small guild members were starting to have secret conversations here and there.

Until recently, they had relied on the “Guardians of the Magic Institute,” constantly seeking approval and trying to ingratiate themselves. Now, they were consulting each other about something unknown to Sein and Arl.

(The situation is starting to look a bit ominous.)

Since the collection of rare metals was carried out only by those close to the “Guardians of the Magic Institute,” it took until nightfall.

Reluctantly, the group decided to camp there for the night.

The “Guardians of the Magic Institute” were able to pitch their tents on the flattest ground and camp comfortably. However, the small guild members were forced to spend the night in poor conditions, on slopes or in wooded areas with dense underbrush.