I’m an Appraiser, But What the Heck is a [Divine Eye]? ~I Want to Live Freely as the World’s Best Beginner Class~ - Episode 132: An Unexpected Survival Life 4

Episode 132: An Unexpected Survival Life 4

At the last possible moment, everyone managed to get ready.

However, there was no room for relaxation. The five Lesser Earth Dragons that appeared were far stronger than the Paralysis Birds or Silver Wolves we had previously defeated. In fact, the strength of five—or even ten of them combined—could be matched by just one of these Dragons.

“Hyaaaaah!”

“Gahhhhh!”

“Haah! Hup!”

Despite this, Yuria, Ryan-san, and Vil-san were each fighting one-on-one with a Dragon. Those three could likely take down their opponents alone, but the problem lay with the other two Lesser Earth Dragons.

“Damn!”

“These things!”

“They’re tough!”

Arata and Ricott-san were fighting with Madoka’s support, while I was helping Mirelle-san with assistance from Alicia and Leyreina-san.

The battle was at a stalemate. Physically, the Lesser Earth Dragons had more stamina. And if we didn’t break this deadlock soon, things would get worse.

“Alicia! Leyreina-san! One of you needs to support Yuria and the others!”

“But if we do that, we’ll lose the balance here!”

“We’ll manage! It’s more important that someone helps them out!”

“I’ll go! Alicia-sama, stay here!”

Following my words, Leyreina-san dashed off. Even though the distance between Yuria’s group and us had widened during the fight, with Leyreina-san’s assistance, they should be able to finish off their Dragons quickly.

“Mirelle-san! I’ll buy some time—fall back!”

“Shut up! Leave it to me!”

“Reinforcements are coming soon!”

“Stop yapping! I’ll slice this thing to pieces!”

Ugh, come on! If only Arata or Ricott-san were over here instead!

I signaled Alicia with my eyes, indicating that we should focus on keeping Mirelle-san from getting hurt. Ideally, I’d use my Appraisal skill right now. But there was no time. The attacks from the Lesser Earth Dragons were relentless.

With a swipe of its sharp claws, trees were felled, and the ground was torn up and sent flying. When it roared, the vibrations were so intense that smaller branches shattered. It felt like my inner ear was going to be thrown off balance.

Amidst all this, Mirelle-san, using the grapes that double her Speed, managed to close in and unleash rapid strikes with her twin swords before quickly retreating. She was using a hit-and-run tactic, but the Dragons’ scales were so tough that her attacks weren’t causing much damage.

Alicia’s fire magic wasn’t effective either.

Dragons, as a species, tend to have resistance to fire. While her magic could be used to slow them down, it wasn’t strong enough to finish them off. Leryreina-san, realizing this, had gone to support Yuria. But thanks to Mirelle-san, our efforts were being wasted.

“GRROOOOAAAAAH!”

“This is bad! Mirei, back off! It’s about to use a breath attack!”

“Tch!”

“Fire Wall!”

Flames flickered inside the Lesser Earth Dragon’s mouth as it prepared to unleash its breath attack. Mirelle-san clicked her tongue and leapt backward, while Alisha conjured a Fire Wall between them.

I hoped it would at least dampen the force of the breath attack—however…

—Whoooosh!

“Mirelle-san!”

The Lesser Earth Dragon’s breath pierced right through the Fire Wall without losing any of its momentum, barreling straight towards Mirelle-san. If this hit, she wouldn’t just be injured—she’d be reduced to ashes.

“Kyaahhhh!”

Just as the thought crossed my mind, Mirelle-san screamed and was blown sideways.

“Ricott-san!”

“Take this, you beast!”

Ricott-san, who had been fighting alongside Arata, kicked Mirelle-san out of the way at the last second, knocking her out of the path of the breath attack. She then jumped back just in time to avoid the attack herself.

“Mahiro! Help Mitsurugi!”

“O-Okay! Got it!”

Realizing that pairing me with the uncooperative Mirelle-san was a bad idea, Ricott-san directed me to help Arata. Ricott-san was more than twice as strong as me in combat, and Arata would follow my instructions properly.

I gripped my sword tightly and dashed forward—only to be confronted with yet another unexpected development.

“Wh-what the hell!?”

“Mitsurugi-kun!”

Arata, who had been holding his own, suddenly found a glowing magic circle forming under his feet. Just as I realized this, Madoka tried to help and leapt into the circle as well.

“Arata! Madoka!”

I rushed forward, intending to shove them both out of the magic circle.

“I’m not going to make it—!”

But before I could reach them, all three of us were enveloped in a blinding light.