The Appraising-Eye Slave Trader ~ A Blind Boy Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble Dominates with the Power to 'See True Talent' ~ - Episode 15: The Dodge-Type Paper Armor Tank

Episode 15: The Dodge-Type Paper Armor Tank 

Lately, our party has become pretty well-balanced.

In the frontlines, we have Kariya. Firepower is handled by Varna and Lilia. Support is Zeff. I can help too, with appraisal and tactics.

But—it’s still not enough.

“I want one more tank who can go to the front.”

Especially in brawls or many-versus-many situations. We sometimes can’t hold the line with just Kariya at the front.

If we had one more person to “draw enemy attention,” it would really ease the burden on everyone.

Thinking about that, I headed to the slave market as usual.

◆　　◆　　◆

“Oh! Sir! Looking for something interesting again today?”

Greeting me was the middle-aged slave trader who had helped me before. His smile was full of suspicion. But he was skilled.

“I’m looking for a tank. Someone who can go up front and attract enemies.”

“Ohh, then… well, there *is* someone who calls himself a ‘tank candidate,’ at least.”

“Tank candidate,” huh… That wording bothers me.

“…But, he’s not usable.”

“Why?”

“His defense is paper. No, maybe worse than paper. If he’s targeted, it’s over instantly. He’s super motivated, though…”

Saying that, the trader led me to a cage.

Inside was a young boy.

Thin and small. His hair was messy, ribs sticking out, with worn-out chains wrapped around his body.

He sat hugging his knees. But when he noticed me, he timidly raised his head.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Tig…”

A weak voice. Scared-looking eyes.

But deep within them—I felt an oddly calm core.

“I’m, kind of a tank candidate… but…”

“But what?”

“When I get targeted… I fall right away… So being a tank is impossible…”

As Tig looked down, chuckles rose around us.

“Again with ‘Paper Shield Tig’…”

“Even if he taunts, he’s out the moment he gets hit. Useless.”

The trader shrugged.

“See? Better not. He’ll go down immediately.”

—But.

“…《Appraisal》”

Tig’s “true form” appeared in my vision.

《Appraisal Result》

[Name] Tig

[Age] 16

[Occupation] Tank (Aptitude)

[Basic Stats]

Defense: E

Agility: SS

Evasion: S

Focus: A

[Talents]

Tank: SS

Dodge Tactics: S

Aggro Control: A

Fast Cast Interruption: B

[Traits]

Easily Targeted / High Attention Draw Rate / Fast Recovery After Hit

“…Whoa whoa. This guy’s a ‘dodge tank’.”

I couldn’t help but grin.

Yes—this guy’s a tank that dodges.

Not someone who blocks head-on. A tank that “draws attacks and dodges them all.”

Evasion-type. Dodge tank. Speed-type tank. Call it what you like.

But—this guy, Tig, can “fight in a way no one else can”.

“…How much?”

“Huh!? You’re buying him!? No, seriously, don’t—”

“Fifteen silver coins, right? I’ll take him.”

I quickly tossed a pouch of silver.

As the trader stood dumbfounded, I crouched in front of Tig.

“Tig. You have no defense—but you have a fighting style only *you* can do. Trust me and follow me.”

“…Huh?”

“From now on, I’ll train you as a ‘evasion-type tank.’ My ‘eyes’ say you can do it.”

Tig’s eyes trembled.

As if he were seeing something unbelievable—but also… something hopeful.

◆　　◆　　◆

I took Tig back to the mansion and started training right away.

Tig’s first day was learning how to “stand”.

“A tank’s job is to ‘attract’ attacks and dodge. Some use heavy armor and block—but you’re the opposite. You’ll be a shield that ‘doesn’t get hit’.”

“…But I fall over right away…”

“That’s why you dodge. Confuse the enemy with your speed and mess up their aim. Let them target you, then avoid. Do that over and over, and they’ll panic. Your allies can move freely. —You’ll be the key to that.”

Tig still looked uneasy.

But I knew. He could do it.

My ‘Appraising Eye’ said so.

◆　　◆　　◆

Our first battle training was a mock fight.

Kariya and Varna as attackers. Lilia in the back as support.

Tig was to stand in front as a decoy.

“O-okay…!”

At the signal, Kariya readied her sword and advanced.

Tig flinched—but I shouted.

“Step right! Circle around to their off-hand side!”

“Y-yes!”

Tig lightly hopped diagonally—Kariya’s slash missed completely.

Varna rushed in next.

“Whoa, he’s so slippery!”

Tig did a quick backstep. Then spun left diagonally.

“Now! Behind Varna! Kariya, cut in diagonally!”

“Got it!”

Everyone linked up right away.

Tig’s movement messed up the enemy’s focus. It was making our attacks hit more easily.

“A-amazing…! No one can land a hit…”

Lilia muttered.

She didn’t need to cast any healing at all. Not a single hit landed on anyone—thanks to Tig.

◆　　◆　　◆

After the training, I spoke to Tig.

“How was it?”

“…It felt weird. Even though I was being targeted, dodging was kind of fun… When I thought in my heart ‘come at me,’ they really came…”

Tig’s eyes had a faint glimmer of confidence.

“That’s your talent. ‘Taunting’ isn’t just a skill. You’ve got this ‘easy to target’ aura. Use that.”

“I… can be a shield for my friends?”

“Not just can—you’re a shield *only you* can be.”

Tig’s cheeks blushed a little at those words.

That still-thin, weak-looking body had clearly begun to show the determination to stand at the front.

Our first real test would be a small dungeon job via the guild—“Ryug’s Demonic Cavern.”

The monsters weren’t that strong. But there were a lot of them.

It was a perfect stage to test Tig, the “evasion-type tank”.

“Tig, you’re leading the front today. Don’t be afraid to be targeted. Being targeted *is* your job.”

“…Yes!”

His expression was still tense. But there was strength in his voice.

◆　　◆　　◆

In the dungeon’s mid-layer, a group of monsters appeared.

Three lizard-type mid-sized monsters, 《Gelzaurs》.

And in the back, a magic-type unit.

“Uoooh! Let’s gooo!!”

Varna raised her sword to charge. But I stopped her.

“Wait. This time, Tig goes first.”

“Roger!”

Tig dashed out in light gear.

Then—

“L-look at me… target me!!”

The moment he shouted with a trembling voice, all monster eyes focused on him.

“GRAAAHH!!”

“GYAAHH!!”

The lizards roared and charged.

“Tig! Draw them and slip through!”

“Yes!”

Kicking the ground, Tig jumped right.

His movement was light. It was faster than sound.

He slipped between the rushing lizards at the last moment.

“GUH!? GYAA!?”

They crashed into each other and got confused.

“Now! Kariya, from the left! Varna, cut the middle!”

“Got it!” “Burn, baby!!”

With the enemy formation broken by Tig, our allies stormed in.

Lilia supported with magic, and Zeff’s enchantments boosted speed and accuracy.

“Amazing…! All the enemies are chasing Tig-kun…”

“He’s beyond decoy… He’s like an ‘enemy-only magnet’…”

Kariya murmured in awe.

But—the real test was still ahead.

◆　　◆　　◆

Left was the backline magic-type Gelzaur Mage.

It started chanting.

“Tig, now!”

At my signal, Tig dashed out.

All the monster’s eyes followed him.

“…Look at me!”

Tig spun around the mage. He was stomping lightly across the terrain—sideways, forward, then behind—”dancing”.

Each step made the mage’s eyes waver. It was breaking its magical focus.

Result—

“《Heat Spear》—interrupted!”

With the spell broken, the mage staggered. And Kariya’s sword pierced it.

“We did iiiit!!”

“Tig-kun, amazing! No one got even a scratch!”

Lilia clapped with joy.

Varna laughed. She rested her sword on her shoulder.

“Tig, you… you’re seriously a genius.”

Tig was breathing heavily. He had a dreamy look.

“…I really… became a shield, huh?”

I nodded calmly at those words.

“Yeah. A ‘shield that never gets touched.’ —And I’ll polish you even more. You’ll become the strongest evasion-type tank.”

A definite light shone in Tig’s eyes.

And so, the “paper-armored genius tank” my appraising eye found—truly began to shine.