Early Sunday morning, I returned to the other world through the gate, using teleportation magic to go back to the spot I left yesterday. According to the information I’d gathered, a bit further ahead lay a mountain inhabited by wyverns. Beyond that mountain, after crossing two more peaks, I’d reach the summit where the dragon’s nest awaited.
I trekked up the mountain path, aiming for the dragon’s lair. Thanks to my stealth skill, I avoided detection by the wyverns and continued my journey. Along the way, I spotted a few adventurer parties, likely hunting wyverns. Once I passed the mountain known as their habitat, I encountered no one else.
Now, all I had to do was climb this mountain, and I’d be at the dragon’s nest. My strategy? None, really—just unleash the grand mage’s magic and overpower it with sheer force.
“GYAOOOOO!”
Whoa! A dragon’s roar echoed out of nowhere! I still had some distance to cover, and I was moving cautiously under my stealth skill, so how did it notice me? No, the dragon didn’t seem to be coming my way. Staying hidden, I hurried towards the summit and its nest.
“GYAOOOOO!”
"Damn it! What power!"
"Leader! We have to retreat, nyan!"
"Damn it, but if we don’t kill this dragon within the next few days, she’ll die!"
"If you push yourself and die too, do you think that would make her happy?!"
"Save your regrets for later! Right now, we’re falling back!"
"...Retreat! I’ll cover the rear! Everyone else, make it to the forest below!"
"Roger!"
"Got it, nyan!"
"Understood!"
Damn it! What kind of A-rank adventurers are we, claiming to be the best in town? When it really counts, we can’t accomplish a thing. We’re completely powerless!
“GYAAAAAA!”
"Crap, it’s the breath attack! Get behind the shield!"
"The leader won’t make it in time!"
"Leader, hurry, nyan!"
Taking up the rear to protect the group was a mistake. Damn it, I’m not going to make it!
…Sorry, everyone. Looks like I’ll be going ahead. My slow decision-making put all of you at risk. Please, just make it out alive.
“GYAAAAAA!”
The dragon unleashed a torrent of fiery breath. Even the custom-made large shield specialized against fire, commissioned specifically for this mission, could barely withstand it. There was no way a human body could endure that heat.
…Huh?
I’d resigned myself and closed my eyes, but I felt no burning sensation on my skin.
"What the!?"
"Are you okay? Please get out of here quickly. I’ll handle this dragon."
When I opened my eyes, there stood an unfamiliar human male, calmly facing the dragon.
Using my stealth skill, I had been observing the situation from the shadows. It seemed some other adventurers had gotten here first and were already engaging the dragon.
The party consisted of four beastfolk women.
Jumping in mid-battle was probably bad etiquette. If they managed to defeat the dragon, I could try negotiating to buy some of the meat. If they gave up and retreated, I’d take my turn. …Although, challenging it after they’d worn it down felt a bit underhanded, but there wasn’t much choice.
I had also been concerned about whether the dragon might be able to communicate, but it seemed that wasn’t the case. Just like the monsters and wyverns in the Forest of Ruin, my language comprehension skill didn’t activate. While I could understand the beastfolk adventurers’ speech, the boundaries of this skill remained a mystery.
Still, I was somewhat relieved. Even if it’s a harmful creature, hearing it plead for its life in a language I could understand would make killing it much harder. While not understanding its words didn’t justify killing it, it would at least make it slightly less painful.
The adventurers decided to retreat. At the same time, I saw the dragon inhaling deeply, preparing for its breath attack. My danger sense skill flared, directed at the party’s leader at the rear. If I didn’t step in now, she’d be in serious danger.
I stepped out in front of the beastfolk woman and cast triple-layered barrier magic.
“GYAAAAAA!”
The searing inferno surged toward the barriers. One of the grand mage’s barriers shattered under the onslaught. This dragon’s breath seemed to rival the power of the Lightning God’s Armlet. Its overwhelming presence was even greater than the monsters in the Forest of Ruin. I’d need to take this fight seriously.
Thankfully, the beastfolk woman appeared unscathed. She stared at me in shock, her face a mix of surprise and disbelief at the sudden appearance of a stranger.
"What the!?"
"Are you okay? Please get out of here quickly. I’ll handle this dragon."
After reassuring her, I turned my attention to the dragon.
Dragons, wyverns, drakes. Back in my original world, they were mythical creatures, yet their likenesses were told in legends and stories across the globe.
Now, one stood before me, very much real.
While wyverns were about 3 meters tall, this dragon was easily five or six times that, standing around 15 meters tall. It hovered in the air, flapping its massive wings. Its body was covered in brilliant red scales, and two large horns adorned its head.
The pressure it exuded was incredible. Without my calm and collected skill, my legs would’ve surely given out.