Not even a single day had passed since Ryan became a support member, and he was already running into a mountain of trouble.
Although in terms of combat he had been fighting non-stop inside the dungeon, upon leaving it, they had experienced real danger by plummeting from the sky dungeon.
But now, a direct threat was looming over the elven forest.
"The black dragon has come to attack us!" the guard screamed, bursting into the room.
The village elder frowned. "A black dragon... It has been a very long time since I last heard of one..."
Panic spread rapidly. The King brought the meeting to an end and sent his soldiers to prepare.
The elders, children, and women went to take shelter in a place reserved precisely for dangerous situations.
"It's going to burn everything down if we don't hurry," one of the guards said with worry, alerting the King.
Helen and Mirian approached Ryan and whispered in his ear.
"I think that dragon is tracking us," Helen murmured.
"Are you serious?" Ryan asked in a low voice.
"Yes," Mirian nodded in agreement. "Just think about it. It must be the same one that threw us into the dungeon, and dragons are highly prideful creatures."
"That's true," Mirian continued. "It must have picked up our scent when we left the dungeon and followed us to the forest. Since it can't see us, it's burning the forest down to force us out."
'Shit, so these people are in danger because of us.'
Ryan looked around his surroundings.
The elven guard had assembled.
And the vulnerable elves had already taken refuge.
"Helen, Mirian, we must fight then. Do you agree?" Ryan asked, turning to them.
"Yes," Helen responded, tightening her grip on her weapon. "I've been wanting my revenge against that dragon anyway. This time, I'll finish it off."
Mirian smiled, adjusting her bow. "I feel the same way. We need to handle this."
Footsteps were heard. Someone was running up from behind Ryan and the heroines while they were planning. When Ryan turned around, it was Irina.
"What are you doing here?" Ryan scolded her. "I thought you had gone to take shelter."
Irina panted lightly. "No. I only directed the evacuation. I'm going to fight."
The king approached where Ryan was with Irina.
"Did I hear you say you're going to fight?" the king interjected sternly. "Absolutely not. You will stay here with our guests. The guard is already prepared; they will finish off that dragon before it causes any more disasters."
"But, Father..." Irina pleaded.
"No buts," the king ordered. "You are staying here."
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Ryan interjected, stepping forward. "We will take care of that dragon. Don't worry. Helen, Mirian, and I will go out to fight. You don't have to interfere."
"Did you hear? The heroes will fight by our side!" Shouts of excitement erupted among the elven guard.
"But you are under no obligation to do that," the king said, looking at Ryan in surprise. "You are our guests."
Helen stepped forward and stood before the king, looking at him with confidence. "Just let us handle it. It's exactly as Ryan says. The three of us alone will be enough."
Hearing the confidence with which Helen spoke, Irina looked at her with a gleam in her eyes, as if admiring her.
"Very well. Then the elven guard will go with you," the king ordered.
"No," Mirian intervened.
Mirian approached, then crossed her arms. She let out a soft sigh and then spoke. "Please understand. We won't be able to fight properly if we have to protect them. We won't allow anyone to die, and the best way to prevent that is for no one else to be present."
The king remained silent for a moment. "..."
"Fine, I understand," the king conceded, sighing. "You are S-class heroes. There is nothing we can do. I leave it in your hands. Please, protect our forest."
"Yes!" the three of them affirmed and went directly toward the exit.
In the distance above the forest, the dragon was soaring over the area. It kept incinerating everything in its path, looking like an out-of-control flamethrower.
"That bastard... How dare it burn down our forest?" a harsh voice grumbled from behind them.
Ryan blinked. "?"
The hero party turned toward the voice.
"But what are you doing here?" Mirian said, scolding Irina. "I clearly said I don't want you guys to interfere."
Irina had snuck along to join them, looking stubborn.
"I'm sorry, but I don't need protection," Irina replied, puffing her cheeks. "No can't just let outsiders take care of our forest alone."
'Though it's our fault that dragon is here in the first place, but I won't say anything.'
"Leave her. If she wants to fight, let her," Helen smiled, looking at Irina. "I like your courage. I hope you don't die. Although with us here, you won't have to do anything anyway."
They all ventured into the forest toward the dragon. They ran to get there faster. By the time they were in the middle of the forest, already very far from the village entrance—
The dragon noticed their presence and approached. It flew at high speed, endlessly breathing a thick torrent of flames that incinerated everything in its path.
'It's time to test that out...'
"Everyone behind me. Quick," Ryan ordered, extending both hands forward. "Fire Wall!"
Immediately, a wall of fire deployed and clashed with the dragon's flames. The dragon halted without ceasing its fire breath. But the fire wall serving as a shield wouldn't let the dragon's attack pass through.
The dragon's flames dissipated along with the fire wall, and upon realizing it had done nothing to them, the dragon flapped its wings and began to roar. It slammed down onto the ground on all four legs, roaring with fervor.
Irina's eyes widened in amazement. "Incredible, he stopped the dragon's attack."
'The defense of these gauntlets is incredibly strong.'
"Naturally," Mirian responded calmly. "It's a rare weapon, after all."
"Helen, Mirian, are you ready?" Ryan turned to look at them.
Both nodded, readying their weapons.
"Physical Enhancement, Almighty, Mental Blow!" Ryan intoned his support spells.
Their bodies lit up, and immediately Helen dashed forward at a breakneck speed, completely slicing off the dragon's right wing.
From behind the dragon, Helen taunted it, "How do you like that? I'm much stronger now. It was a mistake for you to come here, you overgrown lizard."
The dragon roared in pain and anger, rearing up on its hind legs. Fire was gathering in its maw when Mirian's arrows pierced through its neck, forcing it to swallow its own flames.
"You guys are amazing!" Irina shouted with excitement.
The dragon, disoriented, slowly began to collapse. Helen leaped into the air, spun, and completely severed the dragon's head. As she came down, she landed right on top of the dragon's skull, skewering it with her sword.
"This is over," Helen said with a smile.
Irina ran over, completely starstruck. "You were amazing. So this is the power of an S-rank hero."
Everyone was happy about defeating the dragon, but because of that, they had forgotten something important.
[Automatic debt collection initiated]
'Damn it, the order!' Ryan muttered internally.