Chapter 346 - An Incredible Request
"Hmph. To think the Dragonfolk would borrow the power of mere humans and beasts…"
At those words, Vermilion-san snapped.
He gently tossed Lupi towards Shou and, turning around, attacked the demon with his right fist.
"What!?"
Perhaps sensing danger instinctively, the demon dramatically dodged it, but… a punch-like force caved in the wall.
"Vermilion-sama! Please, restrain yourself!"
"Damn it!"
This is seriously bad. Flames are leaking from the corner of his mouth…
He put down Lupi, whom he had caught, and attempted to appraise the demon.
[Demon (Baron-class): Gielo: Hostile]
Demonkind transformed into a subordinate of the God of Twilight and Darkness.
Baron-class demons are said to either act with several subordinates (Lesser Demons) or undertake special missions alone.
"A dragon!?"
"Haaah!"
Geira-san charged forward and thrust his short spear. But it too was dodged, and the demon retreated further, inch by inch.
It seems it's not foolish enough to think it can defeat Vermilion-san.
The only option should be to flee, but…
"Tch…"
Suddenly, a pitch-black wall appeared between Geira-san, who was closing in, and the demon, blocking his view.
Presence Detection still has him, but this is bad if things continue like this!
"Ugh!"
Just as Geira-san's spear was thrust into the pitch-black wall, Shou activated Stealth and slipped through the edge of the black wall. Ugh, I feel like a significant amount of Spirit's Blessing was consumed.
At the demon, which had dodged the spear and was trying to flee with its back turned,
([Throwing Knife] [Vitals Attack]!)
"Gah!"
A thin knife coated in Paralytic Venom hit its neck.
Just paralyze him for 10 seconds, no, 5 seconds is fine!
([Backstab]!)
"Gyaaaah!"
A full-power Backstab landed on the demon's back.
It must have resisted the paralysis; it seems to have instantly curled its body to evade, even though I aimed for the neck.
The pitch-black wall vanished in an instant, and Vermilion-san looked surprised, but…
"Restrain it!"
When Shou shouted that, Vermilion-san swiftly and firmly grabbed the demon's head, knocking it unconscious.
Geira-san also rushed over frantically and secured its hands behind its back and its feet with iron shackles that seemed to be magic tools. And then even a gag…
[Character Level increased!]
[Dagger skill level increased!]
[Dagger skill base value has reached its limit. No SP refunded.]
[Throwing skill level increased!]
[Presence Detection skill level increased!]
[Acquired Presence Detection & Taming Arts
[Presence Concealment skill level increased!]
[Spirit Magic skill level increased!]
[Stealth skill level increased!]
[Acquired Stealth & Elemental Magic Arts
[Acquired Stealth & Alchemy Arts
[Acquired Stealth & Taming Arts
"Whoa! This is too much, too fast!"
[Alliance 'Scarlet Dragon Survey Team' captured Baron-class Demon Gielo!]
Huh?
Shou-kun, congratulations. But, it's almost time…
"Whoa!" Anyway, I can check the level-up stuff later.
I have to return to the island and go back to the mountain cabin.
"Vermilion-san. Can I return to the island for a moment?"
"Alright! Prepare for withdrawal!"
"Yes, sir!"
The demon named Gielo was firmly restrained by Vermilion-san.
The remaining Dragonfolk-san collected the spoils from the defeated Skeleton Knights and Burned Wraiths.
It seems they're pushing further into the center from here, but capturing the demon is a bigger deal, and I suppose there's also the question of what to do with it.
"Woof…"
"Good job, Lupi."
Lupi came over, looking apologetic, but she had definitely defeated the Burned Wraith, so Shou praised her and stroked her.
"Vermilion-sama, Shou-sama, could you please confirm this?"
"Hm? A ring? Shou, what should we do with this?"
Geira-san showed him something resting on his palm, so Shou appraised it.
[Azure Star Ring]
A ring that assists Elemental Magic, worn by high-ranking administrators of Ancient Magic Facilities. Made from Mithril and blue spinel. Elemental Magic +1, Applied Magicology (all types) +1, MP recovery +1 every 6 seconds.
Is this an inferior version of the Azure Moon Ring I have? If so, I don't really need it, but… Ah, of course!
"This, I think, was probably necessary to open the door connected to this place."
"Really? Then Shou, you keep it."
"Eh?"
"The Blessed One has to hold it, right?"
Ah, that's right.
Indeed, the door earlier also seemed to require someone who was a Blessed One and possessed administrator authority.
"Understood. Then I'll hold onto this."
The Elemental Magic bonus probably won't stack, but the MP recovery might increase?
Well, if not, Lupi or Sweee, or someone else could equip it.
"Withdrawal preparations complete!"
"Alright! We're pulling out!"
It seems I'll be coming back tonight, but before that, I need to organize all the character level-ups and skill level-ups…
...
..
.
"Shou. Could you come back later?"
"Yes. I'm curious about the captured demon too."
"My apologies."
The two of them, Lupi and him, used the Transfer Magic Circle to return to the island.
Ah, I forgot to mark the location… Well, I'll do it when I come back tonight.
As he thought that, his view changed to the familiar Large Transfer Room.
"Phew. Nina, anything happen?"
"[No. There were no matters to report.]"
Next, he rode the Transfer Elevator up.
When they captured the demon Gielo earlier, a lot of things leveled up all at once, but I wonder if I'll have time to check them.
"Is it past 4 yet?"
No. Five more minutes.
"Got it. I don't have time to check all those things…
The reason there are so many Stealth Arts, including compound arts, is because it's an advanced skill, right?
Bell-buchou said that once a skill becomes advanced, the number of Arts starts to increase as much as spells.
Shou-kun. You can break the Dagger skill cap.
"Hm? Ken-nata didn't have a plus modifier, did it?"
You have the Mithril kitchen knife you made the other day.
"Ah, aah!"
That kitchen knife had Dagger +1, and I was like, 'Oh, cool.'
So, what was the advanced Dagger skill again? No, I'll do that tonight, when I'm calm.
For now, he had to return to the mountain cabin and log out.
"Alright, Lupi. Shall we race?"
"Woof!"
[Update History]
10/6 From Episode 297, "Results Will Follow Later" ~ To this episode
For the "Next Big Light Novel Award 2022,"
"Fluffy, Relaxed Uninhabited Island Development Life ~I Was Supposed to Enjoy Being Alone in a VRMMO, But All Players Seem to Be Watching Me~"
will also be eligible, so if you'd be so kind, please cast your vote for it. m(_ _)m