Kays Translations

Chapter 334: The monster of Salt Lake

　Tauro and his team, the “Black Golden Wings” are the only adventurer team in the Caxart branch of the Adventurers’ Guild capable of subjugating the Flaming Crab, a monster that seems to be proliferating in large numbers in the salt lake.

　Normally, we would have asked local adventurers for tips on how to defeat a monster for the first time, but since we’re the first team to do so, it’s safe to say that we were the ones who got the short end of the stick.

“Oh dear. …….even you don’t have any experience subjugating flaming crab monsters, leader?”

　Ankh asked Tauro on the way to the salt lake.

“Yeah. I’ve never encountered one before. Since they’re called  crabs, I guess they walk sideways.”

“The flaming crab? The flaming crab is a monster that has large left scissors and attacks by shooting a flaming ball from the base of its left scissors. As Tauro said, it can only walk sideways. It is safer to approach the flaming crab from its right side, being wary of its left scissors, and since its shell is hard, it is smart to attack its joints and stomach.”

““…… Ragune-san you know a lot about it!””

　Tauro and Ankh were impressed by the fact that Ragune, who has a sort of muscle brain appearance, is so knowledgeable at times like this.

“Of course. We dragon people are taught this knowledge from an early age. Besides, we were actually taken to the dungeons and I got to experience it firsthand! I remember it well because the flaming crabs set us on fire.”

　This was another confirmation that the dragon tribe’s dungeon-related special education was hardcore, and that they have a black constitution.

　When we arrived at the salt lake, we found several buildings surrounding it that appeared to be salt production facilities emitting smoke.

　Most of the buildings were already half burned down, so even if they were to be destroyed now, nothing would remain.

“This is terrible.”

　Ankh was taken aback.

“…… true. I don’t think it’s surprising that the territorial soldiers pulled out in a situation like this. But…for now, let’s accomplish the subjugation quota.”

　Tauro looks for the target, the flaming crab, while keeping an eye on his surroundings.

　Tauro’s “true eyes” could see many creatures around him, but he could not tell which one was the flaming crab.

　Following the silhouettes, there are similar ones in the ground and in the sea around the salt lake.

“Leader, how close to here are they likely to be?”

　Ankh confirmed, relying on Tauro’s true eyes.

“…… Could it be that all the creatures in the ‘true eye’ are flaming crabs!?”

　Tauro is horrified.

　Then, crabs with large claws slowly emerges from the ground or water.

“What the hell!?”

　Ankh was understandably surprised.

　There were dozens of these crabs as far as he could see.

　If there were this many subjugation targets from the D rank range, the conditions would be unconditionally raised to the C rank range.

“Are we going to defeat this on our own..? I’m feeling a bit faint.”

　Tauro was almost dizzy on his feet.

“Tauro, we have no choice but to take things steadily here.”

　Ragune was fully motivated and squeezed her magic spear then headed toward the flaming crabs.

　Ankh, too, seemed to have made up his mind and followed suit, holding his great Magic sword at the ready.

“ Right. …….Okay, let’s do it. I’ll serve you all a nice meal later!”

　Tauro also got into the spirit of things and, with his Artemis bow at the ready, shot an arrow of light into the sky, which scattered into four pieces and struck many flaming crabs on the ground.

　However, the shells of the flaming crabs were so hard that they repelled most of the arrows of light that struck them from the sky, making them impossible to kill.

“…I guess I don’t have enough firepower after all. Well then, let’s take them down steadily.”

　Tauro muttered to himself, kneeling low on one knee and releasing a powerful arrow of light without using an arrow.

　The arrows of light fly towards the flaming crabs at low altitude, crawling along the ground, and pierce their stomachs one after another, killing them.

“As expected of leader! I can’t afford to lose either!”

　Ankh showed his enthusiasm as he slashed up the flaming crab with a flying slash that had the attribute of wind from his Great Magic Sword.

“Let’s go, flaming crab! I will wipe away my childhood memories of fireballs!”

　Ragune poured magic power into the mirrored magic turtle rectangular shield given Tauro gave her and deployed a range defense on Ankh and herself, while mowing down countless flaming crabs with her magic spear.

　With one swing, the spear was charged with an earth attribute, causing several rock spears to protrude from the ground, skewering the flaming crabs from below.

　However, the opponent was also a D-rank or higher target to be defeated.

　Although they can only move sideways, they moved fast and also attacked with flaming balls.

　Tauro was unable to keep up with the concentrated fire from all directions with only Pella as his defense, so he ran for cover.

Ankh, protected by Ragune’s range defense, frowned at the heat wave and went on exterminating them.

　Ragune moved so as not to get too far from the Ankh, and used her shield and magic spear to attack and defend.

　Tauro, checking on them in his field of vision, would occasionally throw a recovery potion at Ragune and Ankh for them to regain their strength, and then move to attack in between again, keeping a distance from the flaming crabs.

　He did this for what seemed like an eternity against countless flaming crabs, but he was still outnumbered.

　Tauro called out to them that it was the time to pull out.

“Both of you, this is going to be a long battle. Let’s call it a day!”

“…… got it! It’s true that this can’t be done in one day!”

　With a rough exhale, Ankh agreed.

“I understand! Let’s pull back!”

　Ragune answered and stepped between Ankh and the Flaming Crab, shield at the ready, and retreats.

　Tauro also supported them and secured an escape route.

“It will take a long time for us ‘Black Golden Wings’ to do it alone. A prolonged battle may be inevitable.”

　After walking away from the salt lake and returning, Tauro asked the two for their understanding.

“Yeah, I guess so. When the other teams gets here, it’s going to be a little easier, but until then it looks like we’re just going to have to do our best.”

“I think so too. With that many of them, it would be impossible to subjugate them in a short period of time without Aeris, who can cover a wide area and has powerful lightning magic.”

　Ragune said so unknowingly.

“…… I agree. It’s hard without Aeris.”

　Tauro smiled bitterly, realizing once again how important Aeris’s presence in the “Black Golden Wings” was.”

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