Chapter 310: Continued Battle with the Dark Great Wolf

The escort team led by Tsugumu was struggling against the cautious fighting style of the monster. Thanks to Eris’ barrier magic protecting the backline, they managed to defend against the threat of the Dark Breath.

However, the frontline was having a hard time. If they attempted to launch an attack, they had to step out of the barrier, and the Dark Great Wolf would use intermediate fire magic to stall them momentarily, then inflict status ailments with its infamous Dark Breath.

This took a toll on the frontline’s stamina. While the backline provided quick healing, the situation was precarious. The enemy was skilled at enduring prolonged battles, and it was undoubtedly an intelligent monster.

If they could just stop the Dark Breath for a brief moment, they could seize the opportunity to launch a full-scale attack with all their might…

Amid the frontlines’ struggle, Tauro appeared at the front, causing Tsugumu to panic.

“Tauro-dono, please step back!”

Tsugumu naturally didn’t intend to put the escort target, Tauro, at the frontlines.

“Tsugumu-san, if I manage to stop that Dark Breath, can you counterattack?” Tauro ignored Tsugumu’s attempts to stop him and asked instead.

“Eh? Y-Yes! If that attack is stopped, we can ignore the damage from the previous fire magic and move in for an attack.”

It was astonishing that Tauro, even after being hit by intermediate magic, intended to charge in without flinching, but at this point, Tsugumu couldn’t make any remarks.

“I apologize for this sudden move, but I might be able to temporarily neutralize that attack with my abilities. I’ll strike at the right moment.”

Tauro relayed this to Tsugumu while gazing at the Dark Great Wolf.

“Understood. Let’s go, everyone!”

Once the backline finished recovering the frontline members from their status ailments, the frontline members advanced to launch an attack.

At that moment, in perfect timing, the Dark Great Wolf chanted intermediate fire magic and aimed it at the three frontline members.

Even though they would usually defend for a moment, this time, they trusted Tauro and charged in without hesitation.

“Skill Nullify (Weak), targeting ‘Dark Breath’!”

Tauro shouted and activated his ability. Just as he did so, the Dark Great Wolf moved toward the three charging members and exhaled its Dark Breath before leaping backward.

No, it didn’t exhale anything; it simply leaped backward.

The Dark Great Wolf seemed surprised that its Dark Breath didn’t come out from its mouth.

At that moment, the frontline members, engulfed in flames, swung their weapons at the Dark Great Wolf.

“Grraaah!”

The Dark Great Wolf howled in pain as it suffered deep wounds from the attacks of the three members.

However, the creature retreated again, creating distance between them.

“I missed the kill!”

Tsugumu gritted his teeth, trying to pursue for a follow-up attack, but just as he was about to step forward, a swift figure passed by him and chased after the retreating Dark Great Wolf.

It was Salman, wielding a massive battle axe.

“Stop!”

Salman swung the battle axe down on the heavily injured Dark Great Wolf, causing its movements to slow down.

Then, in a quick counterattack, the Dark Great Wolf used its Dark Breath.

The timing of Salman’s axe swing and the eruption of the Dark Breath coincided. Salman took the full force of the attack while smashing the skull of the Dark Great Wolf, ending the breath’s flow.

Salman kneeled on the ground.

“Quick, heal Salman’s status ailments!”

Tsugumu immediately instructed the backline.

The backline rushed to Salman’s side and began healing him.

“We managed to defeat it somehow. This Dark Great Wolf was one of the strongest among its kind. As I suspected, it’s even designated with a special title: ‘Tracker’ and ‘Dragonfolk Slayer.'”

Hearing Tsugumu’s words, Tauro used his appraisal skill on the Dark Great Wolf’s remains.

Dark Great Wolf: ‘Tracker,’ ‘Dragonfolk Slayer’

The appraisal displayed this information.

This meant that Saran’s comrades had likely already fallen victim to this monster…

Though they had emerged victorious, the outcome left a bad taste in Tauro’s mouth.

Tsugumu sensed his feelings and spoke comforting words.

“In our dragonfolk dungeon, ‘death’ is common. We consider it an honor. So, Tauro-dono, you don’t need to worry too much. Of course, we feel sorrow for their deaths as well, but as warriors, we don’t dwell too much on the fact that they died fighting.”

Saying this, Tsugumu lightly patted Tauro’s shoulder.

They carried the unconscious Saran back to the 113th-floor “Rest Area” and decided to take a break there. They also treated Salman’s injuries and the burns on the frontline members.

As time passed, Saran regained consciousness.

“…I… I survived… Ughhh!”

Those were Saran’s first words.

Saran seemed to be overwhelmed with a mix of sorrow for losing her companions, guilt for being the sole survivor, and relief for having survived.

“By the way, Tauro-dono, what was that ‘Skill Nullify (Weak)’?”

While descending to the surface, Tsugumu asked Tauro about the ability he used in the critical moment.

“Ahaha. I’m glad it worked this time. I failed to use it against the Minotaurus before, so I was worried… It seems that if I clearly grasp the opponent’s ability and use it, I can temporarily seal their skill. But it seems that the effect is only momentary. I’ll need to experiment further, including the cooldown period.”

Tauro smiled, reflecting on the ability and analyzing its usage.

“Was it a risky gamble?”

Tsugumu asked with a nervous expression.

“Well, I had a feeling it would work out somehow,” Tauro replied.

“But your feeling is the basis for it!? Spare me…”

Tsugumu couldn’t help but retort, realizing that their lives had hinged on Tauro’s risky gamble.

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