Published: January 22, 2026
“Phew, really. Luna-chan, are you okay?”
The scary atmosphere from earlier was completely gone, replaced by the usual gentle tone as Ms. Eleonora spoke.
“Yes. Thank you for saving me.”
“You’re welcome. Now, Luna-chan... I’m sorry to ask this right after what happened, but there’s something I want to ask you.”
It seemed Ms. Eleonora had a request for me, which is why she came outside.
She spoke to me with a very apologetic tone.
Is it such a difficult thing to talk about?
“If it’s within my ability, please tell me anything.”
I replied with as much of a smile as I could manage.
After all, she had just helped me not long ago.
Besides, no matter how unreasonable the task, if I could do it, I was ready to take it on.
“Thank you. I don’t have much time, so I’ll make it brief. I want you to head to the West Gate immediately.”
“The West Gate?”
I echoed her words.
Given how hesitant she was, I had expected something more unreasonable.
“Yes. Usually, there are only dungeons recently opened for beginners on the west side, so we hadn’t assigned any high-rank seekers there. But a water dragon was confirmed on the west side just now.”
“!”
The water dragon is considered one of the dragon species alongside the earth dragon and fire dragon.
It’s a demonic beast inhabiting the 92nd floor of the Great Southern Labyrinth, resembling a giant snake.
It moves freely through the air and is covered in tough scales, making it a difficult opponent to defeat even for a-rank seekers.
If such a creature attacks the poorly defended West Gate, the city would suffer severe damage.
“Understood. I’ll head to the West Gate right away!”
After replying to Ms. Eleonora, I activated [agility up] on myself and dashed toward the West Gate.
“Wait! Do you understand your condition right now!? Not your usual Ruu-ko, but the current you—”
“I do! Even so, I have to do this! I’ll be caught anyway once this situation is over. So a bit of recklessness won’t matter!”
I cut off Titania’s voice to make my point.
I appreciate her concern, but this is non-negotiable.
As a hero and an s-rank seeker, I will defeat the water dragon!
◇
The area near the West Gate was in utter chaos.
The gate had already been destroyed, and about ten demonic beasts had entered the city.
Though they were still at some distance, the water dragon, large even from afar, was gradually approaching, causing morale to plummet.
Even against weaker demonic beasts like goblins and orcs, which had already reached the West Gate, the defenders were unsettled.
Furthermore, it seemed civilian evacuation was not yet complete, with soldiers and novice seekers directing evacuations amid the turmoil.
“Kyaaaa!”
A woman screamed, and when I turned my gaze, an orc was about to swing a club down at her.
(I’m not going to make it...!)
I hurried to construct a technique but realized I wouldn’t be able to finish in time.
If this continues...!
“Not on my watch!”
A girl with red twin-tails thrust her left hand toward the orc and shouted.
The orc’s movement suddenly stopped as if blocked by something.
“Demonic beasts that hurt people—die!”
The girl with reddish beige hair stepped between the motionless orc and the woman, slicing the orc to pieces with daggers in both hands, turning it into magic stones.
(Those girls are Mr. Orun’s disciples...)
They were disciples of Mr. Orun, whom I met on the third day of the thanksgiving festival.
As expected from Orun’s students, their movements were refined beyond what one would expect from novices.
“Are you okay? If you can move, please leave here and head to the guild!”
A blond boy helped the woman who was about to be attacked by the orc to her feet, then immediately activated [healing], allowing her to escape.
“Huh? Ah! Seirei’s older sister!”
The girl who defeated the orc noticed me and called out.
“Long time no see. You’re novices, right? Please leave this place immediately.”
From their movements, I understood they had considerable skill.