While continuing like that, we arrived at the Metio Dungeon.

　A ‘V' shaped valley surrounded by cliffs so steep that the top can't be seen. And at the bottom of the valley, a tranquil stream flowed.

“Ohh, I found one.”

　I found a dragon right away.

　Luckily, it's the weakest among the six types of dragon that appear here, a「White Dragon」. It's called dragon, but it is undeniably a dragon subspecies.

“So big! “

　Eko's eyes rounded in surprise as she raised her voice. Certainly, it's big. It might be around 10 meters in length. Its rugged white scales were beautiful.

“AAAAAAARE WE GOING TO FIGHT THAT!? “

　Silvia's legs completely gave in.

“About that. I'll set an example at first, so take a good look at it.”

　I approached the White Dragon while setting up my longbow and measuring the range.

　Then, using 《Spirit Summoning》 I called Angolmois out.

“（――Ohh, isn't that a dragon?）“

　A somewhat indifferent reaction was transmitted to my mind.

“（Time for possession.）“

“（As you wish.）“

　I activated 《Spirit Possession》. Angolmois turned into a seven colored light and merged with me.

　Oh G.o.d!　Ahh, this is it, ahhhh, this is the best. No matter how many times I do it, this is incredible. The supreme almighty sensation. The ultimate ecstasy.

　Currently, the rank of 《Spirit Possession》 is Grade 5, the increase in status is 4 times, possession time is 270 seconds and it has a 290 second cooldown time. To feel this ecstasy for longer, stronger and much more than before, I feel like I'm already addicted to it.

　Well then, now that it's activated, I can't let even one second go to waste. The purpose of this is to acquire 《Dragon Horse Archery》. First of all, I have to fulfill the condition of attacking it at least once with each of the seven skills, from Soldier to Rook.

　Preparing a 《Soldier Archery》 shot, I release it right away.

“GYAOOOOOOO!? “

　It quickly flew and stabbed the White Dragon on the thigh. Obviously taken by surprise, the White Dragon roared in severe pain.

　I then launched 《Lance Archery》 in quick succession. Those attacks penetrated the legs of the White Dragon.

　And so, the angry White Dragon rushed towards me. Using 《Gold Archery》 I knocked it back, and prepared 《Bishop Archery》, immediately releasing it.

“GAAAAA! “

　From the sounds it made, it was the signal that the dragon was preparing a “Breath”. I canceled the 《Knight Archery》 I was preparing next, and ran lightly, making a circle around the White Dragon. This alone is enough to easily evade the breath of the White Dragon.

　Then, the after-breath rigidity came. This gives me the chance for an all-out attack.

　I first released 《Rook Archery》, followed by 《Silver Archery》, and lastly 《Knight Archery》. Since I've attacked with all seven skills, the condition was met. All that's left is to finish it off using 《Bishop Archery》.

　Its charge can be countered with 《Gold Archery》, and its breath by simply running. It's easy to defend against an opponent like a White Dragon with just this much. If its remaining HP falls below 20%, it will also attack using its tail, however that doesn't matter since it can be defeated before it has the chance to do so.

　And, like this, the White Dragon went down. This is the result of relentlessly aiming at its legs only. The down state always comes when the c.u.mulative damage on the legs exceeds a certain threshold and the HP is lower than 30%.

“OOON!　GYAOON! “

　I shot 《Bishop Archery》at the downed White Dragon. And since White Dragon-kun couldn't resist at all, it was thoroughly defeated. By the way, I would have liked to attack using 《Rook Archery》, doing damage more efficiently, but with the White Dragon's HP I don't know when it would go down. So, in order to avoid wasting time, I finished it using only Bishop.

“NGYAAA! “

　When it was on the verge of being freed from the downed state, the White Dragon roared in agony and died. A little more and it would've been able to rush at me. I'm glad I didn't use Rook just in case.

“……Well, it's something like this.”

　Releasing the possession, I returned to where Silvia and Eko were.

　The two girls were just standing still with their mouths open.

“Ahh, I was alone just now, but from now on we'll do it together, okay? “

　Silence.

“The strategy against the White Dragon is easy. Using Gold to counter the rush, and evade the breath that always comes after the dragon makes a weird noise. All you have to do is protect against those two.”

　No response.

“Are you ready?　Alright, let's not waste time and――”

“WWait a minute! “

　Finally, Silvia opened her mouth.

“Second-dono?　Do you know what you've just accomplished?　You ‘solo killed' a dragon, you know?　Isn't that an incredible feat?　And, what's more……”

“……Wasn't it scary? “

　Eko complemented Silvia's words.

　Was I scared……huh?

　They might be misunderstanding something. I'll be troubled if they become scared. So, I think I should say it here.

“Let's be clear. There's nothing scary.”

　I noticed the two of them were taken aback.

“Given our status, even if we receive the White Dragon's strongest attack and it's a critical, we won't die unless we get hit three times. Also, as I said before, just counter the rush with Gold and avoid the breath when it makes the weird noise. Or are you saying doing this to defend is some huge undertaking? Anyone can kill it.”

“Th……!? “

“Furthermore, aren't we aiming to be the top in the world?　Sooner or later we'll be able to kill a White Dragon in a single blow. For the members of Firstest to be making a fuss against this level of opponent.”

“In a single blow……”

“Also, I'm sorry for not explaining that you won't die unless you get hit three times by a critical from the White Dragon.”

“Is that so!? “

“Seriously! “

　Silvia and Eko got angry. I'm really sorry.

　It seems that although I was preaching to them with a self-satisfied face, it was my own fault from the very beginning for not informing them beforehand. I'm ashamed.

“Aren't you just angry because you were surprised!? “

“Second!　Say sorry! “

“I'm sorry! “

　After sharing information earnestly after that, we properly started the hunt for dragons.

Thank you for reading.

＜Status Details＞

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

Swordsmans.h.i.+p

s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p

Archery

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.