It wasn’t like the random attacks before . This time there was a definite intent to kill us .

As most of its neck was destroyed, the head swayed unsteadily, but still, the flames came right towards us .

‘Magic Transfer Barrier . ’

I retaliated with a barrier .

The barrier sent the attack somewhere else instead of blocking it .

This barrier was able to transfer magic easily, even against h.e.l.lfire of Death, and so it was very strong .

Or at least, I thought it was–but I was wrong .

The Magic Transfer Barrier did not even last for 5 seconds .

I didn’t understand why, but the dragon’s flames had the power to destroy it .

–4 of my 5 barriers were smashed before the flames stopped .

I didn’t know if I should be horrified that 4 barriers were gone, or relieved that I was still alive .

Still, I had to get out of this situation or I would die sooner or later .

“…Anti-magic Barrier, Anti-physical Barrier…”

I brought up new barriers and tried to think of a different plan .

That being said, I couldn’t think of anything good .

I could either fight or run away, but running from something that flew so fast in the sky did not seem likely .

If I wanted to run, I should have done it before it started recognizing me as an enemy .

But on the other hand, I had no way to attack it with the Shortsword of Kes.h.i.+s .

And I didn’t think that there was any magic I could use that would kill it without using the shortsword .

I could just fling random magic at it and pray that something would be effective .

However, if h.e.l.lfire of Death was too weak, then it seemed unlikely that anything else would be enough to kill even a very weakened Blue Dragon of Delight .

If anything, it would just waste MP shrink my HP as well .

…However, I had no choice .

It was better than waiting to die .

That’s what I decided . And so I searched for magic to use and then chanted .

I didn’t care about attributes . Fire was its weakness, and yet Helfire of Death did nothing . So there was no point in caring about it .

I just had to drag the dragon down to the ground .

And then deal the final blow with what power I had left .

If I could bring it to the ground while I still had enough HP left, then I could win .

There was no time to lose . If I hesitated, I would be attacked that many more times, which would affect my chances of winning .

“Curse of Eternal Tun—”

I just said whatever came to mind first .

This one probably used a lot of MP .

Still, I had to use something of this power or I wouldn’t be able to knock the dragon out of the sky .

However–I stopped midway .

While I was chanting, an unfamiliar voice had rung in my head .

‘—You have met the requirements . You may now use ‘Heaven Strike’ for 45 seconds .

…I didn’t get it .

I don’t remember hearing anything about this skill before .

However, there must be some meaning to being able to use it at this very time .

And so I chanted without hesitation .

‘Heaven Strike . ’

And just as I did–the sky cracked open .

And then rays of light rained down towards the dragon .

They were pus.h.i.+ng against the Blue Dragon of Delight as if to smash it onto the ground .

And then the crack in the sky began to close .

And the lights grew weaker .

In spite of all flas.h.i.+ness of the name and visuals, all it really did was bring the dragon to the ground .

Of course, that was hardly enough to kill the mythological monster, and the dragon was still thras.h.i.+ng around wildly .

—But that was enough for me .

It was what I had wanted .

If the dragon was on the ground, then my attack would reach it .

And so I dodged the dragon’s attacks as I got closer . Then I stabbed it with the Shortsword of Kes.h.i.+s and chanted .

There was only one magic to use here .

‘—h.e.l.lfire of Death . ’

Flames burst from the tip of the sword . And this time, the dragon’s head was completely severed .

…I wondered if it would continue to live even after that . But the dragon proved to be less invincible than I feared, and it soon stopped moving .

And then our surroundings grew brighter .

When I looked up at the sky, it had regained its usual brightness .

It was now free from the influence of the Blue Dragon of Delight .

“…We won . ”

‘We won!’

‘We really won!’

‘That dragon was so scary!’

The slimes started shouting once they realized it .

Surprisingly, not a single slime had been killed in spite of being in the fight .

Even though I was protecting them with barriers, they were clearly very tough…

Though, the Proud Wolf was staying quiet…

‘Hey, Proud Wolf . Are you alright?’

‘I…I’m fine! Uh…so, how did the fight go?’

Yes .

To be honest, I wasn’t remotely worried about him .

He had the ability to detect danger and run . In that, he was second to none .

‘We won the fight . It’s safe to come out now . ’

‘Understood!’

The Proud Wolf said . It took him about 1 minute to return to us .

Which meant that he had run quite far…