Chapter 27

As I approached the black dragon, the number of Moya increased to a maximum of ten, attacking me in various forms.

I dodged the Moya's attacks as best I could, using my sword when I got close and channeling magic into the spell array I had set up earlier to launch attacks when I was at a distance, never letting up.

With the battlefield now in the air, the weakness of [Amplification Chain] became apparent.

[Amplification Chain] indeed allowed me to launch spells with significantly increased power.

However, the direction of the spell could not be changed once it was fired, as it had to follow the same path as the spell that activated it.

Moreover, the timing of the spell's activation was predetermined, making it very difficult to hit the highly mobile black dragon in the air.

Then—

"[Reflective Barrier!]"

The spell that had been amplified twice was easily dodged, but by reflecting it with the [Reflective Barrier], I forcibly changed its course.

[Reflective Barrier] could not be activated instantly, so I could only manage to hit once.

However, this attack, enhanced with [Instant Ability Super Boost], inflicted considerable damage on the black dragon.

The part of its back where the attack hit was gouged out.

After that, I eliminated the platform created by [Mana Convergence], and my body began to fall freely due to gravity.

Once I had put some distance between myself and the black dragon, I created a new platform and landed on it.

I extended my left hand toward where the black dragon was.

"[Lightning Strike!]"

I activated a massive number of [Lightning Strikes] that covered the entire ceiling.

Pain shot through my head.

I had overused my magic.

But I couldn't afford to worry about that now!

Since this was a closed space, the black dragon had nowhere to run.

The [Lightning Strike] hit the black dragon directly.

However, as a basic spell, it did no damage—unless it was amplified by [Amplification Chain].

The [Lightning Strike] gradually increased in power, dealing significant damage to the black dragon.

When its movements slowed, I approached it, channeling the pitch-black aura I had condensed in my blade, and launched a close-range attack.

(I can take it now!)

I got as close as possible and unleashed a pitch-black slash on the black dragon's abdomen.

This time, it wasn't blocked, and it was enhanced with [Instant Ability Super Boost].

The aftershock of the lightning strike hit me as well, and I was blown away.

I managed to regain my balance in the air and safely landed on the platform created by [Mana Convergence].

I immediately looked at the black dragon and saw that its abdomen was gouged out.

It didn't disappear as easily as its wings or tail, but that one blow was significant.

◇ ◇ ◇

"Is this Orun's true strength? ...So, what we've seen so far is just a fraction of it?"

In my field of vision, a young boy is fighting the black dragon, which the entire first squad of the [Silver Hare of the Night Sky] couldn't defeat, on equal or better terms.

The scene is awe-inspiring.

His physical abilities, the number of spells he is casting simultaneously, the pitch-black slash, and everything happening now is beyond my comprehension.

If I feel this way, what must the other guides and the new recruits be thinking?

Inviting Orun to this exploration was a wise decision.

Without Orun, we would all be dead by now.

However, I also think that the new recruits shouldn't see this scene.

It clearly shows the gap between us and Orun.

How many of the new recruits here will give up on being explorers?

Orun is overwhelming the black dragon, as if mocking our efforts.

"I don't need your support magic, huh?"

I knew it.

Orun sees a different world than I do.

Even so, I had been training for a month, aiming to reach the level I saw him at last month.

And yet, now, he's showing me an even greater gap.

A gap so great that my support magic is unnecessary.

I had always wanted to become an explorer who could stand on equal footing with him.

But will that day ever come?

For me, who left home like a runaway, there is no other path than to succeed as an explorer.

My goal is too far away.

Thank you for reading to the end.

If you found it interesting and want to read more, please support the work by rating it from the stars below! Give it 5 stars if you enjoyed it, 1 star if you didn't, and feel free to leave an honest review.

I would also be grateful if you could bookmark it.

Thank you very much!