Chapter 151

The magical presence of my target was nearby.

Unfortunately, my preferred method of flying mount was not an option. Not with the detection ward ready to catch the moment I stepped out of the little web of protection I had created under the shadow of its defensive counterpart.

So, I continued to move the slow way. Creating a complicated set of tunnels. And even worse, I had to create some of them much larger, just in case I had an opportunity to save my scaly acquaintance.

Saving her was a target despite the potential risks, because the headmistress needed me to capture the dragon. However, my motive was not fulfilling her order, or even selling the illusion of a loyal soldier.

No, I wanted to save the dragon — if I could do so without putting myself under certain danger — because the headmistress’ request implied that the dragon was important for her. Which meant, the dragon either had some kind of link with Divine Spark, she had some information valuable for the headmistress.

Or she had a completely different significance, which might make her even more important.

Regardless, she was important for me, because her presence promised leverage that could be used against the headmistress.

The nearer I got, the more accurately I could detect the details.

As far as I could tell, there were eight distinct sources of energy, which would have been enough for me to turn back and retreat, leaving my scaly acquaintance to whatever unfortunate fate that awaited in the hands of a mysterious organization responsible for the ongoing disaster that was slowly destroying the civilization.

Luckily for her, I could also detect their formation and the current targets as well. And that told me one important thing. The battle wasn’t a siege where seven members of the Eternals assaulted the dragon, trying to take her down.

If that had been the case, from the level of power I could detect, she wouldn’t have lasted even a minute.

No, even from a distance, I could feel four parties spread around, each fighting against each other. The first party was, naturally, the dragon herself. She was away from every other opponent, several wards surrounding her in a desperate attempt to create a defensive bulwark, one that was being eroded aggressively.

The intricacies of the wards would be enough to prove that she was more than a mere beast even if I hadn’t communicated with her before.

However, intelligence was not sufficient alone when being sieged by several high-leveled enemies, even when those enemies were lacking in skill. Power was also needed, an asset that she was clearly lacking.

She wasn’t weak by any sane definition of the word. She was still strong enough to take down Cornelia, or one of the death knights of Zokras, in less than a minute — though I would pick Titania for a victory with a comfortable margin.

Unfortunately for her, that level of power was hardly enough under the circumstances. She was only holding on because of external factors. The relative lack of skill of her attackers didn’t match their incredible power. And the enmity among themselves.

Her attackers were split into three factions, though these factions were not equal in number, or in power. The biggest group consisted of four members, three mages and a warrior. They were at the center of the group, their main focus on attacking the dragon. Even with their unskilled approach, they would have taken the dragon down with relative ease.

However, the second group was actively trying to prevent them from succeeding.

The second group consisted only of two members, one mage and one warrior, likely with a ranged specialization. They were staying quite a bit distance away from the first group as they did their best to interfere with the first group’s attacks against the dragon. However, they were distant enough that, if the first group decided to attack them, they would be able to retreat. A simple plan, but effective.

That didn’t mean they were on the side of the dragon, because they were also attacking the dragon whenever the dragon had an opportunity to sneak away.

Clearly, they shared the same objective, but they were fighting for the honor of taking the spoils.

However, the real interesting thing was the fourth party. It was a lone warrior, yet he was attacking all three at the same time, without any rhyme or reason, completely berserk. I might have mistaken him for a monster in the middle of a blood rage if it wasn’t for his distinct signature marking him as completely human.

Just mindlessly berserk.

How very much interesting, I thought even as I continued my laborious journey.ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

If there was one good thing about a chaotic four-way magical skirmish, the spells that were being thrown around with reckless abandon were the exact thing I needed to conceal my own magical signature, essentially hiding under the shadows of their spells to quicken the tunnel-creation process.

And it was a good advantage, under the assault of two groups — even with them restraining each other — the dragon was getting closer to defeat. Layer after layer, her wards were getting destroyed, with her speed to recreate unable to match the speed.

I started tunneling even faster.

A second later, he was attacking his previous allies in reckless abandon.

A crazed warrior loose between three mages in arms reach, a recipe for disaster in any measure.

Also, just the opportunity I needed.

[Level: 31 Experience: 493210 / 496000

Strength: 46 Charisma: 63

Precision: 40 Perception: 42

Agility: 40 Manipulation: 45

Speed: 39 Intelligence: 49

Endurance: 39 Wisdom: 51

HP: 6324 / 6324 Mana: 6192 / 7750 ]

SKILLS

Master Melee [100/100]

Master Tantric [100/100]

Master Biomancy [100/100]

Master Elemental [100/100]

Master Arcana [100/100]

Master Subterfuge [100/100]

Expert Speech [75/75]

Expert Craft [75/75]

PERKS

Mana Regeneration

Skill Share

Empowerment (1/1)

Teleportation

COMPANIONS

[Cornelia - Level 22/26]

[Helga - Level 22/26]