“It indeed has a summoning function, but―”
“There are many of them.”
『Hmm... For now, let’s maintain this form. We need to be able to respond immediately based on their reactions.』
“H-However, I don’t think there’s a need to prepare for battle right away! Let’s approach them peacefully first! It’s not beneficial to show too much hostility!”
While Alexander, Kidd, and Bailephus were tense, Fernand alone insisted on staying a bit more relaxed.
A seasoned adventurer, well-versed in exploring unfamiliar places, knew that showing hostility to the natives from the start led to no good.
“Those are...”
“Are they the Saurus tribe, kin of Toon?”
“If each one possesses strength similar to Toon... this could be a tough battle.”
Elizabeth, Brown, and Browless were no exception.
Since they had only encountered dinosaurs as ‘enemies’, both users and NPCs had to stay highly alert.
“At least, they are not too many. Around twelve, I reckon. The two in the center have a bit more vibrant hues, and the other ten look similar... The ones in the center are probably important figures―I mean, dinosaurs.”
Among them, only Leeha was not tense.
“You’re quite calm, Leeha.”
“Well... I feel there’s no need to be that nervous.”
Leeha smiled reassuringly at Browless.
“Why is that? Is there something else?”
Luger, whose cobalt-blue python’s muzzle was already aimed at the enemy, asked irritably.
Leeha laughed while looking at him.
“Because I’m here.”
“W-What? Jeez, that’s not even funny.”
“No, no! I’m not saying I’ll handle it all! I mean, it’s safe because I’m here!”
As the dinosaurs gradually became clearer, their footsteps could be heard louder. Thump, thump────────!
The sound of the dinosaurs’ footsteps was getting louder.
If just facing a single Toon generated a noise that was unbearable, what if twelve dinosaurs, about 40 meters tall, charged simultaneously?
The users felt as if they were experiencing an earthquake.
“Oh! They are not just vibrant― they are equipped with something!”
Leeha’s eyes now could clearly distinguish their forms.
The same went for Kidd.
“The helmets, the chest, the abdomen, and the thigh areas are covered; we should see it as armor.”
“Haha, so Toon used to run around naked? Just imagining it is disgusting.”
“... Did you have to say that out loud?”
Leeha rebuked Luger.
Their appearances were consistent.
Huge carnivorous dinosaurs with extended arms. Although grotesque, the users had become accustomed to this exterior from seeing Toon frequently.
Thump...!
“Uh, they stopped?”
After running for a while, they halted.
Gulp, just as someone swallowed nervously, a shout emerged from the group.
『Who are you to appear in the form and voice of the Anti-King!』
The Saurus’ roar threw the users into a panic.
“Anti-King?”
“They said Anti-King?”
『Hmm, was Toon’s form seen as hostile by them?』
Just as Bailephus comprehended, Leeha slapped his forehead in realization.
“Oh no! So Toon himself is...! Bailephus, please use the amplifying spell! Amplify my voice!”
“Amplify? What kind of stunt are you trying to pull now?”
“Luger, just stay quiet for a bit! Bailephus, hurry!”
『Are you sure this is okay?』
“Yes! If we’re late—not good” 『In three seconds, if you don’t answer, we will consider you an Anti-King’s follower and attack!』
“We’ll get attacked!”
“Prepare for battle! Assume they have the same skills as Toon! Keep a distance and aim from afar!”
『Understood.』
As the group descended into chaos, Bailephus cast his spell on Leeha.
As NPCs and users, including Browless, began to scatter, Leeha shouted.
‘I really am a fool!’
The reason why Leeha had told Luger to trust him was simple.
〈Achievement: The Final Moments of a Saurus Traitor (S)〉
Congratulations!
You confirmed the existence of the ‘Saurus tribe’, a race known to be extinct and mentioned only in legends. Although he revealed his identity as a Saurus through his death, the fact that his identity was confirmed would make every archaeologist and biologist cheer!
What kind of kingdom does the Saurus tribe have, and where and how do they live their social lives? The enthusiasts of Middle Earth awaited your report eagerly.
They watched Leeha’s party intently.
『The one who defeated the Anti-King, what is your name?』
『It’s Ha... Ha Leeha!』
『Good. Haha Leeha. You and your companions’—』
『No! It’s Ha Leeha! Ha Leeha!』
『Hmm?』
The dinosaur with the golden helmet tilted its head.
Leeha, awkwardly positioned, shouted again, 『It’s Ha. Lee. Ha.』
“Even in this situation...”
Browless, pressing down his hat, shook his head.
Except for Luger, who was mocking Leeha, everyone else averted their gaze from him. After momentarily observing this scene, the dinosaur with the golden helmet finally spoke.
『Very well. Ha Leeha, the one who defeated the Anti-King. You and your companions are permitted to enter.』
Rumble...
There was a brief quake.
It was instinctively felt that this was the undoing of the barrier.
“Alright. Let’s go—”
“I’ll go first!”
“No, I’m going!”
Just as Bailephus tried to take the lead, a sudden competition ensued from the rear.
The NPCs looked puzzled, but all the users knew.
If their speeds were similar, no matter how fast they were, they couldn’t enter the barrier before those who were right in front of it!
The one closest to the barrier, standing nearest to the Saurus tribe, took the first step forward.
Boom—!
You have acquired the achievement: First Discoverer – Saur Land.
“Yay! It’s mine!”
It had to be Leeha, of course.
“Damned bastard.”
“Well, it’s not like Ha Leeha wouldn’t have known.”
“We wouldn’t have entered without him anyway. It’s not something to feel jealous about.”
Luger and Fernand expressed their disappointment.
The only one acknowledging Leeha was Kidd.
“Trying to act cool after attempting to go in yourself.”
“Ahem. Who, who said that? It’s a baseless accusation.”
The problem was that Kidd had darted forward even more than Luger and Fernand.
All NPCs were staring in bewilderment at the sudden uproar in front of the barrier.
“Humans’ disgrace.”
Only Alexander passed them with a dignified expression.
As they all entered the barrier, a sound of vibrating air followed again.
The dinosaur with the golden helmet scanned everyone quickly. His gaze fixed on a human wearing a hood.
『There is someone with a peculiar aura. A potential threat?』
“No! He’s just, just a little unwell!”
Elizabeth quickly spoke, blocking Kyle. Before the dinosaur with the golden helmet could say anything, she preemptively brought up the main issue.
“A child with a disease we hope to cure right here.”
『Hmm.』
The dinosaur with the golden helmet pondered for a moment. Leeha felt as though he glanced at him.
Leeha nodded and added to Elizabeth’s words.
“You can trust us.”
At this point, the only one they could trust was Leeha.
With just a word from him, the dinosaur with the golden helmet nodded.
『Take them.』
────────────......!!!!
“Whoa!?”
“W-What is this!?”
As soon as he finished speaking, ten dinosaurs used magic.
Bubbles-like shapes formed around each party member, capturing them and lifting them into the air.
The colossal dinosaurs, each about 40 meters tall, held one bubble each and began to move swiftly.
About 3 minutes later, they finally saw it.
“It’s... truly a balance breaker.”
What they saw from afar was a city.
Even at a conservative estimate, it was nearly as large as the capital of Fibiel, Aelstock.