According to EI’s plan, Nia followed him to the largest warehouse in town.
Along with them came a dozen or so townsfolk, and without exception, each of them carried a large sack in their arms.
These were just taken from Uncle Karter’s cellar.
“EI, what do we need to do?” one of the townsfolk asked.
“We need to spread all the flour out,” EI said as he stepped in front of Nia. “Nia, I need you to use your wind magic to blow all the flour into the air. Can you do that?”
“That’s not difficult,” Nia replied.
She wasn’t entirely sure what he was trying to accomplish, but she didn’t ask further and immediately formed a sphere of wind in her hands.
“Will this really work?” Frank, who had come along, couldn’t help but ask.
It wasn’t just his question; it was on everyone’s mind.
Just by pouring flour in the warehouse, can we really take down a Dragonling?
“Now is not the time for doubts,” Nia said. “Since everyone has chosen to trust him, let’s follow his instructions. We don’t have much time left.”
True enough, there was no time left for skepticism.
They had to see this through no matter what.
“If the mage lady says so, then let’s get to it,” one of the townsfolk said.
One sack after another of flour was poured out, the wind magic swirling through the air.
Soon, the warehouse was filled with flour floating everywhere.
Satisfied as he watched the flour suspended in the air, EI continued with his instructions.
“That’s good. Next, we need to lure the Dragonling here.”
“I’ll take on the task of baiting the Dragonling. Frank, you protect the others and retreat to the designated spot. When you hear the signal, execute the original plan. Oh, and give me your big shield.”
“That’s my family heirloom magic tool. I can’t just hand it over to you like that.”
Frank grew wary when talking about his magical equipment.
“EI urged, “Come on, this is no time to be so precious about it. I’m not keeping it—I’ll return it after.”
“Then be careful with it,” Frank said reluctantly, passing the shield to EI.
“There’s no such thing as careful or not careful with a shield. It’s not like I’ll hide behind it the whole time.”
EI took the knight’s shield from him and stored it in his ring, then turned his attention back to Nia.
“Now comes the most critical and dangerous part.”
“This depends on my plan working. Nia, you need to finish it off. You’re the only one here who can deal with that thing.”
“If you don’t think you can kill it, then run immediately, understood?”
It was always Nia who reminded EI of danger, but she never thought she’d hear such words directed at herself.
She replied nonchalantly, “I’m not going to fall to some lowly Dragonling. I still have to go back and protect—”
“Don’t jinx it,” EI cut her off without a word. “Never say that before a fight.”
He paced anxiously in front of her.
“I was already feeling confident, but now that you say that, I’m afraid to let you go.”
Nia had never seen EI like this before.
She chuckled, “Don’t worry, I don’t need you to be concerned.”
After finishing its dinner, the Green Dragonling licked its claws with satisfaction.
Its eyes flicked to the distant city walls, billowing with thick smoke, and there was a hint of caution in them.
Not knowing the exact strength of humans yet, it did not rush forward recklessly.
Instead, it used its oppressive aura to urge its Demonling minions to charge ahead.
Demonlings were creatures that could be produced endlessly, making them perfect tools for testing human defenses.
As it pondered how long to keep attacking before the next meal, the city gates suddenly swung open.
The Demonlings climbing the walls were caught off guard.
But soon, some Demonlings charged inside.
One was followed by another, and before long, all the Demonlings blocking the city gates had slipped into the human town.
This caught the Dragonling by surprise.
Were humans really giving up the walls that were their main defense?
Its caution prevented rash actions, and it began to count its minions.
Not one had fallen.
It seemed the gate was taken.
With the human town as a foothold, it could quickly secure enough food to last the entire winter.
Satisfied, it set aside the appetizer at its side and followed the main force into Belong Town.
As it stepped into Belong Town, barely steadying itself, an arrow suddenly flew from somewhere and headed straight for its eye.
Startled, the Dragonling’s vulnerable eyeball was pierced.
Though its body was as hard as iron, no matter how tough the exterior, there were soft spots.
The eyeballs were among the few soft parts of its body.
It pulled the arrow out and shifted its gaze to see the man who shot it.
Damn vermin.
Rage erupted into a roar that could not be restrained.
Before its ferocity fully built, the man taunted it with a mocking gesture, then fired another arrow its way.
This time, the Dragonling was on guard. It folded its wings and easily blocked the arrow.
Repeated provocations made the Dragonling decide to deal with this first course itself.
The horn on its forehead began to glow as the pressure around it skyrocketed, and leaves rustled without wind.
Then, it flew straight toward the man.
As it beat its wings, the man took off running, fleeing fast.
The Dragonling chased relentlessly.
They ran through several streets until a corner by a house, when suddenly, hot oil poured from above, dousing the Dragonling.
Before it could react, the man turned around and cast “Flame Sprite.”
The oil ignited on contact, engulfing the Dragonling in flames.
Its green fur blackened by the fire, the burning pain seared from skin to bone.
Its fury reached a new peak.
This human must pay for what he’s done!
Before enjoying this human as a meal, it would make sure to torture him well first.
The man ran all the way until stopping before a large human house.
He glanced around nervously as if trapped, then ducked inside.
Cunning vermin—he thought that hiding in this fragile house would keep him safe?
Blinded by rage, the Dragonling didn’t hesitate and followed inside.
It could barely contain its eagerness to see the pain on the human’s face.
However, upon entering the warehouse, it was momentarily stunned by the scene before it.
The warehouse was filled with white powder, like morning mist in a forest.
What was this?
Sniffing carefully, the Dragonling concluded it was just ordinary flour.
This must be where humans stored their flour.
After the brief pause, it lowered its guard and began searching for the vermin who attacked it.
Just two steps in, a voice suddenly came from behind.
“That ugly thing over there, are you looking for me?”
Turning back toward the voice, the Dragonling saw the man who had taunted it earlier.
Somehow, the man had slipped out of the warehouse and now stood in a clearing not far away.
In front of him stood a shield, and his head peeked from behind it.
“The hide-and-seek game is over. It’s time to reward our winner!”