Chapter 5 : Subjugating the Steelback Dragon (Part One)

After jointly expelling Samimi from the party, the Hero’s team received a high-honor mission assigned by the kingdom and the Adventurers’ Guild.

With the priest Samimi gone, everyone felt refreshed and enjoyed several peaceful, comfortable days.

There were no more nightly disturbances, no one peeking during baths, and no more surprise attacks in the middle of the night.

No one had to endure that arrogant and vile noble face every day anymore.

Thanks to her family connections, the knight Fabiana brought in a once-in-a-millennium genius priestess to join the Hero’s party.

This new priestess far surpassed Samimi in both level and power, capable of miraculous, near-resurrection-level healing.

The party’s overall strength had taken a significant leap forward.

Their current prestigious mission was to hunt a Steelback Dragon that had been lurking around the capital.

This dragon was an extremely well-defended earth-type beast — usually lazy and dormant, but once it stirred, the ground would quake.

The higher-ups were concerned the dragon might disrupt nearby trade routes, so they commissioned the Hero’s party to take care of it.

To the Hero’s party, this was no big deal.

After all, they had once slain a fire-breathing dragon called Siphus, which had made them famous.

Hunting a sky dragon like that is an entirely different level from an earth dragon.

Sky dragons required the perfect combination of timing, location, and teamwork to bring down.

Earth dragons? Just break through their defenses with enough damage.

For this party — which included an elven archer, a witch, and the Hero herself — all top-tier attackers, it was nothing.

Even their pure-white knight, who mainly specialized in defense, could deal damage.

So taking down one earth dragon? Piece of cake.

The next morning.

The four members of the Hero’s party set out with their new genius priestess to hunt the Steelback Dragon.

They had to depart early.

Although the kingdom and the guild had reserved the quest for them, that didn’t mean other adventurers wouldn’t try to slay the dragon first.

If someone else got the kill, they’d lose both the reward and the honor.

They had to act fast.

They rushed all day and camped at night.

“That useless noble girl could only cast basic healing spells, and during battles, she’d hang way in the back casting tiny support spells.

She contributed nothing yet still expected to share our glory.

Now that she’s gone, I feel so much lighter,” scoffed Knight Fabiana as she sat by the campfire, polishing her Victory Shield.

“I can pre-make magical pills that provide the same buffs as her support spells.

Just take one before a fight — we don’t need her at all,” added Witch Bemore, trying not to laugh.

“She was useless at everything except running away,” said elf archer Clos with a chuckle.

“She stood farther back than me, an archer.

Her healing was always late — a total coward.”

Their chatter opened the floodgates, and everyone started mocking Samimi.

The air was filled with laughter, and the team’s morale soared.

“Everyone, maybe we should ease up.

She’s gone now and won’t be coming back.

No need to speak ill behind her back.

Let’s get some rest — we’ve got a dragon to kill tomorrow.”

It was Hero Laigaiyas who finally ended the conversation and called for rest.

At dawn, the party rose and pushed on, hoping to reach the mission site by noon.

They arrived at the ruins of an old military camp and spotted what looked like a “small mountain” nestled among the rubble.

As they approached, a patrol of royal light cavalry rode up to meet them.

These were scouts stationed here by the kingdom to monitor the Steelback Dragon and to coordinate with the Hero’s team.

“Welcome, Heroes,” greeted the cavalry captain.

“What’s the situation?” asked Laigaiyas.

“Perfect timing.

The Steelback Dragon is asleep right now — this is the best chance to strike,” the captain reported.

“Understood.

Thanks for your efforts.

We’ll take it from here,” Laigaiyas said.

“Please pull back to a support position.

No matter what happens, don’t break formation.

The honor is yours too.”

“Yes, may the goddess bless you,” the captain replied as he and his unit fell back.

With a wave of Laigaiyas hand, the party split into two squads.

The elf archer and the witch climbed to the top of the ruined walls and took cover.

Laigaiyus, Knight Fabiana, and the new priestess entered through the front, heading straight for the Steelback Dragon.

“Guuu~ guuuu~”

The enormous Steelback Dragon lay coiled and snoring thunderously, clearly in a deep sleep.

A great sign for the heroes — maybe they’d get to go home early today.

They could launch a surprise attack while it slept.

The dragon’s greatest asset was its tough hide, but it had vulnerable points that could be exploited.

Hitting those weak spots while the dragon was moving was nearly impossible, but with it completely still, it was like chopping firewood.

All four heroes were veteran dragon hunters.

They didn’t need to speak — everyone moved into position, waiting for the signal.

Hero Laigaiyus locked eyes with Knight Fabiana, then looked up to confirm the archer and witch were in position atop the wall.

Without hesitation, she vanished on the spot.

When she reappeared, she was in mid-air above the dragon’s head.

Reversing her grip, she stabbed downward with full force.

This was the power of Laigaiyas, the Storm Hero.

Her speed was unmatched — quick in every way, unbeatable.

Her sword moved so fast it could carve an enemy into pieces before they even realized they’d been struck.

Only the flash of her blade could be seen, not the hero herself.

Her movement was lightning-fast, leaving afterimages that confused enemies, even creating illusionary clones.

Her reaction time was like precognition — with a single twitch from the enemy, she could calculate every possible move and counter it in advance.

She was practically a walking cheat code — how else could someone be called a Hero?

“Clang!”

A crisp impact rang out.

Laigaiyas’ blade pierced the Steelback Dragon’s skull — one of its known weak points.

Though the dragon had two extremely thick protective scales on its crown, there was a narrow gap between them that led straight to its head.

It took tremendous precision to strike it, but for the Hero, it was child’s play.

One perfect thrust — no problem.

“…Huh?”

But Laigaiyas frowned in confusion.

Something felt off.

She looked down — her sword had entered the gap, but it had only pierced the outer hide.

It hadn’t reached the brain — there was still a thick slab of dragon muscle in the way.

“…”

A cold sweat broke out across her brow.

Her confident grin vanished into stunned silence.

She thought: Why is this dragon’s skull so freakishly tough? Why does my sword feel like it’s tickling it?

“ROAR!”

A thunderous bellow shook the air.

The Steelback Dragon awoke, thrashing violently and throwing its head.

Its movement shook the entire ruins to their foundations.