Chapter 116: The Inducement Begins.
“It’s a swordsman with a broken blade, but still not to be underestimated.”
The investigator focused on the battle-tested Slaying Dragon’s tail devoid of its sword-like armor plating and took a deep breath to relax.
The Slaying Dragon’s sword-like armor and sword-tail aren’t actually organic tails; they’re more like shells that grow from the tail and are honed through frequent use into something akin to a blade.
Having its sword-tail severed is akin to breaking a Long Blade. Shorter doesn’t necessarily mean less sharp.
Different Slaying Dragons react differently, much like samurai with distinct personalities. Some feel ashamed wielding a broken blade symbolizing defeat, leading to a significant reduction in their desire to attack as they become despondent.
Others grow even more enraged due to their own deficiencies, maintaining their aggression while becoming increasingly berserk.
What kind of personality does this Slaying Dragon have?
They could only see it feeding on mineral veins, then stopping as night fell, leaning its head against a rock to stand and sleep.
Its body was covered in fierce sword marks from countless battles with others of its kind, proving it wasn’t a gentle creature.
“Would the Master Swordsman use a Great Sword or a Katana?”
From within the corner concealed by mountains and trees, someone broke the silence, livening up the atmosphere.
“Katana! Dueling a Slaying Dragon with Iaijutsu is pure romanticism reserved for katanas!”
“Great Sword would be more practical. A Slaying Dragon missing its tail isn’t exactly romantic, right? My guess is Great Sword.”
The Great Sword faction and Katana faction exchanged glances, sparks flying from their gazes.
“Hey, maybe he’ll use a one-handed sword instead, striking down the Slaying Dragon point-blank!”
The One-Handed Sword enthusiast grabbed both their shoulders, pressing them down.
As for whether the Master Swordsman could defeat the Slaying Dragon?
That wasn’t a concern at all. Everyone in the Ancient Dragon Investigation Team had some knowledge of Ancient Dragons, including sightings and escape stories.
In the original continent, the Master Swordsman frequently clashed with the Ancient Flame King Dragon, making his prowess unmatched among the team’s elite hunters.
“Is the Team Leader planning to join in? Here, you can use my small round shield.”
The One-Handed Sword user glanced at the hilt peeking out from behind the Team Leader’s waist.
These investigators were considered non-elite hunters. They focused more on investigation than hunting.
Neither the Katana nor Great Sword users carried those weapons. Handling such heavy equipment requires high skill.
A One-Handed Sword, varying in length depending on the hunter’s needs, often comes paired with a shield for increased defense and offense.
Compared to the heavy blades of Great Swords and large Katanas requiring two hands, a single-handed sword seems rather ordinary, often questioned about its ability to pierce through the tough shells and scales of monsters to reach the flesh underneath.
However, experts wielding one-handed swords possess great arm strength and keen eyesight. Light equipment allows for agility, while powerful arms give short blades devastating point-strike capabilities.
They find weaknesses during engagements, unleashing storm-like combos that gouge out monster eyes and disrupt their nerves.
The other hand’s shield, aside from using its hardness to deflect sharp claws, can also serve as a blunt weapon for auxiliary attacks.
The short knife at the Team Leader’s back, resembling a Skinning Knife, counts as a one-handed sword.
On the ship, the investigators speculated if the Team Leader used the one-handed sword to hide his Lion-like powerful punches, so as not to overwhelm others.
“A shield isn’t necessary either. With enough arm strength, the blade of a one-handed sword can block too!”
The Team Leader withdrew what looked like a Skinning Knife, holding it in front to demonstrate a blocking stance.
Imagining blocking the thick sword-tail of a Slaying Dragon with such a short blade seemed absurd, but no one laughed. After all, this man was like a Golden Lion!
Although Jié Jié didn’t understand everything, he could sense the lively atmosphere like a bonfire, lighting up every investigator.
Even the distant Slaying Dragon or land-dwelling curled-up dogs weren’t intimidating.
The moon set as usual, and the sun rose as always.
The investigators wiped away the damp dew from their bodies, trailing the awakened veteran Slaying Dragon until dawn when everything was prepared.
The Team Leader gently picked up the Smoky Snow Weasel, locking eyes with Jié Jié’s innocent gaze.
Are you really going to shake me?
Do you have the heart to shake me?
If you do, who knows what might happen!
The blond, dazzlingly handsome man slightly averted his eyes, as if just now staring down some great terror.
“Hmph.”
Jié Jié sighed, wriggling free from the Team Leader’s palm and shaking off his fur vigorously.
White flakes fluttered down, carrying the special pheromones that attract monsters.
The blond man spread his arms wide, reveling in his personal snowfall.
“So tempting! One sniff and you want another!”
Before the Team Leader could grab the weasel for another sniff, Jié Jié darted away.
“Well then, everyone, I’m off!”
“Wish for good fortune in battle.”
After blessings, the investigators dispersed. They would provide limited support when the Team Leader lured the monster, observing the Slaying Dragon’s dynamic changes during combat.
“Haa~”
Alone, the blond man stood behind the battle-tested Slaying Dragon, taking a deep breath.
“Haaa!!”
The sound from the human startled the Slaying Dragon, which paused mid-step, slowly turning around to sniff cautiously.
The massive beast stepped forward toward the Team Leader.
“Such a big guy, huh.”
Not staying still as the Slaying Dragon approached, the Team Leader turned and jogged toward the predetermined position.
“Huff!”
The Slaying Dragon roared lowly, seeing the Team Leader fleeing and increasing its stride.
Extending its neck, it lunged forward —
A fist slammed into the Slaying Dragon’s chin, causing its massive head to tilt upward slightly.
At that moment, the Team Leader slid sideways, dodging the bite after delivering a punch, spinning under the dragon and running away from its side.
This punch seemed to send the scent flying, allowing the Slaying Dragon to capture it more clearly in its nostrils.
Close yet far, the escaping prey made the Slaying Dragon increasingly frenzied, charging after the fleeing figure into the forest.
Trees were pushed aside or snapped cleanly in half, crushed under the powerful legs and claws of the mighty beast.
But they were still too far from the Investigation Team. The manpower needed to transport the spoils would be immeasurable.
With a sudden push against a tree, the Team Leader converted his arm strength into explosive leg power, leaping away. Behind him, the tree shattered under the Slaying Dragon’s powerful leap.
