25-189

EP.189 [Eugene Schneider Clashes With the Female Drake!] 

“Looking at it like this, it really is a female. If the tail is lowered like that, it means it’s a female. Male drakes eat with their tails raised-they don’t cover their genitals.” 

As the drake appeared before them, even Priscilla, usually a lovesick fool for her harem man, snapped to attention. 

“But seeing it up close like this, it looks a bit different from the drakes I’ve seen in books. The scales and everything look much glossier.” 

They had gotten much closer than when they’d viewed it through binoculars the day before. This seemed to be the drake’s designated resting spot. 

Thanks to this, Eugene Schneider was able to observe the drake with the naked eye and reacted with interest. The drakes he knew always seemed rough, but this one looked quite refined. 

“That’s right. The mana reflection from the scales must be significant. The scale the Imperial Knights gave us didn’t look much different from a normal drake’s.” 

Priscilla nodded in agreement, her eyes sharply focused. 

According to Priscilla, the unique appearance Eugene sensed was due to the quality of mana the drake was emitting. From a distance, it wasn’t obvious, but up close, it was striking. Plus, the mana in scales that have fallen off is heavily influenced by the environment, so it’s hard to gauge the true quality of the drake’s inherent mana from them. 

“I think we need to approach this even more carefully.” 

“Weren’t we planning to be careful from the start?” 

“No, I mean even more carefully, you dummy.” 

Priscilla sensed something was off, but Eugene, not fully catching her nuance, annoyed her by not switching to serious mode. 

“What I mean is, we have to consider the possibility that this isn’t just a typical monster drake, but another being transformed into one.” 

Priscilla quickly regained her composure and shared her analysis. 

“For example, a high priest of the demons.” 

She mentioned a rather unique keyword. 

“That’s really unusual, Priscilla.” 

Eugene’s eyes widened at the suggestion. 

“Honestly, what I’m saying is extremely unlikely. It’s just a possibility-one of many cases to consider. Among demons, there are high priests closely linked to demon gods, and the most powerful of them can transform their appearance into top-tier monsters. I’ve never seen it myself, but my parents told me about it.” 

Just as the Church of the Goddess of Light has priests, demons also have priests who serve their demon gods. Since the demons declined and retreated into the Scandinavian mountains, no one has officially seen such a priest. However, in ancient texts and secret records, there are accounts of demon priests appearing in the form of drakes. Priscilla had heard more specific testimony about this. 

“If this really is a demon high priest transformed, what changes?” 

“It means not only will it be hard for us to use magic, but we’ll also have to worry about magic cast by the other side. Demon priests are very skilled at debuff magic, even if they aren’t on the level of a wizard or witch.” 

If the priests of the Goddess of Light excel at buffs, demon priests excel at debuffs. 

“Just to check, Priscilla-if a demon priest uses debuffs, would they have less effect on someone with demon blood?” 

With so many variables, Eugene could have chosen to retreat, but he was a mercenary-and this was a rare chance to face the drake up close. So, he wondered if, as someone with demon blood, he might be more resistant to debuffs from a demon priest. 

“Hmm... In theory, that makes sense...” 

Priscilla hesitated at Eugene’s question. 

‘Ugh... I’m supposed to be logical and cold-headed, and in this situation, I should say yes, let’s go for the quest...’ 

Having Eugene, who has demon blood, tank while Priscilla observes the enemy is the logical, perfect way to complete the mission. Taking risks is the fate of those who live by the sword. But in Priscilla’s heart, there was another Eugene Schneider-not just a mercenary comrade, but the man she liked. As an elf who tends to focus intensely on someone once she’s attached, she hated the idea of Eugene taking the risk. 

“Haha! Priscilla, are you worried about me?” 

Eugene hit the nail on the head with Priscilla, who was hesitating. 

“W-why would I worry about you! Don’t say weird things!” 

Flustered, Priscilla’s face turned red as she denied it. 

“We’re comrades, it’s only natural to worry.” 

“Well... I guess that’s true...” 

Once she started getting flustered, Priscilla was completely swept up. 

“Let’s give it a try. After all, the Red Fox Mercenary Band’s assault captain and top elite archer are working together-it wouldn’t make sense to back out now. And trust me.” 

In unit-level operations, the most important thing is not just careful strategy and efficiency, but also morale. If the assault captain and top member retreat without results because of risk, it will affect everyone’s morale. Eugene subtly emphasized this as he encouraged Priscilla to join him. 

‘What’s with this guy? Why is he so cool?’ 

Eugene’s confident and reliable attitude left a deep impression on the already flustered Priscilla. 

He was cool. 

Elves are a race that values style and romance. They believe only they can truly pursue such things, which is why they act so noble. Maybe it was the “suspension bridge effect,” but Eugene’s gentle charisma was dazzling to Priscilla, who was full of worldly worries. 

“Hmph... Not bad. You’re finally acting like a real mercenary. Before, you were so clueless it was embarrassing.” 

But Priscilla is, after all, a princess of the elf kingdom. Even if her heart was shaken, she was used to not showing it openly. She played it off and agreed with Eugene. 

“Then I’ll approach now. Priscilla, watch from here-give me orders or jump in if you need to, and keep an eye out for any lesser monsters.” 

Sss...! 

“Alright, be careful.” 

Eugene carefully stood up. 

His resolve was grand, but the quest itself was simple: Eugene would deliberately draw aggro, and Priscilla, who knew the drake well, would observe its movements. Everything would be recorded by Elizabeth’s special magic stone. 

‘Whew! I talked big, but I’m actually nervous. This thing’s supposed to take several experts to handle.’ 

Step, step, step, step. 

Eugene walked out slowly. 

He also kept his expression composed for Priscilla’s sake. The toughest opponent he’d faced so far was Sword Expert Sophist Ricardo, but the drake was on another level. Even though this wasn’t a full-on battle, just getting close was nerve-wracking. 

Thunk! 

Eugene stopped. 

‘This should be the right distance-what Priscilla and Elizabeth called the effective range.’ 

Elizabeth and Priscilla had predicted the drake’s attack style and told Eugene the safe distance. He was now at the intersection of that safety and optimal aggro range. 

As soon as he reached that spot- 

“Grrrrrrrr...!” 

Sss...! 

The drake, which had been lying down after drinking, slowly lifted its head to look at Eugene Schneider. 

‘It’s looking at me!’ 

Eugene’s impression was that the drake was looking right at him. Of course, that was to be expected. But what Eugene meant was- 

‘I feel like it’s trying to read me!’ 

It wasn’t just simple wariness or curiosity about an unknown being-it felt like a highly intelligent being was trying to see right through Eugene Schneider. 

At that moment- 

‘It’s coming!!!’ 

Eugene sensed the drake’s movement. 

-Fwoooosh!!! 

Just as he felt, the drake charged at Eugene with a speed that seemed impossible for such a massive body. 

‘There it is!’ 

Sss! 

Even Priscilla hadn’t expected such a direct reaction, so she stood up as if to intervene. 

-Thud! 

But Eugene signaled her to stay put. 

-Tatata-tatata! 

He quickly moved to the side, dodging the drake’s straight charge. 

-Whoosh! 

The drake’s huge, heavy tail swung dynamically, trying to adjust its direction to match Eugene’s movement. 

-Chuaaaaaaah!!! 

The massive tail absorbed the recoil, letting the drake almost instantly recover and charge at Eugene again. 

‘Oh, this time!’ 

But that wasn’t all. 

-Swish! 

As it charged, the drake spun. 

-Roaaar!! 

Before Eugene could boost again, the drake lashed out its waiting tail. 

-KABOOM!! 

The drake’s huge tail slammed into the ground. 

“It’s definitely not just a regular drake. With this kind of learning ability...!” 

-Chchchchchch! 

Eugene used mana footwork to accelerate and dodge with superhuman speed. 

Grrrrrrrr...! 

Still with its tail on the ground, the drake stared at Eugene Schneider. 

“What’s wrong? Not going as you planned?” 

Eugene responded with growing confidence. 

‘Ever since I locked eyes with it, I actually feel more at ease. Is this the effect of miasma?’ 

It wasn’t just that he dodged the attack. Because the opponent was a top-tier monster, Eugene’s own miasma was activating, giving him a psychological buff. 

Then suddenly- 

[Not only are you a hybrid of demon and human, but you possess an even more intriguing body.] 

A voice from the drake echoed in Eugene’s mind.