Why the hell did a dragon just fall out of the sky!?
No one knew where the Rathian had come from, but they all knew one thing—it was time to fight.
[Rathian (Monster Hunter)]
[Mana Cost per Unit: 500]
[Overall Combat Rating: C—]
Judging by its roar, it might be the same dragon they'd heard earlier at the bonfire.
"I haven't seen a living dragon in ages!" Roger's eyes gleamed with excitement. As a scholar of magical beasts, nothing thrilled him more than seeing a rare, powerful, and majestic creature alive before his eyes.
Well, actually, there was one thing better.
"This dragon isn't in any of the bestiaries—it's a completely unknown species!"
Roger had the entire Monster Compendium memorized. Discovering an unrecorded species sent a jolt of electricity through his body. He trembled like he'd been struck by lightning, giddy with pure exhilaration.
"Mr. Roger, please compose yourself…" Perry sighed, rubbing his temple.
"You don't understand," Roger said, eyes fixed on the dragon. His tone was almost pleading. "Could you all fight just a bit slower? Let me observe it carefully—at least record its appearance. I'll pay you for it, I swear!"
If he could take this discovery back to the Association, it would cause an uproar.
Leon, watching Roger's rare excitement, was momentarily stunned. This was the same mage who usually looked like a washed-up, disinterested old man. Yet the moment magical beasts appeared, he turned into an excitable child.
"I'll help you," Leon said with a small smile, drawing his sword. Kindhearted as always, he didn't mind humoring Roger's request.
Besides, the dragon looked tough—this fight wouldn't be over quickly anyway.
Everyone laughed at Roger's enthusiasm and agreed to go along with it—everyone except one person.
"HERESY!"
The Knight of Holy Light roared, conjuring a massive greatsword of radiant energy. He charged forward and brought it crashing down on the dragon's skull, dazing it instantly.
The Lightning Stake had already been especially effective against dragons, and now, after its crash landing and the Knight's holy strike, the Rathian was battered and reeling before it could even rise.
The group was momentarily stunned.
Adjusting his glasses, Perry quickly explained, "According to the Church of Holy Light's scriptures, the God of Light made a covenant with the Four-Limbed Elder Dragons. Wyverns, as their natural enemies, are considered blasphemous creatures. Therefore—"
"Die, heretic!" The Knight raised his blade again, divine energy gathering for another devastating strike. Roger's eyes went wide—he even considered using magic to stop him.
Fortunately, the Rathian moved first. With a furious beat of its wings, it shot skyward, dodging the blow. Its jaws opened—three fireballs burst forth in rapid succession, forcing the Knight to leap back.
"Whew…" Roger exhaled in relief, simultaneously recording the dragon's attack pattern while glaring at the Paladin.
Technically, the man wasn't wrong—slaying monsters was an adventurer's duty. Roger's request had been selfish, and the Knight was a powerful ally, a frontliner capable of taking hits and even casting healing miracles. The ideal teammate… in theory.
But his rigid, fanatical personality made him unbearable. To the Knight, doctrine was absolute, and anything beyond the Church's teachings was branded "heresy." Roger had never met a zealot this extreme—it was almost impressive.
The others joined the fray. Drew began chanting support spells, but this time, he limited them to defensive buffs—damage reduction, fortification, reinforcement. No attack boosts.
With so many elites present, advanced coordination wasn't even necessary.
The Rathian lashed out with its hind legs, aiming a crushing kick at Maru. Terl stepped in front of her, shielding the blow. The impact sent blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Leon dashed in next, meeting the beast head-on. His sword locked with its snapping jaws as the ground beneath it suddenly liquefied into a swamp, threatening to swallow its legs.
But the Rathian beat its wings furiously and leapt skyward, evading the mire. Its tail whipped out in a blur—piercing straight through Leon's shoulder.
A nauseating sting spread instantly.
Poison.
Of course—on this continent, any green-scaled dragon meant poison.
"Boss! Fall back for treatment!" Terl roared, seizing the dragon's tail with both hands. With a violent pull, he yanked the Rathian back to the ground.
"Right." Leon's face had gone pale, but he retreated without hesitation.
The Rathian lashed its tail twice more, forcing Terl back, before the Knight's greatsword came down again, shattering more scales. Roger winced as if his heart had been cracked open.
"Let's hit it together," Terl suggested, glancing at the Knight. With their combined strength, they could easily overpower the dragon.
The Knight merely snorted, gave Terl a disdainful glance, and charged back into battle alone.
"…Was that a yes?" Terl muttered, scratching his head.
Perry replied flatly, "The Church of Light looks down on humans of mixed bloodlines. You understand, don't you?"
Terl's expression darkened. He spat out a curse fit only for the tavern.
At that moment, the Rathian lunged forward, targeting the Knight.
A charge attack—no warning, no build-up.
The Knight had just lifted his sword overhead, leaving him wide open. The dragon smashed into him full force, sending him flying through the air.
No wind-up. No signal. Just raw, terrifying speed.
"Heh-heh-heh." The Fire Priest chuckled darkly, clear satisfaction in his tone.
The Rathian roared again, unleashing another volley of fireballs.
The priest lazily rang his bell. A swirling vortex of heat appeared, devouring the fireballs and snuffing them out in an instant.
The Church of Fire might have fallen from grace, but when it came to manipulating flame, none could rival them.
Though… the priest conveniently "missed" a few. And wouldn't you know it—those particular fireballs were heading straight for the Knight.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—!
A chain of explosions tore through the air. The Knight's fate inside the blaze was uncertain.
After that fierce exchange, the Rathian finally staggered, crashing heavily onto the ground.
Once more, the earth turned swampy—but this time, the mud coiled up like living serpents, wrapping around its legs and solidifying into rock.
"Then let me finish it."
Stella had already prepared her Lightning Stake. Her pulse raced—throwing it felt just like Gwyn himself. It was almost like living out her own cosplay dream.
This throw would end it.
Roger clenched his fists, heart aching at the sight. As much as it pained him, there was no avoiding it. A creature this fierce couldn't possibly be captured alive.
…Or could it?
A wild idea struck him. Almost without thinking, his hand dove into his pocket and pulled out a Poké Ball.
Wait—why did I just take this out?
Before he could process it, his arm moved on its own. He hurled the ball straight at the Rathian!
And right after—
The Lightning Stake followed.
The Rathian's eyes widened in shock. It let out a panicked, echoing roar.