Chapter 306: The Paper Tiger
It was a paradise for the wyverns.
On Alpha Mountain, part of the Southern Mountain Range, no monsters existed that could rival the wyverns. While other mountains like Beta and Gamma housed equally powerful creatures, as long as one did not intrude into their territory, conflict was avoided. Here, the wyverns could hunt and feast upon their prey without concern.
“Grrr?”
“Jaaah?”
However, that day, the wyverns witnessed something. An intruder boldly encroaching upon their territory.
‘…………’
It was enormous—twice the size of a wyvern. A massive creature with a brownish hue, it had two pairs of wings spread wide and a fearsome, dragon-like appearance. The monster glided gracefully from the northern direction, approaching the peak of Alpha Mountain. It made no sound, floating eerily as if swaying with the wind. The wyverns displayed their utmost vigilance.
“Jaaahhhhh!”
“Grrr! Jau jau!”
Several wyverns took to the skies, surrounding the unidentified intruder. They barked and growled at the creature, which was larger than themselves, keeping their distance.
‘…………’
Yet, the creature merely floated aimlessly, unresponsive to the wyverns’ intimidation.
“Jaaahhhhh!”
“Jaaah! Jaaahhhhh!”
Finally, unable to contain themselves any longer, the wyverns launched an attack on the creature. They bit at its wings and struck with their tails, attempting to bring it down.
‘…………’
But the creature remained unfazed. It continued to float ominously, showing no signs of retaliating against the wyverns’ assault.
“Did it work?”
“Oh… it seems they haven’t noticed.”
As they watched the commotion, Rest and Yuri began to move. They were concealed within a dome constructed of earth. This silent, magically created structure was moving stealthily, inching closer to the wyverns’ nest.
This was Rest’s strategy. By using a decoy to draw the wyverns’ attention, they could approach hidden within the magically crafted earthen dome. The creature floating in the air was, of course, a dummy created by Rest’s magic. He had shaped it from earth and wood, using the Floating spell to keep it aloft—a mere balloon drifting on the wind.
Normally, the Floating spell would dissipate if not continuously maintained. However, Rest had infused the dummy with sufficient Magical Power and coated it with Barrier Techniques to solve this issue.
And so, it came to be. The Barrier Techniques suppressed the dispersal of Magical Power and the spell’s cancellation, resulting in a floating monster balloon that would remain aloft until the infused power was exhausted.
“Truly a masterful technique… just kidding.”
With a playful remark, Rest infiltrated the wyverns’ nest. Seizing the opportunity while the floating creature drew their attention, he set his sights on a wyvern that had strayed from the others.
“Be as quiet as possible. Strike without giving them a chance to escape…”
And then… he timed his attack perfectly.
“Jaaahhhhh!”
Several wyverns bit into the dummy, tearing at its body. In that instant, the dummy burst apart, releasing a blinding light and a deafening sound from within.
“‘Jaaahhhhh!?’”
The wyverns’ cries mingled with the explosive sound akin to firecrackers. Inside the dummy, the Light and Fire Magic had been concealed. The destruction of the dummy triggered the magic to erupt.
“Now…!”
At that moment, Rest unleashed his spell. Amaterasu… the beam of light pierced the head of a wyvern that had strayed from the group, killing it instantly. Amidst the chaos of light and sound, the attack went unnoticed by the wyvern, which likely had no idea what had just happened.
“Alright, hurry, hurry!”
Yuri dragged the fallen wyvern towards the earthen dome, completing the hunt. They had gathered the materials; all that remained was to retreat.
“Gishaah! Gishaah!”
“Shaaaahhhhh!”
“Alright… retreat!”
Above them, the wyverns flapped their wings in confusion, unaware that one of their own had been shot down and taken.
Rest and Yuri quickly withdrew from the scene, carrying away the wyvern’s remains.