Chapter 34: Debt 34 - An Uneven Fight, Were the Heroines Hurt?

Ryan had managed to obtain a new piece of equipment after defeating the Principality.

A pair of boots he found quite stylish. And they boosted his Agility stats.

But that didn’t matter now. The situation was starting to piss him off.

Hearing the tedious dragon woman’s voice, he spun around quickly.

Punches, kicks. He attacked again and again.

But she dodged him with ease.

"You’re so fast, like a little dragonfly with clipped wings," she remarked with a mocking smirk.

Ryan halted his assault and leaped back, putting some distance between them.

’Her power must be S-Rank equivalent, or at least damn close to it. But this is getting on my nerves; she’s just playing with me. Dammit...’

She crossed her arms. "What’s wrong? Are you done attacking?"

"Tsk..." Ryan clicked his tongue, then added. "Why don’t you stop playing around! Fight for real already—is dodging all you’re good for?"

"Whenever I’ve encountered adventurers, I’ve killed them all. It’s not every day I run into the same one twice."

She paused briefly and then spoke. "Do you understand what I’m getting at? I’m having a good time, you know?"

’This woman, who does she think she is...’

"So you’re saying I have to force you to fight for real?"

"No, what I mean is that you’re lucky. Back on the Demon Continent, I could have killed you and your friend in the blink of an eye. It’s just... I wasn’t in the mood."

Ryan clenched his fist tightly at the dragon girl’s declaration. Somehow, her words managed to irritate him beyond measure.

"Don’t screw with me..." Ryan muttered to himself and lunged at her. He struck as fast as possible, but his blows caught nothing but air.

She laughed softly, yet it was noticeable enough for Ryan to see.

"You’re just trying to provoke me, but I won’t fall for your games. It’s better to just fight seriously either way."

’I’ll fight with everything I’ve got...’

Ryan knew full well that this girl was incredibly fast and that he wouldn’t be able to match her speed, but there was only one thing left to do.

Ryan settled into a combat stance.

He recited each of his skills in quick succession.

"Physical Enhancement."

"Magic Enhancement."

"Magic Barrier."

"Intelligence Blow."

"Almighty."

He began to feel the energy coursing through his body.

She watched him with curiosity.

"Well, well, I thought there was something off about you... watching you fight, you seemed like the assassin type. That demon you killed certainly was. But..."

She paused, her eyes locked on him as if detailing every millimeter of his body.

"I saw you use healing magic... and now this. You’re a Priest, aren’t you? Although... you use battle gauntlets, like the hero Raphael from the Geizan Continent. Ah, right, I couldn’t kill him back then. I wonder if he’s stronger now."

She murmured to herself.

"And when you killed the dying demon, you said you were a support. Has something changed in humanity? How interesting you are... what’s your name?" she asked brazenly.

"Shut up, I’m not obligated to answer. And shouldn’t you introduce yourself first anyway?" he replied with a scowl.

"Calm down, will you? Having a beautiful lady ask your name should be quite an honor, haha. But fine, I’ll tell you... my name is Irnina. And I am in service to Master Solaris. Surely you’ve heard of him—the fourth son of the Demon King."

"Irnina, huh... you’re a real pain. I admit you have quite the presence, but do you really want me to show you my power? That way you’ll know I really am just a support."

"Whoa there, flattering me won’t make me fall for you. I’ll admit you’re handsome, but my heart belongs to Master Solaris. Although... sure, give me some of your buffs. Just imagine I’m your lovely companion, heh heh heh."

’This woman... she’s just playing around. In that case... while it’s true my Debt Skill usually doesn’t activate unless I’m nearly unconscious when I use it... now that she’s asked for a buff, it might actually work.’

"You wanted to know my name, right? It’s Ryan... and as you asked, I’ll show you."

She looked at him with a smile and nodded.

’I could just order her to leave, but the debt’s effect doesn’t last that long—she’d just come back. In any case...’

"Recovery!"

"Recovery?" she murmured as she watched her body light up. "What’s going on?"

"It’s just that I’m not hurt. Why are you using Recovery?"

"I just wanted to show you that I really am a support. Don’t question which skills I use."

"Fine, fine, but still."

’I think it’s time.’

[Automatic debt collection initiated]

Ryan’s expression shifted. A smirk played on his lips.

"Stop complaining. Just come here and hand over whatever magic items or valuable relics you have."

"Why the sudden change in attitude? Besides, you think you’re in a position to give me orders?"

"Sorry for you, but this is an order you can’t refuse."

"I think I was being too nice to you. I’d better..." Her words cut off.

"What is this feeling... I have no control over my body..."

She began walking toward Ryan while rummaging through her clothes.

’At least it worked...’

"What did you do to me?" Even though she knew something was wrong with her body, she still didn’t look worried.

When she stood before Ryan, she pulled two scrolls from her clothes.

"Is this some kind of control? You’re more interesting than I thought..."

Her arms were tense, as if resisting, but in the end, she handed over the scrolls.

’Stone Skin? These will be very useful.’

"I said it was an order you couldn’t refuse. After all, you wanted to see my power, didn’t you?"

"But I wonder how long you can keep it up."

’At least long enough to land a solid blow.’

He thought to himself as he opened his inventory, pulled out the giant boomerang, and activated its skill.

"Separation."

The boomerang split in two, looking like two massive, peculiarly shaped swords, one in each hand. With the skill active, his Agility increased.

[Debt collection applied]

[Debt bonus: +50 Points]

[Debt bonus: +45,000 XP]

"Too bad for you, I can move freely now."

Ryan began his attack.

She dodged him, but with his boosted stats, he could actually follow her with his eyes this time. Even so, she wouldn’t stop laughing.

"Yes, yes, you’re faster now. But is that all? Can’t use that control anymore?"

She attacked him with force, sending him flying several meters.

"Agh!" His arm dislocated.

"Recovery."

"You truly can fight and heal yourself, plus you have that strange ability. I admit, you’ll make a lovely toy. Unfortunately, I’ve already wasted too much time playing; now I’m only interested in finding Master Solaris, so... I’ll let you go."

"Don’t screw with me... you think I’ll let you escape?"

"Hahaha," she laughed coldly.

"You think I’m escaping? My Master Solaris only ordered me to bring him the S-Ranks, and because of that fool Lighter, they got away from me... so I’m letting you walk away for the second time. But know this—if we happen to meet again, I will kill you."

"You like the sound of your own voice, don’t you? But tell me... which heroes did you say you faced?"

’She said they escaped? Who? But she talks as if Lighter isn’t one of her comrades...’

She watched him for a moment before answering.

"Are you worried about that? They were a pair of idiots—one sword-wielder and one with a mace and shield. Hmm, they would have been nice toys for my Master Solaris."

’So it’s those girls...’

Ryan understood that, according to what she said, she hadn’t found his party members yet. But he knew it was a bad idea to let that monster team up with Solaris to fight the heroines of his group.

It wasn’t that he doubted his companions, but he had been unable to gauge the full extent of this dragon’s power.

’Even though according to what she said, it doesn’t seem like they’re teaming up with Lighter... still.’

"Anyway, it’s time for me to go," Irnina said, turning around.

"No, you’re not going anywhere."

Ryan prepared to attack.

"How persistent... You lot! Deal with him."

The moment she gave the order, several magic attacks struck the ground where he stood. Ryan dodged them.

But there was no trace of Irnina left.

’She’s gone... Shit!’

When Ryan turned around, there were several Principalities surrounding him with weapons. And wide grins, ready to attack.