Earth Dungeon 81.2

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Chapter 81.2. Grassland

[They're Wind Hawks. They always attack in groups of three. They pose an E-rank danger. They use wind magic with a range of 30 meters. Their weakness is that their movements slow down when they use magic, and their magic has a short range. Its power is quite subtle, enough to cut through heavy clothing.]

"Like Hobgoblin level?"

[It's because they can fly and use wind magic. Their stats aren't that impressive.]

I understand Shizuku-san's usual explanation, but is mine going to be okay?

"My little one doesn't have long-range attacks. It only has its beak and claws, so I'm worried."

[Don't worry. Go, Thunder!]

The mischievous beauty points her finger.

"When did you come up with the name?"

It's three against one, after all. I switch my vision to the approaching crow. Please, Shadow Crow. Was it Thunder?

As Wind Hawks approach, Shadow Crow flaps its wings and accelerates to intercept.

Wind Hawk at the front hovers as it notices the approaching Shadow Crow. It concentrates mana to use wind magic, while the other two hawks split to the left and right to pounce on Shadow Crow.

[Wind]

By the power of mana, the wind has mass and turns into a sharp blade like a knife. Wind magic is faster than other magic. The only other magic that can match its speed is the lighting system.

Shadow Crow approaches without worrying about the attacking blade.

When the wind blade hits the crow, it makes a clinking sound and bounces off. Wind Hawk that was hovering couldn't evade due to the magic activation.

Shadow Crow extends its mana claws and attacks the tendons as they pass each other.

Losing the power to flap its wings, it tumbles and falls while spinning.

Wind Hawk at the front was defeated, causing the remaining two to make a U-turn. However, Shadow Crow, which had rapidly approached one of Wind Hawks, juts out its beak and collides with it.

Wind Hawk tries to counter with a collision, but it's thrown back as if a battleship and a destroyer were colliding.

Wind Hawk, also losing its strength, starts to fall. The last Wind Hawk extends its claw and lunges at Shadow Crow, but Shadow Crow folds its wings and dives down to evade.

Then it opens its wings again, takes position behind the passing Wind Hawk, and extends its claw from behind to slice it. The injured Wind Hawk falls, and Thunder flaps its wings in triumph, letting out a cry.

"Kaa."

Shadow Crow, the three-to-one victor, had been a bit less impressive with its cry. The name Thunder was given just a moment ago.

"It's like World War II fighter planes, huh? Shadow Crow, you're pretty strong, but in aerial combat, you still need long-range attacks."

I rub my chin while watching Shadow Crow head back for reconnaissance. The fallen Wind Hawk and Shadow Crow may have had a change in their performance, but they are like fighter planes.

They will crash if they get attacked even a little bit strongly. Fighter planes are so fragile. It's tough to fight a fighter like that.

[If it could equip machine guns, that would be great, but for now, we can't help it. Having familiars that are as durable and strong as they are is already an outstanding performance.]

It deflected the magic head-on. It was the Zero Fighter against... what was it called? The tough American fighter plane during the latter half of World War II that gets compared to the Zero Fighter, and it didn't even flinch when hit by the 7.7mm machine guns.

Although the roles have reversed, I think Thunder has a comparable performance. But that's about it. For now, it's for reconnaissance.

"Wind Hawks... Why do you think they didn't come to the abandoned town?"

[They probably have their territory defined, as usual. And there is much potential prey on this plain.]

In the direction Shizuku pointed to, Mike, who was leading, was tearing apart the wolves that attacked it with its cat punches.

Even if they bit her legs, the wolves that tried to pounce on her, she didn't care and tore them apart with her claws, then bit and ripped them apart. She easily defeated nearly ten wolves.

"Oh, right. There must be a lot of rabbits and deer here, too."

Mike seemed to be fine. So I leisurely thought while watching it. It's kind of like infantry attacking a tank. If infantry doesn't have anti-tank weapons, they won't lose.

[Those are Grass Wolves. They're F-rank, travel in packs, and attack as a group. They don't have any particularly outstanding abilities.]

"Grouping up is a hassle, especially with beasts... but beasts, huh?"

The other two Shadow Tigers had also started combat with the wolves. Seriously? How many enemies are there around here? It's too much.

"We can't advance like this. There are too many enemies here."

Beasts are fast and can call their friends, so they'll keep coming. We'll have to eliminate the enemies here before moving forward.

"Hmm... Are we not going to move forward?"

"Yeah, I don't want to leave the wolf carcasses behind, and I want to take their fur. It's not like a game. Besides, there seem to be deer and rabbits around."

It seems they've detected the smell of battle. Over the hill, a huge deer is sprinting toward us. Reality can be tough, indeed. 

We can't just move forward easily.