Bear School Astartes

Regardless of the mixed emotions among the numerous craftsmen in the Forging District, Lann is already set to immerse himself into new work once more.

In fact, ever since the Hunter Guy from the Dragon-man Race brought back information about the Molten Mountain Dragon, the entire investigation team started dispatching hunters to the back of the Molten Mountain Dragon continuously.

On one hand, hunters would collect various precious minerals from the shell on the back of the Molten Mountain Dragon.

This ancient dragon has lived for far too long, and its back, as it moved underground, had become encrusted with countless stones, almost turning into a mine.

These precious and robust minerals would be sent to the Forging District to forge stronger crossbow arrowheads and cannon barrels.

And then used against the Molten Mountain Dragon.

Additionally, the hunters were tasked with investigating the weaknesses of the Molten Mountain Dragon.

After all, what they aimed to do this time was to alter the trajectory of a ’living volcano’.

If they blindly struck at it, it was doubtful whether they could even peel a layer of skin off it.

Humans, when dealing with such gigantic creatures, need to target structural and physiological weaknesses.

However, the size of that living volcano on the Molten Mountain Dragon’s back was too immense, and those shells, in essence, were products of the dragon’s bodily fluids solidifying.

As the Molten Mountain Dragon walked and moved, the ’geographic environment’ on its shell would change with it.

Therefore, the investigation progress was not particularly ideal for a time.

As for Lann, while waiting for his new sword, he mostly took on tasks in the surrounding area for collecting or hunting materials this week.

And did not go onto the back of the Molten Mountain Dragon.

In case that Extinct Dragon caught the scent of the Chaos Magic Power again and came to cause trouble, and he didn’t even have an appropriate weapon in hand, he might as well prepare to die.

”But now, I’m completely different!”

Inside a makeshift dining area assembled from dismantled small carts, Lann pointed at the large weapon on his back to Wende, Gaffi, and Aiden, with a smirk.

Beside them, Aibo held a chicken drumstick in one hand and flipped through his large notebook with the other.

”Completely different... does it mean from a Tachi User to a Great Sword User?”

Wende stroked his chin, scrutinizing Lann from different angles.

”That’s not so different, is it? I’m using a tachi now too; hunters changing equipment is quite common.”

Saying so, Wende patted the tachi leaning against the dining table.

The structure was of monster bone, wrapped with blue-and-white fur, and long white bristles, which seemed exceptionally fluffy due to static electricity.

[Pulse Scimitar], a tachi made from materials sourced from a monster known as the Thunderbolt Dragon, a creature skillful in using static electricity through its fur.

The craftsmen had integrated the fur and electric needles from their bodies into the tachi, granting this bone sword the ability to release electricity.

Originally, to deal with the Molten Mountain Dragon, water-attribute equipment should have been the first choice.

Like the Shield Axe Wende used last time, capable of producing water with high cell-permeability, its spray can quickly cause water poisoning, muscle weakness, and erratic heart rate in prey.

However, it seemed that because of a mismatch in attributes last time, the Extinct Dragon remained indifferent even after enduring Wende’s several [Ultra Resolution] attacks.

This disregard broke his spirits.

Thus, after analysis by the ecological research station of the Extinct Dragon materials retrieved, indicating this ancient dragon was possibly weak to lightning resistance.

Wende even made a special overnight trip back to the Great Ant Mound Wasteland bordered with the Ancient Tree Forest, hunted a Thunderbolt Dragon, and crafted a tachi capable of releasing lightning.

Lann and Aiden privately remarked: this guy might be more interested in a rematch with the Extinct Dragon than solving the Molten Mountain Dragon crisis now.

Passing by, Gaffi had no comment other than meowing with a sigh.

”...Whatever, don’t worry about it, I’m just completely different now!”

Lann pressed his lips, questioning why he had the wild idea to show off in front of this proficient weapon master.

Wende nonchalantly nodded: ”If you say so, then it is.”

He tilted his head back, draining the wooden plate of cheese soup, and stood up with the Pulse Scimitar.

”Halftime is over, I’ve only made three trips to the Molten Mountain Dragon’s back today, three more in the afternoon, and two in the evening, are you coming? Or still going for resource collection?”

The latter half of the sentence was directed at Lann.

And Lann shrugged: ”Now that my weapon is ready, I’ll naturally officially join the task. Let’s go.”

Beside him, Aiden also stood up from the dining table.

Regarding the Molten Mountain Dragon crisis, he was more invested than Wende, still using the hand-and-a-half sword capable of releasing sleep-inducing gas.

Having fought alongside for a battle against the Extinct Dragon, the little team reconvened, while Aiden and Wende, akin to suspended dried meat, had Lann hang between two flying winged dragons.

Luckily, he could stow his new [Turbulent Current: Extermination] into the Alchemy Pouch, or else the two winged dragons might have struggled to carry him.

Scorch marks left by the Molten Mountain Dragon had advanced significantly in this one week, now deeply piercing into the mountain range.

Previously, Wende speculated that the Molten Mountain Dragon would break through at the weakest point in the mountain range. This speculation was now proven.

Compared to the mountain range, the over-two-hundred-meter Molten Mountain Dragon was only a pebble.

But the mountain range had interlocking valleys and fissures.

These rock walls impenetrable to humans were quite easy for the Molten Mountain Dragon, allowing it to rampage through these valleys, ultimately crossing the mountain range.

When they arrived in the mountain range, this wide valley had already been scorched black by the Molten Mountain Dragon.

This mountain range’s main color tone was in line with the Great Ant Mound Wasteland, a desolate earthy yellow. A typical rocky mountain.

And the trail of the Molten Mountain Dragon’s path, like a burning knife slicing through cheese, left a charred streak on it.

In the distance of the valley, the rumble of cannons and the heavy footfalls were blended, echoing over.

”We’ve deployed numerous cannons along the line, hoping to wear down this elder Molten Mountain Dragon here.”

Aiden spoke seriously.

”But the results have been minimal. Although it’s old and muddleheaded, incapable of finding attack directions, its accumulated carapace over time remains too thick... it feels like we’re giving it a manicure.”

”Therefore, hunters’ field reconnaissance to discover weaknesses is what really works.”

Lann’s eyes gazed into the jagged valleys in the distance.

Though the undulating mountains obstructed his direct sight of the Molten Mountain Dragon, through his [Spiritual Vision] honed in the battle with the Extinct Dragon...

The ancient dragon’s energy and vitality emanating from the Molten Mountain Dragon’s body filled every inch of the valley like a haze!

It was indeed too old, and too powerful.

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