Finn was a natural-born commander.
His leadership skills were truly one-of-a-kind in all of Orario.
Every adventurer present was a leader or captain from their respective familias, each with a strong, distinct personality.
Normally, such a group would be nearly impossible to lead effectively. Yet, Finn had earned every single one of their trust and obedience.
That in itself was a rare feat, something very few could accomplish.
Even Ottar, the Level 7, couldn't do it. In fact, Ottar himself was now following Finn's commands.
"Melee units! With me! The Black Dragon's in the air; our first goal is to drag it down. Just get it into the airspace over that magic circle! Target its left wing!"
"Ottar, you lead the main assault force."
Finn looked toward Ottar.
Ottar gave a silent nod. Without a word, he drew the massive greatsword from his back and strode purposefully toward the Black Dragon.
Following him were Freya Familia's Level 5s, the Amazon sisters from Loki Familia, Bert, and Gareth.
They were the only ones who could even think of engaging the Black Dragon head-on. Everyone else was simply too weak.
"Ranged units, your target is the Black Dragon's right wing! I don't care how you do it, just shred it to pieces!"
"Now! Move out!"
After his brief commands, Finn tightened his grip on his spear and followed Ottar and the others toward the Dragon.
The ranged unit was mostly composed of Level 3s and Level 4s.
Nearly all of them were armed with longbows.
This was top-quality equipment, generously provided by the Hephaistos and Goibniu familias.
While Finn's group advanced, the ranged adventurers simultaneously drew their bows, arrows aimed squarely at the Dragon's right wing.
A massive volley of arrows soared from the ground, streaking toward the Black Dragon in the sky.
At the same moment, Finn and his group launched themselves from the ground, using their superhuman leaping ability to close the distance with the airborne beast.
On the ground, Alice watched Finn's actions with a placid expression.
She sighed inwardly.
Their firepower was lacking.
By this world's standards, Ottar, at Level 7, was currently the strongest adventurer.
She wasn't familiar with Ottar's defensive capabilities, as she didn't know him well.
But she was quite familiar with Finn and Riveria.
She knew the defensive limits of a Level 6 very well.
Comparing dungeon monsters to humans, a monster of the same level was typically far stronger, depending on its race.
Take the previous Goliath, for instance. Defensively, Alice felt it was comparable to Level 6s like Finn. Yet, back then, her magic could still injure it.
This Black Dragon's defenses were on a whole other level compared to that Goliath.
The magic that could wound the Goliath would, at best, only knock a few scales loose from this Dragon.
As for the bows all these 'ranged units' were now using...
In Alice's opinion, they probably couldn't even take down the Goliath, let alone this far more durable Black Dragon.
The melee team might make some headway.
But no matter what, facing the Black Dragon, everyone in Orario was underprepared. Finn was, the adventurers were, and even Alice herself was.
Without a doubt, Alice could already foresee it: Orario's adventurers' attacks would be utterly useless against the Dragon. Their offensive power was simply too weak.
After witnessing the ranged unit's futile assault, Alice simply closed her eyes, deciding to rest and conserve her energy.
No surprise there. The Dragon was only going to get angrier.
In the end...
It would still fall to her to put in the real effort...
A faint sense of regret and discomfort tugged at Alice's heart.
She was acutely aware of her own growth speed and understood the boost divine Falna provided.
'If I had joined a familia back then, my current strength would probably be much greater, wouldn't it?'
But what's done is done. There was no changing that choice now.
Besides, the Black Dragon wasn't invincible.
She just needed Finn and the others to buy her enough time.
Clang! Clatter! Ting!
A cacophony of metallic pings rang out from the Black Dragon's body.
The ranged adventurers drew and fired, shooting a hail of arrows toward the beast. But the impact force was utterly insufficient. Arrows that could pierce straight through city walls...
...were less than flea bites to the Black Dragon.
Shafts shattered against its scales with a sharp clink before pathetically tumbling back to earth.
Everyone had expected their attacks to be ineffective, but none had anticipated the Dragon's defenses would be this absurd.
This level of arrow rain was something even Level 5 or Level 6 adventurers would have to take seriously.
That meant the Black Dragon's strength absolutely surpassed Level 6, possibly even Level 7.
Finn, however, had been mentally prepared for this. Seeing the rear guard's attacks fail, and before any strange thoughts could spread among the adventurers,
Finn shouted out, "All ranged units, maintain focus! Do not be distracted! Keep up the attack!"
Hearing his command, the ranged unit, whose initial panic had been stirred by their useless assault, steeled their hearts and continued firing.
Finn hadn't placed any real hope on the ranged attacks.
The main force was his group of Level 5s, Level 6s, and Ottar, the Level 7.
The ranged unit was just a distraction. Even a single mosquito is annoying, let alone a swarm of hundreds.
Leading the core members, Finn's group quickly reached a point directly beneath the Black Dragon.
Finn gave the order.
"Pair up! One low, one high! Toss your partner straight up toward the Dragon! Those being launched, aim your attacks at its left wing, and make them count!"
They were all excellent adventurers.
Acting on Finn's command, they moved swiftly.
Adventurers quickly found their 'launchers' and were hurled into the air.
The Dragon could fly; they couldn't. This was the only way they could bring the fight to it.
"Your own lives come first! Attacking is secondary! The Dragon is still recovering; we'll have multiple chances. Protect yourselves! Do not get hit!"
With that, Finn, remaining on the ground, heaved his old friend, the dwarf Gareth, high into the air.
Finn's own attributes leaned toward Agility and Dexterity; his Strength and Endurance were lower. His offensive power was far weaker than Gareth's, who had S-rank in both Strength and Endurance.
So, sending Gareth to strike the Dragon was the obvious choice.
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