Headed by a Snake

[Fifteen minutes prior.]

"Boss, wouldn't I do better using Moon-Moon-Moon against the enemies?"

Barza Keith, the Lone Shadowdark examined the pistols Tycon had armed him with. He understood how they worked. Pressing the trigger released the hammer, igniting the Orkish sugar in the barrel. The explosion would send a metal bullet tearing into an enemy at a speed that a Gold-Rank would struggle to follow. The resulting injury was incredibly destructive, far greater than that of a crossbow quarrel.

Though Lone was good with a bow, he hadn't used pistols before.

The handsome green-haired noble curled the side of his lip in an arrogant smirk, "A Ranger is trained in all martial weapons. I have faith in you, Mister Lone."

Tycon leaned forward to whisper into his ear, "But if you shoot me with that, I'll stab you in both eyes and leave you for dead on the side of the road."

An icy chill ran down Lone's spine.

Boss' threat was far worse than his usual ones...

Lone couldn't recall a single time that Baron Tycon had broken a promise.

Tycon stepped back and smiled-- but his eyes weren't smiling, "Do you understand me, Mister Lone?"

"I-- I do, Boss!" Lone yelped.

"After the initial volley, your assistance will be crucial."

Lone grimaced, "What do you mean, Boss? But I'm the... weakest guy here? Err... not including Sasha, anyroad."

The nobleman rolled his golden eyes, "Stars and stones, Barza Keith, don't you get tired of doubting yourself? I'm not asking for your opinion, I'm telling you the plan."

Lone holstered his two pistols, averting his gaze, "A-alright, Boss. What do you need me to do?"

[Present time.]

Lone held his pistols pointed upward as he rushed to get into position.

Wolfrider was holding on well against the left target with Tycon approaching from his side.

Lone kicked over a table to use as cover and hid behind it, resting his outstretched arms and aimed pistols upon it to keep his aim steady. He aimed at the beast's side, well away from its front where Wolfrider fought with Boss Tycon's halberd.

He didn't need to check beside him, but he knew Sasha was there. As shy as the dark elf was around him, she seemed not to mind him as much if he didn't look directly at her. Sasha politely hiss-chanted her prayers to the snake god, having the weird effect of calming Lone's nerves.

He felt as if he were a hunter, slowly coiling around his prey. Once his prey was crushed, its hopes extinguished, and its spine broken, it would be the greatest feeling in the world.

He glanced over to where Lulu was. Lone knew she was strong... but she was still a little blonde girl, devoid of muscle. She had an Arcane class? It was hard to tell if she was actually strong or not... If she got into trouble, Lone would rush over and help her out.

Margeaux was watching from the entrance. It would be great if he looked heroic in front of her.

Seven hells, the Flayed Beasts moved fast... pouncing faster than any wolf or bird Lone had ever seen. But at least Lulu would have a mana ward or--

Lone choked on his own saliva seeing her launch the Flayed Beast back with a poke of her parasol.

He examined the parasol before, while Lulu was off sexually assaulting statues in the courtyard. It wasn't made out of special materials, at all. It felt that the tiniest amount of force could tear a hole through the paper.

Geysers of elemental magic burst from the floor. Spheres of magical frost and fire were summoned through a dozen magic circles. Cackling like a madwoman, Lulu placed her hand onto an already-drawn magic circle on the floor and swords made of lightning managed to imprison her Flayed Beast.

The wooden laboratory tables gained sentience, lit on fire, ran at the creature and exploded in a series of blinding-white firebombs.

Just like Boss Tycon said, it seemed the fire elemental spells hurt the creature more... Even if the creature resisted her magic, it seemed that Lulu could cast more than enough spells to keep the beast pinned down.

Slowly, Lone turned his head. He'd... he'd just keep watching Wolfbanger fight.

Margeaux was watching. He needed to keep professional and stick to the plan! Guild Invictus needed to win before he could get any closer to her.

He was tired of getting mixed up with powerful women. In Nice, he lost his memory and woke with black eyes and bruises all over his body. He was pretty sure it had something to do with Korr. In the Ivory Judge Sect, every female he met was way stronger than he was. In Merylsward... Egh... Lone did *not* want to think about the creepy, unclean way he lost his V-Card to Madison.

And he only found out long after he messed with Rico of the Sea Wolves that she was Gold-Rank... and that she was 3 years old! Lone almost committed a crime!

Uughhhhh. Boss Tycon probably didn't have to deal with all these super-powerful women trying to kill him. He was incredibly strong, after all.

Nope. Lone only wanted to deal with normal girls-- like Sorina... But Margeaux was a close second. Her boobs were huge. And he was pretty sure Sorina hated him. It was a no-brainer which girl he was planning to pursue.

Maybe he could convince Boss Tycon to stay in the Kingdom a bit longer before heading to the Holy Country. Guild Invictus probably needed supplies.

He looked over to the doorway and winked at Margeaux, who waved back.

Yeah. She was super hot.

Lone shook away his extraneous thoughts and sharpened his focus.

The Flayed Beast was becoming engrossed in Wolfbanger's reckless attacks.

Wait, reckless? That wasn't how Wolfbanger fought, at all...

Oh, that's what it was. Boss Tycon was channeling his mana to guide his attacks.

It just seemed so strange that Levi was taking so much damage... and Boss looked a bit more upset than usual. He had the same strained look on his face as when he uses Iron Dragon Rend...

Lone watched patiently, his pistols trained on the Flayed Beast.

Once he placed two pistol shots into the creature's skull, he'd rush in and be the hero.

The beasts were vulnerable to fire.

Moon-Moon-Moon would have the chance to guide him and Guild Invictus to victory.