The Author's POV

"If I'm not wrong those are Black-shelled scorpions"

John pointed out as he looked into the distance. I nodded my head.

"They indeed seemed to be black-shelled scorpions"

Black-shelled scorpions were ranked monsters. They were named as such because of the black shell that coated their outer layer. They were generally the size of an adult's thigh, and they were renowned for their powerful stingers that had a strong paralyzing effect.

"How many points was that again?"

"Should be about three per kill"

Standing by the side, Asim responded. Nodding his head, John looked at Melody who was next to Aerin.

"How many monsters within the vicinity?"

Closing her eyes, using her skill Melody calmly responded, "I only feel twelve entities in front of us. So they should all be black-shelled scorpions"

"Great, then that means we can secure 36 points"

"Yup"

"So how should we go about this?"

The Black-shelled scorpion's method of attack was quite simple. Incapacitate the prey with their stinger and then kill them with their sharp claws. What made them especially troublesome was their tough outer layer that was hard to crack.

In short, within a short period of time, they couldn't be killed easily. Fortunately, we had John with us.

He was a great meat shield. As long as he tanked, given enough time we could easily crack the outer layer.

...and John knew this.

"I'll do the tanking, you guys get rid of them"

He then patted his chest.

"I can more or less resist poisons"

Having trained for all sorts of situations like this, John was indeed immune to most poisons.

Unless they were extremely strong ones, he could continue defending without needing to worry about getting poisoned.

"I see...As long as we keep the scorpions in check, we shouldn't be able to face any problems"

Aerin nodded in agreement. She also believed this was the best strategy.

'No, this strategy won't work'

After subtly touching my chin, I shook my head.

We six were definitely enough to kill a black-shelled scorpion. But what worried me was the fact that there wasn't just one scorpion.

"....can I say something?"

"What?"

After a bit of thought, I decided to voice out my concern. Instantly everyone's attention was gathered towards me.

"Frankly speaking. If we follow this strategy we are going to die"

With a solemn face, I broke the news.

Though we wouldn't die literally since the academy professors were hiding in the distance, we'd fail the class.

Simply put.

This strategy was not going to work.

"Huh?! Do you even pay attention in class? If you properly paid attention you'd know that this is the best possible strategy"

Hearing what I had to say. Aerin and Melody aside, everyone's faces became dark.

"What are you talking about?"

"If you want to say something, at least say something useful"

"No, I get that, but haven't you guys noticed?"

"Noticed what?"

I shook my head and pointed in the distance. Towards where the scorpions were located. I then elaborated.

"That they scorpions aren't too far from each other. Once we create enough of a commotion when attacking one scorpion we'll attract the other scorpions and our situation will turn into a six vs twelve. Not that I doubt any of your abilities but, we can't handle twelve ranked monsters at the same time..."

"..."

"..."

Silence fell. Everyone's previous thoughts of fighting the scorpion disappeared. The ones who were trying to argue with me before didn't even look me in the eyes.

what do you

to break the silence was Aerin. To which I

individually. In short, we need to lure them to us instead of us

scorpion was easy. As long as they

gonna bait

into thought, Aerin

I can

hand on the sheath of my sword, I

was no

not managed to increase

crucial step which I did not know the answer to. I did try asking Donna, but she told me she couldn't help me with regards to this matter as it did not involve

tell me that she knew someone who could help me.

the end, I was

fine. Since my current level was good

"You can do that?"

"Yes, I can"

then let's

to a decision. Standing by the side John's eyes narrowed slightly before he nodded his head too. Following John, everyone else

okay with that

"Nothing to complain"

'Bunch of ass-lickers'

instantly rolled my eyes. Despite my current fame, I was still not as

was only natural that they paid more attention to

"Haa...Alright, let's start"

'”Swooosh!

drew three circles in the air. Instantly, three translucent rings

"What's that?"

a skill or you sword

obviously a sword

weren't part of them. Their attention was directed towards the rings. With me being one of

expression from the corner of

only they knew that this was just merely a fraction

"Hup!"

my finger upwards, the rings shot towards the scorpion in the distance. Watching my rings fly towards

anyone have a long-range attacking

"I do"

step up was Aerin. Unsheathing her rapier

just want you to

"Very well"

Aerin took a stance.

"Huu..."

hair fluttered slightly and her rapier became dyed in green.

"Hyaaa!"

Wiiiiing'”!

rapier became dyed completely in green. Following her shout, a beam of light shot towards the scorpion in the distance. In a matter of seconds, it arrived before the

the scorpion's enraged

"Skreeee'”!"

in the vicinity, but after not spotting anything nearby, they proceeded to

"Haa...haa...was that good enough?"

"Sure"

side, I nodded my head. Inwardly

Aerin's complexion was pale and her breathing was

think you can fool

slightly pale face, she didn't actually use

wanted to make

Mind games.

are you okay? Are you

"It's okay I'm fine"

put on a brave face

'Seriously?'

'”Swoosh!

to ignore them and

"Skreeee'”!"

the rings, the scorpion became even more enraged. Swinging its claws and tails it tried to attack

I'll

attacks quickly. Only when the scorpion was running in the opposite direction that I

"Skreeee'”!"

the ring, the ring instantly broke. But it achieved its purpose as the scorpion quickly turned towards

times until the scorpion was finally within ten meters of where we were

"Ready?"

"Mhm"

"Yes"

their heads, everyone took

the other one

"Go!"

first one to move was John. With a massive translucent shield before him, he jumped up and tackled the

"Huuup!"

"Skreeee'”!"

with the scorpion, John managed to push it back a couple of

"Support me!"

on him, John took a knee and

weak

a streak of light, Aerin dashed before the scorpion and stabbed towards one of its joints. Asim and the others followed her