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.

do you

first to break the silence was

still follow the previous plan, but we'd need to target each scorpion individually. In short,

a scorpion was easy. As long as they

gonna

into thought, Aerin lifted

I can

on the sheath of

of crowd controlling and baiting, there was

managed to

try asking Donna, but she told me she couldn't help me with regards to this matter as it did

that she knew someone who could help me. That was

I was still unable to

that was fine. Since my current level was good enough

"You can do that?"

"Yes, I can"

let's

narrowed slightly before

okay with that

"Nothing to complain"

'Bunch of ass-lickers'

my current fame, I was still not as famous as Aerin and John who had been there for a

that they paid more

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

'”Swooosh!

took out my sword and drew three circles in the air. Instantly, three translucent rings appeared before me. Noticing the rings, the

"What's that?"

a skill or you

obviously a

Aerin and John weren't part of them. Their attention was directed towards the rings. With me being one of the people who they had to look

their solemn expression from the corner of my eyes, my

knew that this was just merely a fraction of what

"Hup!"

scorpion in the distance. Watching my rings fly towards the nearest scorpion,

anyone have a long-range attacking

"I do"

step up was Aerin. Unsheathing her rapier she asked, "What

much, I just want you to startle the

"Very well"

Aerin took a stance.

"Huu..."

blonde hair fluttered slightly and her rapier became dyed in green. She then thrust it

"Hyaaa!"

Wiiiiing'”!

the scorpion in the distance. In a matter of seconds, it arrived before the scorpion and directly hit it in its outer

the scorpion's enraged roar

"Skreeee'”!"

but after not

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

"Sure"

side, I nodded my head. Inwardly I was

Aerin's complexion was pale and her breathing was

you

her ragged breathing and slightly pale face, she didn't actually use that much energy in

wanted to make

Mind games.

okay? Are you exhausted, let me do the

"It's okay I'm fine"

comfort her. To that, Aerin put on a brave face and reassured him she was

'Seriously?'

'”Swoosh!

to ignore them and directly moved my rings

"Skreeee'”!"

more enraged. Swinging its claws and tails it

that I'll let

in the opposite direction that

"Skreeee'”!"

instantly broke. But it achieved its

broke, drawing a circle in the air, I replaced it. This repeated three times until the scorpion was finally within ten meters of where

"Ready?"

"Mhm"

"Yes"

heads, everyone took a

one so

"Go!"

move was John. With a massive translucent shield before him, he jumped up and

"Huuup!"

"Skreeee'”!"

colliding with the scorpion, John managed to push it back a

"Support me!"

scorpion on him, John took a knee and shouted.

weak points,

of light, Aerin dashed before the scorpion and stabbed towards one of its joints. Asim and