(Female knight) - The text within parentheses is the first-person account.

I am Menger-Ahad, a female knight.

I am intently observing the raging flame tiger ten paces away, without a hint of slackness.

Even though I recently earned the title of advanced knight, facing this golden-level monster still carries significant uncertainty and risk. However, risks often come with substantial rewards, and every part of the flame tiger's body, from its soft and tough fur to the magic crystal containing fire energy, holds considerable value. These are hot-selling items among adventurers...

If I manage to take it down, I can temporarily escape my current financial crisis!

"Please try not to kill this tiger. It does not have any ill intentions towards us," the black-haired girl behind me suddenly made this unreasonable request. Doesn't she know that the adventurer's guild I am managing is facing a huge financial crisis? Doesn't she understand that I'm the most money-seeking woman in the entire Morpolis City right now?

"Well, maybe she really doesn't know," I thought bitterly. Even after clearly hearing the girl's request, I didn't shift my gaze away from the flame tiger in front of me. This is because I sincerely don't want to let go of this moving treasure chest, and also because this treasure chest is a monster that doesn't allow me any room for relaxation...

If I remember correctly, the flame roar of the flame tiger is a fifth-level spell. And since I recently sold my magic armor, I have lost the only means of frontal defense against this attack magic.

"Sorry, even though I am an advanced knight, this tiger is not something I can arbitrarily decide the life or death of," I decisively and unyieldingly tried to persuade the girl behind me not to continue hindering my monster-slaying and moneymaking activities.

Frankly speaking, even though this tiger does not have any ill intentions and does not want to harm humans, its value alone is enough for me, a penniless individual, to skin and dismember it. As for compassion and love for animals? Oh! That's some kind of heretical nonsense! Money is the true ruler! Money is the foundation for survival! Hail money! Money above all!

Completely blinded by money, I didn't leave any room for negotiation with the girl behind me. To avoid the situation becoming more complicated, I immediately raised the battle axe in my hand, preparing to charge at the flame tiger twenty steps ahead...

At that moment, as if sensing my change in posture, the flame tiger on the other side also crouched down slightly. It was about to pounce at me. With sharp and murderous eyes, it did not appear to be a harmless monster at all. I was not surprised by this situation and just found the girl's words earlier to be ridiculous...

"Ah!!"

"Roar!!"

On the battlefield, the one who usually has the most synergy with oneself is often the opponent that one confronts. Almost at the same time, the flame tiger and I initiated a fierce charge forward! The flame tiger did not use its most threatening flame roar against me. Instead, it followed its racial instincts and unleashed the "Fangs of Flame," which had both physical and fire attributes.

For me, this is the best opening move. In the next moment, my battle axe collided with the tiger's teeth. Without a doubt, given the slight difference in strength, my heavy weapon in hand is much sturdier than its two long fangs. Smoothly, I successfully sent the flame tiger flying and even cut one of its fangs in half!

As the flame tiger fell to the ground and roared in anger, it seemed like victory and wealth were beckoning to me. Perhaps being blinded by long-standing debts, I instantly forgot that I had already sold my armor and recklessly chose to pursue the advantage. Taking a step forward, I forcefully swung both hands, utilizing the fifth-level skill in axe combat!

Earth-shattering strike!

My battle axe thunderously struck the earth's soil in the forest, raising a wave of sand and stones that rushed towards the flame tiger. Since it had just fallen to the ground, the flame tiger had no time to avoid it and took the hit head-on! Countless sharp stone spikes continued to strike its body, but strangely, it made no sound of being injured..."It's strange!"

I immediately felt the sense of discord. However, my reckless use of Earthquake had brought me a long period of stiffness. Although I desperately wanted to defend or dodge, my body refused to obey. As I looked ahead through the rolling dust cloud, a dangerous red light reflected into my eyes...

"It's over..."

Although I couldn't see clearly due to the dust, my warrior's intuition told me the truth behind the red light. It was definitely the Flame Roar that I feared the most! The fierce Fire Tiger had resisted my Earthquake and successfully launched its only long-range attack magic – the one it knew. I had pushed it into a corner, and it had no choice but to fight back.

Despair spread across my face.

Boom!

"Roar..."

Even though I was a senior knight, I still let out a humiliating and feeble scream when facing a heavy blow. The Fire Tiger, unaffected by the sand, aimed directly at me with its Flame Roar, breaking through the dust cloud and pouncing at me. In haste, I swung my axe to meet it, but the result was seven broken ribs and severe burns on my left side.

"It's really over..."

I despaired.

With such terrifying injuries, I couldn't continue to fight the Fire Tiger, let alone escape. I watched as the carnivorous creature approached step by step. Strangely, a subtle calmness of imminent release arose within me. Death, which had been so terrifying, suddenly held no fear for a deeply indebted loser like me. How ironic...

"Roar..."

Although it was a carnivorous creature, the injured Fire Tiger seemed to have no intention of devouring me. With its blazing golden eyes coldly fixed on me, it opened its bloody mouth, preparing another Flame Roar. If that burst of flame hit me, my body would be turned to ashes, leaving nothing behind.

"No, there might still be a giant axe left."

"Can I sell it for thirty gold?"

I laughed at myself, as if I were about to close my eyes in despair. However--

"Buck! Stop!"

The voice of the black-haired girl rang out clearly. Along with it came into my view a fragile yet upright figure. Bravely, she opened her hands and stood before the scorching flames, using her body as my shield.

"What is she doing, idiot?"

"Quick, run away!"

I was confused. I was terrified. I could treat my own life as gambled land, as I was nothing but a financial liability. However, this young girl was still so young and had just arrived in this world not long ago. How could she die with me today?

"Ah...!"

I roared, using the last strength in my body to roar...

Finally, I propped myself up on the battle axe and stood up, unsteady.

"I can still fight..."

I tried to convince myself, but my body told the truth.

I fell again, straight forward, and ate a mouthful of muddy soil, with crawling ants in it.

Swish...

Whether it was my ridiculous struggle on the brink of death that pleased the fierce tiger, or the girl's intervention had an impact, the Fire Tiger actually stopped the casting of Flame Roar, spewing the small fireball that had already formed towards the sky instead of delivering the final blow to the defeated me. I didn't have much sensation about this illogical situation for now, because the large amount of blood loss and pain had almost made me pass out, but the sense of impending death kept me from closing my eyes--

And so, for the first time, I saw her face clearly.

Although the black-haired girl's face hadn't fully matured, it had already shown the delicate beauty of a young girl. At first glance, she had the appearance that was perfect to marry home, but her crimson eyes carried a subtle and unique aura. I didn't know what treasures were hidden in those eyes, but in this moment, I at least perceived a bravery akin to that of a knight!

She was special.

……

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