'Gargoyle, I don't know why you're out here, but let's go!　Get the usual!

　Damien calls out in a powerful voice to his friends.

The God of Magic, Weisshekse, bless my comrades in arms! The weapons they wear are sharp and powerful, and a hard shield. [Enhance]

　Ivo has cast a spell on the weapons of his friends.
　Enhance is a useful spell that not only increases a weapon's attack and defense, but also makes it easier to deal damage to gargoyle-like opponents.

It's a useful spell that makes it easier to damage opponents like gargoyles. [Hughiene]

　Johannes then exercised his auxiliary magic.
　'Hughiene' has the effect of reducing the effects of poison, heat and cold air.
　It only reduces the effects, so don't be overconfident.
　The gargoyles' hollow eyes glowed blue.
　This is like a signal that they are considered an enemy and have entered combat readiness.

''Don't take it easy. We're an opponent we can beat.''

　Damien warns his companions.
　The gargoyle must be a nasty demon, but the more Ivo and Johannes are around, the less difficult the attack will be.
　In the extreme, we can protect him until Ivo defeats him.

I know.

　As Ryner says this, he releases an arrow.
　If it was just an arrow, it would only bounce off the gargoyle's skin, but thanks to Evo's 'enhancements', it sticks for a millimeter.

''Gah?''

　The leisurely gargoyle barked in surprise.

''Don't you know that even a mere arrow can stab you if you use magic? Apparently, you're the type that doesn't have much combat experience.''　

　Damien calmly analyzes it.
　If it was a demon with no good combat experience and an experienced demon, the latter would be much more formidable.
　This is because surviving in battle is a proof of competence and the enemy will have the knowledge of how to defeat you.
　It makes a big difference, especially if you've fought humans and sorcerers before.

(Lack of experience means they don't know our moves. I can do it.)

　He thought, but did not say it aloud.
　Because it might catch his friends off guard.
　The color of the gargoyle's eyes change from blue to red.
　It's a sign of anger, but because it's easy to understand, the humans prepared to attack.
　A gargoyle's attack is simple.
　They can either fly into the sky and hit you, or tear you apart with their claws.
　It is said that more experienced and powerful individuals could have even more attack patterns, but the one in front of me would have no need to worry about that.
　The gargoyle's body hit is received by Arnaud with his large shield.
　The shield was dented by the violent impact and his large body shifted backwards.

''What a power ......, as expected of a gargoyle.''

　Arnaud groaned.
　If it hadn't been enhanced by Ivo's magic, he might have been rendered incapable of fighting with this blow.
　While he was stopping the gargoyle, Damien slashed at the wing from the right side.
　He couldn't cut it off, but he did manage to slash it in about an inch.

''Gaaaah.''

　The gargoyle screams in agony and jitters and flails.

'Gugug.'

　Arnaud struggles to hold on, but Damien is blown away.
　In the meantime, Ryner shoots an arrow at the gargoyle's eye, successfully piercing it into his left eye.

'Gaaaaaaaah!'　

　It hurt so badly, the gargoyle distanced himself greatly from the cocky humans.
　But in this case, it was the worst move of all.
　The moment he didn't have to worry about getting his friends involved, Ivo launched his signature attack magic.

'Thunder. Show your authority to run through the sky and shatter rocks. [Thunderbolt]

　A single thunderbolt pierces the gargoyle's body, and its anguished voice turns into a scream.
　The demon's body collapses to the ground when the effect of the 'lightning strike' wears off.

''Did you do it?''

No, I'll finish him off just in case.

　Damien throws in some careful words to Edgar.

'Yes. It's a gargoyle, after all. Even with Ivo's magic, he might be able to withstand at least one blow.'

　Arnaud agrees with the leader.
　Then a liner shot an arrow at the head.
　It stabbed beautifully, but the gargoyle didn't twitch.

'It seems unlikely that he's pretending to be dead: ......

　Damien nodded at the sound of his voice.

'I'm sorry, Ivo, can you ask for another shot?'

Very well. A gargoyle could devastate us at the point of death.

　Leader Damien's request was met by Ivo, who gladly complied.

'Thunder. Show me the majesty of running through the sky and breaking rocks. [Thunderbolt]

　There was no response from the gargoyle, even after the second lightning strike that was released just in case.

...... apparently we were able to defeat it.

　Ivo says with a relieved look on his face, and the faces of his friends light up.

'We did it. We beat the gargoyles.

It appears to have been an inexperienced individual, but a win is a win, right?

　Ryner and Arnaud speak of their joy, and Edgar's shoulders slump in disappointment.

'Everyone's good. I've been useless.'

　He's a scout and sells his speed and hands, but he's not a good defensive type like a gargoyle.

"Don't worry about it. Besides, you have some important work to do.

　Damien smiled at him and indicated the gargoyle's corpse with a scoff of his chin.

'Yeah. Dismantling and collecting. We'll take care of it.

　One of the scouts' duties is to dismantle the dead bodies of the monsters and collect them.
　If you bring proof of your defeat of the demon, you will receive a bounty, and if you bring in the parts of the corpse, they will be bought by whomever you want them for their own price.
　It's an important source of income for the adventurers.
　Edgar struggles with his first gargoyle and slashes off the head, wings and arms.
　The proof of a gargoyle's defeat is either a head or a feather, and it is the head, feather and both arms that are for sale.

'Grandpa, how much do you think they're worth?'

"The average market price is 80 silver coins for the head, two wings for 150 silver coins, and 50 for each arm. The feathers and the head have been scratched so many times that it might go down a bit.

　Edgar's question was answered immediately by Ivo.

'So that means four hundred and eighty pieces of silver. That's a bit of money you've earned.'

　Damien said happily.
　It is calculated as an extra income of eighty silver coins per person.
　I'm happy even if he's not a bachelor, because earning thirty pieces of silver a month in the imperial capital is enough to live on.
　This is one of the reasons why there is no shortage of young people who dream of becoming adventurers.

''And if you report to the guild about the natural transition, you might even get an information fee.

　It was Johannes,' he said.

'Yes. 'Well, considering the recent events, you might get ten pieces of silver.'

　Ryner laughs wistfully.

'Ten cards wouldn't be enough to split between six of us. I'd be happy with twelve.'

　It was Damien who crossed his arms with a troubled look on his face.
　His companions laughed at that and laughed at him for being so fastidious.
　Then they returned to the Imperial City without incident.