Chapter 147
"Haaah!"
Clael swung his metal staff.
A powerful strike smashed into the gang member's face.
Hit by the heavy blow backed by centrifugal force, the gang member spun like a drill and was sent flying, rolling across the floor before losing consciousness.
"Y-You bastard!"
"You'll pay for that!?"
Realizing Clael had attacked, several gang members shouted in rage.
"Is it okay? To focus only on me?"
"Wha—Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Gwooooooooooooooooooooo!"
The Lizardman unleashed a breath of flames.
Swallowed by the crimson fire, the gang members were charred black.
Clael was also caught in the flames, but... there wasn't a single burn on him.
Of course not. Clael wore fire-resistant innerwear beneath his priest robes, and had also used a consumable item that temporarily reduced fire damage.
"Let's go, everyone!"
"Uoooooooooooooooooooooo!"
"Wind Cutter!"
Naturally, the four main party members had also prepared for fire resistance.
They evaded the Lizardman's flames and continued defeating the gang members one by one.
They had shared information beforehand that monsters in this dungeon used fire-based attacks, and had made thorough preparations.
"Damn it... Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"S-Stop... Uwaaah!"
Meanwhile, the gang members, who had neither preparation nor resolve, were being overwhelmed.
They had intended to fight just Clael and the Temple Knights—five people in total—but were thrown into chaos by the sudden appearance of monsters.
While Clael's group only needed to watch out for physical attacks, the gang had no way to defend against the breath's area-of-effect damage.
"Daaaaamn yoooooooooou! You set us uuuuuuuuuuuuup!"
"Tch...!"
As the gang's numbers continued to dwindle, one of them swung a greatsword down at Clael.
Clael gripped his metal staff with both hands and blocked the overhead slash.
"I'll kill you, no matter what! I won't let you live!"
A bald, burly man turned red with rage and pressed Clael with his greatsword.
"Is that okay? I thought you were supposed to capture me alive!?"
"Screw the job! After being humiliated like this, there's no way I'm letting you live!"
Apparently, the man was attacking Clael purely out of personal grudge.
He must have decided capturing Clael was impossible, and at the very least, wanted to take him down with him.
"No matter how much you buff yourself with Holy Arts, you're still a weak priest, aren't you!? I'll carve you up real good!"
"Good grief... this is trouble."
Taking the man's relentless attacks, Clael gave a wry smile.
The man wasn't wrong. While Clael could fight on the front lines as a combat healer, he was still at a disadvantage in close combat against a pure warrior.
He didn't plan to lose to an average opponent... but the man before him seemed quite capable. His power and speed exceeded even Clael, despite Clael's buffs.
"Kuh...!"
"Diiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
Clael faltered under the man's relentless attacks.
The greatsword was raised high, ready to deliver the finishing blow.
"Water Cutter!"
"Gyaaah!?"
But the battle didn't end there.
Clael suddenly unleashed a magic attack, slicing the man's face.
"Hmph!"
"Guh...!"
And then came the finishing blow.
Struck by the metal staff, the man was knocked back and staggered.
"No way... you're a priest, aren't you!? How can you use offensive magic!?"
The man clutched his face and groaned.
With some exceptions, priests generally couldn't use offensive magic.
That's why the gang member hadn't been wary of magical attacks.
"Sorry... it's the effect of an item."
On Clael's finger gripping the metal staff, a blue ring glowed.
It was an item he had received from Reina... the Blue Moon Ring.
It granted absolute resistance to water-based attacks, and also allowed the use of water-elemental magic.
"It's a victory for family love. That's what happens when you try to lay a hand on our precious Saint."
Screw you...! Damn it, damn it, damn it...!
"Tidal Wave!"
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Clael unleashed another spell.
A massive wave like a tsunami surged forth, swallowing both the gang members and the Lizardman behind them.