System Made Me a Tank [LitRPG-Evolution]

Noemi rushed to Boran's side. "Are you okay? I'm sorry about the Fireball!"

"I'm fine," said Boran with a smile. "Just... how did you damage me when I was outside the effect range?"

"Oh, that?" Noemi twirled her wand thoughtfully in her hand. "I've improved my Fireball spell. I've gained new abilities in controlling mana flow. By using extra mana, I can increase both the power and area of effect of the spell."

"So you did it on purpose?" Boran raised his eyebrows.

"Yes and no," said Noemi, examining the small scratches on her wand. "I used it for more damage, forgot about the range... I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Boran laughed. "Let's continue, we still have ten Muffled Breath Wyverlings to kill."

Boran and Noemi proceeded deeper into the forested area. Boney followed them silently as usual. The air was becoming increasingly hot and stuffy.

"They're close," said Boran, trying to cool himself with his hand. "There's a strange smell and temperature increase in the air."

Just then, a metallic screech echoed through the trees. Powerful wing beats followed, stirring up leaves and shaking branches. The sound was approaching, becoming more distinct.

"Here they come!" shouted Boran, raising his shield. "Noemi, are you ready?"

"Always!" Noemi brought her wand into combat position.

Three Wyverlings suddenly burst through the trees. Their reddish-brown scaled bodies gleamed in the sunlight. Even with their not-yet-fully-grown wings and sharp claws, they looked quite threatening.

Boran immediately used his Taunt ability. "Hey, little dragons! Over here!"

The Wyverlings turned to him, but this time something different happened. All three simultaneously spewed concentrated flame from their special throat glands. Boran took cover behind his shield.

[30 Burn Damage taken] [30 Burn Damage taken] [30 Burn Damage taken]

"Boran!" Noemi shouted worriedly. "Use IS:B!"

"It doesn't work on elemental damage!"

Then she gripped her wand tightly and muttered a complex spell formula. "Arcane Disruption!"

Suddenly, purple energy waves formed in the air and surrounded the Wyverlings. The creatures became confused by the spell's effect, their wings seemed to grow heavy and they lost control. They were crushed by a large energy wall falling from above.

The last remaining Wyverling hissed angrily and moved to attack Noemi directly.

"Not so fast, friend!" Boran intercepted and stunned the Wyverling with his shield. "You have to deal with me first!"

Meanwhile, Boney made a perfect headshot on the Wyverling from five meters away.

[Kill 3/10 Muffled Breath Wyverlings]

"That was... unexpected," said Boran, checking his burns. "Wasn't prepared for all three breathing fire at once."

Noemi came to his side, examining him with worried eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," said Boran with a smile. "Did you have a spell you hadn't told me about?"

"I leveled up this morning, chose a new spell. That was my first time using it."

Just then they heard new wing beats from afar. This time the sound was stronger.

"A bigger group is coming," said Noemi, readying her wand.

Boran took a deep breath and raised his shield. "Well, let's keep dancing then!"

Four Wyverlings emerged from the trees this time. They were larger than the previous ones and had a dangerous glint in their eyes.

"These are higher level!" Noemi warned. "Be careful!"

Boran immediately used Taunt. The Wyverlings took positions around them. Boran's Observation ability wasn't working; his level was lower than these Wyverlings.

All four Wyverlings breathed fire simultaneously. These flames were much more intense than before.

[40 Damage taken] [40 Damage taken] [40 Damage taken] [40 Burn Damage taken]

Boran staggered but maintained his position.

Boney continued shooting arrows from behind. Though the arrows weren't damaging the Wyverlings, they were enough to distract them.

Noemi seized this opportunity and raised her wand. "Magic Missile!"

Five arrows emerged and struck one Wyverling, bringing it down.

Blue lights burst from her wand once more. This time seven Magic Missiles glided through the air toward the second Wyverling. A few missed but three reached their target. The Wyverling fell with an agonized screech.

"Keep holding them, Boran!" Noemi shouted breathlessly. She turned her wand toward the last two Wyverlings. She cast Magic Missile two more times in succession. First the third, then the fourth Wyverling collapsed.

[Kill 7/10 Muffled Breath Wyverlings]

"Great shots," said Boran, checking his burns. "But I've lost too much health. We need to rest a bit."

Noemi and Boran sat under a tree. Boney kept watch.

"My health is dropping too quickly..." said Boran.

"Want me to tell you what we need?"

"What do we need?"

"A healer. Or hundreds of easily accessible healing potions."

Boran looked at her. "You're right. Once our quest is done, let's go look for a new group member."

"So how long do we wait? How fast does your health regenerate?"

"50 health per hour. Two hours of sitting should do it." Boran's stomach growled. "We didn't have breakfast... We need to eat something."

"You should have eaten before entering the dungeon. We'll be here for hours."

"I have a proposal for you. How about we eat these Wyverns?"

Noemi wrinkled her face in disgust. "Boran, are you crazy? Wyverling meat? I can't even imagine how disgusting their meat must be."

"Better than being hungry," said Boran, looking at the nearest Wyverling. "Besides, it's not that bad, I've had it before at the Tavern."

"You know they prepare those with who knows how many masters and all sorts of sauces and spices, right?"

"Yeah, it won't be as good as theirs but..." said Boran and pulled out a salt shaker from his bag.

Noemi shook her head. "I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you. Are you really that hungry?"

"Haven't eaten anything since morning," said Boran, holding his stomach.

Noemi stayed silent for a while, then sighed. "Fine. I won't say anything."

"Nice!" Boran's face lit up. He stood up and looked around. "Now let's gather some wood. Boney, stay on watch."