Sand Gathering and an Encounter Battle (2)

A metal shark has emerged from the sand. We now have to fight five sharks: the one that tried to eat Jigoro and the four surrounding us. Now, what should we do?

"Can't we fly away?"

"No. At least a few of us would have to stay behind."

Shiitake, who was poor at fighting, immediately suggested fleeing, but that was impossible. Several of us, myself included, could fly. However, we couldn't carry all our companions who couldn't fly at once. Not only were some of them, such as Eiji and Iris, heavy, but there were quite a lot of them.

Furthermore, if we retreated, our destination would be Shiratsuki. Shiratsuki was currently stationary quite high above us, and we couldn't reach it instantly while carrying our nonflying companions. Since Eiji, the heaviest member of our clan, was among them, it would inevitably take a long time.

In other words, the companions left behind would have to hold out until we made the trip there and back. It would be faster for everyone to fight and finish off the sharks together.

"The vanguard, form a circle. Rear guard, get inside it. Ruby, keep an eye on what's directly beneath us, too."

"Got it! They won't catch us off guard twice!"

Just as they had when they ambushed Jigoro, the sharks could burrow beneath us and bite us from below. We couldn't let our guard down. I trusted Ruby, but something else might draw her attention away. I would also regularly use magic to detect anything nearby.

The group of sharks had been gradually tightening its encirclement, but the instant they reached a certain distance, they attacked. Jigoro, Genzou, Eiji, and Kal were the four taking on the five sharks. Since there were fewer of us, someone had to hold off two sharks. The one who volunteered for that role was the strongest shield in our clan...