The difference between a genuine product and a knock-off isn't just the branding

> Kelly PoV

It all happened in an instant.

"BONE DRAGON!"

"---- [Golem Link]"

*HUUUUUUUUUUU*

"Breath incoming!"

"-------- [Grand Barrier]"

*KKUUUHHAAAAAAAAAHH!*

The 50 meter mass of dragon-shaped bones released a foul green gas at us. Red blocked it with a barrier.

I don't know this one.

"Red, enemy details!"

"Undead, not a real dragon, Rank A+. Corrosive breath, no other magic.

Strong against blades and most magic. Weak to blunt trauma and purification! Retreat impossible!"

"Got it!"

"---- [Barrier]"

"I'm useless when it's flying!"

I let the others know I can’t do anything in this situation.

"I’ll take out the wings!"

*HUUUUUUUUUUU*

"-------- [Reinforce Barrier]"

"----- [Heavenly Aura]"

*KKUUUHHAAAAAAAAAHH!*

Another breath attack is blocked by Red and Bart's layered defensive magic.

Ellie starts flinging rocks at incredible speeds. The bone dragon keeps flying erratically, so she can’t get a good hit.

*KUUURRAAAAAHN!*

"It's diving!"

It swoops at us with a roar.

I unlatch the hidden grappling hook in my left arm.

I swing it at the dragon as it narrowly misses us.

*CLANK*

*POP*

"YEEEOW!"

I let out a scream at the sudden pain.

My shoulder's dislocated from the sudden jolt, but the arm is attached.

I managed to hook the dragon's ribcage and it's dragging me upwards.

The hook's chain is creaking but it's holding. I order Scrappy to pull me in.

*KARRAAHN!*

Crap, it noticed me.

It bit the chain to pieces and I fall towards the ground.

"Ellie catch him!"

"I got it!"

Ellie appears under me and throws up her arms.

"Hnnnnng!"

I feel an invisible force slowing me down. I land with a loud thud.

It hurts a bit but I'm uninjured.

"MEDIC!"

"Got it!

--- [Lesser Heal]"

Silver light envelops me.

*POP*

An unpleasant sensation in my shoulder, but the pain disappears.

"I'm good!"

"No, you're nuts!"

"-------- [Reinforce Barrier]

I'm running low on mana, we need a plan, fast!"

Red blocks another breath, but she's unsteady on her feet.

"If I can grab its spine I can crush it!"

"Any ideas how you'll get up there!"

NOPE!

Ah, no good.

The chain's broken and it-

Wait, that's it!

"Ellie can you throw me at it!"

"You'll die if we miss!"

"We'll all die if we do nothing!"

I dismiss Bart's objections, he nods in response and turns to Ellie.

Another breath hits Red's barrier. It holds, but it's starting to crack.

"Can you do it?"

"Too heavy, won't reach."

"Kelly, where's your focusing tool?"

Why is Red asking that now?

No, she's a [Sage], she must have an idea.

"It's the armor itself, mithril alloy!"

"Okay, stand still."

Red puts a hand on my shoulder and puts mana into the armor.

It's a lot of mana, some plates crack from the stress but it's holding.

"This will only last about 30 seconds.

-------------- [Null Gravity]"

I've... become weightless?

I'm floating slowly off the ground!

"Bart, slow it down!"

"Okay!

----------- [Holy Chains]"

Brilliant silver chains appear out of thin air and bind the dragon's body. Its wings stop moving and it's starting to fall.

"Ellie! Toss me!"

She nods and starts spinning me around herself, I gradually gain speed.

I'm getting dizzy, not good!

"Heeyyyaaa!"

With an uncharacteristic yell from Ellie, she flings me through the air.

I'm spinning wildly, I have no idea what's going on. I almost black out, but I manage to persevere.

Left chain's gone, but I still got the right!

I take it out and get ready!

*KEHRRUUUN!*

The dragon roars, and I catch a faint snapping noise.

I think it broke fr-

*CRRUUNCH*

"AAARGH!"

My left shoulder again!

I swing the right hook and feel it coil around something. I order Scrappy to pull me in and I grab onto a giant bone.

Looks like I crashed into its collarbone. It’s cracked but not broken.

I eject the emergency potion flask from a hidden compartment in the back.

The faceplate opens and I chug it quickly. Part of the liquid spills out, but it's enough.

*POP*

"NGGH!"

It's not as painless as magic, but I can move my left arm again.

Kelly, it's Ellie, are you okay?

Wha-? How-

Answer inside your head.

I'm okay, I'm near its neck, try to hold out down there.

Roger, out!

Who's Roger and why is he out?

*KAAAHHHHRUUUUHHHN*

Ah it noticed me while I was spacing out.

I climb up the collarbone while it thrashes around trying to shake me off.

I manage to hold on and reach the spine.

Transforming my leg armor, I rearrange the plates to grip the bone. Like this, I safely anchor myself to the dragon's vertebrae.

I am now riding a dragon.

...

Okay, moment over!

I reach my hand out and form a heavier mace than usual.

I grip it with both hands and using the golem to assist my swing-

*THWACK*

-slam it into the spine.

The bones barely take any damage.

This won't do.

I send some more commands and the mace head changes into a half pickaxe.

Now we're talking!

I swing it down again and it lands on the same spot, creating a small hole.

"Hah..."

I’m riding a dragon and mining its back in midair.

"HAHAHHAHA!"

I laugh out at the bizarre situation.

Well whatever works!

"Heave ho!"

*THWACK*

"Heave ho!"

*CRACK*

"Heave ho!"

*CRUNCH*

"Heave ho!"

*SNAP*

*KAAAHRRAAKKHKHKHKhhaa*

The dragon's spine snaps with a roar that degraded into a whimper. The body goes limp and it's starting to fall.

Ellie, if you're listening you better catch me!

On it!

Geh, she actually replied.

Jump away from the body.

Alright, just have to ret-

...

The golem's legs won't move.

The golem's BLOODY LEGS WON'T MOVE!