Chapter 27

As we rushingly headed towards the east direction, we then confronted monsters after monsters

Shaa! Shaaa!

Graaa!!

Tsk!

"Sheryl, take care the two upfront! I'll deal the two behind!"

"Got it!"

I then took 2 arrows from my quiver, placed them on my bow string, and turn to my left as I halted using my right foot as a brake

"[Swift Shot]"

Swooosh

And released the arrows from my bow, as I shot the enemy I sighted. With great speed and accuracy, the 2 {Sand Snakes} were then hit by the head, killing them with one blow and swift death. I then loaded another arrows as I dashed forward. I then twist my body to the right, and aimed at the 2 {Brown Feather Sparrows} above

{Sand Snake} is a lesser version of {Dessert Serpent}, a peak silver rank monster. While {Brown Feathsr Sparrow} is a 3 meters flying monster, an early gold rank beast

Chirrup! Chirrup!

"Combine them, [Meld]"

"[Curve Shot]+[Sparrow Shot]"

Swoosh

The arrows then hit, respectively, each of the monsters head, as they curve to avoid the monsters block, aiming at their defenseless head - one arrow was aiming at the right, while the other is aiming at the left. I then turned my gaze upfront and frowned

'Now this is shit!'

I angerly thought, as monsters after monsters spawned before us

"Sheryl, I'll go up! Take care of Isabelle and darling!"

"Got it!"

Sher replied as she cut down a {Dessert Serpent} in two, while beheading anther one on her right. As Isabelle is carrying the unconscious darling, she won't be of use during this battle, so Sheryl and I will be the only one who will weed out this annoying pest. Worst come to worst, Isabelle will join the fray

I then jump from the building top next to me, and run forward as I used the roof as my ground. I then took 3 arrows from my quiver, and directly aimed at the monster that will be hitting Sheryl and Isabelle's blind spot

"Combine them, [Meld]"

Swooooshh

Aoooonnn!

Awaaa!!

And shot 3 {Red Horned Dog-Kobolds}, that was dashing at Isabelle's right side using a combination of [Sparrow Shot], [Gales Embrace], and [Tempest Storm]. Drilling their head off clean. After that, I then took another 3 arrows, and aimed at the 3 {Horned Dog-Kobolds} that was rushing at Sheryl's side

Kobold is a humanoid-like monster, beast that walked in its hinds legs with their skinny body, and tall structure. They are sometimes armed like a Theif or an Assassin - with black leathered coat, a sling bag, and some short weapons. Kobold is an early gold rank monster. Kobold are divided into 3 kinds: {Rat-Kobold}, {Dog-Kobold}, and {Lizard-Kobold}

{Rat-Kobold} is one of the rare species of Kobold. They have a feature of a Rat head and feet, with its long hairless tail and sharp frontal teeth. They sometimes wore a gray to dark coat, with bow on their hand, and a quiver on their back, and good at hiding and sneaking. They are sometimes seen in remote places, with large sewer, and abandoned caves. It's a peak gold rank monster

{Dog-Kobold} is the most common one of the Kobolds kind, as it can be nearly found anywhere, deep forest, dwelling caves, wreckage village, ruins, mountains, plains, underground cavern, huge lake, and etc. They are mostly equipped with a small round wooden shield, and iron sword, some were holding an iron spear, and some were going for a double dagger. They are mid gold rank type

{Lizard-Kobold} are the strongest and the most valuable of the 3. They have the features the same as a Lizard, coated in light golden skin, and white yellowish eyelids. They mostly wore only a steel helmet to golden one, to protect their head only as they have a hard skin layer like of a {Dragon}, with a long steel spear in hand, and a sturdy steel gauntlet. They mostly found at the peak of a mountain, mostly those that reach high above. They are early platinum rank to peak platinum rank, and one of the most intellectual among the 3

{Red Horned Dog-Kobold} is a species of {Dog-Kobold}, with red horn at their right side of their head, a peak gold rank monster, while {Horned Dog-Kobold} is lesser type of {Red Horned Dog-Kobold}, with a short horn at their forehead. It's a mid gold rank monster. (Note: Kobold in fantasy games genre are quite different from the rest. Some are mixture of a lizard and a rat, while others are pure dog type, and some goes for a full lizard concept. So I took the chance to use them for my novel and divided into 3 kinds)

(Sheryl's POV)

After I sense that an enemy was taken down by that cow-tit behind my side, I then without hesitating, dashed forward - without distancing myself too much from Isabelle - and cut the 2 {Horned Dog-Kobolds}, as they swung their iron sword at me. I used [Swift Feet] and [Shadow Slash], that I enhanced using [Abyssal Blade] and my [Araneae's] blessing, as I took the fight near a building shade, and kill them.

I then swiftly went over, and slashed and behead 2 {Dessert Serpents} that was rushing at me, holding their spears in their hands, as I flipped myself up after I killed the 2 {Horned Dog-Kobolds} a second ago, and cut their neck while I'm in the mid-air, thanks to my [Shadow Slash] long reach. I then landed behind them and dashed forward again, and confront a {Dessert Serpent} and a {Sand Snake}, that was dashing at me.

I used [Swift Feet] and [Concealment] and went behind them, as I utilize my blessings as I vanished before them. I then used [Shadow Slash] that I applied with my [Abyssal Blade], and slashed the {Sand Snake} in half. I then took 3 needles from my pocket that was leash on my thigh, and throw them towards the defenseless Serpent, as I used [Hornet Sting]. I cover my needles with my [Void Increment] to make it much sharper, and would easily peirce through their skins.

Shaaa!

SHAAA!!

After killing them, I then took a deep breath and dash again forward. I didn't need to wait for Isabelle as she was swiftly, and masterfully, following me without interrupting, neither logging behind me, nor being a hindrance

'Well, she's a planinum rank for a reason'

I then faced 2 {Horned Dog-Kobolds}, and a {Red Horned Dog-Kobolds}. As {Red Horned Dog-Kobold} is much stronger than me - not much - I took care of the 2 {Horned Dog-Kobolds} first and foremost. I used my blessing's speed as I went towards one of the building's shade, and hid in the dark. I then used [Swift Feet] to double my speed, and applied [Abyssal Blade] on my dagger, and confront the 2 monsters head-on, while I throw 2 needles at the {Red Horned Dog-Kobold} as a distraction

Both the {Horned Dog-Kobold} swung their iron sword at me - one at my left, and the other at my right - aiming at my chest. I then dodge both of their attack as I hurriedly, with great reflexes, duck below their swords swing. I then move myself forward and swung my dagger, aiming at their neck.

"[Shadow Slash]"

And cut their head from their neck. Without a second delay, I then swiftly turn to my right and summoned my double

"[Shadow Duplication]"

We then rush forward, as I took the right side while my double took the left, and fought head-on with the {Red Horned Dog-Kobold}, that was already about to clash at me, after it deflected all my needles, but the seconds it took for it to do was enough for me to silence 2 of its minions, and prepared to cut it down.

We then both used [Swift Feet] and [Abyssal Blade], couple with [Void Increment]. I then rushingly head to its right and aimed at its right hand, while my double direct it's attack at its left, trying to cut its left hand. With both of us going at it simultaneously, it then turn to my double as it can't defend both of its side at the same time. It then swung its iron sword - that was on its right hand - trying to cut my double in half

SHAA!!

But as my double was just a shadow, without fear, it then receive its attack head-on, which greatly surprised the monster. So I took the opportunity and swung my blade to its defenseless left, while my double aimed at its neck - after changing its target

"[Shadow Slash]"

Both me and my shadow then used the same skill, and cleanly cut the enemy down before us

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Woooo~

I then took a deep breath and canceled my [Shadow Duplication], and started running again

(Natsumi's POV)

After I saw that flat-loli killing another monster, I then took another arrow from my quiver and aimed, as I sighted 2 coming {Humid Falcons} at me. As these monster are peak gold rank, and swift aerial creatures, so I took 4 arrows

"Combine them, [Meld]"

"[Tempest Storm]+[Gales Embrace]+[Gale Storm]+[Sparrow Shot]"

While dashing forward, I then turn to my right and slid my right foot, and released my arrow. With the momentum and the melding I stack to my arrow. It shot itself forward like a rushing Bull. Speed and power were pack to it, causing the 2 monsters wings, torsos, and body to be cut, drilled with a huge hole. As the 2 monsters then fell down, I then dashed forward once again, not wasting any more time

"What a fucking bullshit did we just run this time anyway!?"

I pissingly thought, as I took another 2 arrows from my quiver, and aimed at the rushing {Dessert Serpent}, that was about to clash Isabelle and flat-loli

"'The king must better give us something good, or else I'll kill him for good!'

Swooooshhh

And fired the 2 arrows from my bow at the rushing monsters, and frowned with annoyance as monster after monsters were coming at us, gradually lessening the distance between us, never stopping, neither ending

(Isabelle's POV)

'They are good'

I thought, as I watched the 2 fight. The way Sheryl fought with minimal action, but precise swing and swift movements, were indeed amazing, but not flawless. She was able to discern to whom she should deal first and deal later, which is the most crucial understanding an Assassin should have. They must know who they should dare try to obstruct, and those they shouldn't oppose.

Her skills were also not inferior to a second rate Assassins. Her blade sharpness cuts her opponent with no difficulty, due to her skills buff, and maybe some configuration

'Now that I'm seeing it, it did have a beautiful red glow, shining with red luster, like pure red blood on her dagger, [Gear Melding] perhaps?'

The way she utilize her skill efficiently, tells how many fights and battles she went and face, how many enemy she cut and slit to reach to where she is now. Her blessing, [Araneae], did also a magnificent job. Doubling her speed and swift strikes, while using the buildings shade to hide herself, and appear like she's vanishing before them, before appearing behind them.

'Darling did really have some good companions'

With such thought in mind, the sudden positive evaluation turns my expression into a frown, as I remembered that he left me without warning, neither a letter of goodbye, just to get home with two beauties in hands

'Hmph! My Cecile still could wipe her ass down the floor like a rug. And I'm pretty sure she won't last 2 minutes or 4 with Cecile'

I then looked at Natsumi, who were guarding all our side from any invaders and attackers

'If Sheryl was a prodigy, then this one is a genius' (Note: Just a metaphor)

I stated, as I looked at her with a bit of wariness. Natsumi in one look can be called a second coming of Aile-la, or her great ancestor perchance - except for the boobs to which her ancestor didn't pass down on her. Both were childish, though they think, they sometimes act like an idiot. But one thing for sure

'If she was nurtured with great care, she will, might, close the power distance between her and me'

I thought with a bit of stern, calculative manner as I watched her. Her arrows were all aimed with precision and calculative judgment. She didn't miss a single shot, neither lack of power with shooting down her enemies. The way she controls her arrows in these rampage, while killing 2 monsters with 1 arrow, indicate her years of practice, and meticulous hardship just to master her way of executing her enemy.

A perfect snipe with a clean hit and no wasted movements, were almost flawless. But that's not all I'm impress about her, right now, it feels like a hundredths eyes were gazing behind me

'Must be one of her skill'

I muttered, as I certainly felt that she's been watching us from each side of our direction, and also around us - top, and ground. She also doesn't lavishly misuse her arrows, as she only aimed those monsters that Sheryl, our front guard, can't handle, and my be torn to our path, and hinder our movements. In a simplest term, she's the one carrying us away from this mess. Sheryl might be the one opening our path, but the one making our way out was none other than Natsumi herself

'Sigh, how envious I am that you were to see them grow, darling'

I thought, as I held darling tightly with a carefree smile, though a bit dejected

(Natsumi's POV)

'Damn these mothefuckers!'

I curse, as I missed another arrow that I aimed at two rushing {Sand Snakes} at them. I was trying to aim both at their head, but only hit one of them at their neck, while the other at its chest

'Aiming a double is taxing, as they move in unmannered way, especially those bird-type monster'

I sneered, as I looked at those Falcons diving, and swiftly killing their prey at sight. I then took another arrow from my quiver, and aimed at the 3 {Dog-Kobolds} at Sheryl's top left

"Combine them, [Meld]"

"[Gales Embrace]+[Sparrow Shot]+[Curve Shot]"

I then aimed at the neck while I was dashing forward, and released my arrows

Swish

AoooOOOOONNN!

AOOOONNN!!

'Shit!'

I spite, as I only killed 2, while the other one was a miss. So I then took another arrow, before that monster will notice me above, and might alert its companions. I then sniped at the confused monster, and aimed at its neck. I then took a leap toward another house, as I shot my arrow

Swoooshh

Awwwaaaa!!

And killed the last of the 3, before I continually dashed forward

(Isabelle's POV)

'This is....'

After we ran forward, and confronted monsters after monsters, I then realized where we are, after we took a turn from our left, and remembered a familiar area

"Sheryl, take a right turn!"

"Wait, why?!"

She questioned, as she slayed 2 monsters in front - a {Horned Dog-Kobold}, and a {Dessert Serpent} - cutting them both at the neck with a clean hit

"We are heading towards the castle!"

"Got it!"

She replied. I then looked at Natsumi and yelled

"Natsumi! We are heading towards the palace!"

"Okay!"

"Head there first!"

"Got-wait, what!?"

She dumbfoundedly spoke, as she released another arrow from her quiver, and looked at me with a baffled look

"The gate should be locked by now! Head there first and infrom the Knights about our arrival! Tell them that Isabelle Fall is coming!"

"How about you two!?"

She asked, as she again released another one of her arrows, as she jumps from one rooftop to another. I then placed darling carefully at my back, and carried his unconscious self. I then summoned my knight sword from my [Stroage Ring] to my left

"I'll be joining, so go ahead!"

"But-"

"Just go!"

"Tsk!"

With a disdain and hesitant expression, Natsumi then dashed forward, glancing at us back with a peek

"Sheryl, I'll cover your rear, so go ahead and wipe those dipshit up!"

"Gladly!"

The two of us then dashed forward, without a moment to lose

(Natsumi's POV)

After jumping from one building to another, I then realized where I was

'This is the route we took, when we were summoned by the king'

After knowing which direction I must forgo, I then hasten my movement. Isabelle might be an experienced fighter, but with a handicap on her back, and a rampaging of unending monsters, she won't last long enough before she will cast herself, and make sure darling will be safe. Sheryl also is in a not good situation. She always tend to finish her enemy with swift strike to not prolonged the battle, always making sure to go for a clean hit and unwasted movement, for a reason that she has the lowest physical stamina of the 3 of us, especially that our enemy isn't just a silver rank monster like back then, but much more powerful. (Note: remember that Sheryl took 1 hour to get tired for killing a bunch of silver ranked monster)

With such thought in mind, I then dashed forward with haste

(Isabelle's POV)

Waaa!!

Yarrk!

Facing 2 {Dog-Kobolds} in front of my right, I then dashed forward

Clang

As the sound of my sword blocking one of the Kobolds weapon, as it swing its sword at me above. I then brought its sword down, after I slide its tip then raised it up. I then step on the swords edge with my left foot, and twist my body to the right, while crouching myself down as I swung diagonally, slicing the monsters neck while cutting the other one in half - from its waist to its right shoulder.

After defeating the 2 monsters, I then dashed forward and confronted another. I used my left foot to propel myself up, as I stab my sword on the ground, lifting my body above, avoiding the 2 monsters below - {Dessert Serpent} - and landed behind them. I then bend down and swung my sword at their waist high, as I rotate my body to the right.

Shaaaa!!

After the 2 monsters cried and stumble down, I then dashed forward, making sure that I won't be separated by Sheryl

"Sheryl, don't tax yourself too much, and kill those who you can! Leave the others to me!"

I said

"Hah... Haah.... Hah.... Haah..... O-on it!"

As she replied, exhaustingly

'Not good, she almost at her limit'

I worriedly thought, as I saw her movements getting sluggish every minute, and second pass

(Sheryl's POV)

'Shit! Curses!'

I angerly thought, as I missed another slash by an inch, as I aimed at the monster's neck

Shaaa!!

The {Dessert Serpent} cried as it lunged itself forward. I then jump a bit to the left to avoid its sharp jaw. I then swung my dagger to the left using the monster's own speed, to make my dagger slit its neck. I then turn my vision to my left, and dodge a short sword stabbing at my head, as I bend my upper body down

Awaaa!!

I then took 2 needles from my right pocket with my free right hand, and throw at the {Horned Dog-Kobold} face, using [Hornet Sting] and [Void Increment]

Aoonn!!

The monster cried as my needles buried its edge at the monster's head. I then used my right foot forward as a brake, as I slide then crunch down, and took a deep breath before I continued running forward

'Not good, I'm reaching my limit'

I muttered in a bit panic tone, as sweats roll like rain drops from my forehead and body, who can blame me anyway? We just fought an entity in the forest a while ago, though it was a short battle, or if that was a battle in the first place, I still did overexert myself to fullest, to increase both my speed and power, then I run again as I chased down that hiding enemy in our room after we got back, leaving me with no space to breath.

I then came back, dashing myself towards to our room from the Inn's ground floor, after I tracked the enemy outside the Inn. After alerting Natsumi and Isabelle, which greatly surprised me that she was there, we then head down, and run towards the east, which I suggested, then confronted monsters after monsters in our way, a wave without end

It's already almost half an hour since we run, passing monsters after monsters, and confronting some in the process was already taking a huge toll on me, as the monster I am fighting with aren't just a bunch of silver rank {Hobgoblin}, which even took me a couple of hour and so to eliminate all of them

'Should have brought an [Endurance Potion] with me'

Hahh Ahh Hah Haahh

As I slowly trying to control my breathing

Shaa!

Waaa!!

'Fuck!'

2 monster then without a moment to waste dashed towards me. The {Sand Snake} stretch its arms forward with its sharp claw and opened wide jaw. The {Dog-Kobold} lunged at me, holding its short iron sword on its right, and a wooden shield at its left.

With such inevitable encounter, I then took a deep breath

Foooo~

I then dashed forward. I faced the {Sand Snake} who was coming at me with ferocity first. I used the building's shade to boost my speed, then applied [Abyssal Blade] on my dagger, and used [Swift Feet] to boost my speed even more. I the went to the Snake's left side, as I crunch down and swung my blade, cutting the monster from its right neck down to its left waist

SHHHAAA!!

I then rotated myself to the right, and went behind the bewildering Kobold, and cut its neck as I appeared behind him, and grab hold it's head and slit its throat, cutting it off from its body. After disposing the 2 I then-

Clank!

Flabbergasted to what happened, after a momentary lost in my vicinity, I then turn myself behind, and saw a sword that was about to hit me at my defenseless back, being blocked by Isabelle that out of sudden came at my side. She then rotated her body after pinning the sword down to the ground, and swung her sword to the left, cutting the monster from above into two

"I'll take the front, you take the rear"

She spoke, as she stood before me

"O-okay"

I replied, almost shuttering, as I looked at her with admiration

"Don't let your guard down even a second"

She muttered as she run forward. I then followed through while thinking

'So cool'