Once the inn was destroyed, the majority of mana creatures immediately turned their attention to the other inns. They went in different direction in the sky and on the ground. The rest focused on the remaining elven and Zane’s group.
Sophie created a barrier to protect the group a few seconds after they received the system message. The barrier was set to block physical attacks and allow magical attacks to pass through. Zane’s group were able to calmly stay behind the barrier while they launched magical attacks at the mana creatures.
Most mana creatures charged at the barrier and made several unsuccessful attempts to break it with physical strength. The twenty five percent boost didn’t give them the ability to break Sophie’s defenses or the intelligence to realize the danger they were in. The mana creatures were unable to properly react to the spells Jason and the others cast. They were quickly killed under the bombardment of spells.
While most mana creatures were killed without being able to put up a fight, a few mana creatures were able to use magical attacks. However, those attacks weren’t a threat to Zane’s group. The magical attacks of the mana creatures weren’t close to the power of the tier two mana creatures they fought. Zane was able to easily fend off the attacks that got through the barrier on his own. However, he decided to share the burden with Brad and Shane.
Quickly, Zane and the others killed the mana creatures attacking Sophie’s barrier. The rest of the mana creatures left the area by the time they were done. Once all the mana creatures were killed Sophie removed her barrier and the group went to check on the elven.
It wasn’t good. The lucky elven were the ones that collapsed on top of the wall when the barrier shattered. The rest were either dead or severely injured. Zane’s group made their rounds and did their best to provide some help. However, they could only do so much before it was time for them to rejoin the fight.
Zane was confident that the other inns would be able to manage the increase in mana creatures they would have to face. Also, he guessed that they were close to the end of the seventh attack. However, Zane knew that the last part of the seventh attack would be the hardest and the bloodiest.
Everyone in Zane’s group wanted to do their part in the final stage of the seventh attack. They quickly made their way over to their original inn and began attacking the mana creatures from behind. Sadly, the mana creatures didn’t give Zane’s group any easy kills.
When Zane’s group got close the mana creatures at the back turned around to face them. Gone were the mindless attacks that were easy to counter. The mana creatures worked together to attack and defend against Zane’s group. The battle was a true test of endurance.
Chugging down stamina juice, mana juice and different types of potions, Zane’s group managed to soldier on until the end. The group watched their energy drop to low levels multiple times and they saw the tired debuff appear and disappear multiple times as they drank stamina juice. Mindful of the negative emotions they were accumulating, Zane’s group made sure they drunk a few mana juices while they fought. This would prevent them from making fatal mistakes because they were consumed by negative emotions.
The battle was long and hard, but the adventurers were victorious in the end. However, the victory didn’t come without a bloody price. When everyone gathered around at the end of the battle, Bruce ripped the Band- Aid off and announced the losses. More than six hundred adventurers died leaving less than two thousand adventurers alive.
Every adventurer was shocked when they learned about the number of deaths. Many people expected there to be some deaths, but nobody was prepared to hear such a high number. After announcing the deaths, Bruce didn’t say anything else and gave people the time they needed to adjust.
People spread out and found a place to lick their wounds in peace. Some people reached out a hand to those in need. Sophie was one of those people.
Sophie placed her hands on the shoulder of the woman sitting in front of her. Her arm was torn off at the elbow by a mana creature. The woman was one of the many people that stepped forward when Sophie said she would be offering free healing to the wounded.
White light shined from Sophie’s hand as energy flowed from her to the woman. Slowly flesh grew from the bloody stump and her arm was restored after a few minutes passed. With her arm healed the woman gave Sophie a tired smiled, thanked her and walked away.
Next, a man with a mangled face stepped forward. The left side of the face had most of his skin removed and his eye was hanging out of its socket. Behind him was a line of people waiting to receive healing from Sophie. Before the man could sit down Zane stepped forward and stopped him.
“She needs to rest,” Zane said. “After she’s recovered her mana, you will be the first person that gets healed.”
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“I can keep going,” Sophie said. “I’m only a little below half my mana.”
“You already have the tired debuff, so I don’t think you need to push yourself any more than you already have. Nobody is poisoned or suffering from severe injuries that can kill them. I don’t want to watch you kill yourself to save people who aren’t in need of saving.”
“Hehe looks like I’m lucky to have a little brother that cares about me so much.” Sophie smiled at Zane, and he returned her smile with a scowl.
Once she sat down and entered meditation, Zane scowl disappeared. He kept watch over Sophie as she recovered her mana. When her mana was back to one hundred percent, she invited the man to step forward and began healing his face.
While Sophie was administering healing a group of five men started approaching her. They were all covered in wounds, but the wounds were minor except for one person who was missing a limb. Zane got a bad vibe from them, so he used Identify to discreetly observe them.
Evil Human Lvl 68
Evil Human Lvl 75
Evil Human Lvl 70
Evil Human Lvl 69
Evil Human Lvl 71
Zane let out a groan when he saw their race. Based on his own experience and the information Teacher Isabelle gave him, Zane knew there were two major ways evil humans behaved. They either acted like proud ruthless experts or annoying rude assholes. One look and Zane already knew what to expect.
“We’re next.” The level sixty-eight male announced when he saw Sophie was done healing.
“No, you’re not,” Sophie said. “There’s a line of people waiting in front of you.”
“And they can continue to wait. Unless someone wants to start some shit.” The man released his aura at everyone in the line. Everyone in the line was visibly upset by his words and actions.
“The only person starting shit is you.” A man shouted from the line.
“Well look at the balls on this guy. Let’s see if you can say that to my face.”
“Stop!” Sophie shouted when she saw the man stepping forward. “I’m the one with the ability to heal people, so I’m the one who decides who gets healed.”
“Relax beauty I didn’t mean to upset you.” The man said as he stepped toward Sophie. “I needed to show these idiots their place. Now that I’m done, how about you get rid of your little boyfriend and come spend time with me and my brothers. I’m sure we can show you-”
Zane didn’t wait for the man to finish speaking before he decked him in the face. Blood and two teeth came out of the man’s mouth. The man stumbled backwards and was caught by his companions.
“One of the annoying ones,” Zane said. His actions may or may not have been influenced by the negative emotions he accumulated from the recent attack. Either way he didn’t feel bad about punching the evil human. “That punch was a warning. Make sure you mind your words.”
“Mother fucker!”
“What did I just say.” Zane calmly replied.
“Fuck you!”
“I suggest you calm down and walk away with your friends.”
“You think you can send us away after you took a cheap shot at one of us.” The level seventy-one evil human spoke up.
“He deserved it.”
“Here’s what’s going to happen. First were going to beat the shit out of you. Then, were going to take that bitch with us while you’re bleeding on the ground.”
Zane’s calm vanished as he felt his anger start to rise. He summoned his axe, which in his mind was a final warning to the group of five. In their mind Zane’s axe was a challenge and they were happy to accept it. They took out their own weapons and the tension in the air became thicker.
“Alright calm down,” Adam spoke as he walked forward.
By now, a small crowd gathered after hearing and seeing the conflict between Zane and the five men. The crowd included both humans and elven. Some of them were hoping to see an entertaining fight, while others looked on with concern.
“And why the fuck should I listen to you?” The level seventy-one evil human asked.
“The last thing we need to do right now is fight amongst each other. We’ve already lost enough people.”
“And who’s fault is that?” The level seventy-five evil human coldly asked. “All of us have given our village points to you and other members of the council. You were supposed to set up the defenses capable of blocking the mana creatures, but the defenses were easily destroyed after the mana creatures received the permanent boost. Did you pocket most of the resources for your own personal gain while using a small amount to make shitty defenses.”
Many people in the crowd began to talk or whisper amongst themselves. Some of their voice carried suspicion, while others carried anger. It was clear to see that the man said out loud what most people were thinking.
“Don’t make random accusations.” Adam refuted with a voice laced with annoyance. “Nobody expected the mana creatures would receive the increase they did. Also, don’t forget that many people were saved by the tunnels we built. Tunnels that many people said were useless.”
“Typical humans,” an elven male said. “No matter what world you come from your all the same. Squabbling amongst each other like lowly animals.”
“Dude who asked you to talk.” Sam said.
“You really don’t have a right to speak here,” The level seventy-five evil human agreed. “We lost two inns and both of them were supposed to be protected by your elves.”
The crowd started to stir after the evil human finished speaking. Many people lost friends family members and loved ones during the seventh attack. In their hearts they were already blaming the elven and the evil humans were adding fuel to fire. Seeing the crowd’s anger and the glares they shot at the elven Zane felt the need to speak up for them.
“It's easy to accuse the elven when none of you were there. At one of the inns the elven were supposed to protect, my team was the only group of humans there. Before you accuse the elven you should ask if they were given the proper support.”
“Finally, a human with some sense,” the male elven said. “We sent multiple requests for help, but nobody came. If we were given some help, then we wouldn’t have been forced to abandon our inn.
Silence. The crowd stopped whispering and no one else spoke as everyone focused their attention on the elven. Zane was stunned as he looked at the elven in disbelief. Eventually someone from the crowd broke the silence.
“What do you mean you abandoned the inn?” A man asked with a voice filled with rage.