As I realized the situation, I erased the barrier. Instantly I blocked the claw aiming for my face. I thrusted my sword, unfortunately missing the target. I took two steps backwards to evade the incoming attack.

From my corner of my eye countless silhouettes popped out of nowhere. As the figures got closer, I was able to scrutinize the monsters. Goblins, red ants, and a seemingly tiny demon monster leading the monsters as they hid behind them.

Before I could act, a sudden wall appeared behind me, blocking me from retreating. I no longer had the ability to retreat. The five of them should be fine, but the same cannot be said for me.

The monsters, specifically the tiny, grotesque demons, planned to isolate me since I seemed like an easy target. The wall behind me cemented their thought process.

This wasn’t good at all. The already complicated situation is going to turn into a dire one if I let this keep any longer. Therefore I had no qualms on utilizing my mana.

A ring of fire bullets surrounded me, in unison I launched the attack at the upcoming herd of monsters. I dashed at the main monster, discarding my shield in the process. I had to maximize the time given by the attack.

I stabbed the monster however when I attempted to pull my sword back, the monster's claw grabbed my arm, sinking their deadly nails onto my arm.

I managed to pull my sword, the monsters going unresponsive as it turned into a puff of mana and dropped a chunk of an unrefined mana stone. I quickly took my shield back, checking the quality.

The attack didn’t do much damage to my shield, only leaving a scratched mark. I also check the damages I sustained. The wound wasn’t too deep, but the holes on my arm throbbed every time I gripped my sword.

Shit.

I forgot this monster’s claw contains poison. To make matters worse any form of healing is sealed behind the wall. The monsters who survived already quickly closed the distance.

I took the unrefined mana stone and threw it at the large crowd. An explosion erupted, showering debris from all sides. The smoke bought me enough time to rush to their location.

I switched the position of my weapon, having it on my non dominant hand while the shield was occupied by my dominant hand. Sprinting, I coughed as smoke got into my lungs.

This however didn’t stop me as I plunged my sword at the red ant oblivious to my attack. When I took my sword out, in a swift motion I decapitated the goblin nearby. The next goblin was stabbed in the stomach by my sword yet I left my weapon without taking it.

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A red ant noticed my movement as the monster launched itself, I kicked the red ant who noticed my location. With my hand stretched the ant was cut in half by the sudden burst of wind.

The wind dispersed the smoke, revealing my location. I took my sword out from the twitching goblin, the metallic weapon covered in red blood, ruining its beauty.

My swift actions caused some blood to splatter onto the ground, some even getting on my armor. I scanned the remaking enemy only to find myself in a strange situation. There were currently eight red ants and eight goblins, the tiny demons were nowhere to be seen.

There’s no way they could’ve left during this short period of time. I know there’s way more monsters lurking around, the silhouettes being a clear indicator.

Goblins vary in size but most of them are short as hell, making me wonder how they live. No wonder children can absolutely make light work of these things. The only reason I see them losing is by an internal factor such as lack of confidence, fear, etc. They are young after all, they won’t suddenly be able to kill a goblin.

The group of goblins rushed at me holding clubs and daggers. I watched this whole thing while containing the urge to laugh. It’s amusing how these pathetic beings think they stand a chance.

I threw my weapon at the group of red ants to stall a bit of time, I also launched a fireball for good measure. I quickly dropped my shield, and engaged in hand to hand combat with the goblins.

I punched a goblin in the face. As I watched him being dazed, I stole his club and smacked him with it. The club broke at impact, pieces of wood flying around.

Since three goblins proceeded to charge at me, I grabbed the first one and by the head used him as a substitute weapon, hitting the goblins with his body.

The goblin in my hand struggled, trying to bite me. As such I shoved his face straight into the ground. The sound of something breaking could very well have been from the ground as much as it could’ve been from his skull cracking.

The two dazed goblins still haven’t recovered so I plunged my hand through both of their chests, I felt something inside their chest, I gripped it, easily squashing it.

I stole the dagger from the dead corpse of the goblin who soon disappeared. The rest were light work, and I slashed, stabbed them before they died.

All of a sudden I felt something appearing from the ground, I evaded the hand which belonged to a familiar monster.

The tiny, grotesque demon, huh…?

I couldn’t do much since the red ants began their attack, my back being bitten by one of them due to the unexpected move. I elbowed it, sending it flying towards a wall, the ant dissolving into mana.

It isn’t particularly hard to beat them, but it’s time consuming. Plus there’s another reason.

I c—

The wall dividing the two sides crumbled, five people emerging. They didn’t have any sort of injuries, presumably because they held their own.

“Sorry for making you wait!” Surprisingly it was Cynthia who spoke those words.