Chapter 45
The battle should have gone according to Logic…
According to common sense!
And yet, what is happening before her was already breaking through that said reason without any mercy.
And looking at how Rain moved his body, she noticed that he had a strangely large amount of inexplicable actual combat experience.
The way he moved his legs and body were flawless.
Those kinds of movements could only be gained through repeated combat. Although, she had known that Drova and Lafetti had been training with him, and coaching him seriously- despite this, could a few weeks’ worths of training be able to make someone as skillful as this?
If not, then many powerful people in this world would be appearing like trees in the forest.
Looking at the battle closely, it was easy to notice that Rain was obviously slower than his opponent, but he was more skilled in combat arts, and most of all, faster and more flexible than the Hobgoblin.
He possesses many techniques, skills, and strange combat arts. Because of that, he was able to fight against an evolved Hobgoblin much better than one can expect. And this was the reason why she praised him for being special.
If both sides’ actual strength had been equal, Stagna knew the Hobgoblin would already have lost a long time ago. No matter how tough and hard the opponent is, Rain was shooting these strange needles not only accurately, but also simultaneously attacking many different locations. Hence, dodging was extremely difficult.
She even thought, that even if it was her who was his opponent right now, she would have been turned into a porcupine before she could understand what is happening.
Is Rain's profession really that…of an Assassin Class?
How is that possible?!
Living for a long time in this world, the Lamians like Stagna was already familiar with how humans fight and the so-called professions that has been given to them by the Gods to bestow specific skills for them live and survive. Although they didn’t know much about it, in regards to human capabilities, they know more than one can imagine.
One can even say that they had already fought a dozen types of classes before, and tasted their abilities personally. And they know that most classes signify the person’s capability, characteristic, personality, and nature.
It can even be said that a person can be judged solely from what kind of class they have. Of course, unless one undergoes a Class Change. But most people would stick to the classes they are born with.
The Class Change was expensive for Common People, and the Trial and Test to acquire a new Profession is said to be extremely difficult. Hence, common people can only dream of acquiring better professions.
But an assassin?
How could Rain be suited for an Assassin-type Class…?
And even if that’s not his inborn class, why would he undergo a Change of Class and go into something more unpopular and had an ill-reputation among all types of Professions—a Rogue Class?
Rogues are one of the most discriminated classes in the human city due to its shameless and cowardly skills and nature in battle, that goes against common Knight Practice of Justice, Moral, and Integrity. On the other hand, something like a Knight, or Paladin would be the most famous. More so, if he was a nobleman, he would have made into that, even if he doesn’t want it. But then why?
Rain is, without a doubt, must have been a scion of a Noble Family.
Stagna believe that, and Zarda as well.
But if he was, then wouldn't special Classes like a Templar, or a Swordsman be more reasonable to have?
Despite Stagna’s assumptions of Rain’s true Profession, actually there were also several points that go against her hypothesis.
Rain was like a sponge in learning skills and professions, such as Alchemy, Blacksmithing, and Tailoring. Although most of them can be learned by any class, there should still be a limit to how he can do anything and everything. But Rain was different, he was talented in all kinds of aspects and professions, and display excellent, uncanny and genius-like learning speed.
He can even learn Drova, Lafetti, and her skills with little to no problem. He can even use Spear, Dagger, Sword, and even Bow without any clear difficulties, which should have been impossible even if one is a Jack of all Trades, Master of None, due to Class restrictions.
But he had none of those!
In fact, he even displayed an enviable talent to all of them and can learn all of their Combat Arts without any issue.
This fact alone caused Zarda and Sarete to wonder what Rain’s class truly is.
However, unless they can check his status, they would not be able to know the answer. But only humans would have such a thing called Status Tablet since Monsters wouldn't need it. Therefore, they didn't have any chances of truly checking Rain's true Profession.
What's more, Threia’s purification should have ended at this point in time. When they returned to the tribe, Rain would be able to test himself with Magic Affinity. Though, to Stagna, this was also a point of suspicion.
Why is Rain’s Magic Stream blocked?
If he is a Nobleman, then he should have undergone Magic Awakening at a young age.
This made him even more mysterious and strange.
There are too many mysteries on Rain’s existence.
As she thought about these mysterious things, Sarete continued to watch the battle that was nearing its end. She saw Rain turn into a blur, and charge over.
Clang~!
However, as usual, the Hobgoblin was able to block his quick thrust.
This is what Rain was lacking at the moment- Strength.
If it was her or the other Lamians, they could easily kill the Hobgoblin with but a sweep of their tail. Their strength could even send the monster flying in the far distance. However, the Hobgoblin’s level, strength, and speed were above that of Rain. This is the limitation of Level.
If it was outside of the Cave, Rain would have done better. In fact, he would even be excellent, even against a Lv2 monster or humans. Even though his level was low, he would still win—with his technique, unnatural speed, and strength, he can topple any opponent below Lv2.
Rain truly defied common sense and had already broken several logic and reasons that the Lamians know.
Time and time again, he was an unconventional genius that doesn’t follow the common sense.
He was able to slowly rise to the ladder of the food chain in this hell-like habitat with but the lowest level.
As Stagna watched the battle, she saw Rain took a step, dodging past the Hobgoblin’s ferocious Shield Bash. Then, with a nimble movement as if he was being carried by the wind, he brandished his thin sword and performed several straight thrusts at the monster’s back.
5 silver sword lights stabbed forwards.
Clang~ Clang~ Clang~ Clang~!
The Hobgoblin let out a loud painful cry. However, the monster possesses thick skin that was almost impervious against normal weapons. Though, with his sword, five deep wounds still appeared on the monster’s back. But they are not fatal wounds.
Rain’s strength is not enough to pierce through its flesh. However, he was not fazed, nor frustrated by the lack of power, as he spun and twirled with his sword, slashing and stabbing, cutting deep, while trying to avoid facing the monster head-on.
The monster turned around, intending to slice him apart with one large sweep of his handaxe. However, Rain was already nowhere in sight. He mysteriously appeared behind the Hobgoblin. Then, suddenly he sheathed his sword, knowing it won’t do much damage and became a blur of limbs, landing crushing blows with his hands, elbows, knees, and booted feet at the exposed side and back of the Hobgoblin.
Stabbing might not work, then, a burst of blunt force would do!
His spinning kicks and destructive fist carried a lethal force against which body armor was no use, due to the strong force that seemed to penetrate through thick defenses.
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When the shield struck or the ax sweep over at him, Rain would immediately duck, rolled, and leaped to once again appear in its blind spot. He seemed untouchable. He swung his sword hard to block the monster’s blow, tilting his blade so that the Hobgoblin’s ax would just slide on his thin sword, creating sparks and reducing the impact and make a breakpoint.
“Yaaaa!”
A white streak of light flew through the air causing sparks to spray out.
As a loud noise resounded, the distance between Rain and the Hobgoblin once again widened. While gaining distance, Rain saw the Hobgoblin’s body glowed dimly, hence he was certain that its charge is coming. With a sweep of his hand, four needles flew through the air and struck the shield, but the charge was completed.
The Hobgoblin rushed towards Rain’s direction with incredible speed. However, something happened that caused the Hobgoblin’s body to stop before it could get within two meters from its target—the penetrating needles pierce through the Tower Shield and hit the monster’s arm, causing it to stop and let out a cry.
How?!
The Hobgoblin that was wailing in agony and Stagna who was closely watching the battle shared the same question.
Their eyes widening in shock.
If one looks closely, several sharp needles had struck almost the same location, and with constantly piercing through it with several sharp needles, a crack formed, then turned into a fissure. And most of all, it's at the spot where Stagna's arrow had pierced through a while ago.
The small crack Stagna's arrow created had been expanded by the needles that struck it all this time.
What fearsome control and accuracy!
Stagna's shoulder shivered in astonishment and she almost couldn't believe that Rain can do something, much less even thought of this!
Just at this time, a black silhouette rush towards the groaning Hobgoblin. However, the Hobgoblin who noticed Rain’s charge hurriedly raised its shield and once again blocked his thrust—Rain can’t help but get surprised in shock. That reaction speed was not any slower than Drova or Lafetti!
It could actually still block his attack even in its condition?!
The pain and surprise should have dulled its senses!
And yet...
NO!
This is the turning point!
Surprised, but it was only for a moment as Rain didn’t give the Hobgoblin any chance to recover—this is already a big break that gives chances of victory—
The Hobgoblin tried to push his body against Rain in desperation, but before it could do it, vines suddenly sprouted from the ground, coiling around its ankles. Though the vines were thin and were easily snapped with the monster's strength, it was still able to disturb its charge, and even cause it to almost stumbled.
It was then, that at this moment, Rain immediately pushed his body towards the shield, tackling with his shoulder, with all his strength behind his tackle, causing the monster to get unbalanced. Then he retreated, activated his speed boost, and rolled away. And then, he dived into the right side and went towards its blind spot, which he had already known through his and Sylphy’s analysis before.
Excellent…
Stagna who was watching couldn’t blink her eyes, fearing she would overlook a part of the action. It all happened in almost an instant, the changing of positions, the defense, the attack, the retreat, and then the attack once again—all happened smoothly as if it had planned beforehand.
The action was so smooth, although not fast for her eyes, nevertheless, it was quick and precise, almost systematic.
It’s as if, a single mistake in his action would break his momentum, but he was still able to pull it off with perfect accuracy and mind-blowing efficiency. It seemed like no weakness or blindspot could escape from his eyes.
He was like a mysterious white alpha wolf, firmly staring at its target, waiting for the moment it could deliver a fatal strike. He had many skills and techniques but could use them all accurately and skillfully. His movements were the most precise she’d ever seen.
There is no wasted movement.
All his movement, footwork, and action were fast and his attacks and throwing needles had crafty trajectories.
Every move was hair-raising.
It was too precise, and with no hints to give away its intentions.
If I faced him, it wouldn’t turn out well for me as well.
Even if I will win in the end, I would still lose a limb or two.
Elder Sister should have seen this…!
Amazing!
Though, whether it was intentional or not, Rain’s figure was blocked by the Hobgoblin’s body, therefore, Stagna couldn’t see what he was doing—but at this moment, seeing an opportunity, Rain’s nails grew into bone-like claws, forming his hand into a hand blade and stabbed it at the exposed gap beneath the monster’s armor.
The Hobgoblin groaned painfully.
Once again, Rain passed through the gap within the tower shield and slammed a heavy fist into the monster’s chin. The Hobgoblin step back, somewhat dizzy from the strike. His leg then lashed out on the arm holding the tower shield, causing the tower shield to get loose from the monster’s hand.
It was at this moment, the final break occurred.
His eyes gleamed brightly as his speed once again increased, and his hand grabbed the dagger on his waist and with one sweeping motion, slash the Hobgoblin’s exposed neck.
The Hobgoblin didn’t understand what had suddenly transpired; until the blade swung down to slash its throat. Then, leaving blood droplets dancing in the air, Rain didn’t step back after landing a fatal blow, and instead rushed once again, the thin dagger struck sideways beneath the Hobgoblin’s raised left arm to exploit the opening in its armor.
The thin but extremely sharp dagger dealt a lethal blow to the monster’s heart.
And with one last kick, he jumped back once again and dropped into a fighting stance.
However, it seems like the result of the battle had already been decided.
Although still alive, even a Hobgoblin would not be able to stand up again after receiving such fatal injuries.
It was only able to retain its life even until now was because of its impressive amount of vitality. However, standing up again and fighting is already beyond the monster’s condition. It’s only a matter of time before it took its last breath, or Rain would end its misery himself.
Looking at the groaning and panting monster, Rain let out a deep sigh of relief.
The battle...finally ended.
And more so... it was his victory!
… …
After the battle, Rain washed his face on the nearby river, cleaning the blood off his face and clothes.
The fatigue building upon his body gradually receded as his excitement calms down. He turned towards the image reflected on the surface of the water and smiled wryly. He relished the call of battle, reveled in its art.
Ever since he had come into this world, he had prepared himself to see and experience some incredible things, which he could not have imagined in his simple homeland. But nothing could have primed him for the sheer spectacle and heart-numbing battle that he experienced almost every day. Here, the strong stood tall, while the weak be eaten. He doesn’t want to be the latter, so he desperately tried to become stronger.
“Are you okay?”
Stagna's voice came from behind.
When he turned around he saw her standing with a smile, offering a clean cloth.
“Well, depends on what you meant by okay…at the very least, I don’t have that much injury, save from this one—so I guess, I did okay in the fight?” Rain replied as he accepted the cloth and looked at the wound on his left arm.
He didn’t know when he had gotten, at the very least; he didn’t even realize it during the battle. His mind was entirely on the monster, wanting to defeat it.
“Far from okay, you did great,” She walked over and using another clean cloth, wiped his hair which was dripping wet. “Wait when we return to the Camp, Gretia would fix you up in no time,”
Rain let Stagna washed his hair, as he rubs the clean cloth he was holding against his face.
“However,” suddenly he recalled something he was wondering up until now, “Why did three Hobgoblins appear here? I had never seen them before, and also from what I know, the Goblin’s community was in the western part of the forest, away from here…am I right? Is this coincidence, or…”
“You guessed it right; I think it has to do with the Tolants.” Stagna replied, “In the first place, Goblins moved in groups—that goes with the Hobgoblins. Three Hobgoblins is nigh impossible, so they must be a large group. However, they should have been attacked, leaving only three Hobgoblins to successfully escape. You can see their tattered swords and armor, displaying the fact that they have undergone some kind of fierce battle not too long ago. And the only monster strong enough to pose a threat to a Hobgoblin’s group is none other than the current Colony of Tolants.”
Rain nodded his head, as he thought about the first Hobgoblin he had killed.
Indeed, it seemed to be quite wounded.
“Speaking of the Tolants, the plan has already been decided. We might as well return, a big fight is coming,”
“That’s something I hate to miss,”
Rain grinned.
He patted his clothes and stood up.
Tolants, or what Rain known as Killer Ants are considered one of the most troublesome monsters found in the Desolate Cave. They multiplied like cockroaches or even comparable to rats in an instant, and their numbers can easily reach up to hundreds or more each passing day. In addition, each ant is as strong as a top rank monster.
But they have a fatal weakness.
Lifespan.
The ants have a lifespan of 1 year.
In other words, if they can eliminate the queen, all the other ants will die naturally after a year and the Desolate Cave will be free of their presence.
Zarda and the others know of this, and so, the expeditions only purpose to assassinate the Queen.
However, eliminating the queen ant… it may seem more realistic than eliminating every ant on the Desolate Cave. But getting rid of a single queen ant is no different than eliminating thousands of soldier ants.
All ants are willing to die for their queen.
It’s not like the Queen would magically appear in front of them, and offer its neck. Not only that, aside from Killer Ants, there are also evolved Antmen. This made the mission even harder.
According to Zarda, there should be something wrong with the Queen Ant this time as the number of Antmen and even the strange union of Black And Red Killer Ants were too weird.
The ants are evolving at an alarming rate.
Hence, Zarda made a quick decision—start the mission as soon as possible!
During the planning, Zarda explained to the others her plan for the upcoming campaign.
“As soon as the Queen Ant would feel the slightest danger,” she said, “...she and several of her soldiers will surely withdraw in fear. You may or may not be able to cut her off and prevent her from running away. But that would become a problem… the Queen is our only target, not the Colony—”
She then went on to outline two plans of battle—
One for fighting the army of Tolants and Antmen in the forest, a frontal attack, and another for a group cutting her escape path. She went on and on, laying the groundwork so that everything would be smooth and not a single problem would arise.
The tense mood affected everyone a bit.
More so, for Rain.
This journey had become quite an eye-opener for him, and he had gotten more mature than ever before. This feeling affected him so much that he couldn’t get to sleep when he went to bed.
Lafetti didn’t try to take him like the previous nights as she wanted to be in full energy, she and him, for the upcoming battle, and just laid there cuddling and hugging each other.
“Can’t get sleep?” asked Lafetti while stroking Rain’s hair as he leaned against her chest.
“Somewhat… I don’t know, excited, worried, anxious…thrilled, whatever it is, it surely made my nerves jittery,”
Rain smiled wryly in response.
“That’s normal,” she answered with a sweet smile.
Rain noticed she started to show much emotion than before, and even a sweet smile like had become a norm. Perhaps, she becomes used to it?
“However, you don’t need to worry about anything and treat it as usual hunting monsters. No danger would come to you, I promise you that,”
“I know you will,”
Rain let out a grin, completely believing what she said.
Lafetti nodded her head.
“And you will be safe forever, my Rain… I’ll give you an oath, that no harm would come to you…and if ever be—”
“That’s enough,”
Rain stops her by putting his index finger on her delicious lips.
Oath and promise can never be taken lightly, and he knew that. The future can never be predicted, and something might happen along the way. And Rain didn’t want her to be hurt, for a worst that might come, and a promise that might not be fulfilled. However, even then, he would not blame her…never will be.
Lafetti seemed to have understood his worries and tried to say something but his lips found hers and her words were swallowed into his throat.
… …