Chapter 47
The forest was exceptionally damp and there was the occasional sound of water dripping.
As they advanced forward, the group met many groups of monsters—aside from giant ants and Antmen, there were also Ents and Poison Ivies.
Ents are monsters that looked like Trees, literally similar to Treants in Earth’s Legend. However, they were easily defeated by Zarda by turning them into blocks of ice. It was truly a poor match for those monsters.
It was already the seventh group they had encountered.
Granite raised her shield and directly crashed into a group of rushing Black Ants. She deflected the incoming spear-like limb and then raised her battle axe to perform two rapid strikes on the monster’s face, killing it instantly. Rain flashed beside Granite, and then his rapier stabbed towards one of the Antment’s throat, his rapier was like a brutal shadow, repeatedly stabbing out. Then, hurriedly jumped back, dodging the Antment’s retaliation, which was then confronted by Lafetti, who was able to make short work on it.
“Rain be careful!”
Rain nodded his head as he pulled out his dagger with his left hand, and with a rapier on his right, he then pounced on the one being assaulted by Granite and Gretia.
The three of them worked together to quickly slay another one. Although Rain didn’t fight against monsters directly, with his nimbleness, speed, and technique, he darted around the battlefield, looking for an opportunity to struck out with his rapier, and then slashes with his dagger.
Even if he can’t kill them, he would make use of opportunities he finds to deal a fatal blow and then hurriedly retreat. The tactic of hit-and-run was, ultimately one of the best methods of kill stealing, and his experience points steadily increase at incredible speed.
Although unlike the other others with their extra-powerful attack that can literally one-shot enemies, Rain still able to deal fatal blows—to heart, throat, and head. This made the other Lamians able to smoothly and easily deal with the monsters. Like a stone being lifted on their shoulders, a portion of the difficulty was undone and they were able to fight with all their best and efficiency. Rain’s accurate attack and cunning ways and time made him quite a scene to watch in the battle. Even Zarda was impressed.
Rain flexed his arms and with a swung of his hand, two long needles shot through the air, accurately hitting one of the Antmen’s eyes, causing it to shriek in pain. In that instance, Granite roared and her axe swiped in their air, the Antment’s head made an arc before falling on the ground. Then, with a roar, her long tail smashed against four giant ants incoming, before knocking one Antmen with her shield.
The Antmen dizzy cause by its head ramming against the hard shield leaned back. However, before it could snap out from daze, three arrows stuck on its head.
Stagna’s arrows, one after the other, accurately stabbed into their weak points. Rain only saw her raise her bow, changing targets to the one attacked by Lafetti and Gretia while protecting Zarda who was slowly charging up to use high-level magic. She calmly drew her bow and rapidly shot more enchanted arrows. She was shooting while simultaneously chanting a spell to attack the surrounding monsters that tried to sneak up on them, stopping Zarda from completing her spell.
Granite then leaned over to allow Gretia and Lorka’s Water and Wind missile-like magic attacks to pass and took this chance to look towards Rain who was being chased by three giant ants. She furrowed her brows, angry and was about to charge over with shield bash, but she was a step too late—Lafetti hissed loudly in anger, and her sword and tail danced in the air, smashing against the giant ants.
Granite was then able to sigh in relief, knowing that Rain was safe. She turned her attention back to the enemies surrounding her.
“Come on!!” she cried out in excitement.
Her blood boiling and she seemed to have endless energy as she fought, cleave, and ram.
On the other hand, seeing Lafetti’s arrival, Rain braced himself. He deflected one of the Giant Ant’s attacks, its sharp legs stabbing like a spear.
Using [Bark Skin] [Hardened Skin] [Toughness] and [Reflect Damage], he was able to endure the herculean-like strength of the arm, and was able to repel it back, using [Reflect Damage] to counter the force. He then whirled, and with two clean movements sliced through with his dagger on his left hand, making the giant ant shrieked. Then, jumped away, and once again attack with a Rapier this time.
His figure blurred and his sword streak into the air, like a shooting star. Four thrusts were made in an instant, hitting the Giant Ant’s head before jumping backward.
Lafetti killed the other ant monsters that had chased after him, while he finished the last one. At this moment, cold air swept through—Rain turned his head to see Zarda finishing her magic, and now like a gust of cold wind, everything in the surrounding within five to ten-meter range, become a winter hell-zone.
The battle ended.
Zarda took a deep breath and smiled sweetly as she saw Rain looking at her. Rain smiled back, somewhat envious of her power.
Variant Elements are always strong and mysterious—such as Lightning, Ice, and Death. They are always powerful and force to be feared on the battlefield. Though rare, they are highly sought after by any kingdoms or organizations.
‘The Queen Ant is retreating in the predicted direction! We will be rejoining you soon!’
Drova suddenly sent a message, announcing their success.
No longer after she had sent that message, Rain and the rest finally saw the Queen Ant’s group within sight.
With the mapping system on the phone, it was much easier to find them than looking a coin on beach sand. There was no time lost after that—the group was going at full speed with the intent to finish the mission as soon as possible.
Faster and faster, they strode through the forest, following the direction of the map. And then, just as they came to the last curve in a narrow, winding valley, Rain heard above all the noises in the forest, another noise—a different one, which gave him a queer feeling inside. It was a noise of shouts and shrieks and of the clashing of metal against metal.
Then they came out of the narrow valley and at once he saw the reason. There stood Drova and all the rest of the Lamians fighting against the crowd of horrible ant monsters whom he had gotten used to seeing, and whose visage didn’t bother him anymore. Though, right now, they look desperate as they run towards Rain and the other’s direction in retreat.
Though few, the momentum and the power of each Lamian were so great and so awfully scary even Rain couldn’t help but find them frightening—much less, the enemies that were receiving their full brunt fear attack.
Looking at the fight, Rain could see that several Lamians had injuries on their bodies, but they are still quite ferocious and fierce on their onslaught that numbers didn’t really mean anything.
The Lamians composition was following the classic party formation, with fighters and magical beasts on the front led by Drova, archers, and mages followed behind them, and lastly, on the last row were those best and specialize in healing and recovery magic and support. Although they can actually fight, since they are the only one who knows about support and recovery spells, they focus on them instead.
Despite the unceasing battle of carnage, the group still didn’t have any casualties which were quite lucky, no, amazing. Although some had already suffered grievous wounds and injuries during the battle, they were immediately rescued by others, showing their stupendous teamwork and sense of camaraderie – In this sense, the Lamians who was standing behind them, Archers and Mages, shown their importance in battles.
Their timely support and aid could be said to be the ones keeping the melee combatants in front of them alive… what an incredible sisterhood.
“Look over there, our prize had arrived,”
Zarda mused as she looked towards the fierce battle against the Tolants and the Lamians.
Drova was still leading in front, with a crazed manic smile on her face. Although her body was littered with wounds burn, she doesn’t seem to care about it as she continued her onslaught. And with a peal of loud laughter, she grabbed one of the Antmen’s head and tossed him at the Queen Ant being protected by a large group.
The Ant Queen hurriedly dodged the flailing Antmen hastily, and instinctively held up her hand as the monster flew at her.
The fire caught the Antmen’s shoulder. A vivid white light flared and turned red. The poor monster didn’t even have the time to scream as the fire engulfed it, turning the monster into ashes. Following immediately behind the tossed monster’s flight, Drova ducked her head away from the bright light and caught several Antmen elite soldiers off-balance.
“How does it look?”
Lafetti asked as she walked over.
“There's one big group in the front. And to its right, there's a small group. There might be more, but I can't tell from this distance”
“Which means that at a minimum there's the main force and several detachments...”
Based on all the information she had gotten, Zarda made adjustments to her plan. Knowing that the enemy had split up into at least several groups, Zarda couldn't just leave it be.
“Granite, Gretia, and Stagna you take the group to the left, me, Lafetti, Rain, and Lorka will take the one to the right, and will go directly towards the Queen!”
“Understood!”
There were three large groups and several smaller groups that surrounded the panic and escaping Ant Queen. Moving unobtrusively through the forest even on the uneven ground and bushes, but as swiftly as panthers and jaguars, Rain’s group immediately divided into two as they rush towards the incredibly battle with an excited glint in their eyes.
Lafetti, running in front of Rain’s group saw several Antmen holding bows and arrows, and javelins and immediately raise their weapons upon sighting them.
They were like football players trying to break through the defense line.
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Lafetti threw herself forwards to cut one-off, leaving a path. Magic arrows pierced through the air, striking the one that was opposite of Rain and Zarda, piercing right through the eyes of the monsters. Lorka’s magic bombardment followed closely behind.
“Haaaaa!!!”
Lafetti sprinted along the ground, like a snake moving in a zigzag pattern—her long graceful tail seemingly barely touching the ground as she sweeps through the weeds and bush—and with one huge leap sprang toward the nearby Antmen while skillfully dodging the flying arrows and javelins.
Her jump had sufficient height that she was able to crumple the three giant ant monsters with the swing of her tail—coiling at the neck of the monster, and then pulled it and smash it towards the other group that was startled by her sudden entrance, sweeping a large chunk of the group. If the formation was shaped in an apple formation, it would have been a big bite.
Rain almost cried out in excitement as he watched her brushing past the volley of arrows, javelin, and magic rushing towards them.
That’s my wife!! he almost yelled out in astonishment as to how she nimbly and elegantly evaded the incoming projectiles.
In one movement, Lafetti landed on her tail, and once again like a tiger in a flock of sheep, crazily started her slaughter.
Lorka was in front of Zarda and Rain, keeping off the projectiles with her wind barrier. And with Lafetti clearing their way, they were able to slide past through without any problem. And without any hesitation, they engaged against the rushing monsters.
Now, the Ant Queen’s group halted their advancement upon seeing Rain and the others in their supposed to be destination, they stopped in between the crazed Lamians that were slowly making their way through the army of giant Ants and Antmen.
Fear and anxiety colored their expressions.
As for Stagna’s group, Granite took the charge forwards performing a Shield Bash. Her high defense, caused giants ants and Antmen to fall down like bowling pins. She then immediately pounced forwards, like a fierce python amidst a group of rats. Although rough, it was also skillful. She surely was a natural at taking damage, extremely courageous, and imposing. They then meet up with the other groups and started their carnage.
As graceful as a butterfly, Stagna evaded any attacks that come her way while striking back. Although she, Drova and Lafetti were both skilled warriors, Stagna’s style of placing herself in danger to search for opportunities was different from her other sisters.
Unlike the direct Drova, and the war goddess-like Lafetti, Stagna moved through the battlefield as if she was walking in her own backyard, and her arrows and wind magic was like a viper, appearing and disappearing all over the place.
Zarda continued launching ice spears on the monsters around them. It seems like, despite being an excellent fighter, Zarda prefers to use magic. Perhaps this is the reason why she was able to acquire an enormous amount of magic power through her evolution, and with a rare elemental at that from a God.
Once they clashed, Rain felt that this monster was much stronger than the Killer Ants that he had fought before, but they weren’t as agile. Perhaps, because they are the elite guards of the Queen, they focused on strength and toughness rather than agility and speed. As he was fighting, Rain noticed that their attacks were sluggish, and didn’t chain together well. Having selected a target, his rapier thrusted forwards.
He frowned; their skin was not only thick but also very hard. Granite who was a bit closer than them after crushing through all that tried to obstruct, meet with them. She then saw Rain having a hard time fighting two monsters compared to before and hurriedly rush over. She charged forwards performing a Shield Bash.
“Rain, be careful, these monsters are tougher and stronger than usual,”
Granite warned Rain while she blasted away another Killer Ant with her axe.
Being with her so closely, Rain can’t help but feel somewhat intimidated, or somewhat nervous with those flexed muscles and toned skin. With an added steam effect from her sweat made her somewhat…irresistible. What would it feel if he touched those muscles? Would they be hard or soft?
Rain snaps out from his daze and blushed.
He then turned his attention towards the monsters with a guilty conscience.
This is not the time for that!
Granite and the newly arrived Gretia violently attacked the surrounding monsters that tried to trample them using numbers. Rain appeared out of nowhere, activated his several abilities, and launching attacks like a flash of lightning.
The three of them quickly finished the monsters one by one in a fast, efficient manner. Because of the power differences, Rain was reduced to support character. However, he was not the least bit bothered and he runs around the monsters with rabbit feet and spider-sense, launching attacks when opportunity calls.
As Rain was running around, suddenly he turned towards Zarda and saw her being surrounded by dozen Antmen and Giant Ants. There was even a Giant Ant that rushed towards her at almost max speed. Lafetti and the others were a distance away and busy. Rain knew that Zarda was incredibly powerful. However, watching her fighting alone caused him to feel a bit restless.
Perhaps, unlike the others, Zarda was always quiet and gentle that he doesn’t want her to get hurt, even a small cut or something?
Rain immediately stepped forward and he runs like the wind towards her. He didn’t panic nor become flustered but instead, he instantly adopted a calm demeanor by relaxing his nerves.
In that instant, his senses slightly heightened.
He didn’t know if it was because he’d been used to fighting with life on the line from the experiences he had these past few days or from his status growing steadily, but recently whenever he’d faced the ultimate situation, Rain’s first reaction was not to panic. Rather, he swiftly thought about how to resolve the crisis he was in, and this time was no exception.
Activating all his skills in haste, Rain felt like his body was so light and buoyant, and everything seemed so effortless. And with a jump, he kicked the jumping Antmen on its head. Then, in one movement, Rain landed on his feet, crouched to absorb the impact of the landing, and then straightened his knees, arms outreached on either side of him.
Two Antmen fell at that instant—a dagger piercing one monster’s right eye from the side, the blade pushing deep into its skull and with added icicles stabbing on its body. The Antmen that was caught off-guard was felled by the needle-like point of his rapier—it had punctured its ear, dark viscous liquid trickling down his neck. At the same time, a large icicle had stabbed through its chest.
Rain was not sure if the one who successfully killed them was him or Zarda at all.
With a wry smile, he looked up to see Zarda looking at her with a sweet smile that seemed to never be away in her face, the other monsters around them fallen with similar efficiency, large icicles stabbing from the frozen ground.
“I did something unnecessary, I know,”
Rain muttered as he retreated beside Zarda.
“What do you mean unnecessary? It never was, and never will… looking at your worried expression gives me delight like never before,” Zarda mused.
“Now, come… don’t leave my side again,” she said as her tail coiled towards Rain’s waist and gently drag him towards her. “I know that you want to become stronger faster, but for now, you are still not. It’s enough that you want to support the others, but putting yourself in danger will only make us even more worried. If you want to fight, do it by my side,”
Rain smiled wryly. However, another set of monsters once again appeared. He deflected an attack from antmen, his hand going numb just by deflecting it. Zarda pulled him over at the right moment, and with a fierce expression of clear anger, swung her long sword cutting the Antmen’s limb. She was talking and yet these monsters didn't have any elegance to give them a moment of peace?!
Well, that would perhaps be asking too much for monsters, much less, to ants with the least intelligence quotient among creatures.
She then cried out like a banshee, and an entire line of monsters was frozen in solid. Though, some of them seemed to have managed to survive her Ice Breath-like skill or something.
Rain immediately seized the opportunity and rushed towards it. With a clenched fist, he hardened his body with his skills and punched the chin of a staggering, immobilize Antmen with half of its body frozen, lifting it slightly off the ground. The ice broke, and it flew in the air. His other hand, which had been storing up power, performed an iron fist, slamming into it!
He then followed up with a triple strike, and his left and right hand, holding a dagger and a rapier respectively, chained a series of rapid jabs. His seamless combo which flowed like water and Zarda who was watching him thought that Rain sure has improved a lot. Even with his attacks, however, the Antmen’s body displayed its unfair vitality, still living even after Rain’s fierce attacks.
However, he managed to successfully knock the Antmen so high that it looked like it was standing up, and flipped it onto its back. He then finished it by piercing its forehead with his rapier. Then, he whirled, and with two clean movements sliced through the hafts of the nearest halberds and spears used by the Antmen, seizing the head of one as it flew through the air before it could fall to the earth; and taking the stump of its haft in his fist, he buried the axeblade in the chest of its former owner.
Killing the already dying Antmen frozen in ice completely. Though, Rain must admit, even though they are using weapons, the qualities of their weapons was dirt compared to the ones used by the Lamians and him.
I guess this is to be expected by Miyabila?
Wooosh.
Rain felt danger and he was just in time to stoop low as a rush of air signaled the passage of a sharp limb as it sickled over him, missing his bent back by an inch. He then turned towards the source and saw a barely moving Antmen with glaring eyes.
Its horrifying mandible opening out as it released a piercing cry. It seemed like due to its tough carapace, it was able to survive Zarda’s attack and was now recovering, struggling to take itself out of its frozen confinement. Obviously, Rain couldn’t let that happen.
[Rapid Dash]
Rain became a silver flash, shooting towards the Antmen. With enhanced agility due to inflated attributes and skills together with [Rapid Dash], Rain only needed to lightly touch his feet on the ground, and he already shot towards the monster with an unbelievable speed before it could completely break away from its restriction. This method of attack was not only several times faster than normal, and also did not take much effort.
In a blink of an eye, he had already struck the Antmen’s head with his rapier. However, the power behind his attack still lacks enough power to insta-kill it. Its vitality was incredibly impressive that Rain’s attack would perhaps just be a single-digit number even with a critical hit if this was a virtual game.
The Antmen let out an ear-piercing cry as it tried to attack Rain with its leg but Rain had already pulled back his sword, dodging its attack. He swung around savagely and with his left hand, a beautiful blue dagger hacked deep into the legs of the Antmen that was trying to free itself from the ice. With a piercing cry, the Antmen went unbalanced and fell down.
“Rain!”
Rain was about to attack but he heard Zarda’s call. Though, her voice didn’t show any panic or tension, as if she was just trying to warn him or make him notice something. And he did, two Antmen and three giant ants; one black and two red coming after him from the right side.
Judging by the tone of Zarda, she didn’t seem to want to interfere much with his fight, though he was certain that she was already prepared to interfere whenever he needed it.
Jeez, that’s why she was different… Rain mused.
If it was Lafetti or the others, they would have rushed over and kill everything that posed danger to him in an instant. But Zarda, she would just stand back instead, and just watch like a good woman from the rear, only intervening when he truly needed it.
The love of a Mature woman, huh…
Although Rain didn’t feel bad being spoiled, however, he still wanted to stand on his two feet. After all, he is a man. The moment he felt satisfied with what he has, it’s the moment he stops being a man. He might not be overly ambitious, but he is still human—power calls to him, and he would respond with eager enthusiasm.
Although he felt blessed with love, Zarda’s consideration and love are more to his preference—though, he still loves Lafetti more. And that would never change. However, he just can’t help but started falling in love with Zarda for real. Not like he can directly say those words or else he would risk the wrath of the Queen of the house.
Rain smiled bitterly as he turned his attention back to the rushing monsters. Although he can fight one on one, one vs many is not in his current setting. That’s a game over for certain!
He crouched down and slammed his palm on the ground, [ Bone Spikes ].
He had considerably grown stronger these past few days, and even his skill had been strengthened. At his current skill level, there were not only four to five bone spikes, it had been over a dozen that was sticking out from the ground.
It was terrifying at the same time incredible.
Everywhere, save for his and Zarda’s position were skewered by one meter to two meters long bone stakes. Evan Zarda was surprised, she was lost for words. She stared at her surrounding aghast, unable to understand what was going on.
Cries of pain and agony snap her from out of daze—around them, monsters were pierced from below. Although the wounds are not enough to kill each monster, as the bone stakes cannot pierce through their thick carapace, immobilizing them and giving a serious blow was more than enough. Then, she saw Rain moving again.
He grabbed the fallen spear, which a moment earlier had almost ended him, and throw it towards the nearby Antmen, piercing its chest. Good, although not as soft as human flesh, the Antmen’s upper body is the weakest part. The giant ants discard their thick carapace to acquire intelligence and wisdom, becoming more human-like.
Although there were some Ant men whose body covered in thick carapace like an armor, however, those are the elites that had reached third to fourth evolution. And those monsters wouldn’t leave the Queen, so most of the Antmen that he was fighting are those with only a second evolution.
This is a good way to sharpen his skills.
Zarda thought.
However, I never thought I would be surprised like this!
Those spikes, it's not made of earth, so it's not Earth-type magic. Not to mention, Rain still can't use Magic.
So they really are Bone Spikes?
But how can he use it?
Bone Spikes is a skill that only Bone Eaters could use.
How can Rain use something similar?
A Unique Skill, perhaps?