The night before the raid, Jurgen went to a nearby hot spring with Grey. Dipping their bodies into the hot water, Grey couldn't help but noticed the long thin scar engraved on his grandfather's chest. Extending from Jurgen's left shoulder to his lower left side abdomen, at first glance it looks like a scar left by a sharp bladed weapon.
Grey couldn't help but look at it fixedly before he said, "Gramps, I hope you don't mind me asking," He took his time to finish the few words as he was a being careful with his words to avoid any weird reply from his grandpa. "That scar on you chest," He pointed at it with his index finger. "Where did you get it?"
"Ahh this," The old man touched the scar with his wrinkled hands, almost giggling as he took his time to reply. "I got this from fighting a monster ten years ago. A strong one indeed." He replied and chuckled, he have such an interested look on his face as he was saying every word.
Hearing this only made Grey even curious. "A monster strong enough to wound you that deep? I guess that's really an overwhelmingly strong monster." He agreed with an amazed face before he asked, "Do you think monsters like that still exists?"
"Hmmmm," Jurgen took his time pondering and said, "That monster is really rare to see, and maybe... just maybe... the next time I would be seeing it would also be the last time it would be showing itself to the world." While saying it, Jurgen's expression quickly changed to a bothered and worried one. His eyes are seemingly holding tears and his voice become gentle as warm water. It was as if he was hiding something behind those words and those eyes.
"Then, you could fought and stop it once again right?" Grey asked, already expecting an answer.
"Yeah, surely... I would." Jurgen displayed a forced smile before turning away.
Although noticing it, Grey just ignored his grandpa's worried expression and quickly shifted the heavy topic to a lighter one. "The raid will be happening tomorrow, right?" He asked, innocently gazing away from the old man.
A moment of silence filled the air before the old man decided to speak casually. "Yeah, I really hope to lower the casualties as much as possible just like the first one." Jurgen replied. His eyes are looking at Grey while talking.
"Any updates about the current strike squad?" Grey curiously asked before lowering himself deeper into the hot water. "I heard you're having trouble filling the gaps left by uncle Ryner and Rose since both of them aren't coming with you."
"Well, yeah. Johan just woke up two days ago. And since, Rose just gained her consciousness a few days ago, I'll have someone from the guild to fill her position. And as for Ryner... I guess I have to fill the gap that he'll left myself." Jurgen explained, letting out a tired sigh. "I'm really disappointed that you won't be coming. But anyways, just keep everyone safe while we're away." He smiled in proudly before deciding to hop out of the hot spring, wrapping a towel around his waste and heading out.
"You can count on me, gramps." Grey laughed before jumping out of the hot water and following his grandpa outside, also wrapping a towel around his body. 'The queen also left a few days ago with her guard units. Things are going to be more bothersome tomorrow if something bad happens.'
...
The next day, Jurgen woke up earlier than everyone. After packing his things and tying his sword around his waist, he quickly stepped out of his small home. Outside the door, a group of people were already waiting for him.
"Good morning, Party leader, Jurgen!" They all bowed their heads as Jurgen tried recognizing their faces by looking at them one by one.
Form left to right: A blonde-haired woman that Jurgen have met before, Mira; The brown-haired healer, Bernard; The strong guildmaster, Jagger; And the representative of the Royal military in this raid, Johan Clarksville. Behind them are several unknown personnels, a mixture of guild members and royal wizards, all fully armed and ready for battle like some kind of army going to an all out war. It seems like everyone was ready and was only waiting for their commander of the day.
"You're late!" Johan stubbornly complained before gazing away from him.
"What are we waiting for? Let's head to battle." Jurgen commanded before flying towards their targets location, the dangerous mining tunnels deep down the Mt. Vermont.
For people who've been on that place once like Jurgen and other members of the Beast guild letting their guard down will surely mean death. One time experience is enough, they must not let their enemies get on their way. They've all prepared this time, hoping zero casualties after this raid.
The sun was already shining through the mountain, when Jurgen and the party members entered the hot tunnel. Just like the standard raid formation, they entered with all the berserkers and melee-type dual-casters in front taking the front guard position. The strongest, Johan, was at the center carrying only his sword, while Jagger and five other members are protecting the either flanks with three people each, carrying massive shields and a sword except for Jagger who's barehanded. All the mages and ranged combatants are all positioned at the back as the healers are supporting them from behind. Jurgen was at the center of the defense formation, commanding the moving troops with his hand gestures.
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After walking quite a distance ahead, inhaling the hot air, they started to hear some weird flapping noises. They've already expected what was about to come and raised the front guard's shield.
"Incoming!" Johan shouted at the main damage dealer as he ducked, pointing his sword upward.
Soon after, hundreds of bombats flew towards them, flapping their ridiculously long flaming wings. All coming at them with screeching sound.
"Fire your spells!" Jurgen shouted his command, pointing at the swarm of monsters.
Following the orders, all at once, the first line of main damage dealers quickly casted a mid-ranged fire spell called 'Flame Arrow' and simultaneously fired it to the monsters. Several arrows of flames came flying towards the flying creatures burning them into crisps by the extreme heat that even their molten skins couldn't even stand. This was followed by the second line casting a water spell 'Water Turret' to neutralize the bombats' explosion on death by firing a focused amount of water to decrease the oxygen around it, disabling it from discharging an explosive flames.
It was a quick strike that ended the swarm of flying bombs in just merely a second, causing Jurgen to have a relieved expression on his face knowing that this party was somehow... reliable.
"Alright, let's keep moving!" He shouted his order before marching forward, pointing his arms ahead.
****
Upon waking up and checking around the house, Grey realized that his grandpa was already away for the raid. Taking a glance at the empty living room, he got no choice but to let another boring day pass. With everyone still sleeping, which is unusual, Grey decided to take a walk and visit the guild barracks, knowing that Ryner is also having a lonely time since almost the entire guild members are all away on their separate missions.
The moment he stood in front of the guild barracks, there was no one around, even the guards who are supposed to secure the place was not around. Well, the queen left a few days ago and the security around the barracks have weakened considerably for a convenient reason.
Grey was about to push the door open when he felt a presence behind him. "Grey?" Followed by a familiar voice sounding behind him at a high pitch. When he turned his head, as expected, he saw Ryner looking at him with a hint of surprise.
"Oh, uncle Ryner." Grey uttered in surprise, completely facing the man. "How are things going on here?" he asked, curiously, looking at the guild barracks.
"As usual, monitoring the town, patrolling around like how a town guard should do." Ryner said with a straight expression before letting out a long sigh and then smiling. "That old man stubbornly refused to let me join the strike squad. What an old fart." He sat down on the ground outside and clicked his tongue before resentfully gazing at the Mt. Vermont that he could see from the town of Hotstone village.
Hearing this only leads fo Grey feeling great pity towards him before he decided to say, "Gramps was probably thinking for the best. His methods are sometimes assertive in some ways and sometimes he's a bit unpredictable, but try to understand his feelings. He has his own reasons." he added.
"Probably..." After letting out a cold reply, Ryner's face was suddenly filled with a hint of worry. His eyes are constantly and occasionally glancing at the top of the mountain where his master went to hunt an unknown monster. "When do you think they'll be coming back? Any words from the old fart?"
"Before sunsets I think— I don't really know, gramps left before I even open my eyes earlier this morning." Grey replied and yawned boringly. Looking at Ryner, he couldn't help but also worry for his grandpa.
"I see," Ryner replied and let out a sharp sigh to calm his nerves, hoping that everything will go the right way.
...
"Fire!"
The main damage dealers fired another fire spell projectile to kill another swarm of bombats that was eventually suspended in the air when Jurgen froze rock ceilings. This is the seventh swarm of bombats they've encountered since they've entered this dangerous tunnel. Almost 30 minutes have also passed and they saw nothing but flying explosive bats. Everyone was getting impatient as they walked deeper into the dark tunnel.
"This is getting annoying." Johan whined as he marched annoyingly forward. "After spending a few minutes in this place, I saw nothing but flying and exploding insects." he yelled.
"Those aren't insects idiot." Jurgen shouted back, giving the noble man a scolding. "Anyways, quit shouting." he said, before putting his index finger on his lips, telling Johan to lower his roughly-sounded voice.
"You all should quite down." Mira who's behind Jurgen uttered, hopeless looking at Johan and the old man. "We're entering a deeper and more dangerous area." She said, gazing at the light bouncing on the stones ahead of them.
Jurgen greatly focused his attention on his front as he saw a few rubbles of rocks on the soil they're walking on. Looking ahead, he indeed saw a small amount of light coming from the deep tunnel towards them. This caused Jurgen to remember the exact the same scenario when he first came go this place.
"Be careful, we're entering the place where we first found the boss." he warned everyone before preceding to walk forward.
Naturally, after hearing Jurgen, the front guard brought their shields up as they marched forward with their boots slamming the ground violently. As they moved passed the large stone pillars, they entered a room with a giant rubbles of molten rocks scattered all over the place. They also saw the part of the ceiling that collapsed and as they turned their heads, they laid their eyes on a giant cracked wall that could fit an entire clocktower on it.
They looked at each other before Jurgen decided to take the lead and jumped through the crack. He confidently landed inside the familiar place full of crystals and metals. A few marks on the ground are also visible as everyone stared around while following Jurgen inside.
"It seems like the Royal military left their marks during their own investigation." Jurgen said while looking at Johan. "This is the place," he uttered before looking at the massive iron door a few feet away from him. "Last time I couldn't break through this door, but right now," He slowly approached the massive door and put his hand onto it.
"Maybe..." Before Jurgen could even blurt out the accurate words, a loud explosion occured behind the crystal further away behind their formation, causing everyone to be alarmed and face that way.
"What the hell?" With the shockwave reaching him, Johan covered his body with thick mana.
Judge also reacted in time to put on a barrier spell using the 'Mana art 17: Enclosed cube' to protect everyone, especially the support troops. "What is this?" Jurgen asked himself as he found everyone surrounded with dust, not being able to see a thing from his position. After awhile, he deactivated his barrier as the dust slowly fall out of the atmosphere and the surroundings began to be clearer.
"What happened?" A voice spoked among the soldiers.
After looking ahead of him, Jurgen could barely saw a giant figure that caused him to chuckle in an interested manner. "It seems like, we have some guests."