V2 Chapter 139
ROOOOOOOAAAAARRR—!!!
A series of soft bestial howls rang out as magical beasts emerged from the area around the valley one after another while releasing a surge of violent magical energy.
A macabre atmosphere pervaded the entire area.
Within the herd of bestial figures, there were at least a few hundred magical beasts.
What the f—k!!!?
Much less Levelia, even Dave, Paryel, Bramble, Aerean, and Laran, all of their complexions had become extremely pale. As their gaze swept over the bestial figures, their eyes were filled with shock and fear.
They did not think… they really did not think that such a line would actually appear. Fortunately, at this moment, they were already over a miles away from the valley. If not, if they hesitated ever for a moment, they would be surely get surrounded in every direction!
At least C rank?!
What Cian said was nothing but an understatement!
There was a disparity in the strength of the magical beasts. They were mostly C rank Magical Beasts indeed, but the thing is, there were over a dozen B rank Magical Beasts among them as well.
With this kind of line-up, Levelia and the others were certain that they would not be able to survive even if there were ten of them. What’s the most terrifying thing in the Winter Mountain? It’s not about meeting a B rank Magical Beast, but encountering a dozen C rank simultaneously!
And now, there were not just dozen but at least a hundred of them…and there were even several B ranks… what kind of bad luck is this?!
This is not bad luck anymore, it’s already a Nightmare!!
In just a few seconds later, the roars of magical beasts were then overwhelmed by screams and cries of humans. And their cries were extremely horrifying and unpleasant to listen to. Almost simultaneously, they all turned towards Cian and felt amazed and in awe.
Cian’s perception was truly incredible, far beyond what they could ever imagine. No one had noticed or even felt the arrival of these beasts and yet, Cian actually able to sense it?!
No one would ever think that such a Monster Horde would appear in the outer part of the Inner Area of the Winter Mountain. Even the Great Clans would not expect this horrible danger to appear. They would be fine with a group of C rank Magical Beasts with their number, but against such heaven-defying horde, only death awaits!
Imagining them being surrounded by that kind of horde, a chilling cold trickled through their spines.
They can’t help but sent a grateful glance at Cian. However, Cian ignored it; in fact, he could care less about them. He was not saving them at all, he was just saving his own skin. He too felt that this was too unlucky.
CIan’s eyes narrowed and without saying anything, he stomped his foot on a large branch, turn around, and before Levelia’s surprised gaze, grasped her waist and dived in the left.
“Wha—?!” Levelia exclaimed in shock. But seeing Cian’s grave expression, she immediately realized their current predicament. A whizzing sound occurred, similar to that of a cutting wind, and something struck their former position.
The entire branch which was as thick as an adult man was cut into pieces.
Levelia’s expression, as well as the others, turned serious. It seems like, even though they were able to react immediately and left the scene, they were still caught by several monsters.
They are not in a safe situation yet!
Levelia saw a gray figure pouncing at them. It was fast, quick as lightning. Then, sharp gleams, like arcs of light displayed an ominous danger that Levelia couldn’t help but shiver in fright. If this went on, Cian’s back would be ripped apart.
With an angry roar, Levelia grasped Cian’s neck and forcefully twisted their position in mid-air, “YOU DARE!!!” whisssh! Levelia grasped the spear hanging on her back, in an almost impossible reflex and speed, and at the same time, swung it towards the pouncing figure.
Levelia and Cian’s position interchange, with Cian under her, and Levelia above him. Her expression fierce and furious, while Cian’s was surprised. What’s wrong with this little girl…?
One must know, Cian had already noticed the rushing beast. However, even so, he didn’t do anything as he was certain, the moment the beast struck him, instead of hurting him, the beast would instead be ripped into pieces. After all, he has his {Vector Body}, he was never scared of being attacked!
His reflection is always protecting him, acting like an absolute defense and offense!
However, Cian had never expected that Levelia would showcase incredible flexibility and power, that she was able to overpower him and exchange their position in a blink of an eye.
Amazing…
Cian felt amused, at the same time felt touched…
"Hooowl!"
The scarlet red eyes of the wolf-tiger like beast that had attacked Cian rumbled. Its gaze landed on the claw it had used to crush an ant. Traces of puzzlement emerged in its scarlet-red eyes. Then, all of a sudden, an acute pain brought its heart into a frenzy of thundering heartbeats. The pain was unbearable, causing it to bellow out.
A ray of bright golden radiance suddenly burst out from under its claw.
One after another, a multitude of light beams emerged like a blossoming lotus.
Riiiiip!!!
A crisp sound transmitted to its ears.
Then, not long after the Beast bawled miserably, its claw shattered!
A violent breeze whizzed past.
The scarlet-red blood gushed down everywhere as if there was a rainstorm.
Levelia snorted in anger, and then, holding Cian’s waist, she landed on the ground, before once again jumping backward to gain distance. She was expressionless as she gripped onto the handle of her spear. There was an intense brilliant flicker on top of the glowing red colored spear.
The misty radiance sprinkled down as it enveloped her body. Without caring about the wounded beast that was rolling on the ground, with its right paw severed, Levelia stared at Cian.
“Are you okay?!” she muttered but her eyes softened and there seemed to be some anxiety as well.
“I’m fine, I’m not that fragile..” Cian smiled, amused.
“You’re still smiling?! Why did you reveal you’re back defenseless against that beast?! Even if you don’t die, you will still not leave unscathed!” Levelia cried out fumingly.
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As if that kind of beast can injure me… Cian rolled his eyes. However, he knows better what to say on this occasion.
“I better be injured, than you…” he said with a gentle smile, displaying even more radiance on his handsome face.
“I’m a man, protecting you is my duty…even if I sacrificed my life, it’s worth it…”
“YOU!” Levelia was dumbstruck, then her face flushed. She felt touched, as well as delighted. Her heart felt being trampled by a mad deer, her knees almost gone soft. However, as she was thinking about what to say, at this moment—
“We’re glad that you’re good and loving but can’t you see the current situation?!” Paryel glared at them.
Levelia’s shameful heartbeat suddenly cooled down, as if she was showered by cold water. Turning around, she saw a pack of almost two-meter wolves glaring at them.
“Reaper Wolves…!”
Her pupils constricted in a serious expression.
The Reaper Wolves were classified as C rank magical beasts. However, due to their habit of walking around in a group, they are deemed as B grade danger level.
They were very agile and like to hide for ambushes. For them, moving inside a forest with thick bushes and trees was akin to swimming in water. They were a rare breed of wolf-type magical beasts with a known ability: {Forest Empowerment} and {Ambush}.
As C rank magical beasts, their individual attacks weren't strong, but they were capable of dealing with damage when it was least expected. And most of all, the abilities {Forest Empowerment} and {Ambush} made them one of the most dangerous beasts among the list of C rank Magical Beasts inside a jungle-type field.
{Forest Empowerment} increase their powers and ferocity when inside a Forest.
… And {Ambush}, when their ambush was successful and was able to hit the target, {Bleeding} would take effect.
Wounds caused by their ambush would continue to bleed even if the victim drank a recovery potion or being healed by healing skills for a few seconds depending on the power of the Reaper Wolf. The longest time would be 6 seconds.
Moreover, they were very aggressive when they bit their targets, making sure to draw a lot of blood. A Reaper Wolf could rip an adventurer clean off with a single bite even with metal armor, resulting in intense bleeding.
Such a huge pack of wolves…
Levelia couldn’t help but feel somewhat aggrieved.
They were the nightmare of every single person who entered the Winter Mountain.
A single Reaper Wolf wasn't scary at all. However, the same couldn't be said for a pack full of them.
They were the stuff of nightmares for adventurers and mercenaries.
What’s more, these wolves were feared not because they attacked in huge numbers. High ranking Reaper Wolves were extremely intelligent for mere beasts. They were feared by most high-level adventurers because they were orderly when they attacked.
They were like soldiers who were properly trained. They were disciplined and acted more like the military then a pack of wolves. They understood that they had to force their prey into a tight corner. They knew how to torment their prey in both mind and spirit until the prey was utterly exhausted. The only fate of their prey was to become food in their mouths.
A pack of Reaper Wolves… If they were hungry, they would even try to encircle and hunt an A rank beast.
There wasn't a single adventurer who hoped to meet a pack of Reaper Wolves in the Winter Mountain.
What's even worse was that the number of magical beasts, most wolves, actually seemed to have reached over a hundred. Or perhaps even more beyond that. They were encircling the group with nauseating killing auras. There is basically no chance of breaking through--they are tightly surrounded as if it was planned. An ambush.
“Be careful… we’ll take a stand here!” Levelia muttered as she surveyed the surrounding only to see monsters and beasts had already surrounded them. Though it was not much, depending on their skills, it would be troublesome if they turned their backs at them at this moment.
It was an unspoken rule among adventurers, never to show your back to a beast, if you do, they would think you are weak and will certainly target you specifically, even if you are in a group.
Although they can break out the encirclement if they scattered around, it would be troublesome to split the group. And besides, what made the others felt apprehended was the single monster that was eyeing them like prey. It’s as if, the moment they separated, they would be hunted by this monster until there’s nothing left among them.
Red Crown Dragon Serpent.
A true B rank Magical Beast. It was standing behind the group of monsters like a King. Its humongous body was overlooking everything from high above while its eyes were filled with indifference. The Red Crown Dragon Serpent was flicking its blood-red tongue and emanating a foul smell—it looked like a giant king cobra with a dragon head, horns-like crown, and blood-like red scales.
Everyone in the group could not help but tense up as they gazed at this large serpent.
This is a true Monster…!
What a misfortune to meet such a monster here…!
Levelia and the other's expression fell. They couldn’t help but start cursing the other clans for their stupidity. Why can’t they wait and be patient until they found the Basilisk?! At least, at that moment, they could help each other fight back even against these monsters!
All of a sudden. A mellifluous wolf howl resounded. All the other wolves raised their head and emitted howls. They formed a choir and the howls emitted by the wolves sounded like pleasant music to Cian’s ears.
Although it sounded melodious, Cian knew that this was a signal for the wolves to attack.
It was also a howl to strip their enemies of their will to resist.
His eyes narrowed dangerously…!
This amount of beasts… although he would not fear survival, it would be troublesome if he showed too many cards to Levelia and the others. He wouldn’t care if the other members died, but Levelia, couldn’t. For his schemes, and for his conscience…! Cian was prepared to protect Levelia.
Clank! He grasped the hilt of his sword that was hanging behind his waist, budged the guard with his thumb. He stood close to Levelia, with eyes narrowing like a dangerous predator.
What was out of those beasts' expectations was that there wasn't the slightest trace of fear or worry on Cian’s face.
Instead, the human appeared to be excited as he stared at them with a gaze… which wasn't much different from theirs.
It was the gaze of a hunter staring at their prey.
The way Cian looked at them was completely out of their expectations.
It’s as if he was conveying with his eyes; ‘Come… I’ll make a meal out of you…!’
Awwwwoooooohhh—!!!
The reaper wolves felt that this human was looking down at them…
What was that look in his eyes?! From the past till now, only the wolf king was allowed to look at humans like that. Since when did the stupid humans dare to look at them like that? Was the human really looking at it as if it was a delicious meal?
The magical beasts and monsters turned towards Cian, who was emitting a more dangerous aura compared to the other people in the group. Although Cian was controlling his killing intent, Beasts and Animals has always been extremely sensitive to danger.
And they know that among the group of humans in front of them, Cian was the most dangerous. They felt startled but the existence behind them was standing aloof and cold, so they cannot take a step back. Instead, they felt humiliated because of feeling against mere humans…!
Cian’s fearless appearance angered those Beasts.
"Aaauuuuuuu!!!" One of the largest Wolf beast raised its head and roared a long and loud cry, which cause numerous leaves of the trees around them to fall. A strong and powerful gust of wind blew away everything. One can easily surmise the power of the wolf just by seeing this phenomenon.
Hearing that howl, the other wolves started their attack. One of them even angrily howled, swatted the ground fiercely with its claws, and finally rushed toward Cian’s direction with terrifying speed.
It seemed like there was some rhythm to their assault as all of the wolves hurriedly followed and rushed toward Cian orderly.
“Be careful,” Cian heard Levelia’s worried voice from beside him.
The corner of his lips curled upwards.
“Careful is my middle name…” Cian grinned coldly. He pulled his sword from its sheath, and a pitch-black blade appeared in his hands. As he had the {Imagis Realis} in his hand, Cian was fearless. Everything on the other end of his sword was one of his meals.
This pack of beasts...
They were going to become one of his full course.
However, just as Cian was about to display his skills and harvest the ingredients of his impending meals in front of him... a whistling sound resounded from behind him. It was the sound of an arrow breaking through the air. Countless arrows that were flickering with the glow of magical energy shot toward the pack of beasts rushing forward. The arrows pierced the body of a Reaper Wolf and nailed it to the ground.
The Beast howled in grief before it fell to the ground. Blood gushed out from its wound without stopping.
The smell of blood stimulated the monsters and magical beasts and their eyes became bloodshot. They glared at Cian and his group with a cruel gaze.
Hoooooowl!
“I’ll cover you!” Aerean’s voice echoed as her figure jumped back weightlessly, landing at the top of a branch with considerable height behind the group. And then without hesitation, Aerean once again knocked her bows; arrows made out of light immediately appeared. When she released the string, it was like a rain of arrows.
As expected of a B ranked Adventurer, Aerean’s archery skill was impeccable.
Even Cian was impressed!
The sound of bowstrings being pulled resounded once again. Countless glowing arrows shot out from above towards the wolves. At this moment, without hesitation, the others too went into battle. They know that there’s no escaping now.
“…at the very least, let’s make an opening! We cannot stay here and get surrounded!” Levelia ordered as she swung her red spear and stabbed a pouncing wolf, before throwing it in her side as if throwing a sack of rice.
Flames surged forth to cover her long spear as she activated {Flame Thrust} a skillset of the Fire Dragon Spear she was using. Cian stood behind her and readied his sword with a reverse grip—his expression still relax and indifferent as ever.
Bramble held his machete in front, prepared to strike out, as he stood to the right side. Paryel and Laran too, both stood at each side.