“Huff.. Almost.. Huu.. there.”
Just a few seconds ago, Xin’s sphere buzzed and shone with red light, nearly covering its whole face. Placing it back on his waist, he continued jogging onward, with Eve close behind.
In front of them, the tunnel opened up into a relatively large cavern. More specifically, in front of them was stale cavern air. The opening was roughly 5 ters above-ground. However, this was more than manageable for any Path-bearer with either of the physical Attributes in the 2nd realm. Moreover…
“We’re almost at the intersection. Just one short passage, and we’re there.”
The woman’s voice held a asure of relief.
They haven’t seen - or heard - a hound in a while now. Earlier, they ca to the conclusion the gang must have gone directly to the intersection.
This was further reinforced by the n chasing them, whose footsteps were at their heels not too long ago. However, the pair managed to climb to this tunnel, which constituted a shortcut. They’ve been jogging ever since then, driven by the faint hope that Xin’s party would make it in ti.
Now, given the strength of the signal, the pair was certain – the rest of the Silver Claymore managed to reach the intersection. In fact, given that they were the ones to send the signal, they might have finished securing it, too. The once-faint hope had blossod, shining with radiant light.
“Huff!..”
Taking one last deep breath, Xin jumped off the ledge. Less than a second later, his legs hit the ground. Bending his knees, he gracefully rolled forward, before jumping back to his feet.
Above him, he could hear his companion prepare to leap down, as well… However, he could also hear sothing else.
“Wait!”
It was too late, as Evelyn was already mid-leap.
thump!..
There were two exits on the cavern’s ground level – the one directly opposite of them, leading towards the intersection, and another one, more to the left, leading deeper below. From the second tunnel, Xin’s perceptive ears picked up the sound of two heavy boots hitting the stone.
“Get to the exit!”
Just as Evelyn had landed, Xin dashed forward, poised to cover the remaining 20 ters with haste. As he was midway through the cavern…
Thump!
The earlier sound ca from much closer by, almost at the exit of the other passage. Evelyn was still a dozen ters behind him. Not a huge distance, but, given the large outline appearing at the other passage’s exit, that distance could’ve as well been infinite.
“Run!”
Aborting his initial route, Xin bolted to the left, his two shortswords ready, with the aura of a Technique evident around them.
Clang!
The short weapons were forced to block the large head of a glaive, coming down with enough force to shake Xin’s arms, stopping him in his tracks, and sending him tumbling backwards with shaky steps.
“Found you, little mouse.”
With a snide smirk, the massive man, whose face was adorned by a set of claw scars, took a large step forward, shifting the weapon in his hands, its other end hurling towards the half-elf.
‘I hope she makes it.’
Xin twisted his body while leaping backwards, hoping to at least partially avoid the long reach of the glaive’s other end. If it would end with just a wound, he could still fight.
Of course, he didn’t know how he could outrun an enemy who already possessed a movent Technique – however, this was a thought he decided to ignore.
Clang!
A different set of short swords deflected the blow, albeit not without difficulty.
“Eve!”
“Sorry.”
The female half-elf leapt back, landing beside Xin.
“How lovely. You chose to die together.”
With a malicious grin, the massive man bent his knees, as his figure blurred, taking into the air.
However, his target was neither of the half-elves.
A heartbeat later, he stood before the 2-ter-wide passage, his two-handed weapon ready to cut down any and all who’d try to slip by.
In the distance of the second passage, more running footsteps reached Xin’s ears.
‘Bern… I hope you’re done over there.’
The new-found hope was tottering on the ledge – that of a dark pit of despair.
***
“He should be near.”
Lowering placing the sphere back onto his belt, the leader of the Silver Claymore walked toward in haste step.
“Where’s Hilda?”
Although his voice appeared calm, I could sense the tense undertone.
“She should be here any mont.. I think I hear her footsteps.”
It would appear she managed to take care of the small fry by now, and was running towards this cavern.
“Bloody hells…”
Ornor’s voice was still strained, yet his steps were more steady than before. I heard the clutter of an empty vial hitting the cave floor, as he reached for another one. So did Bern, beside .
“That was a close one.”
He looked at with a strange mix of reluctance and gratitude.
“Thanks.”
The latter seed to have won over the forr.
“Don’t ntion it.”
I did feel a tinge of guilt at the prospect of the dwarf dying as a result of my detour, but, at the sa ti, letting that demon get summoned might have led to sothing worse, too.
In the end, though, everything worked out.
By now, Hilde’s hasty steps have reached the short passage. Two seconds later, she erged from its dark maw.
“How are you?”
Bern’s concern was slightly more evident this ti.
“I’m.. huff.. fine. Where’s Xin?”
“He’s nearby, he should be here any minute now.”
clang…
I peeled my ears. It might have been my imagination, but I could swear I heard the distant sound of tal clashing, from the direction of the exit through which the last guy tried to escape.
I slowly walked closer to that opening.
“Alright. Ornor, you seem tired. Maybe-”
clang!..
“I hear fighting up ahead!”
Turning my head back, I saw the rest of the group instantly turn their heads.
“Oi, let’s go!”
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The dwarf instantly shot forward. I did, as well. Although I was closer to the passage, I was fairly confident in my ability to navigate towards the sound. The rest would be just behind-
Suddenly, I felt a wave of arcane energy wash over from behind. Almost simultaneously, I saw the Tides begin to shift and change their color around the opening..
[Charge] !!!
I instantly closed the remaining distance.
Passing through energy, which was ‘repelling light-blue’, felt almost like passing through rapidly condensing gel. However, in part due to the spell's early stage, and in part due to my sword ‘ripping’ through the energy in front of it, I managed to make my way through.
Actually, upon passing the ‘midpoint’ of the barrier, I felt my speed accelerate even farther, with the newly ford spell (or, at least, spell-like effect) ‘spitting’ forward, causing to stumble a few extra ters.
‘What the fuck?’
I turned my head, half-expecting to see a mage, perhaps accompanied by more criminals, or, alternatively, MIS agents. However, following the gazes of my temporary party mbers, who have already turned their heads on the other side, what I saw under the dim light of the orbs..
Ba-thump!
..made my heart skip a beat, before making up for it by continuing to pump with double the vigor. Involuntarily, I gulped down the clump forming inside my throat.
By now, I’ve long managed to ‘discern’ the approximate level of individual Path-bears.
Early on, it was more of an indescribable feeling. Later, I noticed the Tides shifting around people of different levels in a subtly different way.
I couldn’t find the words to properly describe those sensations, at least not in detail, yet, I could categorize them in video ga terms.
Low-level Path-bearers, for example the Hounds (both the n and the beasts) or the earlier cultists would be considered [Easy].
Initial Silver ranks, like Hilda or the cultist leader, I’d consider [Challenging]. This could also apply to the first Life Druid I’ve fought, although, in the city, her aura was concealed.
Sobody like Bern, Thomas, or the trainers at the guild would be[Very Hard], likely impossible to beat in practice, at least without a significant advantage. The Demolisher was also around this tier, as was that giant tree blight.
The Druid, whose assault I barely managed to survive, would be [Deadly]. I presud this would be Anne’s category, too, had she not subconsciously - or, perhaps, consciously - controlled the flow of Tides in her vicinity.
The lone man, clad in dark composite armor, combining plate and scale, carrying two long swords at his waist… his classification would be[Impossible]. Even the Druidic Avatar didn’t feel as ominous.
Barring the Transcendent Path-bearers, whose power felt similarly far out of reach, the only man I’ve t who emanated a higher level of threat was Pine Harbor’s sheriff – this was considering the fact I was weaker back then.
I could feel it – if I were to face him alone, forget winning, even survival would be but a distant dream.
Still, I wasn’t alone. Maybe, together with Bern and the others… If I could pierce this barrier with my sword!..
‘You will not.’
I tried to raise my blade, but my hands refused to listen.
‘Let!.. Go!..’
‘No. You’re not going to reveal your sword in front of him. And, you’re not going in there, regardless.’
‘Fuck off!..’
I gathered every shred of will. My hands trembled, yet, no matter how hard I tried, the sword would not rise, nor would my legs take a step forward.
The man, slowly making his way through the cavern, wasn’t in a hurry. Unlike Bern, who was already in a fighting stance, he hadn’t even drawn his blades.
Then, Hilda, who was now standing behind the party leader, close to the newly ford divider, turned her head to , and uttered a few words.
The sound didn’t make it through. However, throughout my ti in this word, while I still couldn’t read her lips, I had observed enough to make out one word.
‘Xin.’
After a mont of hesitation, grinding my teeth, I turned my back on the barrier, sprinting into the dark tunnel, where more clashes could now be heard.
I could only hope there’d be soone to return to.
***
Tzzn!
With great difficulty, the half-elf managed to deflect yet another strike of his enemy’s blade. However, the spear tip coming from his side still grazed the side of his calf, leaving a nasty gash.
“Xin!”
The other half-elf, busy with her 3 opponents, was in no position to help, barely dodging and deflecting attacks, as her body slowly covered in wounds, as well.
“You think it’s a picnic, Boot?! Watch your damn footing!”
“They’re slippery, boss!”
“Shut your trap and focus on the fight!”
As his five n and the two half-elves continued their deadly dance, farther inside the cavern, Sweet Face stood midway between the two exits, glaive at the ready.
Of course, had he decided to join the fray, this fight would be over in less than 10 seconds. However, as soone who’d brushed against death more than once - and survived every single encounter - in the last 5 years, he wouldn’t let this opportunity slide.
Mortal battles - or ‘true’ battles - were always an excellent way to temper one’s Techniques. And, this ti, the opponents were fast, and their strikes had the potential to be deadly, yet their reach was short, and they were vastly outnumbered.
They were perfect ‘practice partners’ for his n, who got too used to bullying weaklings as of late. It wasn't like he’d ever let either of the half-elves get anywhere near the exits – with his own movent Technique, it would be trivial for the battle-hardened level 4 Blade Master to cut down whichever one of them who tried.
And, in the off-chance one of his n did end up dying, it’d be for the best. Anyone who’d die in a fight like this was soone he’d be happy to see removed from his squad – and the Grays, in general. The syndicate was no place for weak trash.
Unfortunately, while this battle did test his n, it only did so barely. The gap between the sides was simply too big.
‘Damn it. Should I tell Nail to step back?’
By the way things were going, the practice session would be over within the next minute.
Tap
His honed battle instincts wouldn’t miss the sound of a footstep coming from behind him – not in a place like this.
He instantly turned around, readying his Technique.
Behind him stood a young man, wearing torn and battered leather armor, with a chainmail - the condition of which was not much better - peeking from underneath.
The stance of this youth indicated so kind of movent Technique, and the air shimring around his two-handed sword suggested it was a hybrid offensive one.
[Whirling Blade] !
Just as the black-haired youth with the cold, green eyes launched towards him, the upper blade of his glaive descended to et his sword.
CLIING!
The thrust was diverted downwards – however, his own blade was sent backwards, as well. He used the montum to deliver a slash with his bottom blade, yet, to his surprise, the young man managed to move his sword at the last mont, blocking his second strike.
A mont later, he dashed deeper into the cavern, closing in on the group fighting the female half-elf.
“What?..”
The commotion distracted two of his n – the ones fighting the woman.
“Agh!”
She did not waste that opportunity, slipping past their encirclent while slashing at the arm of one of her assailants. She quickly dashed towards one of her companion’s opponents.
“Xin!”
Nail was forced to block the won's attack, allowing Xin to slip past him, rejoining her.
“The intersection is blocked!”
Even as he was shouting, the young man tried to chase after his n, who were now running after the woman.
The commotion was enough for the half-elves to dash towards the tunnel he and his n ca from, gaining a small head-start.
[Leap] !!!
“Boss-”
“After-”
[Power Strike] !!!
“them!”
As he barked his order, which his mind conceived his next steps – send this snot-nosed brat flying backwards, turn around, and [Leap] after the half-elves. However…
CLIIING!
His strongest attack was matched! Even though the young man was, in fact, sent reeling, he was forced to take a few unsteady steps back, as well.
“You little shit!..”
Although the newcor didn’t feel too dangerous at first, he was clearly a threat.
“Aight, you milk-sucking whelp!”
One that had to be dealt with.
“You wanna die first? Then CO AT !!!”
And, right now, he really needed an outlet for his souring mood.
***
When the cavern was sealed, Bern felt surprise. At that short mont, before turning his head, he didn't know which option would be more unexpected – a High Mage, capable of casting such a spell directly, or sobody with sufficient funds to afford this type of artifact, the cost of which was in the low 5 digits.
However, upon laying his eyes on the newcor, all those thoughts beca irrelevant, swept away under the wave of tension.
It wasn't just about the newcor's level, which must have been at least 8. While the level discrepancy would lead to a desperate fight, he didn't consider the current situation unwinnable.
No – what made his hands grip the hilt of his sword so tightly was the fact he knew the man's identity.
“Scar…”
That, in itself, was bad enough. However, his first words were what truly sent a chill down his spine.
“Ah… The prodigal son, in a return to form. Or, wait.. was there anything to return to?”
It wasn’t the low-effort taunt, or the theatrical tone of his voice.
“...what are you blabbering about?”
While both his face and the tone of his voice remained neutral, the inside of his mind was far less calm.
“Oh, no need to be shy. It’s only us down here. Well, only us who matter, anyway.”
Bern narrowed his eyes, pressing his lips and raising his sword. However, all he got in return was a mocking chuckle.
“So hasty. Well, I can emphasize. After all, I’ve been waiting to et you for a long ti, too.”
Under the dim light, through the bars of Scar’s helt, the leader of the Silver Claymore managed to spot the hideous lips curving upward.
“Welco back, Bernard. Now… we need to have a talk.”
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