Chapter 102—First battle

Chapter 102: 102—First battle The stream of light crossed over the weathered road, a simple arrow beside it. The Squires and monsters devastated the already cracked, grey stone. Multiple projectiles and powerful blows made the civilians shiver in their carriages. [Starfall] cut through the air, curving down on its target. The Red Snapper’s orb-like eyes turned to the falling light beam. It snapped its pincers angrily and a horrifying screech erupted from its clicking mandibles. All four of its eyes turned upward, a beam of red light released from them, crackling through the air and slamming into the spear. The white bolt spiraled through the four red beams, scattering specks of red and silver light over the green grass. Lucen’s spear almost got there. The spear’s mana made it rotate faster, gaining more torque as it traveled further. But the intensity of the beams was able to deflect the attack into the grass. Black soil and grass were torn up from the earth as his spear dug into the ground. Lucen dismissed the spear rather than recalling it. It would have a hard time drilling out of the dirt. Liam’s arrow cut through the air silently. The Red Snapper he was aiming at didn’t even sense it coming. The arrow landed right through the soft spot in the middle of its flat head, staggering the huge beast to a stop. "That’s what I’m fucking talking about!" Liam yelled, pumping his fist. Lucen slapped his back, cackling. "I was sure you couldn’t hit that. That’s a ridiculous tough shot, right? Or are all archers usually that good?" Liam shrugged, grinning. "Even fucking Kalin couldn’t make that shot. Or... actually he could, but you’re looking at the real deal." "Great! Now all you need to do is put some skin on your bones to shoot harder." "Can you stop that?" Lucen raised his hands in defeat. "Ok, the joke is overdone." "Shouldn’t you get down there and put on your armor?" Liam eyed the increasing number of snappers. "Things are getting out of hand." Lucen caught the head of a single man popping in and out of the carriage. He shook his head in amused disbelief. It was Chiron—the chronicler. He had begged the Squire to take him with them, even though Set was against bringing too many civilians. Chiron’s brown hair bobbed as his head shot out of the carriage again, grinning as he put down notes on the battle. "Well, I guess I should," said Lucen, groaning reluctantly. "Great, now go wear some armor." Lucen glanced at the baggy linen shirt and trousers he was wearing. He didn’t want to mess these up. "Fine then." There was a brief flash of white light and his linen clothes were gone. They were replaced by Blacksteel armor that absorbed light. Blacksteel was enchanted metal made by a small set of magic-wielding smiths. This armor was something Koril could throw at him, but to a common person, it was more expensive than a house. It was the next level from normal plate armor. The red cloak his mother made him was carried by the wind. Lucen grinned as Liam’s face twisted in disbelief. "Wait, you can do that with space rings?" Lucen nodded slowly. It couldn’t be done with space rings, of course. But his system storage was much easier to use. He could store his linen clothes and put on armor in a flash. Lucen gave Liam a mock salute. "I’ll be right back." [Stalker’s Edge] muffled the sound of his feet hitting the hard stone. He could feel heat crawling through his veins as [Surging Flames] activated. His [Mana Sense] spread out and tagged every hostile monster before he chose which one to attack. Lot and Tenibri had abandoned the Squires to fight further ahead. Helie and the others weren’t in danger yet, but the number of snappers flanking them was growing. Lucen shot forward, wind rushing in his ears. He jumped straight over Kon and the snapper that was attacking him. Two more snappers were coming to attack Kon, and Lucen stood between them. Once he landed they shrank back for a moment, waving their pincers at him and snapping them shut. Red Snappers were wary creatures, quick to run if you gave them a second to breathe. Lucen lowered his hip, leaning forward. He crossed the distance between them in two strides. The first snapper couldn’t react in time, and Lucen’s silver spear slammed into its flat head. Despite being twice his size, Lucen’s blow sent the snapper to the ground, and a violent crack rippled through the air as its shell was shattered. Lucen shrugged. He wasn’t as strong as Garin. The snapper was still alive, though incredibly dazed. The other snapper’s claw reached for him. Lucen turned, swinging his spear to smash the claw away.He rushed towards the it, but the beast wasn’t taking any chances. Four beams of crimson light shot towards him, searing the air with their heat. Lucen ran sideways, the snapper’s attack leaving a trail of molten stone as it chased after him. He pointed his spear at the beast and let it fly. [Starfall] traced a white streak through the air and slammed into one of the snapper’s four legs. The beast buckled, its red beams was diverted, and landed on its still disoriented ally. Lucen shot forward, leaping into the air. His spear returned to his hands in a flash. He pointed the spear downward and partially activated [Starfall]. The spear glowed brilliantly and dragged him towards the fallen beast. Lucen cast [Serpent’s Call], imbuing his spear with powerful mana. He did his best to hold back how much mana it drew, but still cringed as he felt a flood of energy leave him. The spear’s irregularly shaped head surged with light and formed the head of a small serpent, hissing at the snapper below him. The spear dragged him downward, slamming down on the snapper, blasting a tundra of white light through the beast. The smoke cleared and he was standing in a ragged hole cut through the snapper’s devastated body. The four eyes of the second Red Snapper turned to him for a moment. Lucen grinned and raised his spear. The beast spun in the other direction and ran.