Chapter 103 103: 103—A Challenge

Lucen tore through the Red Snappers, intervening where he was needed, spear coming down to shatter shells like rotten eggs. The Red Snappers were now retreating. It was obvious they were ill equiped for the battle. They were as tall as a carriage, with unnaturally long arms and four eyes that shot lasers at their prey. But that didn't seem to matter much. Fireballs and searing bolts of golden light dissected the retreating beasts. Squires surrounded and battered monsters until they were bloody messes. Knights came down like thunder, each blow splitting the air with terrible cracks. Lucen landed on a dead Snapper and took a cursory look over the battlefield. Set danced between the pincers of a Snapper. A golden greatsword appeared over his head and slammed down on the beast. The creature shielded itself with its long arm, but the spell slashed through its hands and into its shell. The ground caved in under the beast, and its blood sprayed around it like a crushed bug. Set turned to the people firing spells after the retreating monsters. He roared furiously, "Leave the fucking stragglers and kill the ones in front of you!" It would be a waste of mana to attack retreating Snappers; from what they had learned from Warren, Red Snappers never attacked the same thing twice. A Snapper skittered nervously back and forth, surrounded by slowly advancing golden needles. Ymir cupped her hands and molded golden mana between her fingers to form a spear. She let it fly from her hands towards the Red Snapper Fledgling. The liquid-gold spear pierced the red and purple carapace of a Snapper easily. But it didn't stop there and began dragging itseld through the shell, tearing a jagged line in the red-purple carapace. The creature threw its body around in an effort to toss the spear off. Then, in its lack of attention, was filled with holes by Ymir's needles. Lucen scanned the battlefield for a place that needed him. A Snapper surged towards him from behind. Its massive body loomed over him and its pincers came for his neck. The red pincers slammed into a blue shield that appeared over him. It was like a thin stream of water falling from nothing. The water rippled, guiding the force of the Snapper's claws down to the earth. Lucen spun his spear backwards without turning. A small hole appeared in the shield and he activated [Starfall]. A ray of light cut through the small hole in the shield and drilled into the Snapper's shell with a reverberating snap. The light drilled right through the Snapper and curved up as it returned to Lucen. The shield disappeared and the spear slammed into his open hand. "Why are you counting on me to help?" Elle muttered behind him. Lucen grinned at her. "You were close by and watching everyone too." Elle turned away, cursing. Lucen was somewhat shocked at how comfortable he had become around the others. But they were just kids after all, nothing to fear. His eyes were on Garin, hoping to deduce the source of his strength. Was it a strong enhancement spell, or did he possess great power before becoming a Knight and tempering his body? Garin's tall, wide frame soared through the air. He always dismissed his weapon when he wanted to move. His casual jumps crossed dozens of meters, and once he reached a Snapper, he drew his hand back. A huge hammer made of black, weathered stone appeared in his hand in a white flash. It looked like it was carved from the pits of hell. Garin swung his body hard, bringing the hammer down with harrowing force. The blow sent a column of destruction that eradicated the Snapper and everything behind it. Overkill much? If that blow was turned in the direction of the carriages, all the servants would be turned to paste by the shockwave. Garin's black hair rippled with the dust surrounding him. Now he wasn't as excited as when the fight began. He seemed tired of squashing bugs. Red Snappers weren't even the most dangerous they would face on this journey. But if they were more organized and used their superior numbers well, they could overwhelm the small group of Squires and Knights. They were lone predators that only lived out here because stronger predators lived farther away. Blacktail Road was ran tgrough the entire Horalix region, and was regularly patrolled by Knights in good times. But these were not the best days the road had seen. Alger had taken most of the Lightcloak forces into the Void, leaving too few to protect Castaway, let alone patrol the road. The campaign into the Void had been so big and lucrative that many of Castaway's adventurers went with Alger. So the monsters inhabiting the valley grew stronger and bolder. Normally they would hide when a caravan passed and wait for someone to fall behind. Now they just openly attacked. These were just Fledglings though. The Adventurer's Guild usually sent out people to hunt Fiends and Stalkers. But it seemed they were too understaffed, because Lucen sensed three Stalkers coming—and something bigger right behind them. More Red Snappers broke through the grass and ran into the open road, but rather than attack, they ran around the caravan into the grasses behind them. Set glanced into the untamed fields and turned to Lucen, a wordless question on his lips. Lucen raised three fingers at him, and Set nodded. Before he could turn back, Lucen waved frantically, getting his attention again. He raised one more finger and mouthed the word: "Fiend." Set grimaced, but he still looked stalwart. He shouted something to his group and ran towards his older brother. Duran Junior was a blue blur. His sword and body flickering and occasionally disappeared because of his strange enhancement technique and his teleportation spell. His black blade glowed and cut erratic arcs across the air. A Snapper collapsed, all its limbs severed, and Duran appeared on its back, sitting with a bored look on his face. Until he saw Set running at him. Duran perked up as Set shouted, "One Fiend!" Garin also turned, a wicked smile playing on his lips. Lot and Tenibri were close by, systematically decimating two Snappers. Lot's golden blade pierced a Snapper's brain when he heard Set's shout, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. Tenibri turned pale and edged away from the grass. But the Snapper he was fighting chased after him. The gloomy Knight raised his hand into the air, a huge block of stone expanded over him, then he brought his hand down and the stone followed, crushing his enemy. Lucen smirked; they all looked forward to the Fiend's arrival. A Red Snapper Fiend was not in any way equal to a Bull Wolf Fiend. A Bull Wolf vastly outclassed the pitiful Snappers in both power and durability. But a Fiend was still a great obstacle to a Knight. One you could be proud of defeating, however. Duran jumped to his feet, glancing from the now trembling grass to the chronicler peeking out of the carriage. He smiled confidently. Lucen sighed; it was nice to see them all excited. But they weren't getting that kill. He imagined the rewards killing another Fiend would bring him, and he couldn't stop grinning.