Chapter 1580: Strong Mobs in the Way!
A/N: Thank you _Cardinal for another castleee! T_T *HUGS*
Btw, I’m assigning an in-story character for you, tho they won’t appear until wayyy later (probably adventure arc) since that’s where the good recurring roles are muehehehehhee
...
___
"Will Gregor be alright?" Margaery couldn’t help but ask.
"He’s far stronger than you think," the Alterran said. "It is more of a concern whether we’d still meet more..."
They cringed.
As such, the two carriages left their guard behind, hoping to see him sooner rather than later, and also hoping they didn’t encounter any strong monsters again.
While the carriages ran as fast as they could, they—about a couple of minutes later—felt odd vibrations. However, because a carriage going through a forest generally wasn’t a smooth ride, and they were going fast, they didn’t notice the anomalies.
This was until—
ROOOOOOAR!
BOOM!
The carriage shook, and the drivers found it difficult to control the beasts, making things even shakier.
"What—"
ROOAAAAARRR!
It was coming from more than one direction, and they were definitely coming after them.
It was a small mob of level 30 and level 40 monsters, the bipedal kind with dark scaly skin. If Helios were here, he’d recognize this type of monster as the same species as the one he and the Takodas had encountered back then.
This one was a little smaller, with slightly lower levels, so he would know it was a different one as well.
"Hurry! Hurry!"
The two carriages zoomed as fast as they could to get past the dangerous mountain ranges to avoid the monster. Although they could handle one or two, this must be at least half a dozen, and it was too dangerous for them to stay.
At some point, they judged it to be the time to activate the flare. Although they were moving, if rescuers came, they should be able to follow after them, and they were already far enough so no one from Bleulle’s side would be nearby yet.
ROOOOARR!!
Its roar was terrifying and made people’s hearts shiver. Things got worse when similar sounds exploded at the other side, and soon another small group appeared.
Bang!
"Another one!!"
"ORCSHIT!"
It was a tense chase, with them just focusing on running away, while the small mob of monsters trailed after them with those large, creepy steps.
The distance between their carriage and the monsters narrowed down bit by bit until—
CRACK
ROARR!!
They gasped when the carriage lurched, throwing everyone around the carriage.
The other monster appeared in front of them, slapped the beast away, while the one behind them ripped the roof out of the carriage, exposing everyone inside.
Their hearts turned cold at the sight of the terrifying giants three times their height and many times their strength!
Then they saw a few more of the same mob. Even if they were smaller, they were at least level 30, right!? There were even level 40s—there were two or three of those—and they simply had no chance against so many high-level monsters at this time.
"AHHH!"
"UGH!!"
"Am I gonna die?" Poor Kahonn yelled as he hugged Kalfene to death. Sleuth was just lying down, not moving from where he landed after the chaos. His eyebrows were furrowed, but it was more because he was miffed than anything else.
Margaery and Marcus also embraced each other, though they were much quieter about it. At least mum wasn’t with them, right? That was their only comfort.
That said, every one of the newcomers was questioning their own decision-making. What were they thinking, entering a strange carriage?!
Rin and the others were also terrified. However, they had enough sense to activate another flare as soon as they felt they wouldn’t be able to run away. This was their last one.
They looked at the bright coloured smoke above them. Hope they would be found on time! They really didn’t want to die yet!
....
Fortunately, the thoughts of death didn’t last long.
Just as one of the monsters was about to grab someone—Marcus and Margaery—and some were walking forward as if about to harvest each one of them, a new force exploded nearby.
Suddenly, a burst of water appeared, striking one of the monster’s claws as it approached them.
It was sudden and slapped the hand back, though not without dousing those in the carriage. They all flinched as if they were shaken awake by the water.
Next, a figure jumped nearby, and blinding electricity sparked, electrocuting the monster. The two took out their weapons to go on a melee attack against the beast, and it was pushed back a few meters.
In terms of size, the newcomers were a few times smaller combined, but somehow the monster was pushed back within a few hits.
The level 40 beasts were handled first, barraged with water and electricity, while being stabbed by swords and spears in between.
It was not just them. The other monsters that surrounded them were quickly attacked, pushed away from them, and the people in the destroyed carriages.
The monsters on the other side were also dealt with. This time, they were attacked with a massive burst of flames, controlled with such artistry that the fire did not spread into the forest that surrounded them, but simply enveloped the damned beasts.
ROOOOAAARRR!
This was followed by a trio of melee soldiers fighting together to handle the small mob efficiently. The guards also kept them within the flames, blocking their escape, causing their physical attacks to be more effective.
Although the newcomers didn’t seem that many, they were able to control the monster mobs well.
ROOOOAAARR!
It still wasn’t a quick fight, of course. These monsters were not weak and could defeat several humans of the same level. However, the humans were not pushed back but were the ones doing the pushing instead.
The people in the carriage gaped, and their eyes pooled with tears as they—well, most of them—recognized the people who arrived.
It was Orion, Olga, Otto, Obi, Oslo, and a few others!
They watched as Obi’s fire sharpened and, with a wave of his weapon, consumed another monster, trying to burn it alive.
"Sorry we’re late!" Obi said, shrugging. "Oslo led the way, so we got a bit lost."
"..."