The live chat practically exploded with questions and speculation. “What’s happening? Why aren’t the dragons attacking?”
“Are they scared of the ape?”
“Maybe Alister has a secret plan?”
“The dragons must be waiting for the right moment.”
“Come on, do something already!”
“Ha! Seems they’ve met their match.”
“Maybe the ape is stronger than them.”
“Must be all out of options since their breath attacks didn’t work.”
As the chat continued to fill with questions and doubts, Darven suddenly spoke up.
“My lord, grant me the honor of cutting down this foe!”
Alister, quickly snapping out of his thoughts, paused for a moment before he nodded. “Go ahead, Darven.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
With that, Alister leaped from Darven’s head and landed on Cinder’s. The shift in his weight barely disturbed her as her eyes remained fixed on the Crimson Berserk Ape.
In that instant, Darven charged forward with a sudden burst of speed, absolutely bizarre for his size. His wings spread open as he leaped into the air, a blur of motion. The ape momentarily paused, confused by the suddenly closed distance.
As Darven soared into the sky, his powerful claws grabbed onto the ape’s shoulders. With a mighty flap of his wings, he lifted the beast into the air and out of the valley.
The ape thrashed violently at Darven’s legs, its massive roars echoing across the sky as it tried to break free.
Elena and Marcus watched in shock, their eyes wide with awe at the speed Darven displayed.
—
“Did… did you see that?” Elena asked. “How did that dragon move like that? It was almost a blur.”
“Beats me,” Marcus replied with a shrug, “but one thing is certain: if Alister’s dragon can move like that, it might very well be able to match the ape.”
Elena nodded, eyes glued to the screen. “Perhaps we are in for another dazzling display of power?”
–
Darven called out, “My lord, I will handle this one. You and Lady Cinder should continue forward.”
Alister paused, his gaze seeming to harden slightly. “Darven… do not disappoint me.”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Darven replied with a touch of pride as he ascended higher, the ape’s roars growing fainter.
Alister turned his attention to Cinder. “Let’s move. We have to clear this sector and meet up with the others.”
“So clear the path.”
Cinder nodded. “Understood, my lord.”
Cinder opened her maw, unleashing a torrent of flames, scorching the ground ahead and incinerating the monsters in their path.
The intense heat radiated from her, turning the battlefield into a blazing inferno.
…
Meanwhile, back with Ren and the others, they pushed forward, their tech armor taking serious damage from the attacks of the Night Reavers.
Hiroshi, at the front line, swung his left dagger in a wide arc, slicing through the nearest Night Reaver.
He moved swiftly as he charged to his next target. But as he turned to strike another, a Night Reaver lunged at him from the side, its claws aimed at his exposed flank.
“Hiroshi, look out!” Kaida shouted.
Hiroshi tried to dodge, but the creature’s claws raked across his side, tearing through his armor and flesh. He grunted in pain, staggering back as blood seeped from the wound.
Ren, seeing this, shouted, “Kaida, to Hiroshi! Now!”
Kaida instantly dashed forward, reaching Hiroshi’s side. She knelt beside him, her hands glowing with a golden light.
“Stay still, Hiroshi, I’ve got you.”
Hiroshi winced but nodded, his face pale from the pain. “Thanks, Kaida.”
Kaida’s hands moved over the wound, her healing mana flowing into Hiroshi’s body. The gashes began to close, the bleeding stopping as the tissue knitted back together. Hiroshi’s breathing steadied, and some color returned to his face.
As Kaida worked, Ren and the others formed a protective circle around them, fending off the attacking Night Reavers.
Ren tried not to make his flame attacks too intense, condensing and firing off small balls instead of an overwhelming wave, so the heat wouldn’t further affect the others besides him. “Hold the line!” Ren commanded, his voice serious. “And watch yourselves! We can’t afford any more injuries.”
Goro and Razorgrin fought back-to-back. Goro created a stone barrier, forcing the monsters to climb over, and as they jumped down, they were ended mid-air with a swing of his axe.
Razorgrin’s body glowed brightly with his yellow mana, his muscles bulging as he pushed his Strength enhancement talent. Each swing he made with his hammer was now accompanied by a massive gust of wind, sending the monsters flying in a spray of blood.
Just then, a booming sound echoed across the valley. Ren, Razorgrin, Goro, Hiroshi, and Kaida tensed up, their eyes darting above.
“W-what? Another one?” Ren said in confusion, his glasses sliding down his nose slightly.
They spotted another giant-class field boss monster-another towering Infernal Grendak.
Ren gritted his teeth. “Shit!”
“Woah… did I just hear you swear?” Hiroshi, now okay and standing on his feet, daggers at the ready, asked with a touch of humor. His reaction was due to the fact that such an act was very uncharacteristic of Ren.
“Now isn’t the time for that, Hiroshi,” Ren said in a serious tone.
“Get ready,” he commanded. “We have to put down this monster as quickly as possible.”
They all nodded, preparing for the intense battle ahead. Razorgrin flexed his fingers around the pole of his hammer, Goro’s grip around the one for his axe tightened, and Hiroshi’s daggers glinted in the light.
Kaida took on a battle stance, a battle-ready expression on her face.
But just as they readied themselves, Ren felt the ground trembling beneath his feet. His face
went pale, and his eyes turned to the path of the valley in the distance.
What he saw made his heart skip a beat-a massive group of monsters was charging their
way, a relentless horde that threatened to overwhelm them.
Hiroshi tensed, his grip tightening on his daggers. “Ren… do you have a plan?”
Ren took a deep breath. Things were looking grim, but panicking wasn’t his style. His mind
began racing.
“We need to split up. Goro, you and Razorgrin handle the Infernal Grendak. Hiroshi, Kaida, and I will deal with the oncoming horde. Kaida, keep your healing ready, and Hiroshi, stay close to her. I’ll burn as many as I can; the few that make it past me will be handled by the
both of you.”
“Understood!” Hiroshi and Kaida replied.
Goro nodded, his muscles tensing as he prepared to charge. “Understood, Ren. We’ll get going now.” In that instant, the walls Goro had up previously fell down, and they charged forward.
Razorgrin roared, swinging his hammer widely to get rid of all the other smaller monsters between them and the Infernal Grendak.
Ren turned to Hiroshi and Kaida, his expression resolute. “Stay sharp, both of you. We can’t
afford any mistakes.”
Hiroshi nodded. “Got it, captain.”
With their plan set, they sprang into action. Goro and Razorgrin rushed towards the Infernal
Grendak, all of them giving it their best. Although they all listened to Ren’s orders, each of them knew they wouldn’t be able to go on like this much longer, and a part of them even wished Alister would show up soon.
As Darven descended with the Crimson Berserk Ape clutched in his claws, he released the beast and landed heavily on the rocky ground.
The impact sent a tremor through the earth, and Darven’s wings flared wide to steady himself.
He glanced at the massive ape, which roared in fury as it landed heavily, shaking the ground. The Crimson Berserk Ape fixed its crimson eyes on Darven. The dragon’s lightning-purple scales shimmered under the moonlight light, and his sword, storm cleaver, had merged at the
tip of his tail.
Darven’s powerful wings beat the air, creating gusts of wind that whirled around him. His eyes narrowed as he prepared for the battle ahead.
“Let’s be done with this. Come at me, beast.” Darven said, his purple eyes glowing brightly.
The ape suddenly let out a furious roar, a deep sound that shook the air. Darven instantly counterd, letting out an intense roar of his own as he now let out his dragon aura from his
body.
The clashing of these massive roars was intense, the floor beneath cracked and buckled, the drone paused away As the air around vibrated intensely.
“That roar is disorienting our feed.” Elena said, noticing the way the video seemed to flicker.
“Damn, the power of these monsters is no joke, I literally got chills!” Marcus said with a touch of unease.
With a powerful surge, Darven swung his wings, sending a sharp gust of wind towards the
ape.
The force of the wind cut through the air, slamming into the Crimson Berserk Ape and causing it to stagger back. Darven took advantage of the opening, charging forward with a burst of speed, the sheer force of his movement sending boulders flying like pebbles.
He twirled around, and slashed with the sword at the tip of his tail, a blinding streak of steel
cutting through the air. The blade bit into the ape’s side, making it past it’s metal like exterior, leaving a deep, searing wound.
Sparks flew from the impact, and the ape roared in pain.
“As expected, if magic won’t work I can always rely on my sword.” Darven said without
opening his maw.