Chapter 63: The Humanoid Mid-Grade Erosion Beast
Before Ludenberg Lavante's eyes appeared a humanoid mid-grade erosion beast.
'Humanoid... It was just like the one I subjugated in the east last year.'
Ludenberg had definitely taken down a mid-grade humanoid erosion beast the previous year. A massive one that prowled near the Lavante erosion zone, devouring humans and mimicking their forms. It had been the final task his father assigned him before enrolling at Solemnute Adem.
To sum it up, Ludenberg had successfully subjugated the humanoid mid-grade erosion beast. But in the aftermath, he'd come perilously close to death for real. His arms and legs were in such a state that they could have been severed without surprise, and his abdomen was shredded by the slashes from the sword the beast had formed.
Even in that condition, he'd fought on relentlessly, allowing him to crush the creature's heart.
'Right. Back then, I managed to kill a mid-grade erosion beast all by myself in the end.'
So what about now? After enrolling at Solemnute Adem and advancing several levels through his encounters with Raha—what could he do?
Couldn't he dispatch a mere mid-grade erosion beast with ease now?
Ludenberg assumed as much. He took his stance and called out to the students at the rear of the formation.
"I'll handle the mid-grade one. While I'm charging at it, you hit the low-grade erosion beasts targeting our rear with saint laws. Got it?"
"O-okay. I'll give it a shot."
"It's not 'give it a shot.' You have to do it. If you fail to stop them with saint laws, then use unarmed combat if you must. Low-grades are manageable if you wrap yourself in divine power and mix in some martial arts. Trust the training you've done so far. Don't fear getting hurt. The moment you hesitate in fear, someone dies."
"......"
The other students nodded gravely at Ludenberg's words.
Ludenberg nodded back, then immediately charged toward the mid-grade erosion beast.
The mid-grade erosion beast drew a sword formed from its own outer hide.
The clash was instantaneous.
Clang!
The moment Liberra met the beast's sword, the sheer impact unleashed a deafening roar and shockwave, sending the erosion beast staggering back. In just that single clash, the creature's sword shattered.
'As expected. My hunch was right. Even mid-grade erosion beasts are no match for me now.'
The instant he saw the beast's sword break, Ludenberg rushed it again. Victory was assured—no need to hesitate.
The moment he charged the mid-grade erosion beast, the low-grade ones zeroed in on the formation's rear. They'd apparently deemed Ludenberg too dangerous after witnessing the massacre and ignored him completely, leaving him to the mid-grade while charging madly at the Knight Faculty students on pure instinct.
But—
Boom!
In that instant, the saint laws from the gritted-teeth Knight Faculty students struck the surrounding low-grade erosion beasts. Waves of earth halted their advance, followed by slashing winds that tore over them.
Terror lingered in the students' eyes, but watching Ludenberg single-handedly press the mid-grade erosion beast drove it out of them. They held their formation without breaking, blocking the incoming beasts with all they had. Barriers of water enveloped them, deflecting the assaults.
Though only a month had passed since enrolling at Solemnute Adem, they confronted the erosion beasts with surprising proficiency—regardless of rank. They'd all faced illusory ones enough times in training. That experience instilled confidence, and that confidence became hope for turning the tide.
"Hold the line!"
"Anyone about to break through—call it out! I'll back you up!"
To escape a threat, humans had only two choices: fight or flee.
The students chose to fight. The fear they'd harbored moments ago fueled their resolve, and with that burning will, they gathered their divine power and unleashed saint laws, vowing not to let a single breach occur.
While the students held off the low-grades, Ludenberg closed in on the mid-grade erosion beast.
The creature, its sword destroyed, drew another from its body and swung at Ludenberg—but
Clang!
Ludenberg parried even that with Liberra, shattering the new sword as well. Amid the flying fragments, his blade pierced the beast's heart.
Crunch!
Something burst with a sound, and the creature crumbled.
But Ludenberg didn't stop. He yanked Liberra from the heart and immediately moved to support the others.
Some students blocked with saint laws, others with divine power-enhanced martial arts—clumsy, but each in their own way. And through their midst, Ludenberg's slashes cut through.
Slash—
Low-grade erosion beasts fell wherever he passed.
The Knight Faculty students stared in stunned awe before snapping back and aiding Ludenberg.
"Anyone hurt?"
"A few, but nothing critical. Luckily, we've got some from the Mare sect who can heal them up quick."
"Good. I'll head up front for a bit. Need to clear a path."
"Got it. Rear's ours."
Having just repelled a massive wave of low-grades, the students brimmed with confidence.
Ludenberg nodded to them, then dashed forward, mopping up nearby erosion beasts.
Not far off, Ashytara Solenute fended off beasts with flames wreathing her fists and feet. Ludenberg swiftly cleared the low-grades lunging at her.
As a brief lull settled in, he checked on her.
"Tara! You okay?"
"Lud? You the one who should be asking—you just took on a mid-grade..."
"Handled it. Rear's cleared too."
"Already?"
Ashytara blinked in surprise at the news of Ludenberg dispatching the mid-grade so swiftly. She knew he was leagues beyond her, but this fast?
"Yeah. No immediate threats. Looks like we've cleared this area's beasts for now—let's hurry inside the smithy."
"Right."
Ashytara nodded at his words.
Everyone made it safely inside the smithy. They'd cleared the surrounding erosion beasts for the moment, but anticipating another wave, Ludenberg called over a few students to barricade the door tight and block all windows.
"Grab weapons, everyone. We've wiped the nearby erosion beasts, so we can rest here a while."
Confirming the door sealed, Ashytara addressed the group.
"What after rest?"
"Straight to the Terra sect. We've got weapons now, and it's not far from here—shouldn't be as rough as before."
"Got it."
The students took up weapons suited to them and rested, while the civilians who'd joined the formation thanked them profusely.
"Thank you so much. You saved our lives."
"Just doing what we should. Don't worry about it. Anyone hurt—speak up."
"No need to waste divine power on us. You've got bigger fights ahead... No serious injuries anyway."
"Glad to hear it. Still, if anyone's really bad off, say so."
The students soothed the civilians, then crowded Ludenberg with chatter.
"That was insane earlier—you took out the mid-grade so fast, saved our skins. Honestly, without weapons, we were struggling."
"......Yeah?"
"Yeah. Without you and Ashytara, we'd all be toast. Seriously, thanks."
"Save it. Thank Tara. I wouldn't have helped you without her."
Ludenberg kept his responses curt and gruff, uninterested in chit-chat, but the students persisted with their gratitude.
"Even then, you woke us up to fight. It's thanks to you, Ludenberg."
"If you're gonna thank me, do it after this is all over. We're not done yet—could be worse ahead. Conserve energy while you can."
"......Right."
Eventually, talk died down, and everyone rested in their own way inside the smithy.
About an hour later, Ashytara, who'd been scouting outside, approached Ludenberg.
"Lud."
"How's it out there?"
"They're multiplying again. Looks like another erosion's opened. Multiple mid-grades this time... Getting to the sect's gonna be tougher. What now?"
"We break through."
"Isn't that risky? We've got civilians."
"Staying put's riskier. We've rested, got weapons—might even be easier than before."
"True, but..."
"Tara."
"Yeah?"
"Ever fought a mid-grade erosion beast?"
"Once, last year."
"Win?"
Ashytara shook her head.
"Lost."
"How about now? Think you could win?"
She pondered briefly, then nodded.
"Not sure, but yeah—I can do it. Haven't been slacking this past year, and I've improved at Solemnute Adem."
"......Good. Then we switch. I'll lead from the front, clearing erosion beasts fast to speed us up. You cover the rear—stop any mid-grades that come."
"Got it."
"Tell the Celioum divine power users too. Ask 'em for light-foot saint laws."
"On it."
"Alright, time to move. They should've recovered enough stamina for the Terra sect by now."
Ashytara nodded, gathered the students and civilians, and relayed Ludenberg's plan.
"Celioum sect folks—lighten the civilians' bodies with saint laws. Focus just on maintaining those. Everyone else, block erosion beasts while pushing forward. No falling behind. Clear?"
All nodded, faces uneasy but holding onto clear hope of survival.
"Good. Opening up."
Ludenberg flung open the heavily barricaded door and charged ahead.