Chapter 104
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Lizardmen at the Midpoint
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Already at the midpoint?"
Knight Captain Dana let out a hollow laugh as she spoke.
I was standing beside her, and her laughter caught my attention, so I asked,
"Is something wrong?"
"Wrong? Yeah, it's too easy and too fast."
Knight Captain Dana looked at me as she replied.
We'd reached the midpoint at twice our usual speed.
Sure enough, the battles against the monsters had been far less grueling than I'd feared.
The ferocious golems that swarmed in great numbers had their earth soaked by Lexi's water magic, drastically reducing their durability until a single sword strike shattered them.
The giant spider-like monsters were shredded to pieces before my Jungle Blade.
I could see now why so many martial artists in wuxia worlds obsessed over forging their own unique weapons.
The dwarf who crafted this blade probably never heard of internal energy, but it accepted and channeled my qi with remarkable efficiency.
It was ironic.
Wuxia internal energy paired with fantasy-world materials and smithing.
Elements from two worlds that should never meet, synergizing perfectly.
"Normally, we'd rest here at the midpoint, but we got here so fast there's no need."
Knight Captain Dana chuckled as she said it.
The other knights looked cheerful too.
After that, we pressed on through the dungeon without much trouble.
Even with me joining, breaching the dungeon didn't seem all that hard.
That made me curious.
"Which monster blocked you and delayed the subjugation?"
The question dredged up bad memories for some of the knights.
A few who were following behind shuddered and let out groans of dismay.
It must have been one hell of a foe.
The reactions around me only piqued my interest more.
Just as Knight Captain Dana opened her mouth to answer, a sound echoed from ahead.
Tadadak.
Something was charging toward us.
Too light for orcs or golems, but a bit heavy for humans.
"...They've come."
Knight Captain Dana murmured, staring straight ahead, her words left unfinished.
Then, from the distant cave, a pack appeared, their yellow eyes glowing as they waddled closer in unsteady gaits.
Low to the ground like they were crawling on all fours, yet armed to the teeth.
Even from afar, their massive feet closed the distance in seconds, long tongues flicking out.
And above all, their skin covered in green scales that could traumatize anyone.
They resembled reptiles.
"Lizardmen."
Knight Captain Dana muttered their name softly.
Lizard-shaped but human-sized, walking upright on two legs.
They were equipped like an army, forming orderly ranks before us and raising their weapons.
It felt like facing a human legion, not monsters.
"These guys?"
"Yeah. Individually, they're not stronger than orcs, but they're clever. They use tactics."
It was obvious at a glance.
Lizardmen holding shields up front, others thrusting spears between them from behind.
They had roles divided, a proper formation.
But their gear was worn and battered. They didn't seem patient either—some were leaning forward, itching to charge.
Maybe if we just waited, their formation would crumble on its own?
That's what crossed my mind.
Then it happened.
"Shiiik!"
A chilling hiss that sent shivers down my spine.
The unsteady formation snapped back into place.
Looking toward the sound, I saw a lizardman far larger and more muscular than the rest, gripping a massive spear.
"Shiiiiiik..."
"Ugh..."
The hulking brute hissed low, flicking its forked red tongue.
A few knights on our side let out uneasy murmurs.
Glancing back, I saw some with terrified faces, looking away.
I wondered if it was trauma from the last fight, but no—it was simpler.
"So gross..."
"Ahh..."
I got it.
You see it all the time at zoos.
Snakes, lizards, crocs.
There are always a couple people who grimace and freak out at reptiles.
Especially in those snake-draping experience zones that are zoo staples—some even cry.
And that's for small, friendly snakes.
Imagine human-sized reptiles bipedal and brandishing weapons at you.
Even reptile lovers would feel the fear.
Lexi and Cecil were staring at the lizardmen horde, looking a bit cowed themselves.
"Mages! Prepare area spells! Knights, buy time!"
Knight Captain Dana shouted.
Her crisp, precise command snapped the knights and Lexi into action.
I wanted to charge in and sweep them away, but with that formation, rushing blindly was risky.
Lexi steadied her breathing and began chanting.
"Shiiiiiik..."
The lizardmen advanced half a step the moment they saw it.
Instinct telling them the danger.
They knew exactly what awaited once that spell finished.
I drew my sword and infused it with qi.
The blade glowed red-hot and began smoking.
The knights glanced at it—still not used to the sight, even after seeing it multiple times.
The lizardmen barely paid it any mind.
I pulled my helmet low and regulated my breath.
Whoever came first would taste my blade.
Maybe annoyed by me and Dana not budging an inch, the front-line lizardmen swung shields and spears in threats.
Still a bit far.
So I taunted back.
Beckoning with my fingers.
"Come on."
"Kieeek!"
The formation cracked in an instant. An impatient lizardman lunged at me from the front with its spear.
Whiiish!
I sidestepped the thrust effortlessly and grinned.
"Should've held back."
I swung my arm, cleaving the lizardman in two from spear to tail.
"Shiiik!"
The big brute at the rear hissed in frustration.
The others scrambled to fill the gap left by their comrade's reckless charge.
But once broken, a formation doesn't recover easily.
And it wouldn't here.
Not if I had anything to say about it.
Thud!
I darted into the flustered pack.
They stared in panic at me slipping into their midst so quickly.
Gripping my sword tight amid them, I spun my waist full circle.
Whoosh!
The blade whirled with my body, slicing through the air and devouring the surrounding lizardmen.
My one area attack took their upper bodies clean off. They hit the ground with wet thuds.
"Sh...iik?"
The brute let out a meek whimper.
This one had rattled it good.
"Their formation's broken! Press the attack!"
Knight Captain Dana seized the moment and ordered the knights forward.
Smart move.
Opportunities like this don't come often.
The panicked lizardmen tried facing the charging knights, but—
Clang!
The moment weapons clashed, they'd realize.
We outmatched them in strength and gear. It wasn't even a fight.
And Lexi's spell was ready—she shouted in a raspy voice.
"Everyone, down!"
We dove to the floor mid-fight.
The confused lizardmen looked puzzled at us, then gaped blankly at the massive fireball looming before them.
BOOM!
It detonated in their center with a roar.
Countless lizardmen burst into chunks of flesh.
A nauseating, indescribable stench of burning filled the dungeon.
I rose slowly and eyed the blackened cave.
This was magic's power.
One spell had nearly wiped out the horde.
Only a single lizardman remained.
"Shiii..."
Even that one was charred black, barely standing.
But its eyes still burned with feral will to fight.
Fixed solely on me.
The one who'd sent more of them to the afterlife than even Lexi, turning the tide in a flash.
"...Be careful."
Knight Captain Dana gave a short warning to me as I advanced toward it, entranced.
No other knights interfered.
They all knew this was my job.
As I approached sword in hand, it lit its yellow eyes and charged with its last reserves of strength.
Whoosh! Boom!
Its final, all-out strike.
With a thunderous crash, I blocked it effortlessly.
"...Shiiik."
It closed its eyes peacefully with a wistful whimper.
Shink.
I poured qi into my blade and pierced its chest.
The red-hot sword incinerated its body from within.
"...Good. Onward."
At Knight Captain Dana's command, we delved deeper once more.
Toward the dungeon's heart.