Chapter 230: This Is Where It Really Begins (2)
Chapter 230: This Is Where It Really Begins (2)
A Monster Stampede.
It was a disaster that followed a specific set of laws.
First, the monster that triggered the stampede stayed at the very rear. This was the being commonly referred to as the Alpha.
The quality and scale of the stampede were determined by the Alpha’s power.
In essence, a stampede was a mass migration of monsters fleeing from an absolute predator. As the monsters fled from the Alpha, they created a literal wave, growing in scale as they went.
Perhaps that was why, no matter how large the stampede, the first wave of monsters at the very front was never of high quality.
“My Lord. It’s a pack of goblins and kobolds.”
“Starting from the very bottom, I see. Unless they’re high-ranking variants, don’t pay them any mind. They’ll never break through these walls.”
“Yes, sir!”
The walls of the Schneider Territory had been built much thicker than standard castle walls specifically to withstand large-scale monsters like trolls and ogres. Naturally, mere goblins posed no threat to such a fortification.
“Fire!”
At Oliver’s command, the soldiers drew their bows. The rain of arrows pouring down on the monsters was a catastrophe for the goblin and kobold swarms.
“These bastards…”
“You think you can just crawl in here?!”
Soldiers without bows hurled stones down from the ramparts to attack. The low-tier monsters, having no way to breach the outer walls of the Schneider Territory, were left utterly helpless.
“Goblin Mage at two o’clock.”
“Confirmed.”
Whenever a monster that posed a potential threat appeared, an elven warrior’s arrow would inevitably fly toward it. Aided by spirits, the elven arrows streaked like bolts of light, steadily neutralizing every danger.
As the one-sided slaughter continued…
“Waaaah! We won!”
“How do you like that, you monsters?!”
“Long live the Schneider Territory!”
The soldiers let out thunderous cheers. Countless monster corpses were piled beneath the walls, but not a single one had managed to scale them. Emboldened by this overwhelming victory, the soldiers’ confidence soared.
However, the veteran knights did not share their excitement.
Now the real thing begins.
Low-tier monsters like goblins and kobolds could never do anything to these walls in the first place. Thus, they weren't even a threat.
Victory? No. They had merely endured the lowest wave.
“The second wave is coming.”
“What’s the composition?”
“Werewolves, Giant Bears, and I see Saber Tigers as well.”
“Damn it, beast-types?”
Oliver grit his teeth. Now, beings that could actually threaten the walls were starting to emerge. Beast-type monsters, possessed of sharp claws and agile movements, might not be able to break the walls, but they could climb them. They would dig their claws into the gaps between the solid stones and haul themselves up.
“Soldiers on the wall, take up your spears! Save your arrows as much as possible, and throw rocks when they get close! Crush their skulls!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood!”
The soldiers responded faithfully to the knights’ orders. And so, the second round began.
“Uaaaaah!”
“Die!”
“Groaaaar!”
The situation was markedly different from the first round. Unlike the low-tier monsters that couldn't get past the base of the wall, the monsters charging now had the ability to scale it. The soldiers used long spears to stab at those climbing up and threw boulders to resist, but the battle grew significantly more intense. Especially…
“Kraaaaah!”
A single black panther, boasting a sleek dark body, scrambled up the wall in a zigzag pattern. It was a beast nearly five meters long, with claws the size of small daggers.
“Blast it, it’s a Wereleopard.”
“Block it! Don’t let that thing reach the top!”
The soldiers of the Schneider Territory were well-versed in monsters and knew exactly what they were looking at. They knew what kind of carnage would ensue if that thing made it onto the ramparts.
“Uaaaaah!”
“Die!”
They desperately thrust their spears, trying to keep the Wereleopard at bay. Suddenly, the beast dug its hind claws into the wall, pushed off, and balanced itself on two legs. It wasn't just hanging onto the middle of the wall; it was standing upright.
Rising with incredible balance and raw strength, the creature…
“Kahaaaa!”
With a piercing shriek, it swung its claws violently. The long spears the soldiers had thrust out to push it back were snapped like dry stalks.
“Urgh…”
“That monster…”
The Wereleopard.
Even among lycanthropic monsters, it was a rare sight. Even here in the East, known as a monster paradise, those who had seen one could be counted on one hand.
There were two reasons for this.
First, it was an exceptionally rare species.
Second, the probability of surviving after seeing one was even rarer.
It possessed the reflexes unique to felines and strength that surpassed an ogre’s. Its claws were larger than most daggers. It was a powerful monster that ranked among the top five of all lycanthropic species. For a human knight to face it one-on-one, they would need to be at least at the 5-star or 6-star level.
And that creature finally…
“Kraaaaah!”
With a savage roar, it succeeded in leaping onto the ramparts. As soon as it landed, it swung its claws wildly, sending several soldiers flying in a spray of blood.
“Aaaagh!”
“Gah!”
Seeing this, Oliver’s vision went red. He charged forward, a twin sword in each hand.
“You overgrown cat!”
Oliver A.
In terms of pure skill, he was the second-in-command of the Double Dragon Knights within the Schneider Territory. His cultivation was nearly at the 5-star realm. He lunged at the Wereleopard with fury in his eyes.
His chances of winning? Slim.
But with neither Patrick nor Sanson in the city, he was the strongest person here. Therefore…
“I’ll take him!”
He bravely threw himself at the Wereleopard.
“Kyahaaaa!”
The Wereleopard resisted, savagely swinging its claws at Oliver.
Clang! Clang! Crash!
Even against Oliver’s twin swords, which were thick with Aura, the beast’s claws did not break. In fact…
I’m… I’m being pushed back.
Oliver’s feet were slowly sliding backward.
Strength and speed. There was a clear disparity in the most fundamental physical stats required for combat. Furthermore…
“Kraaaaah!”
The beast possessed the unpredictable, raw instinct unique to wild monsters. At this rate, he would be hard-pressed just to hold his ground.
“Is it… is it not enough?”
He had charged in with high spirits, but now that they were clashing, he began to realize he might be outmatched.
But then…
Thwack!
“Kahaaa!”
A crossbow bolt flew from somewhere and buried itself in the Wereleopard’s back.
In that split second, an opening appeared. Oliver’s eyes flashed.
“Haaaaap!”
Oliver swung his twin swords like a madman.
Slash-slash-slash-slash!
“Uaaaaaaaah!”
It felt like the muscles in his arms were going to burst. It felt like the swords were going to fly out of his hands. But the desperation to seize this moment allowed Oliver to transcend his limits.
Twin Dragon Eight Sword Styles.
Fourth Form.
Twin Dragons’ Chaotic Dance.
It was a technique he had only observed and memorized. He had practiced it in secret many times, but he knew he wasn't at a level to use it in actual combat. In fact, though he was swinging his arms as if they were about to fall off, his sword speed was far too slow compared to Patrick or April.
However, to seize the opportunity and decide the match, this was his best chance.
Creeeeak.
His muscles and joints screamed in protest. But Oliver’s blades did not stop, raining down slashes upon his enemy.
“Kraaaaah!”
The Wereleopard resisted, swinging its claws back violently. But the disadvantage of losing the initiative was too great. The most terrifying aspect of the Twin Dragons’ Chaotic Dance was that once the first strike landed, the second and third strikes followed relentlessly. It was doggedly persistent.
Slice! Slash! Rip!
Oliver’s swords carved into the Wereleopard, starting from its arms and moving across its entire body.
“It’s over!”
Only after his final strike took the Wereleopard’s head did Oliver stop his blades.
“Huff… huff… huff…”
He couldn't catch his breath. His body temperature had risen so high that steam seemed to rise from his skin. His pounding heart felt like it was about to leap out of his throat.
It couldn't be helped. To defeat an enemy stronger than himself, he had to squeeze out every ounce of strength. That was what combat was.
Just then, a person with a familiar voice approached him.
“Well done, Oliver.”
“…Butler?”
There stood Butler Lawrence, whom Oliver knew well. What caught his eye was the crossbow Lawrence held in one hand.
Pale-faced, Oliver tried to steady his breathing as he spoke.
“Was it you who helped me just now, Butler?”
“Who is foolish enough to fight one-on-one? In a real fight, the one who shows their back is the idiot.”
“…Haha…”
You’re tougher than I thought, Butler.
Truly a native of the Schneider Territory. Oliver could only laugh.
The second wave of the stampede was certainly violent and dangerous. Some monsters managed to scale the walls and threaten the soldiers. However…
“Fireball!”
“Fireball!”
Boom!
“As expected, fire is the best against beasts.”
The mages cast their spells in unison, their magic terrifying the animals. Although some mages had left the city with the refugees, five had remained. And…
“Let’s go!”
“Yes, sir!”
Gratefully, all twenty Magic Swordsmen had stayed behind. With their Soul Weapons activated, they bravely leaped down from the ramparts, slicing through the monsters clinging to the walls.
“Kraa! Kraaaa!”
“Roar!”
No matter how great their reflexes, the beast-type monsters were helpless against Magic Swordsmen attacking their backs while they were hanging onto the wall.
Gradually, the number of monsters climbing up dwindled, and as the pressure on the ramparts eased, arrows began to pour down like rain once more.
“Now! Fire again!”
“Fireball!”
“Fireball!”
Added to that was the occasional fire support from the mages. Though the beast-type monsters had packed the area beneath the walls, their numbers had soon dwindled to less than a third.
“My Lord. It looks like we will successfully overcome the second wave as well.”
“Hmm…”
Viscount Schneider nodded silently.
In truth, things had gone well so far. Despite facing two waves of the stampede, their own losses were extremely low.
If we keep going like this…
It was then.
“The third wave is approaching. Trolls, Ogres, Minotaurs, and even Twin-Headed Ogres are among them.”
Upon hearing the messenger’s report, Viscount Schneider’s expression crumpled.
“Damn it…”
The large-scale monsters had arrived. Which meant…
“This is where it really begins.”