093. Blue Tide Unit 2
South of Trist. Bin and the three Blue Tide Unit centurions glared at each other.
But they weren't alone. Beside Bin stood three monsters: the starfish, Behemoth, and Gold Tooth. Small monsters perched visibly on the necks and shoulders of the three centurions.
Irin brimmed with anxiety at the sight of their standoff. Even if Bin had unleashed 3rd class monsters, his foes were Blue Tide Unit centurions. Far from pushovers. And with Zeke, even helping was tricky.
What should I do...
Irin hesitated, stealing glances at Bin. But he casually raised a hand. Stay out of it. Confidence oozing from him.
Just as Irin began questioning Bin's bold stance against the trio—
Bang! Bang! The clash of blades pierced their ears. The battle between Bin's monsters and the centurions' had begun.
Swish.
Ravins zipped to the starfish's hind leg in a flash. A strike perfectly suited to an assassination specialist.
With a venomous grin, Ravins drew a dagger from his belt. Unlike ordinary blades, it featured an elegantly carved snake coiled around the hilt. At least a high-grade weapon.
"I'll slice that scrawny bone clean in one go."
Irin's pupils quivered as she watched him draw.
Fa—fast!
She envisioned it in her mind: the starfish's hind leg cleaved in two.
But then—
Clink!
A metallic ring, like blade meeting unyielding mass. Irin's eyes widened at the unforeseen twist.
"The monster's body changed!"
Exactly as she said. The bone starfish had morphed into gray iron—the body of the 2nd class monster, Magoil.
Codic gnashed his teeth at the sight.
"Click! Click! You wretched vermin—even your craven strikes can't scratch this body!"
Indeed. Codic, having devoured Magoil's core. The effect wasn't confined to him alone; it bolstered his minions too. Though not a perfect Magoil form—only fellow 2nd class monsters matched its full durability.
Codic craned his head up toward Bin.
"My liege, quite the sturdy sight, eh? Click! Click!"
Bin's lips curved faintly at Codic's display. A smirk. Not bad.
Ravins's eyes bulged in shock.
Unscathed by my high-grade Sneaker... And a matchup that's inherently unfavorable.
Sneaker. A high-grade dagger forged from a colossal serpent's fang. And Ravins's edge lay in uniqueness: the snake coiled around his neck, infusing the blade with venom. Normal foes paralyzed on contact, wracked with symptoms.
But this one? A bone monster. No room for poison to take hold.
Damn it...
As Ravins scowled, the starfish loomed over him.
"Now, who'll be my meal?"
Ravins recoiled at the lip-smacking menace.
Thud. Thud...
Panser eyed the massive, hippo-like Behemoth—then glanced at his shoulder perch, muttering to his monster.
"Partner. Time to begin."
No sooner said than white mist erupted from the leopard-like beast on his shoulder.
In that instant, Panser's legs morphed to match—Taia clan's signature body transformation.
Swish.
His ankles contracted, closing on Behemoth's eyes in a blink. Feinting frontal assault, Panser circled fluidly.
Swish. Swish.
Claws lashed from both hands, targeting joints and boneless spots. A calculated ploy.
Swish. Swish.
Panser blurred around Behemoth, finishing with a counterclockwise spin through the air before landing.
Thud.
A satisfied smirk—he'd struck true.
But turning, his face twisted.
He'd expected damage. Instead...
Behemoth's joints gleamed with Magoil iron.
Panser grimaced.
Impossible... What a troublesome beast.
Now Shark, eyes fierce and torn, lunged in.
The other two centurions drew no blood. I have to land one.
He dipped his head. His gaze flicked to his shoulder; the fish-like monster bared fangs.
It gaped wide, blasting water across the ground.
Pshh!
Water erupted beneath Shark's feet.
Pshhhh.
Endless surge buoyed his body. Shark surfed freely, tossing in flair.
"Eatza, eatza."
Riding the waves, he slashed at Gold Tooth.
Swish.
A torrent spewed from his blade, crashing toward Gold Tooth like an oncoming breaker.
Yet Gold Tooth threw his head back, utterly at ease.
"Water, eh..."
The wave slammed home, drenching him fully.
Splash!
Shark grinned.
"Direct hit."
Convinced: Gold Tooth out cold.
As Shark savored his leisurely smirk, awaiting the fall—
...No!
His pupils shook.
Gold Tooth stood pristine.
His body now fluid water.
Gold Tooth flashed a grin at Shark.
"Ever seen a jellyfish? Think a pirate captain fears water? Haha!"
Shark scowled as laughter boomed.
This won't work either?
Irin gaped at the bone monsters.
Each one's no joke!
Far from her expectations.
Standard 3rd class beasts? The centurions would've overwhelmed instantly.
Yet here they struggled. Bin's monsters were no trifles.
Zeke, apple-sized on her shoulder, mirrored the shock.
These guys got game! Holding their own against three centurions.
Admiration faded; Zeke's face darkened.
But... that's it. Once the centurions go all out...
Anxiety plain as Zeke fretted.
True to his words, the trio's gazes sharpened. Dead serious now.
Ravins addressed Bin.
"Our apologies. We dared underestimate Bascon's young master. We'll fight properly from here."
Courteous tone, laced with murder.
Bin never flinched.
"Then do so."
The centurions' monsters gleamed silver.
Mana and magi erupted from the men; eyes blazed.
Opening.
Ravins's neck snake shimmered silver, merging into his dagger—Taia's Integration, fusing weapon and monster.
Panser's shoulder cat fused with his claws.
Shark's hidden fish merged with his sword.
White and black mists swirled.
The centurions radiated mana and magi beyond prior bounds.
"Here we go."
Ravins whipped his silver dagger. The blade elongated in a heartbeat—like a colossal serpent.
The writhing length hammered the starfish relentlessly.
Thud! Thud! Thud...!
Gray iron flaked away under the barrage.
Panser's lower body and arms fully leopard-like now. He blurred around Behemoth, claws flying.
Swish. Swish.
Shatter every bone.
Vastly superior speed and power—no longer mere human flesh, but beastly.
Ching! Ching!
Shark's feet pooled in water. Eyes razor-sharp on Gold Tooth, he swung.
"A pirate fears nothing like the sea."
Water pillars surged skyward.
Six columns crashed down, tidal wave devouring Gold Tooth.
Splash!!
Moments later, the three bone monsters lay fallen.
The triumphant centurions turned to Bin.
"This your confidence against us centurions?"
"Not pushovers, as claimed."
"Not bad, though."
Monsters routed, yet Bin stayed calm. A smirk tugged his lips.
Tried sparing blood. No choice now.
Bin's eyes flashed at the trio.
"Then I'll get serious too."
"...?!"
Shock rippled across the centurions' faces.
Three 3rd class monsters—serious firepower.
Implying more? A chill crept in.
Get serious...?
For real?
As they gauged truth from bluff, Bin glanced down. Codic spoke.
Black smoke billowed, neighing horse and gravelly voice emerging.
"Hiiing."
"You summoned, my king?"
Jack materialized astride a purple steed, gripping red conical twin blades.
Red eyes locked on the centurions.
They couldn't mask dismay at his majestic aura.
2nd class monster?! No bluff...