CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

Sometimes it’s nice to unwind and enjoy your hobbies

~

“That’s a lot of portal monsters eh, this might be tough”

Log mumbled as he looked up, but felt he’d said enough

For in the sky, there were so many portals opening

The thought of having to count all of them was sickening

“There’s quite a few of them, but nothing we’ve not fought before”

Delilah pursed her lips as the whole sky became a door

Descending from the portals like some evil, grotesque rain

Monsters by the thousands descended on the terrain

Neil and Roy ran back into the village hurriedly

But in the village found nobody acting hastily

“What are you all doing, we must run to safety, quick!”

Neil was panicking so much he feared he might be sick

The town had been so lively when he’d left just recently

All of them together, arguing chaotically

But what he saw before him now came as a great surprise

There was not a hint of fear in any of their eyes

A big man saw him gawking and patted him on the back

His hand was so heavy it felt like a large bear’s attack

“You city boys are all the same, they’re just monsters you know

I’d have paid for such a chance as this not long ago!”

~ Name: Boulder ~

Title: Hero

Class: Tank [lv210]

HP

[278]

MANA

[63]

ATK

[204]

INT

[23]

DEF

[434]

SPD

[86]

Although retired, a title is not so easily lost

And it came to this man at an extraordinary cost

He fought so long for king and country that he went half mad

But still he loves to drink and sing of all the fun he had

“Wait, your name is Boulder, you’re that old legendary tank

Did you die on that monster island when it sank?”

Neil almost forgot the monsters raining from above

Struggling to believe this was the man legends spoke of

“You think I sunk that island knowing I would sink with it?!

Well, that wouldn’t be the worst I’ve done, I must admit”

Boulder laughed and looked toward the woman at his side

But she was unimpressed at his vulgar display of pride

~ Name: Crystal ~

Title: Stone Wall

Class: Tank [lv103]

HP

[145]

MANA

[102]

ATK

[263]

INT

[72]

DEF

[376]

SPD

[82]

Though the capital feels safe behind it’s walls of stone

It was once protected by this tank, and her alone

Before she retired she led a different kind of life

Though she’s only strengthened since becoming Boulder’s wife

“If I hadn’t found you floating out their lost at sea

You’d still be out there swimming and crying out for me!”

She punched him in the head so hard Neil felt the great impact

But Boulder only chuckled and didn’t seem to react

“Hey there, city boys, you’ve got great timing after all

I was just thinking of what babysitter to call”

Roy and Neil turned round to face Delilah once again

Whose face no longer held disdain for either of the men

“Keep the children quiet in the town all over there

So do your best to keep the little ones out of our hair”

Neil and Roy were speechless but they both quickly complied

Survival instincts blocking out their well trained royal pride

They found a large log building filled with children playing games

Who seemed excited to meet them, and quickly asked their names

About a dozen children started playing with their guests

Running around them and clinging to their arms and chests

~ Name: Pebble ~

Title: Defender

Class: Tank [lv5]

HP

[21]

MANA

[14]

ATK

[24]

INT

[12]

DEF

[72]

SPD

[11]

A boy with hero’s blood but not quite ready for a fight

One day though, he’ll prove his parents’ expectations right

A loyal friend and a good son, respectable and brave

There’s no hearty meal this sturdy young lad wouldn’t crave

“Level five…” Roy muttered with a daft look on his face

“I thought those kids in the woods were just a special case…”

He stopped using appraisal after looking at one child

The shock of so many strong children was by no means mild

Neil spoke up when finally he found the nerve to speak

“I guess this the proper place for children and the weak”

He looked dejected as he realized, the same as Roy

They were not strong just because they were in the king’s employ

One last time, Roy peaked out of the door up at the sky

Attempting to appraise the nearest Wyvern way up high

But once he’d seen its stats, he was resigned to staying in

The chances of surviving waves of those was less than thing

~ Name: Unnamed ~

Title: Portal Monster

Class: Black Wyvern [lv73]

HP

[98]

MANA

[50]

ATK

[273]

INT

[27]

DEF

[301]

SPD

[163]

This is the third tier of Wyverns, not a common sight

It’s strength is difficult to read, its scales are black as night

Although its strength is limited by lack of mental skill

It thinks quick and sharp when it decides on what to kill

He took a look at all the villagers prepared to go

Seeing more and more names any royal knight would know

They looked at the apocalyptic scene with yearning eyes

As if the coming battle was just a pleasant surprise

~