《Yuusha Isekai! Youjo Suki!》16. Thunderous Ambush
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I don't think I’ve ever run as much in a single day in my life as I’ve already managed today. Part of me is beginning to wonder, if I return, will I keep my athleticism? As a nerdy type, I was always ostracised in sports in school, which forever turned me away from them. It's a shame, because even I can appreciate the thrill of your body working at full clap. Is it something primal inherent in humans from their hunter days?
Who knows?
This place is even more bizarre up close. I was initially pretty wary that the arcs of electricity might zap one of us dead, but it seems that they are always drawn to the lightning rods without fail. I'm sure there was something back in physics that said it always takes the most convenient route to the ground, but when, in this world, there appears to be a lightning generating chasm, who knows if the Earth rules stick?
The tower looms above us now. No further explosions occurred after the first, and I don't know if that's a good sign.
We pause at a natural rock outcropping to take watch of the tower entrance. The doors have certainly been thrown open. Now is probably my last chance to check out my skill tree before we proceed.
I don't really have time to make anything here, but I take Improvised Explosives II anyway. It gives me the ability to make more complex mechanical fuses, as well as understanding how to make Nitroglycerin, and the parts for makeshift pipe bombs and flechette bombs. Getting material suitable for these explosives, and their casing and detonators could be hard, though.
I guess this kind of knowledge is more intense, because this cost 3 of the 5 points I got this level. Then, as a derivative upgrade of my Heightened Threat Awareness and combat fitness, I notice Precognitive Evasion as a new option. It’s the other 2 points; but being able to dodge before I consciously register a threat is bound to be a lifesaver for someone naturally dense like me, right?
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Apparently we got to cover just in time. I pick up my skills just before Kiku yanks me down by the collar. Peeking over the edge of the stone, we observe 3 demons walk out and take up guard positions.
My danger sense spikes from all around too, presumably from the lancing arcs of lightning. The booms of thunder are pretty loud now, and are pretty constant, which at least does give us sound cover, but simultaneously means no eavesdropping.
I watch the demons. They are indeed very much humanoid, though it is now apparent at this distance that they have rough ash grey skin, and lizard like tails, as well as yellow, or red irises, in addition to the ragged wings and goat horns. To be honest, they have a cocktail of draconic, as well as demonic flavours to them. Considering that a necrodragon is in charge of them, this kind of makes sense.
Despite their claws, they are still carrying weapons and wearing armour... and whilst you normally think of supposedly evil creatures using crude iron blades and cobbled together cuirasses; that is not the case here. The largest of three especially seems to have quite elaborate looking chainmail.
Aria pokes me in the shoulder and points out a route around the rocks to not far from the demons with her finger. I nod, and start to move in that direction in short bursts, just like I'm playing a cover based FPS. Not sure what they want me to do there now, but I’m thinking it looks like the safest spot for me to observe.
I watch Aria and Kiku split up as well as I fall prone on top of the rocks, looking down over the three guards, and wait for the girls assault.
I feel a little bit bad for this, but on the way here, Kiku did briefly explain that these demon troops were effectively the Special Forces. Their line and file troops are the replenishable zombie type things. So I imagine I would mostly just get in the way at the moment until I can make some more explosives. I hope the girls will be able to manage.
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The battle below begins almost imperceptibly. A sword flies out of nowhere, straight into the helmet visor of the demon furthest from me.
I want to shout "one hundred an eightyyyyy!" to commemorate Kiku's Bullseye debut.
To the demons credit they react instantly to the blood gushing from their compatriot, rushing to Kiku's now exposed location.
But this is directly where Aria wants them, as she pops up from the other side and skewers the second smaller demon on her spear from behind. The demons chainmail buckles but simply cannot take a direct strike from that black spear amplified with her super strength, making his whole body cave backwards in a 'U' shape. It looked painful to say the least. I'm glad I’ve only received her punches.
She tears the spear free, red blood splattering her face, and swings it round in an arc to clash with the larger demons sword in a shower of sparks.
And I rapidly roll to the right.
What?!
An axe blade lands directly where my head was a second ago with a thunk.
Now looking up and behind, but still prone, I see an annoyed demon, much smaller and lankier than the ones below. It nearly axed me to the back the head!
I nearly piss myself. I fumble for my staff in panic but it drops off to the side. The demon grins menacingly, stomps a foot on my chest, winding me, and raises its battle-axe again to cut me in two before I can move.
Man... This is a pathetic way to go. Sorry Aria. Sorry Kiku. I close my eyes as the axe comes down.
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For Justice! - A Tale Of Paladins And Hammers
Gabriel Norris always did his best to be a kind man, he fed the poor and homeless, gave to charity, volunteered at animal shelters and even worked as a Red Cross medic for a living, he tryed to do his best to help even when it put him in danger. But sadly the brave and the kind ones always seem to be the first ones to go. As Gabriel's government become increasingly tyrannical and power hungry, Gabriel stages a peaceful protest against recent government practices, he is told to cease and desist or he would be jailed, he refuses. thus instead of being just being a good man Gabriel becomes a hero, a martyr. But heroism is never without it's price as Gabriel lays there slowly dying of dehydration, for the first time in all his life he prays. "Gods or Demons or whatever out there that might be in between, i have never asked anyone else for anything before, i have devoted my entire life to giving to those who had nothing and never asked anything in return, now i ask you for just one favor. Don't let this be the end of my story, just give me the chance and potential to help in some way more significant than feeding one poor soul when a million more are still starving. i don't just want to help in these small ways, i want to change the entire world for the better, just don't let this be the end... And as he lied there and the last breath wheezed through the air, and the final synapses and neurons went quite, something answered.
8 60Killed, Blessed, Reborn
A man who has done something horrible seeks forgiveness in the cemetery. Instead, he finds himself dead. But that doesn't mean it's the end.
8 205Grasping for the Heavens
What would you do if you were dragged into a new world? A new world with cars but not planes, no boats. No widespread internet. What would you do if you were reincarnated into this world? Not as a living thing, but as something that serves. A robot. A sentient robot. An artificial race. This is the story of one particular member of this species. His name? 1744174.But there's something wrong with the world... Something is happening... And there might be something wrong with 17441744...The mature tag is simply for blood and all that fun stuff. I mean there are people who can't deal with it... Link to the amazing person who made this cover: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN3TTovVbR83B9YpbZqP-CQ/videos
8 161Relief of Guilt
It was perfect, King Ghidorah was dating their immortal friend Godzilla, and no mortal would ever have her. Kong, finally free of his guilt, arrives in the Earth Defenders to learn how to be more social from Godzilla and her friends. Kong fell in love with Godzilla, and Godzilla realizes that she's been missing out on the feeling of true love.King Ghidorah isn't okay with this turn of events, not in the slightest.
8 83Seeing Double
Highschool Yandere Twins X Chubby Teacher a reader insert
8 137My Vampire (Book Three)
She got me into this mess. She had to play around and get us both captured. That stupid fucking vampire. My pack will notice that I'm gone. But these men are good at covering my scent. But I know they'll find me.I hear her gasp again and thrash around making her chains jingle around the bars we're both kept in. God knows what they're injecting her with but I'm glad they're not doing the same to me."Give her the next dosage. She can take it" the older one says and I look away as I see them plunge the needle again into her arm. She screams and an unfamiliar sound comes to my ears. My wolf awakens at the sound as well and I stand to look at her.She's shaking like crazy and gasping as if she could even breath in the first place. It can't be? They shouldn't be able to reverse....my thoughts stop when she sits up and screams as she looks into my eyes. The dark irises I came to know over the past two weeks go from black to blue. Her heart starts beating. And my wolf calls for his mate.
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