Chapter 43

Lafetti noticed Rain arriving and looked at him with a frown. Her expression quickly returned to one of a sulking child before she snorted. And just like always, her tail moved towards Rain, wound her long tail on his waist, and easily lifting him and dragging him towards her.

She sat down back on her chair and grabbed a bottle of brewed wine. Then, while still hugging her lover, she opened the bottle and drank its contents with a displeased expression that displayed clear annoyance. As for Rain, he could only let a sigh as he was already used to Lafetti’s behavior and just smiled wryly. He grasped her hand and hold it;

“What happened?” he asked.

Lafetti shook her head; “It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

"I don't think it's nothing when you're this pissed," Rain smiled helplessly.

“Well, actually, we now have a sufficient understanding of the enemy, and the number is a bit higher than we expected."

"How many exactly?" Rain furrowed his brows the moment he heard Zarda's answer. Zarda was the one who explained it since Lafetti would never give anything that might make him needlessly worried. Though, of course, the number of Tolants is never a problem for the Lamians.

"Over a hundred, perhaps...However, it is not something to worry about." Zarda replied as she took a sip with her wine cup. "I just fear that the battle from now on will certainly become more intense than usual. In addition, what worried me is the existence of the Black Tolants and some Antmen…Antmen would not be weird, but Black and Red Tolants together, well, I think this is not as simple as it seems. Lafetti and Drova wanted to attack the Colony directly, but I think we need more information first. I just don’t like the fact that Black and Red Tolants are together,” she gave the scowling Lafetti a pointed look.

“Antmen? And Black Tolants?”

Seeing Rain’s bewildered expression, Lafetti clasped his hand back, lacing her fingers through his; “Antmen are the Tolants 3rd Evolution. They had upper human bodies and a lower body of a Tolant. Unlike ordinary Tolants, they are somewhat intelligent. Coupled with their ability to order the lower ranking Tolants, and superior strength, they acted like commanders. They are also capable of using weapons and possess incredible elemental magic. Red Antmen used Fire Magic, while Black Antmen attacks using corrosive acids. Black Antmen in particular, their acids can even melt steel. Hence, they are troublesome opponents. And also, they are suicidal maniacs. They would fight to the death if it means protecting their Queen.”

“So they are strong?”

Zarda nodded her head, “At the very least, they are troublesome opponents for anyone. But against us Lamians, they are nothing to be afraid of." she said with an arrogant air. "... Their numbers are the only redeeming feature that makes them one of the troublesome opponents even for us. They can multiply faster than even Goblins. And as long as the Queen is alive, the Tolants will be an enemy to be watched out for.”

“That’s why we need to eradicate them all as fast as possible!”

Lafetti declared with a determined expression.

“But we just can’t charge right in without the necessary information! It would have been fine if it’s against a Colony of Red Tolants, as we are already prepared for them even before we left the Tribe. However, with the existence of Black Tolants…things had changed. Being caught off-guard by being pincered with at least two Colonies is the least of our worries. We would lose a lot if that happens… we need to plan this carefully!”

“Tolants and Antmen are nothing to be afraid of!” Said Lafetti defiantly. Her expression was full of confidence. She had never doubted their victory, and never would.

“I agree with Lafetti, Chief.” remarked Drova. “Even if there are three or more colonies, the Amani Tribe would still be victorious. They are just a bunch of ants, it’s not something we would need to be afraid of!”

Zarda’s brows furrowed before she let out a sigh; ‘And what if worst occurs? What if several of our sisters fell? Normally it would not matter since it’s normal. In war, casualties occur. However, this time it's different!'

"...?!!"

Zarda’s sudden use of telepathy, causing her voice to appeared directly in the minds of the other Lamians had somewhat startled them. But they immediately regained their senses and they stared at Zarda, confused and somewhat bewildered.

Some humans have telepathic skills that enable them to talk directly to the mind of other people. However, Lamians are different. All of them can do it, as long as the other party is a Lamian or at the very least, a Snake-type beast or Demi-humans. They released invisible and untraceable pheromones that the other Lamians could sense through their sense of smell and taste, and the most important is that, like normal snakes, they too possess a well-developed vomeronasal system within them.

With a simple flip of their tongues, they can immediately understand what the other party was trying to say and even communicate.

Zarda stared at them with a sharp look, her beautiful crimson eyes gleamed in the dim tent.

'This time we have Rain with us! If someone dies because of this, what do you think will Rain feel? He would be devastated! Rain is like a newborn that has yet to truly experience the cruelty of life—he would surely feel the intense sadness of a life lost in the war.

Especially to those he finally able to connect with. I thought this would be easily concluded but the appearance of the Black Tolants and Antmen made this became much harder.

We might be able to win, but it would surely leave a bad impression on him. He might even think of us as brutes of war that would not care about the lives of our people!’

Zarda patiently explained that this is for the benefit of the tribe, that they must make him have a good and better impression of them. She tried to explain that the Lamians needed a complete, and perfect victory in order to hone that final edge of his impression for them.

A moment of silence settled in the room.

Zarda look at her sisters and finally nailed the last nail needed. 'We are not just Monsters, brutes, and beasts, that we are capable of loving, and protecting each other. We are one big family, and that now includes him.' she said with a faint smile. ‘...Don’t you think it would be better to achieve a complete victory? It would surely please him, as well as we could also display our power to him. And make him see that we are the strongest in this place, that he is safe with us!’

Lafetti and Drova and all the rest of the Lamians sat back with a surprised expression. An eager determination flashing across their eyes. Indeed, they can make use of this situation to appeal to him, and raise his impression, along with the sense of unity that will envelop him to their circle.

‘Indeed, what Chief said is reasonable. We can show him how powerful we are, and surely he would be pleased and he would love us even more!’ Gretia nodded her head with a beaming expression. To her, it was very simple. Since ancient times, men are always drawn to powerful mates, and to her, Rain is not an exception.

She was now excited to display and showcase what she can do, and Rain will certainly be pleased. He will be drawn to her, like a moth in flames. Though, whether Rain will really turn up into a moth that will become attracted to hot-headed Lamians, will that's still debatable. But what's certain was that, at this moment, our hero was feeling somewhat down-hearted.

Rain watched the Lamians stared at each other in wonder. Though apparently, according to Sylphy they are communicating with each other secretly. However, as to what they are talking about...only God knows. Nevertheless, they seemed to have reached a common understanding at the very least. But he still can’t help but feel somewhat hurt for being cast out. Can't they do that when he was not present? It felt really, really bad and awkward being left out.

Would it feel insensitive to leave right now?

Of course, Rain didn’t doubt them, or whatever they are secretly talking about. He knows that this is surely something that concerns him and that they didn’t want him to hear it because it might make him feel bad or something. It was always his well-being that these Lamians are always thinking about. And Rain was grateful for that consideration. But being left out like this surely makes his heart somewhat hurt.

Though despite wanting to leave he can’t, or rather he could not. One reason is that, if he did leave now, they would surely misunderstand. Worst might think he was angry. For the second reason, it’s because Lafetti has been holding very tightly he can’t stand up and can only lie with his back against her soft globes. Not like he was complaining or anything. It was one of the most wonderful places in the world, too much comfiness...

Therefore, Rain could only keep quiet and think about life as the Lamians in front of him planned out everything secretly, without him able to join in and be reduced into a stuffed toy.

Aaah…what life this is…

… …

Rain was hiding in the grass, quiet while closing his eyes. Although he was just within the knee-tall grasses, however, even the passing horned rabbits couldn’t see him and just passed by him hopping without care.

Rain slowly opened his eyes and there he could see his current target, leaning against a rock.

Just ahead, a lone hobgoblin sat cross-legged, yawning. It was a demon with green skin, its height just about as tall as an ordinary high-schooler. Its battered clothes seemed to have been stolen from somewhere. However, it was equipped with a tattered iron sword that seemed to have undergone numerous battles. Judging from its physique and weapon, it must have been a Hobgoblin Fighter.

It was Rain’s current target. Well, a new target so to speak. When Rain saw it, he immediately wanted to test his current abilities against it. From what he knows, Hobgoblin seemed to be quite strong creatures, not less inferior to Trolls and Tolants. It’s not something a Lv1 could fight alone. And Rain knows that. However, he still wants to kill it, because from what he can see, the Hobgoblin seemed to be heavily wounded. It has a large wound on its right leg, bandage by a dirty cloth. He should be able to kill it instantly with his current ability.

Unaware of his presence, the enemy remained off guard. Rain had checked the surroundings and found no sign of its friends. With bated breath, he slowly moved and walked, sneaking behind the hobgoblin. His movement was extremely quiet and the movements of the grass behind him seemed to be swayed by the wind as he passed through. As expected, leveling the [Stealth] skill was certainly OP, assassin-esque skill?

The hobgoblin slowly dozed off and began to snore.

This was a great opportunity!

Rain immediately jumped out of the grass and dashed straight towards the Hobgoblin. Due to his sudden movements and closer to the target, the [Stealth] skill was deactivated. The Hobgoblin woke up and turned around, although it was already too late. Rain was already too close, his speed boosted by all of Rain’s enhancement type skills, and with a swung of his dagger, [Squall’s Silence] in one smooth arc and sliced cleanly through its neck.

It could only stare at its sudden attacker with wide-open eyes, blood gushed out from its neck like a leaking faucet.

It tried to say something but its throat was already clogged, full of blood. After a moment, it glared at Rain while clutching his throat, convulsing. Then, with another stab of his dagger, Rain dealt it a finishing blow.

The Hobgoblin died without uttering even a single cry.

“As expected, even if my level is low, as long as I have the best equipment and skills, even a Hob would be killed instantly.” Rain twirled the dagger in his hand and smiled confidently.

[Squall’s Silence] has better penetrating power than normal weapons. Its sharper than any kind and could even penetrate a steel armor easily—a Goblin’s neck was just flesh and blood.

This is not a Game where the life of monsters depends on hit points. No matter how strong a creature was, once taken off-guard, with a swipe of its neck, it would die.

Throat, heart—fatal parts are still sure-kill points even among enhanced monsters.

Although still away from reaching Lv2, but Rain’s physical status had been growing steadily these past few days. In addition, his numerous skills made him almost one of the top predators in the Desolate Cave. Even Drova and the others started wondering as to why Rain was so much stronger compared to the humans of his level. Because Rain has yet to undergo an awakening of magic due to the absence of Threia which was staying back in the Tribe, no one could clearly understand Rain’s true power build. Hence, they could only attribute it to Rain’s incredible prowess in Combat Arts and enviable prodigious talent.

Although Rain would be a disadvantage in a direct head-on battle due to his low level, once he had the initiative, even Drova admits she would be hard-pressed.

Rain’s cunning and strange methods and timely attacks, as well as his hit-and-run tactics, made him a talented assassin, according to Drova. And Stagna even wondered if Rain’s Class was an Assassin-type. However, his talent in using all kinds of weapons made it somewhat doubtful. Hence, even now, no one was certain of his real profession.

... ...

It has been over a week since they had taken root in the camp—during this time; there were already quite a lot of fights and battles, small and big, against the Tolants. Zarda’s worries were spot on. The alliance of the Black and Red Giant Ants were much harder to deal with than one can imagine.

They are a nasty bunch altogether. Normally, these two different colonies would have been fighting together, trying to exterminate the other. But for some reason, they are moving and acting together as if they come from a single army.

This really makes things even harder.

With the fire-breathing Red Giant Ants, Fire users Red Antmen, Acid spewing Black Giant Ants, and lastly the nasty melee combatants Black Ants, even the Lamians had had time-fighting them.

Although the Lamians were above in terms of power and strength, the enemy is still holding their advantage through numbers. Furthermore, the Black Ants Acid attacks that corroded their equipment was a terrible matter. A few of the armors and weapons had already been discarded as trash due to their sorry state. And I’m pretty sure Miyabila would not like what had happened to her precious creations. Rain mused as he looks at the pile of discarded weapons and armors in the camp.

Now the battle had been on a stalemate. Though, from what Rain heard, Zarda and the others seemed to be planning a massive raid, in order to end the battle sooner.

Up until now, the Lamians were just trying to test the waters out. And Zarda seemed to have already found a way to victory—so perhaps, this war would end faster than Rain anticipated?

... ...

Nevertheless, since they are still fleshing things out and discussing things, Rain has so much free time. And now, he was out hunting and training by himself—ahh, not actually by himself as he can feel someone following him closely and watching over him. And it’s not hostile for sure. It must be the guard that Zarda had assigned to keep him safe.

Judging from the skill of concealment, it must have been Avreda, the Lamian which is best in scouting, spying, and concealment. Rain was certain of his conjecture. Though, he didn’t show any signs of already realizing the presence. It would have been extremely strange otherwise.

Rain was already able to notice her in the first place, was because of Sylphy who had been keeping an eye on his surroundings. And with Syphy’s computer-like abilities, nothing could bypass her attention as long as that is within twenty meters around him.

Rain surveyed the entire surrounding. Dense and overgrown vegetation was everywhere. Insects were buzzing and birds were singing. Upon taking a breath, the clear air, along with the scent of decaying nature, would fill your lungs.

As Rain was checking the surrounding, suddenly he heard a loud cry from behind and turned around to see a wild humanoid figure leaping towards him while wielding a large battle axe and a shield. Sadly, Rain had already known of them the moment they appeared.

Rain casually jumped to avoid the attack of the battle-ax—more hobgoblins, he thought as he looks at his attackers.

Two. They were two of them. The other was a similar hobgoblin to the one he had killed, wielding a short tattered sword. Hence, it might also be a Hobgoblin Fighter. But what are they doing here? This was the first time Rain had seen Hobgoblins in this part of the forest. He had been training in this part, and aside from magical beast and monster, and occasionally some Trolls, there were no Hobgoblins.

Now that I think about it, even the Goblins seemed to be appearing much often lately.

While thinking as such, Rain barely dodges the speed of the monster’s attack. Activating [Agility EX] and [Speed Enhancement (Small)], Rain was able to match his opponent’s speed and dodged barely. And after Rain dodged three consecutive strikes, the Hobgoblin completely lost its balance and, without missing that chance, he used a sword skill at full strength.

Holding the sword in front of his body and then putting in a twist from there, Rain thrust his rapier at the maximum speed. Claang!! But the attack was easily blocked by the shield. What fast reaction, Rain jumped backward the moment the attack failed. However, at this moment, a shadow appeared behind him. It’s the other Hobgoblin.

Rain grit his teeth and raised his leg, but before he could lash out his kick, “Impudent!” a familiar voice appeared and like a whip, a long snake tail stuck the Hobgoblin Fighter, blowing it away along with a painful grunt.

With a long silver hair, purple reptilian eyes, and white skin like that of fresh snow, a beautiful Lamian appeared standing a few meters away from Rain’s position. It was none other than Stagna—and here I thought it was Avreda…

“Rain, be careful,” she muttered with a faint smile.

Truly, she would surely look very beautiful if she wore glasses. Rain mused as his raised leg changed course, and struck the shield standing in front of him. Although not enough to budge the Hobgoblin, still using the force from the attack, he somersaulted in the air, while making a distance.

When he was in the air, a long tail caught him, coiling around his waist and immediately pulling him. When Rain was about to wonder why suddenly in his eyes the shield of the Hobgoblin seemed to have expanded along with a fierce cry.

No, rather than expanded, it actually charged right into him. If Stagna didn’t pull him with her tail, he would not be able to avoid the Hobgoblin’s charge and he would be hit by its shield. And that would surely hurt...very much.

“Jeez, and I told you to be careful…” said Stagna with a wry smile as Rain fell on her embrace.

“Ah, no one told me that it can do something like that,” Rain smiled wryly.

“That’s a Shield Bash,” said Stagna. “It’s a common skill used by those who used shields. And judging from the equipment, getting hit by it would not just give you pain… its strength should be higher than its speed, so be careful,”

Rain nodded his head as she let him down gently. “Though, I don’t think I need to ask why Elder Sister is here, do I?”

“You didn’t actually believe we will let you go alone, do you?” Stagna said, then added in a sultry, eerily hypnotic voice, “You are still far away from being capable of venturing this forest alone, my dear. Danger and Death are all around this place, the moment you let your guard down it would be all over in an instant. How could we dare let you go alone?”

“I’m not a child that needs supervision, though?” Rain grimaced, somewhat embarrassed from being treated like a child.

“You’re much more than a child, and I may add, much more important compared to them at that.” Stagna retorted although Rain could tell by the amusement in her voice that the reprimand was anything but genuine. “Well, this topic can wait as it would be quite rude to let the guests wait anymore,” she turned her gaze from towards the Hobgoblins and the gentle expression on her face turned one of cold and fierce.

“I shall make them feel the fate of those who bare their fangs against you!” she said and her entire demeanor change.

The dark emotions Sarete harbored could be seen in her vividly colored pupils, that it even gave Rain a chill.

Rain let out a wry smile. But he too made his fighting stance after seeing the two Hobgoblin glaring at them with a menacing air. It seems like they are quite tough that they were able to survive Sarete’s Tail attack.

“They are strong,” he muttered.

“You did incredibly great assassinating the Hobgoblin you killed. However, I fear it was the weakest among these three,” said Stagna as she pulled the strings on the bow. An enchanted arrow immediately materializing on it. “These two Hobgoblins must have the highest level, especially the one with the tower shield. Be careful, they are as strong as the Trolls you have fought before. Or perhaps, even stronger…”

“I know…” Rain took a deep breath and his eyes narrowed dangerously.

Sylphy had already analyzed the two Monster’s strength and both of them were at least Lv2 or 3. And in the superior ranks at that. The one he had killed before was just a Lv2 Hobgoblin, and with the advantage of a surprise attack, fatal blow, and skills, he was able to immediately kill it. However, a frontal battle would be harder than expected. After all, these monsters know skills and Combat Arts as well. And had good pairing—a tank and a fighter!

“Remember, this is also your training. Hence, I wouldn’t be doing much fight—though, I’ll play with the other one, so fight to your heart’s content without worrying anything,”

Rain nodded his head.

Aaaaahhhhh!!!

With eyes filled with bloodlust, the Hobgoblins gave roars that left others shivering in fear.