Part Sixty-Two

“Isn’t this exciting?”

As promised, we were deposited inside the forest a short distance north of our target. This had become semi-routine, so most of us weren’t surprised at the sensation of being teleported, but those who were experiencing it for the first time were highly disorientated by the experience.

“My, these trees are so big! How old do you think they are?”

The clearing the Orc General was waiting in was deep into the forest, maybe even deeper as I’d gone when being chased by wolves the day before. The trees were big, heavily overgrown, and impeded our line-of-sight, making this the perfect place for an ambush. Everyone was on high alert, vigilantly observing our surroundings.

“Ohoh, I’ve never seen such berries! Why would they be this shade of pink? I simply must try them!”

Okay, almost everyone. That weirdo had been upgraded to complete idiot within my mind, as he simply couldn’t seem to control himself. I’d hoped to go unnoticed, but the crazy bastard had somehow spotted me after the teleport, and had followed me ever since. I could see Alicia trying to suppress laughter, though not that she could laugh, from out of the corner of my eye.

“Listen you crazy numbskull. This isn’t some nice foray into the woods. We’re on a dangerous mission to exterminate a group of powerful monsters that know we’re coming, and the one advantage we have is that we’re coming from a different direction than they suspect. So shut up.”

Thankfully, he’d been taking care to speak in a low voice, so he probably hadn’t blown our cover, but I didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks this late into the game. The fight ahead of us was going to be that difficult. I wanted any and every advantage I could get.

“Aha, sorry, sorry. This familiar but alien environment has gotten me more worked up than I’d anticipated. I’ll be quiet now.”

I’d prefer it if you went off into the undergrowth and never came back, not that there is undergrowth here. This forest is so weird.

We finished our trek in total silence, following the mages as they guided us. One of them was scouting ahead via a magical weasel, and he was reporting on what he saw as we went. Oddly, aside from those waiting for us, there weren’t any other monsters within a hundred meters of the clearing. There were signs that they’d left in a hurry, and several spots where battles had taken place.

This can’t mean anything good. The Orc General has clearly planned this out, but why? Is it really just trying to deal with us, or does it have an ulterior motive? And why did it focus on me so hard earlier? I really, really don’t like this.

“We’re almost there. The clearing is a few meters ahead of us. What are your orders, sir?

“Everyone with a shield should focus on defending. They’re probably going to charge straight at us, so blocking that first attack is paramount. If they claim the momentum, they’ll route us. Mages, I want you to focus your spells on their mages. Keep ‘em occupied. Kalia, can you use that spell you used during the fight with Finnél?”

“I, yeah, yeah I can. It’ll take me a moment though, so don’t expect it right away.”

“Good enough. Let’s move out.”

I could see sunlight peeking through the trees from up ahead. And I could hear the sounds of monsters waiting impatiently for battle. This is it. Better give it my all.

“Alicia, do you think you can kill any Orcs and Minotaurs coming our way? And maybe kill a Mivian or two?”

*Nod!*

“Good. Do you want point or cleanup Cameron?”

“I’ll take point. My weapon’s not exactly suited for precision work.”

Point just meant that Cameron would deal with the brunt of those coming towards us, while I would deal with those who got through. Cameron’s weapon was perfect for overwhelming several opponents at once, while I preferred to deal debilitating injuries before finishing them off. And since I was faster, I could react quicker to sudden developments.

With everyone as prepared as they’re going to get, we headed the last few yards into the clearing. The sudden change from dark forest to open clearing was jarring, but not as much as the sight of the monsters waiting for us.

They stood in a disorderly mob, which only got worse once they’d seen us. Almost immediately, the monsters with little self-restraint began charging straight for us, practically foaming at the mouth. Even the relatively calm monsters were still chomping at the bit to get us, and it didn’t take long for the entire group to come charging at us.

“Mages, archers, open fire!”

*Twang twang twang twang twang*

Multiple arrows streaked towards the monsters, catching those closest to us in their vitals. I saw at least three monsters go down, and get trampled by the rest. And a few beats behind, the mages' spells shot out, balls of fire impacting in the far back, fully engulfing several monsters, including at least one Mivian.

The archers' next salvo came next, but with a very different result. Most of those who’d charged first had been Kovi, but now Orcs and Minotaurs made up the bulk of those at the front. And they weren’t as fragile as the Kovi.

These were monsters who were already known for their toughness and vitality. They rarely died easily. I saw a Minotaur take an arrow to the eye and keep going, even as blood poured down the side of its face. An Orc was shot in the throat, and it took a few seconds for its strength to flag. And then they were on us.

“Mraaaaaagh!!”

“OIIIIIINK!”

Monsters crashed into our formation, with five coming for the three of us. A Kovis, Two Minotaurs, and two Orcs. The Minotaurs and one Orc were held back by Cameron, while the other two came for me. I shot the Orc with [Rot] and let the Kovis get in close since it wore armor.

A Kovis Dark-Claw? Let’s see, its Analyze result says that it eschews weapons in favor of its claws, which secrete a nerve toxin. Oh boy. And since I can see Aura around them, I better not let this damn thing cut me.

“Shaaaaaa!”

“Oh, shut up! Don’t scream in my fucking face!”

I blocked its first attacks and shoved it backwards, cutting off one of its hands as it back-pedaled. The armor they wore was extremely thin around their joints so as to not hinder their movement, which made it too easy to cut through with an Aura-backed sword. I did give it some credit however, as it hadn’t let itself become overwhelmed with pain. It jumped back towards me as soon as it recovered. I blocked it though, and used the white sword to pierce its heart right after.

My hastily fired [Rot] had caught the Orc in the shoulder, costing it the use of its arm and forcing it to drop its weapon. I could’ve killed it by hitting it in the head, but I was trying to avoid that, as it was easier to miss and hit someone I didn’t want to. It died before it could recover its weapon anyway, as Alicia finished it off for me.

The other Orc was laying on the ground, its entrails spilling out of it as it weakly oinked. I saw no reason to finish it since it was close to death, especially since Cameron was cornered by the two Minotaurs. Both were using large axes and forcing Cameron back with every step. He was only standing due to the impressive way he wielded his battleaxe.

I raced past them, cutting one of the Minotaurs under the armpit. While the wound was shallow, I’d enchanted it with [Seize], so the Minotaur lost feeling in its arm. Despite it supposedly being more difficult than [Rot], [Seize] used a fraction of the mana, and had a subtler effect that was harder to avoid. Cameron was easily able to bisect the distracted Minotaur, while Alicia pegged the other in the forehead with one of her specially made arrows. It was certainty gratifying to see their growth.

*Whoosh!*

Kalia finally completed her spell, and the effect blew past everyone, imbuing us with energy to spare. It couldn’t have come at a better time, because while we’d dealt with our monsters, it wasn’t going so well everywhere. I counted three human corpses, though there were far more monster ones on the ground. While most of the mercenaries had dealt with the monsters in much the same way we had, they’d still somehow opened a hole in the formation on the other side, causing the fight to devolve into a melee.

Since we got the first attack, we have the advantage here. That’s probably the only reason there’s not more dead. And at the center of it all, is that fucking pig. Guess I’ll get my payback a little early.

“Alicia, Cameron, focus on dealing with the monsters over here. I’m gonna go help the others. We can’t let them die here.”

My companions both gave me pointed glares. I may have said I was going to help, but they probably knew my true motivation.

“Michael, lad. Don’t be reckless. Let the others handle it. Look, they’ve already got it surrounded. There’s no need for you to get personally involved.”

Oh, but there is! After all, that damn pig has been glaring at me ever since I noticed it. If I don’t come to it, it’ll come to me, and I’d like to keep them out of this particular fight. I have the feeling it isn’t going to be easy for me, or anyone.

And so I chose not to reply, but to turn around and dash off. I heard Cameron start to speak, but I ignored him. I had to fight this fight.

***

“Michael, wait!”

Give it up Cam. There’s no talking him down when he gets like this. His emotions are all over the place, so much so that he probably doesn’t even realize he’s being irrational. Or he does, but doesn’t care. That would certainly be like him. Besides, he can handle himself. So long as he doesn’t enter a death match with the Orc General, he’ll be fine. I’m more worried about whatever they’re up to.

Three Mivians were grouped together, encased in a whirlwind of glyphs. How the three monsters were still alive was puzzling. The mages had launched their first salvo with the intent of wiping out the monstrous mages. But there was one thing obvious to her. They needed to die. The amount of mana they were manipulating was simply frightening. If they used it for a powerful spell, they might wipe out the mercenaries in one fell swoop. Everyone nearby was busy, so it was up to the two of them.

Since she still couldn’t talk, she had to grab Cameron’s head and turn his attention away from Michael so he would notice the Mivians. He quickly grasped the situation, and what she was asking of him, from that one gesture and set off. Over half of the monsters were dead by now, and those still alive were already occupied with fighting the others. The fact that the monsters had rushed them had ultimately given them the upper hand.

One of the Mivians quickly noticed him, and began to cast a few weak spells towards him. But this was exactly the reason she’d sent him, as he still wore the Ring of Lesser Mana Reflection. You needed to keep it charged with mana, but if you did, it would reflect spells with weak firepower for you. Michael had said that he didn’t need one more thing that required Mana, so Cameron could keep it.

Realizing that it needed more firepower, the Mivian diverted its attention from the spell to focus on Cameron. This of course slowed the progress of the spell, but it also caused part of the barrier they were maintaining to drop. Trying to control all three spells was beyond the Mivian, so it dropped the one it least prioritized. Which would prove to be fatal.

The second the barrier dropped, her arrow shot forward to pierce its forehead, killing it instantly. With one of those responsible for maintaining the mana surrounding them gone, the other two panicked and tried to escape. But they didn’t get far before the mana, now wild and out-of-control, exploded outwards. Since this was a mana explosion, there weren’t any flames, only pure force, but it was still enough to turn the Mivians into mincemeat.

Holy crap! I, I didn’t expect that! I thought killing one of them would just cause the spell to collapse, not explode! Poor Cameron, he got completely splattered by it. Yeesh, that ended quicker than I thought it would.

Not long after she had that thought, she heard an unforgettable sound, like glass slowly cracking and then shattering. It was something she’d heard twice before. The first time was when the System first appeared, and the second was when Michael had entered into a duel with a Minotaur. It was the sound of space shattering.

Michael, what are you doing?

***

Getting close wasn’t hard. Most of the monsters were either dead or already occupied by the others. I only had to deal with a single Minotaur on my way through. No, the hard part was actually getting to the monster.

“Push it back! Don’t let the bastard through!”

I wasn’t the only one with a grudge against the beast, as it had killed a couple of Braddock’s followers and a number of others surfing the fight. Those that remained had surrounded it and were trying to contain it, but all it simply had to do was smack them with one of its swords and they’d go flying. They had managed to damage its armor, partially revealing the skin underneath.

When I first saw it, its skin was similar to old leather and twice as tough. But now, now its skin reminded me of someone suffering from leprosy. It was blackish and putrid, pitted and scarred, and was showing early signs of decomposition. If its entire body was like that, then I could understand why it started wearing armor.

But even though they were wounding it, it still wouldn’t look away from me. Its gaze was laser-focused on me, and me alone. If it blamed me for its current state, then it would seem that we both bore a grudge against the other. Hm, its definitely different from before. I wonder if Analyze would say why?

Grudge-Scarred General (V77)

Rank: C

Archetype: Warrior

Description: An Orc General modified by Dungeon Protocol V77, also known as the Vengeance Protocol. Monsters modified by the Vengeance Protocol will become obsessed with killing their target, to the point where they will even become self-destructive.

Ohmygod, what the fuck!? Its obsessed with me!? No no no. Just no. I’m really grossed out by it now.

“Oink. Oink, Oink! OIIIIIINNNNNNNK!!!”

Maybe it somehow understood what I was thinking, or maybe it just grew tired of playing with the others, but the Orc released a shockwave that threw everyone but me backwards. Now why didn’t I get thrown as well? I don’t know. Maybe it isolated me from the effect, somewhat like what I could do with Bloodthirst.

“Oiiiiiiink!”

::You have been challenged to a duel. If you accept, you will not be able to escape until the battle is over. In addition, your opponent has been affected by a Dungeon Protocol, and is registered as a Mid-boss caliber monster. If you succeed in the duel, all three bonuses will be rolled into one.::

Wait, did the System just explain something to me!? But it’s been so unhelpful until now! Jeez, I sure hope there’s a customer complaints department or something, because I’ve got a list of ‘em.

Anyway, from what it said, it sounds like this Dungeon Protocol thing provides a bonus just like Warrior duels and Mid-bosses do. If I accept, they’ll all be rolled into one item? Hm, one good item could be better than two inferior ones, but I’d have to fight it all alone.

“Oi, oi, oiiiiiiiiiiiiink.”

Did it just taunt me? Ohohohoh, okay. If that’s the way you want to play it.

“Fine piggy. You want a fight? You’ve got one.”

Was there ever any doubt that I would choose this? I’d specifically come over here with the express intent on killing this bastard, and nothing would stop me. I grinned at the Orc General as the space around us warped and shattered, forming a barrier that no one could pass through. Nothing would be able to interfere with this battle.