Part Ninety-Seven

Pandemonium. Everything had descended into freaking pandemonium. Nearly everyone was being pushed back by the swarms of monsters scaling the walls and transformed Golems. Not even five minutes into the battle, and the ground was already covered in monster corpses. The dammed things just kept coming, crushing the corpses of their kin as they came. Even the NPCs were struggling against the tide.

The fighting was so chaotic that I’d been separated from Cameron and Alicia. I was only perhaps ten yards further down the wall, but it might as well have been an ocean that separated us for all the good it would do. No matter how many monsters I cut down, more seemed to crop up to take their place.

I can already feel exhaustion creeping into me. My fighting style is very energy-inefficient. I have finite quantities of mana and stamina. By conserving one, I consume the other. I need to find a way to extend the duration of my Skills, or I’ll never be able to survive drawn out fights like this on my own.

I’d never had a problem with gas mileage until we’d entered this Dungeon. No matter how many monsters we’d fought before, we’d always finished the fights before I got too low on mana. And I always had had time to rest in-between fights. Even the D-Rank Dungeon we’d cleared hadn’t been this strenuous. Using Beast of the Nightmare intermittently helped the problem, but it wasn’t a cure-all solution. There was a hard limit on how many times I could use the Skill.

I’m just glad the NPCs are still here. Without them, we’d never hold the line. Hell, I think they’re actually doing more than I am. Their coordination is as uncanny as ever. But…

“MRAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!”

*Crack! Thunk! Thwack! Splat!*

Those specialized units might be fine, but the ordinary soldiers would be quickly overwhelmed when a C-Rank showed up. That’s right. There were now freaking C-Ranks among the normal monsters. While they were few and far between, I’d still seen at least three since the fighting began. It had in fact been a C-Rank Orc Marauder that had separated me from the others. The Orc’s physical strength had been up there with the General’s, but its combat technique was below even mine.

“MRAAAAAAAA!”

“Fine, fine. I’ll play with you too.”

While I’d been distracted by my thoughts, a Minotaur Warrior had broken through the line of NPCs and charged straight for me. I dove out of the way of its reckless charge, and fired a [Rot] at its back as it passed. With the beast reeling from the sudden pain, it was quickly taken out by a spell from one of the mages. But I barely had time to appreciate the assistance before a group of Kovis climbed the walls and attacked us.

No rest of the wicked here. I hope the others are holding up against this. It’s gonna be a long day.

***

[Alicia’s POV]

Yeech. That. Is. Gross!

Alicia had seen more than her fair share of blood and gore in the last five months, but that was never easy to see. Even if they were only NPCs, seeing a person literally ripped in half was never pretty. However, those five months of blood and gore had immunized her to violent images like that. If it had been Alicia before she met Michael, then she’d currently be throwing up. As it was, she just calmly sent a Grenade Arrow into the head of the monster responsible, before moving on to her next target.

Tch, I can’t find Cameron or Michael anywhere. I know Michael got sent flying by that Orc, but I don’t know what happened to Cam. The last I saw of him, we were surrounded by Goblins. I managed to slip away, but I haven’t seen him since. Granted I’m now in a completely different spot, but it’s odd that I can’t find him even with Accuracy. No, don’t think about it now. Just aim and fire.

After she realized that she was alone, she’d scurried up the nearest watchtower. Alicia's biggest weakness was that she was vulnerable when enemies got too close. It was a vulnerability shared by all back-line fighters, but it was particularly bad for her. Mages would have numerous spells to choose from if a monster got too close. There were even spells designed to be used in those situations.

But she didn’t have that option. Having to maintain the proper stance prevented her from reacting as quickly. She wasn’t completely useless in melee combat as she still had [Stun Strike] and the knives Michael had given her. In fact, she was quite confident in dealing with any D or lower Ranked monster that got close to her. It was just that there were way too many monsters on the wall to let her feel safe, so she decided to take a vantage point, to great effect.

Every single monster she set her eyes on died with a single arrow to the eye or throat. Alicia had even identified which monsters were likely to survive those injuries, and thus sent them a Grenade Arrow, of which she’d prepared several dozen of. She was making a noticeable dent in the Monster Army on this wall segment, a fact noticed by both the monsters and defenders.

The few avian monsters left in the Dungeon would occasionally swoop out of the sky to try and attack her. Other monsters tried to climb the tower to get at her, but they left themselves completely vulnerable by doing so. All it took was a single arrow or [Stun Strike], and they’d be headed for the ground below.

It’s a good thing I made sure to stock up on arrows before this battle. I’m burning through them like tissues in allergy season.

Given that her current rate of fire was about every three seconds, the normal amount she usually carried wouldn’t have lasted five minutes. Though even the surplus the NPCs had given her would run out soon.

Thankfully, it seemed like things would soon settle down for her. She’d finally spotted what appeared to be a whirlwind of violence heading for her tower, dodging around NPCs and mercenaries, and ripping through any monster unlucky enough to get too close.

Heh, there you are.

***

The heads of three more Goblins went flying as I vaulted over their collapsing bodies. I’d finally managed to break through the monsters between me and the watchtower where Alicia was sniping from. I’d long lost track of how many monsters I’d killed. I’d fallen into a sort of battle frenzy, one that didn’t end until I entered the tower's staircase.

Calm down Michael. This is no time to give in to battle lust. I need to stay calm and collected if I’m to survive this battle. First, let’s reunite with Alicia.

“Michael! Long time no see! Come to join the party?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world! I’ll take the ones climbing up the tower. You just focus on the ones on the wall.”

“Got it!”

Woo, time to play some whack-a-mole!

***

[Edwin’s POV]

Gaaaaah! What is happening here!?

Things had been fine up until a few minutes ago. But then this red haze had settled over his vision, and the next thing he knew, he was covered in blood while laughing maniacally. Everyone around him was acting just as crazy, in the battle had descended into a state of total chaos. Even the NPCs were being affected.

“MRAAAAAAAGH!!!”

“OIIIIINK!”

The only bright side to this situation was that the monsters were going crazy too. While the NPCs and mercenaries were at least leaving each other alone, the monsters were attacking anything that moved.

Crap! I’ve gotta get to safety, or I’ll get killed!

Edwin turned to run, but instead realized that a group of Kovis had circled around behind him. For whatever reason, the lizard-like Demi-Humans weren’t affected by the strange haze that had taken everything else. He’d need to fight the monsters himself if he wanted to escape.

***

[Sampson’s POV]

“Well shit. This may have been a bit too much.”

Sampson had activated Berserking, leading to the free-for-all before him. He’d only intended to give them the lightest push, but had instead sent nearly the entire segment into a murderous frenzy. The only reason he hadn’t given in to the bloodlust was because he was already resistant to the effects of Berserking, and because it was his Unique Skill. He’d remain lucid as long as he wished to.

“Tch, I suppose I’ve got two options here. I could either revoke Berserking's effects, or I could just enjoy this bloodbath. What do you think, Jansen?”

“I don’t see why I should care what you do. This isn’t a partnership, it's merely us using each other. If you want to go and get yourself killed, by my guest. I’ll just pick up the pieces once the dust has settled.”

“Hahahaha! Well aren’t you fucked up!? What a ludicrous lieutenant I’ve picked for myself.”

“Hmph, it’s your own damn fault. Now shut up and fight.”

The two men were probably the only mercenaries in the fort currently able to have a calm conversation. Dozens of screaming, berserk mercenaries were standing between them and the monsters. Sampson was merely observing his handiwork, while Jansen was dispassionately firing arrows into any opening he could find. Ironically, Jansen’s own Unique Skill was canceling the effects of Sampson’s, and it was even feeding on it.

“Oh look, there’s another one.”

“Tch. I’ve got it.”

The duo had spotted a C-Rank monster moving admit the melee. These beasts were extremely dangerous, as they were stronger than both the mercenaries and other monsters. Even the NPCs struggled to deal with them.

But for Jansen, it was simple to eliminate the monster. Once he willed it to, the arrow he currently had nocked burst into black-tinged flames. These flames were the result of his Unique Skill, and didn’t produce any heat despite burning. Heck, they wouldn’t even spread to anything but his target.

With barely a sound, the arrow flew clear of Jansen’s bow, threading through various gaps in the battle, until it struck the monster’s head. The creature barely had time to acknowledge that it had been attacked before the arrow exploded with even more flames. Despite its best attempts, the monster couldn’t put the unnatural flames out before they’d devoured its head.

*Whistle* “Damn. Glad I ain’t on the other end of that attack. Who would’ve thought our Unique Skills had such chemistry?”

“Who cares? Get fighting, or my next arrow is going up your ass.”

“Tch, I don’t know how you were before this happened, but you could stand to be less of an ass.”

“…”

“Fine, fine. I’m going. Fuck.”

Sampson unslung his hammer before wading out into the battle. He certainly didn’t want to experience any kind of rectal penetration today.

***

[Tavin's POV]

*Crack! Smack! Splat!*

“Kishaaaa….”

“Mraaaa..aa.a…..”

“Hup! Come on! Show me something I haven’t already seen!”

“KIIISHHHAAAAAA!”

As if in direct response to his challenge, a large Kovis leaped out of the pack of monsters he was singlehandedly holding back. This was probably the leader of this particular group, so if he could kill it, he’d demoralize the rest.

“Very well then. Come at me!”

“Kisshhha!”

The two charged at one another, neither combatant wielding a weapon. Tavin's predisposition was well-known, and Kovis are a race that will easily give up using metal weapons in favor of their own claws. In fact, Kovis only used swords until they’d reached their first evolution, which is when their claws would become tough enough to use in active combat. They’re quite brittle up until that point, and remain somewhat soft for a time afterwards.

Tavin didn’t know any of that of course. All he knew was that the weaker Kovis used cheap, disposable swords, and that the stronger ones didn’t. He often sought them out since they usually made for decent sparring partners, though he’d have to watch out for the poison their claws secreted. But now, now that wouldn’t be a problem. The new Gauntlets he’d gotten were more than tough enough to parry their claws.

*Clang!*

“Shaaa!?”

“Hehe, didn’t see that coming, did ya? Now eat this, Mach Punch!”

*Splat!*

The remaining monsters screeched in shock as their leader had its head unceremoniously burst apart. Tavin's Mach Punch had enough force to crack stone, a soft, fleshy head wasn’t going to do much better.

“Huh? Is that it? Haaah, and here I was hoping for more of a challenge. Oh well, guess I’ll wipe up the rest of ya.”

Sensing the human’s bloodlust, the monsters prepared themselves to fight, even as they shivered in fear.