Chapter 145 - Extermination

Upon looking at the enemy's den, they saw a mountain that has a hole on its side. Guards were present at the entrance and others were getting in and out of it. Joan was resting for a while as he waited for the right time to attack. Others just waiting for his signal to attack their lair. Joan knew some parts of the outside of the den as he was the one who led the scouting mission. Also wreaking havoc ahead of time made their overall strength lessen.

The others then were rounded up by Joan. Signalling that they will attack soon. Confirming that the place was their den, they started their raid.

They moved according to the plan. Joan was looking at his [Clairvoyance] skill and they were shown at the projected imagery. The two Chaos Knights appeared from where they were hiding. Armed to the teeth and clad with full plated armour.. They immediately ran towards the guards of the gargoyle den. Enemies were surprised that there were only two who attacked their den. They were brave enough to show their faces with just the two of them. Or so they thought. They can only mock them inside their minds.

[Chaos aura]

They were covered with smoke and embers. The guards of the den saw them and they immediately alarmed the place. Making the two to be in a bind. Still, it was part of the plan. The enemies approached them and they were not able to tolerate the heat coming from them. Making the enemies step back a bit. The Chaos Knights on the contrary were just approaching them and slashed their swords. The enemies surrounded them but they were not able to harm them with their claws.

[Chaos breath]

They were struck with hot miasma and some of them were burned after receiving the skill. They wailed and then retreated. Flying above them then attacked again. Diving towards the two, they prepared their claws to slash them. Brute strength to batter their mortal bodies.

[Shield charge]

Continuous use of the skill being in combo with their slashes made them plant chaos upon the enemy base. Other enemies were hit on the face and were stunned a bit. Making the slash on them to easily end their lives. Enemies then emerged from the den and surrounded them. With the help of [Chaos aura], they weren't able to easily beat the two.

They clawed them but their hands were burnt instead. They still tried their best to defeat the two by charging towards them. Flying then quickly diving at them. Making them attack them while the burns were slightly less painful.

It was then, the Paladins moved after they saw that the enemies were getting out of the lair. Helping their kindred as they were slaughtered by the Chaos Knights. Not wanting for the enemies to flood their two comrades, Paladins then moved towards the entrance and then used their skill to knock them back.

[Heavy hitter]

They were smashed heavily and they were thrown hit after hit. Left and right smash of their hammers were able to fling them without making an effort. The sheer weight of their hit was as heavy as an elephant. Making the enemies smash their bodies to the den walls.

Bang! Bang! Boom!

Two of them were able to prevent their movements. Making the enemies pass out right after they hit them hard. The two of them assisted the Chaos Knights. Even with the four of them were there, the enemies were diving at them while others learned to evade their hits.

The enemies then clawed the two Paladins as they were not as mobile as the Chaos Knights. They used their skills [Berserk] of his Berserk arts and [Dread harbinger] of Dread arts.

[Dread harbinger]–a skill of Chaos Knights to bring dread to the enemies. Making the enemies fall into feeling great fear and reduces their Stats in the process.

It was then, other dread arts were used by the Chaos Knights which was very dreadful.

[Screaming pain]–a skill of Chaos Knights that belongs to Dread arts. The weapon was clad with a dark aura that heightens the pain felt by the enemy when they were struck by the weapon.

The two of them went on a rampage. Slicing the enemy flesh with their weapons who soon wailed as they were struck with the painful feeling after they were sliced upon. Others were just a small cut to the flesh but they screamed when they were slit.

The Chaos Knights then were focused by the enemies but they were still outnumbered. It was then the Necromancer appeared and the Lycan.

[Beast call]

Two wolves appeared and a crow hovering above him.

[Skeleton]

Three skeletons appeared. Two warriors and one archer.

They joined the battle and they went killing them one by one.

The Necromancer used his curse arts to weaken enemies by his skill [Weaken].

[Weaken]–a skill of Necromancer to make the enemy feel weak deep inside. All stats were affected and also all the five senses of the enemy were disturbed or hindered from functioning for a duration of time. The mastery of the skill will affect the duration and the intensity of the skill. The skill was very crippling but it was limited to only one enemy, not an area of effect.

They fought and the Lycan transformed into a Werewolf. Jumping and catching them while in the air. Others were ripped apart and their wings were uprooted from their backs. The Lycan then roared like a maddened beast.

The others wanted to escape but the Ranger and Rogue made their move. The Ranger used his skill [Snipe] then rained them with [Rapid fire]. The enemies were struck with arrows though they were bodily wounds and not as life-threatening as Joan's. Joan can headshot them even with the skill's speed. The Rogue then used his skill [Backstab] at the enemies. He exhibited high mobility and was able to execute the skill even at great heights. Though, he was using a real dagger and not the conjured ones. Making Joan think that he was not the greatest conjurer there was. Escaping enemies were easily killed by the two. Despite the enemy numbers they hunted were sixfold compared to their numbers which were only two.

It was then, they managed to kill them all and their body was seen littering the ground. Joan appeared and absorbed their essence without them knowing.

"Good job everybody! I know you all are strong. Let us then moved as a group inside for better safety. I divided you to see your capabilities and I was impressed! Now enough chit-chat, let us move inside the den," Joan said to them.

They entered the den with caution and they positioned themselves in their designated roles. Chaos Knights led the way, together with Joan. The Paladins were on the back and the Lycan and Necromancer were in the middle. Of course the Ranger and Rogue were the scouts of the team that were constantly reporting to Joan.

As they entered, they still didn't know the layout of the den. Making their travel a little bit tedious than normal. It was not scouted before so it all makes sense that they were lost sometimes or even making a roundabout encircling their path.

The interior of the den was just like a cave or an abandoned mine. There were cells of animals that they hunted for food and brought there. They also found a water source that has water dripping from the ceiling then were made into a puddle at the bottom. Moving deeper, they saw a bunch of gargoyles that were eating a goat. After they noticed them, they attacked. Chaos breathes were immediately fired at them. Making them toasted on the process. Joan then absorbed their essence and enjoyed the thought of it. While it makes him guilty that the other's growth will be delayed because of him. But thinking about sharing it with them was still not on his mind. Joan original needs it the most right now and it was the greater good if he thought about it. It was only a pity that his comrades will get only the spare.

It was then, the Ranger and Rogue appeared and reported at them that they saw a place full of younglings. Next to it were the lair of the queen as the report goes on. Joan then decided to attack the younglings first before the queen as it would be troublesome when they survived. Moving towards them, the two scouts joined the party. Earning the roles of ranged and a rounder.

Joan and the party entered the lair of the younglings. Joan then instructed them to block all the exits of the lair and so they did. Joan didn't felt guilty about killing those bunch. It was a normal way of thinking that they have to nip the buds while still young. They killed them one by one and bathed with their blood. The others were closing their eyes as Joan slaughtered them. Their hearts were not thoroughly prepared for such a sight. It took minutes and so Joan instructed them to move towards the queen's lair.