Chapter 770 Perfect Decoy

Arriving at the spot, Zyviss watched as the players headed towards the guildhall like fools. This guild used to be a mage's guild and was sure to have many valuable items. Of course, it was a prime location to hit if you wanted spoils of war. But only an idiot would do so without proper scouting and preparation.

He stayed on the roof and watched as the players rushed forward after what could only be called the most lacking of all scouting. A few players moving a few meters ahead and giving the all clear.

What training they had undergone these past two years he couldn't even fathom. It seemed like they were still the same as players who were fresh to the game.

"Idiots." Zyviss scoffed. Mere seconds later, shouts filled the air as those who had entered the building were sent flying back out, most through the windows. Vicious wounds covered their chests as they gasped for air and gurgled up blood.

Seeing the sight, Zyviss flinched. He and all other players might not experience the pain of such injuries, with it being limited to feeling like a slightly deep cut. But that uncomfortable feeling as you drowned in your own blood. It was not something pleasant to experience regardless if pain accompanied it or not.

Signaling the guild, Zyviss moved past the players who were being slaughtered one after the other. Infiltrating the area surrounding the guildhall to find the surviving citizens and guide them to salvation.

In this mission, he and all the rangers always ended up taking on the role of assassins and spies. Their class inherently focused on agility, which made them the fastest and most nimble. A number had dropped using the bow and started focusing on daggers (another agility focused weapon).

And through the weeks, they had become quite good at moving quietly in the shadows.

Waiting for the signal, Nikki moved. Rushing forward with a detachment of warriors, she charged into the fray.

"Hold fast! We'll support you!" she shouted as she expertly deflected the strike of an orc elite, using her smaller frame to get in close and drive her shortsword into its side. Ripping with all her strength to the side.

Blood sprayed everywhere, covering Nikki. She looked like a smiling devil as the orc stumbled and she thrust her sword through its neck.

Yet, even this was not enough to kill the orc elite. Tier 5 and an elite, the orc had an extreme constitution and a large amount of health. The wound at its side no longer bled profusely. In a minute or two, all that would remain of it would be a large scar.

It was this hardiness that had totally shocked the player's confidence. But Nikki and her entourage were used to this. She had not expected her to swift strikes to end the orc. A surprise attack could only accomplish so much.

She stepped back, allowing a warrior with a large poleaxe (with emphasis on the axe) to swing with all his might at the stumbling orc. The large axe blade beheading the orc with a thump.

Without speaking, Nikki moved on to the next, and the poleaxe wielder followed behind. In groups of two, one swift and agile, the other slow and heavy in strike, the players of Phoenix cut down orc after orc.

Their actions garnered cheers from the other players who had their courage reignited. They shouted stupidly as they charged at the orcs. Acting as the perfect shield to allow Phoenix's members to focus on the orcs as planned.

"We can do this!"

​ "These stupid orcs don't know what's hit them!"

"Quick now, we can't let them outshine us!"

Hearing the cheers, Nikki chuckled. Monitoring the guild chat to stay up to date with how things were progressing. Sadly, it appeared yet again that most of the survivors were human and demi-humans. With nearly no centaur among them.

When they had first started the rescue mission, the disparity had been small, but now it was too great to ignore. A trend no one saw favorably. Nikki hated the reason why. It made too much sense and was simply barbaric.

This report filled her with intense hatred for the orcs. And while her mission was not to exterminate the stronghold, she would not hold back while acting as a decoy to keep the other players engaged.

She charged forward and slipped past one orc's guard after the other. Expertly using her smaller frame and buckler shield to slip past their guard and mortally wound them. Leaving the rest to those doing their best to catch up.

'One, two, three... That's an orc warrior.' Noting the orc swinging a massive greatsword longer than the average person, Nikki paused for a second. Orc warriors were not to be taken lightly. This the guild had learned the hard way.

She paused, taking out a small bottle she had ordered from Erik. Pouring its contents onto her blade, she used some of the tattered clothing in the surrounding to spread it over the blade.

"Nikki..." The poleaxe wielder hesitated, understanding her target but not wishing to die.

"Strike true." Nikki mumbled in reply, taking her stance and focusing entirely on the orc. Playing out the sequence of events in her mind.

Seeing her state, the poleaxe wielder relented. There was no talking her out of it once she got like this. Taking his own stance, he surveyed the surroundings and tried to ensure that nothing would impede his strike.

Nikki charged, moving through the melee as if flowing water, arriving at the orc warrior's blindside in mere seconds. She struck, her sword drawing blood and the content she had poured onto her blade mixing with it.

She struck again, the orc unable to shift his focus to this sudden surprise attack quick enough to defend himself. Her next strike cut through the back of his legs. Forcing to orc to kneel as the contents of that bottle brought forth a roar of anguish.

"Waahhhhh!" It tried to turn, only to have Nikki's shortsword sink into its side. Right between its ribs and into its lungs.

Finally, it managed to face her. Bearing its large greatsword from its kneeling position, it waved it crazily. Forcing her to maintain her distance or be cut in half.

It was then that the poleaxe user caught up. From behind the orc, he silently raised his weapon and struck.

Whether by instinct or foresight, the orc brought its greatsword to its shoulder just in time to block.

Clang!

The sharp sound of metal against metal filled the air, far louder than anything before. Yet the sharp sound was quickly downed out by the sounds of battle.

The orc grinned as it looked at the player. Readying its next strike.

Its grin faded as a blade pierced its neck. It swung wildly, too high.

Nikki struck again, this time from below. Her sword getting caught between the orc's ribs as she was forced to retreat.

It was at death's door, but it laughed as it pulled out her sword. Its legs healed. The orc stood and held the blade against the ground. Breaking it with a mighty kick.

Instead of the fear it expected from the woman who had nearly killed him, the orc saw Nikki smiling.

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