Chapter 136: Withdraw

A flash of light fell from the sky and a thin shield-like structure dropped in front of Ned. It was Darwyn with his knightly skill.

One of the rushing butriki got caught by the shield and made a splattering sound as its head was smashed against the ground. A green and white lump of soft meat scattered on the ground.

Darwyn stood ahead of Ned, blue armor shone and sword unsheathed. Flash of light triggered as he kept on maintaining the shield. Blue sword and armor contrasted its blonde hair.

The rushing beasts piled up in front of Darwyn's spell.

Although Grade E, with their sheer number, and iron ranked hunter like Rickart and Keesha, perhaps Darwyn as well, would have a hard time fighting back.

Eventually, a slightly different in rank would show its worth: difference in training, a master, kinds of skillset and spells, perhaps the difference in resources offered, made higher-ranked hunters valuable.

"Shield of Might?" Ned muttered. Seeing the skill, it was closely related to Ser Edwin's Tower of Endless Might ( where he saved Ned from Rassus's devouring breath). It was rather thin and short, almost a meter high, and thin flashes of light surrounded the forest.

The illuminated shield formed a barrier between the beasts and the Quickfall team. Rickart stood by covering his eyes, the same as Keesha.

Behind them a rustle came through, it was Erin the Looter, looting for any breathe left inside him.

Across the illuminating light of the shield were goblins and butrikis sliced to half by long-sword—angry enough that even the already dead was even sliced further.

Sidric spun ending his rampage after he stabbed the surprised red-ribbon goblin.

The front was clear with the advancing beasts. Their path was open, and some of the beasts that were left alive went scattering after they saw their leader fell with a hole on its chest.

Darwyn called off his spell, he seemed unsatisfied with his brows almost mixing in the middle of his eyes, his lips curled up and blue eyes flared. He ran toward the forest, armor clanging. His sword held ready for anything.

"Darwyn!" Sidric said, swinging his long sword; to rid of the blood sticking on its edges, and slung it behind his back against the straps of leather. He then walked toward the remaining four.

Darwyn the hot-headed knight left the group by tormenting the fleeing beasts.

"Are you okay, Keesha?" Sidric said. His eyes went to Keesha and ended up at Ned. "Ned, what are you doing?"

Ned stood in the front holding his short-sword. Rickart went back kneeling after he saw the remaining beast fleeing. Keesha ran toward Sidric, clinging under his chiseled arm.

"He helped us," Keesha said, rather a whisper, a foot length more and their faces would touch.

"Helped?" Asked Sidric. "You, a porter? With that sword?"

Ned relaxed and inserted Boom back to its scabbard. "I—"

Ned was cut short by Darwyn. Returning from his own raid with green liquid smudging his armor. "They're gone," he said. "Fucking globs!"

"They were scouts," it was Rickart. "They were scouting us. Malik and I were taken by surprise, th—"

"Malik," Sidric said running his eyes from the rest of the team even inside the forest. "Where's Malik?"

Dozens of them as a scout? Ned thought. Wandering why goblins, who were territorial and loved to live under the cavities of the dark dumpy caves, were out in the woods together with the butriki.

"Malik was," Keesha said pausing, gripping her hands harder against Sidric's arm.

"Captured," Rickart finished.

"What do you mean captured?" It was Darwyn, who stopped between Sidric with Keesha and Ned. Rickart and Erin were behind, resting.

Bodies scattered surrounding them. Some of the Olive Zest Herb were trampled to useless.

"I saw the goblins stabbed him, then tied him into a plank like a pig," Rickart said. "I… I insisted to bring him to learn about scouting since he is a Runner, but trailed off far away from our questing site."

"That is why we can't afford to accept Hunting quests," Sidric said dropping Rickart midway. His voice spiked up. "We lack the resources, we lack the weapons, and we lack manpower after... "

Keesha brushed Sidric's arm.

"Now, it was Malik," Darwyn ended the thought. "I say we go and retrieve him. If… if—"

"He's alive," Keesha said.

Sidric turned to Keesha with relief. "How did you know?"

"It was Ned," Keesha said, her voice toward Ned.

"Ned?" Sidric said. Turning his head to Ned. "Ned?"

Ned nodded. He wasn't in the mood to show off his fake smile. This team is in distress. Ned thought he then gave the word to his system; ICE, save the notification for now. And then off the display.

[Won't you check Overclock and Fireball reaching level two?]

Not now, I bet these quests won't be a gathering for long, Ned answered.

"He might be made an offering," Ned said after his display went off. "Goblins captures only female"—looking at Keesha and back to Sidric—"for breeding. But they never let live the males they captured. They killed on the spot, no time to beg. But if Rickart said was true, Malik was stabbed and tied to a plank, then he was alive…—"

"What?" Darwyn said to Ned listening in the process. "Finish it, what?"

"He was alive, but nor for long," Ned finished.

"Why?" Now it was Erin who said under his heavy breath. Arms holding his knees and breathing heavily.

The rest turned to Erin. Eventually, back to Ned.

"He might be offered to satisfy their commander," Ned said. Commander? Might be their chief, but there's also the butriki. Ned thought then added: "It seemed that someone or something is commanding both the swamp goblins and butrikis."

The group went silent, leaves rustled against the breeze, and trees danced with their branches back and forth, the grasses went tango under the humming wind.

"Then," Sidric started. "Darwyn and I will go and find my brother. The rest, finish the quest and wait for us. If we didn't return after dusk, report this to the association."

"Their encampment—"

"I know where it is," Sidric said stopping Rickart. "Rickart you stay with Keesha. Keesha, how many potions left?"

"Five," Keesha answered. "I used one on Rickart." She then gave the remaining vials to Sidric.

Darwyn this time was smiling.

"You all stick together," Sidric said. "Remember, Ned. The quest will end after reaching twenty kilos, after that, and if we are not here, yet. You all leave." He then threw a look at Erin and spun around to leave with Darwyn. Leaving Keesha in charge.