Chapter 98: Combat Preparation

Chapter 98: Combat Preparation

Dont let them form a group behind us! Dallion shouted, shooting at the creatures flying towards them.

The last wave of amphibions had turned out far more imaginative than the ones before. Initially seventy in number, they had quickly merged into two monstrous entities blocking the tunnel entirely. In itself that was not too badit gave Falkner and Cellano a chance to take out one each. What made things more difficult, or interesting as Veil would say, was the fact that each of the amphibion mountains hurled smaller entities of themselves at the group, like buckshot.

Easy for you to say! Bel grumbled, throwing knife after knife. Takes you only one bolt to kill one. Takes me three knives!

Falkner also proved not to be the best support. At the sight of the large entities, he had rushed forward, only to freeze halfway there when they had started hurling creatures at him. It was only thanks to Arthurows quick reaction and massive shield that the youngster had been saved. That left Cellano, who was forced to take the role of both the groups front tank and main attacker. Meanwhile, creatures were grouping at the partys rear.

Protect Vend! Dallion shouted. Falkner, Art, we need you at the back!

If this were a game, Dallion would have rage quit on the spot. The chaos had been so devastating that even the enemy creatures had paused for a few seconds out of pity. That was the typical result of overconfidenceacting on ones own accord without realizing how outclassed they really were.

No wonder so many guild newbies failed their first selection. Coming from the city, they probably were rich in theoretical knowledge, but lacking even the most basic combat intuition. Dallion was the complete oppositemostly self taught, thought acquired experience through battle. At present that gave Dallion a huge advantage ahead of the rest provided they didnt all die in the items first level.

Falkner! Dallion shouted again. He so much wanted to yell at the boy, but knew that would be counterproductive. As furious as he was right now, he had to take the smart approach. You got this! Get back and protect Vend. Thats the most important job right now!

Come on, kid, snap out of it!

Cellano! Use your guard skills to reach a time freeze, then use the bonus to land a good multi attack! Art, provide cover for Falkner, then help with deafening the back of the group. Bel, switch to melee combat. As long as they dont hit anyone, dont bother with the fliers!

Worst tactical advice ever, Dallion wanted to scream. Truth was he himself wasnt particularly good at that. Sadly, he was so much better than anyone else present that he was forced to rely on his half-baked ideas if there was even a chance of survival. His only hope was that each of the members was so good individually, that as long as they got out of their shock-freeze they would take care of everything as they had done with all the waves before.

Any idea how many weve killed? Dallion asked.

Seven, maybe ten, Bel shouted back.

Dallion gritted his teeth. These were not the numbers he was hoping for. That meant that in a best-case scenario, there were over fifty enemies left.

Falkner! Dallion shot another flying enemy.

Thankfully, this time the boy reacted. Raising up from the ground, he dashed towards the back of the group, dartbow in hand. Getting some free space, Cellano started slowly retreating, still slashing what he could.

Good, Dallion thought. This is good.

All that was needed now was

Theyre grouping behind us! Bel shouted. Its another big one! What must I do?

Crap! Focus on the one behind! Thatll give us some time.

If at this point the two monsters in front charged forward, there was nothing to stop them. Vend, and the entire party, would be squished like a waffle between two anvils.

Art, come here and cover me for a bit! If there was a time for a gamble, it was now.

You sure about this? The other asked.

Just come here!

What do you mean? Dallion asked.

Trials are given in order. When Estezol came to us hed already passed through the three groups before.

That meant that all groups so far had failed? Are you sure? Maybe they followed a different order this time?

Nope, its always like this. The only reason our echo knows is because its owner knows in the real world, and thats only possible because Estezol likely told him before starting the test for our group. After were done, hell move onto the next.

That was right. Dallion had already spent a month as an awakened, and yet he still had trouble thinking like one. Regardless of the length of each groups trial, win or lose, in the real world only a moment would have passed. At this very instant, Estezol was probably standing in the room, his tray at the ready. When everyone removed their fingers from the test dagger, hed pick it up and move to the next test room.

One had to admit awakened tests were very efficient in terms of time, even if it took a while to wrap ones mind around it.

Wait, how can he tell whether they had failed or not? Dallion asked. Maybe all of them have succeeded?

The dagger, Vend said. With each completed level the dagger reacts. Complete all, and the entire item changes. Even a world-bound would know that.

Ah. Right. Thank you for the explanation, sir. Dallion looked at the instructor, then at the rest of the group. Except for Arthurows, the rest were ready to continue on. Err, maybe we should rest a bit? Dallion suggested. Next up is the guardian. Weve no idea what to expect, so maybe we should take a few minutes and come up with a strategy?

Deathly silence filled the cave.

Im surrounded by newbies! Dallion wanted to scream.

Also, I could really use some rest, he added.

Now that he had unequivocally shown that he was the weakest of the bunch, the rest gladly sat on the ground near him. This couldnt be normal. Or could it? If guilds had to go through all this each time with all new members, no wonder the captains never chose a newbie to mentor.

I dont suppose you can tell us what the guardian is, sir? Dallion asked with hope.

Its something stronger than anything youve fought so far, Vend replied with slight annoyance.

So much for that.

What do you think it is? Falkner quickly asked Dallion.

I have no idea. I suspect, though, that it will be very fast.

All eyes focused on him.

Why?

Because all enemies so far have been slow. Granted, so far, they had only faced one type of enemy. Think about it. Until now, the dagger has tried to drown us with numbers. It tried standard waves, giant monsters, ranged attacks, but none of them were particularly fast. If I were making the trial, Id definitely put us against something with great speed to take advantage of our lack of coordination. He paused for a few moments. Or something invisible.

You think well face something invisible? Bel asked.

Its a possibility. Im making things up as I go, here! The important thing is that were prepared. As long as we have a solid plan, nothing could stop us.

Normally Dallion would laugh if anyone had come to him with such a cliche. However, there was one major differenceDallions advice had helped the group quite a bit, not to mention his music skills were the only reason they hadnt failed. Despite his shortcomings, he had gained their trust, and from his mouth even cliches sounded wise.

Okay, listen up. Dallion smiled. This is what well do.