Chapter 136: BET.

Chapter 136: BET.

Ready? I asked the gathered warriors.

After receiving a few half-hearted replies, I just shook my head and went over the plan a final time. We had set up in a semi-circle around the dungeons entrance, just like the larger army had done. I couldnt exactly call this plan creative, but hey, it was effective, at least.

Supposedly, our scouts had encountered some enemies close to the exit, so the first groups were bound to arrive any second now. Thankfully, sending any meaningful force through a dungeon was seen as impossible, and the fact that our opponents were limited to tier 3 also helped. Unfortunately, Ash hadnt seen fit to spare me any tier 4s for our side either. Seeing as I had already gotten two killed by myself, that hadnt come as a surprise.

In simpler terms, we were about to fight an equal number, equal strength battle. I could work with that.

I had ordered some extra traps to be set up around the perimeter. Those, combined with the undead our necromancers had summoned, would hopefully take care of any stragglers that evaded our notice.

My final check-up was interrupted as a classer stormed into my tent, breathing heavily. One of my scouts, I recognized.

Any news? I asked absentmindedly while the scout caught his breath.

The first groups have arrived! Theyre currently engaging our forces.

A few of my guards shared panicked looks as the scout shared the news, not having expected the situation to evolve that quickly.

Taking control of the situation, I issued everyone their orders.

Lets go. I said lazily, as if I was about to do my chores. I was hoping my confidence would rouse my mens spirits. Most of my soldiers this time werent that experienced yet, which meant that they werent as tough, mentally, as some of the veterans that were currently fighting on the main front. I had been given the younger tier 3 and 2s, and they would have to be enough. If they werent, I could make up the difference, I thought, somewhat arrogantly.

Moments later, I left my temporary tent and joined the other classers near the dungeon, where a heated skirmish had erupted. It resembled the fighting going on at the main front, though smaller in scale in every way. Only a few hundred of us were surrounding the few dozen on their side, since their groups left the dungeon separately. That was the issue with dungeons, the soldiers had to be split into groups to pass through, and they didnt all reach the exit at the same time.

It still confused me. Why would the abyss watcher even send people into the dungeon if they would only be slaughtered?

Still, people on both sides were dying.

I stopped hesitating and threw myself into the battle, my chains decimating tier 1 and 2 opponents. Thankfully, both sides used coloured clothing. That way I knew I wasnt cutting any allies apart.

At first, my slaughter went unimpeded and tier 1 and 2 classers died a dozen at a time, which thinned out the herd. Eventually, though, a team of tier 3s got to me and started blocking my wild strikes. Our fight devolved into a rhythmic back and forth from there, them not having the skills to defeat me, and me not having the stats to overwhelm their superior numbers.

While I held them off, though, my own tier 3s got to work and annihilated everyone below their own tier.

As they slaughtered more classers, more and more exited the dungeon and replaced them, quickly evening out the numbers again.

Like this, the skirmish escalated further and further. Soon enough, several hundred people were fighting on either side. Even worse, we werent getting any reinforcements to replace our fallen comrades.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

As the battle progressed, I kept hold of my senses, though. I wouldnt lose myself to the bloodlust a second time, not while everyone was relying on me.

I was surprised by the tier 3s that were holding me off with an overloaded orb, sending him reeling. I followed up my attack with a sword arc, which cleanly separated his body into two halves. His companions, momentarily caught off guard, werent ready for the combo I unleashed afterward. I activated a curse mark and sent three successive chains into the wound, which enlarged the mark and allowed it to corrode their tank, armor and all.

From there, I mopped up their spellcaster and spear-wielding warrior, before throwing myself back into the thick of it. More men and women fell to my sword, my skills, and sometimes just my hands.

Yet, I was still being overwhelmed by their sheer numbers. My allies were holding strong near the fortifications, but here in the middle of the opposing army, I was alone.

That would have been a problem... but now it was a blessing.

My essence erupted into a dome that followed my movement, blinding every surrounding enemy. Now that I had no allies to take care of, as I had had when I fought the golden guard, there was nobody and nothing to stop me.

As my mind became calm, preparing itself for my inevitable death, a childs voice suddenly broke the tension of the silent battlefield.

Arthur isnt a coward! the small, female voice shouted at the top of its lungs.

My eyes widened in panic and I looked over my shoulder. Sure enough, it was Maria.

GET OUT OF HERE! RUN! I shouted by instinct, too scared to act rationally. At any other time, I might have wondered why I prioritized this small childs life over my own, but for once, I didnt. For once, I felt like I didnt need to question my priorities. Who cared if they werent as pragmatic as they were in the past...

At any other time, I might have noticed these changes occurring within myself, but as space itself twisted around the tier 5s stony form, I couldnt even think straight.

I drew my sword and was about to apparate, but felt my limbs lock in place before I could do so. Blue rings had surrounded them, as well as my torso and neck. Strangely, my mana felt sluggish, like it was asleep. I couldnt even create a sword arc, couldnt form an overloaded orb or a laser...

I could only watch as the stone knight picked Maria up by the neck and regarded her coldly as he choked the life out of her slowly. She struggled, oh she struggled, but her little limbs couldnt budge the general.

His head tilted to the left, as if he was wondering about something, while Marias face slowly turned blue.

So this is the dry mans infamous daughter? Strange... Youve been locked in the tallest tower for a few years, so Id never seen you before. I thought you would be... bigger. But... youre not. Youre tiny, even! Just. An. Ant. I wonder how your father will react when he finds your corpse. Oh wait, hell die before ever waking up. What a shame. He muttered.

Let her go, you monster! Take me instead! I screamed, my throat feeling hoarse. But he wasnt listening.

I suppose... he slowly drawled, still looking in the other direction. Ill have to settle for seeing your eyes dim as this little ant stops breathing! he spoke, before erupting into quiet giggles.

His head spun 180 degrees and he looked me dead in the eyes. This time, his smile was so wide that his head had separated into two pieces.

Its always so fun to guess, you know! I bet... another thirty seconds. What do you bet?

Marias struggle was stopping, and she was hardly moving...

Tears were streaming down my face, the frustration of it all... of my weakness, getting to me. I couldnt respond.

Bet. He said again.

My throat was soar.

Bet! he shouted.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

BET! he screamed, snarling.

I tried to speak. I moved my mouth, but the band around my neck tightened. No sound came out.

Until, suddenly, another voice spoke in my stead.

Lets raise the stakes a little... the voice spoke. You unhand my daughter, and Ill make your death slightly less painful.

I recognised that voice. I tried to speak. This time, I succeeded.

Save her... was what finally came out of my mouth, though I passed out right after.