Chapter 164: Trapped

Much like the cathedral, the fog on the first level was thin and didn't completely block their visibility. The echoes of their footsteps spread out long before their arrival - it couldn't be helped as it was much harder to stay silent with so many of them travelling together. But there was no one around to notice which, given their location, was fortunate.

However, they were greeted with the sight of dried blood as soon as they descended, as well as countless Mutt corpses piled in a corner, as well as a few berserkers. The upper level had been cleaned since there were so many soldiers around who could go there, but in the basement the best anyone could do was pile the corpses on the side.

Naturally, that also left behind a strong stench of death and decay all around them, creating a nauseating environment. There were stairs leading further down, but they didn't need to go there, as their target was on the very first floor.

Nero used Aether Pulse and immediately detected dozens of cursed entities up ahead.

"We have enemies right ahead," Nero said, just as a Mutt revealed itself. It had been munching on the corpses, but as soon as it laid eyes on living prey it growled excitedly and spread its feathery wings.

The Mutt leaped into the air towards Nero, but before it got anywhere close an arrow shot right into its face, throwing it to the ground. But it was as if a chain reaction had been set off. The sound of the first Mutt attracted others, causing them to emerge from behind the mounds of corpses, or from nearby hallways.

They mimicked the actions of the first exactly, growing in excitement, and then leaping into the air towards them. Yet even as dozens of Mutts flew towards him, Nero did not move.

He stood there, his spear planted into the ground beside him, waiting for them to come closer.

Yet they did not have an opportunity. Between Nero, Leonard, Arter, Pipo and the other team they hadn't had a chance to get to know yet, there were over twenty five of them there. Arrows, darts, needles, balls of flames and countless other projectiles were thrown past Nero, slamming into the Mutts. Even if they weren't all killed, which many of them weren't, they were all knocked down to the ground.

After another similar barrage, all the Mutts died without requiring Nero to move at all. But when he remained standing, even after all the Mutts were dead, his team looked at him with confusion.

"There are still two more," Nero said, still waiting. A few moments passed in silence with nothing happening. Standing there, in that revolting smell that seemed to be permeating into their very skin, even a few moments seemed unbearable. But then they came into view.

Two berserkers arrived from showed up, walking in from a hallway, and paused when they saw the huge group.

"I'll take care of this," Nero said, finally lifting his spear and taking a step forward. "We should find out how effective Thunderous Clap really is."

Since Nero was willing to take on two berserkers himself, most of the others were more than happy to let him take the lead. Yet Arter stepped past him, his hand on his sword's hilt.

They began to navigate the hallways at a fast pace, constantly checking their surroundings for more enemies. Oddly enough, they encountered no curses. But every time they came up upon a pile of bodies, there would be Mutts around it, munching on the corpses.

Fortunately, the only berserkers they came across were dead.

Since they knew exactly where to go, and the path had been cleared of enemies at least once, they didn't face much resistance. But just as they were closing in on their goal, having navigated the countless winding hallways, leaving behind many unexplored corridors, they encountered a problem.

They approached the end of the hallway, and it led into a hall where dozens of soldiers were fighting an army of Mutts, berserkers and two dark berserkers. The problem was that there was a pale yellow barrier blocking their way. That hadn't been there on the map.

A single glance at the situation beyond the pale barrier was enough to tell him that the soldiers were at a disadvantage. Not only were they outnumbered, they were exhibiting clear signs of exhaustion.

"Do you know how we can get around?" Nero yelled through the barrier, trying to attract someone's attention, but they clearly had none to spare.

"We need to find a way around quickly," Nero said, but the sound of screaming distracted him. It was coming from behind him.

He turned just in time to see a body flying across the hallway, heading straight for the barrier. He leaped, using his internal pressure to strengthen himself, and grabbed the body midair. He also glimpsed at what had happened.

Berserkers had appeared behind them, standing in a line to perfectly block their path. With the yellow barrier on one side, and berserkers on another, they were stuck. This scene looked too much like a well timed trap to be a coincidence. Even though Nero had been using Aether Pulse the entire time he hadn't spotted the berserkers, But now, here they were.

Nero landed on the ground and placed the body down. Whoever it was, he was in a bad condition, bleeding profusely and unconscious. Nero used FAK on him once, trying to stop the bleeding, before heading towards the berserkers.

If this was a trap, they had to get out of it as quickly as possible.

"Leonard," Nero screamed out. He didn't give orders, there wasn't any time. Just calling him out was enough. Their teams would fight together, as they had done before.

Yet even as Nero approached the berserkers, they remained standing in position, as if waiting for him. Doubt entered his mind and he looked around. That's when he saw it.

Right at the back, standing taller than the regular berserkers, was a dark berserker, looking at him curiously. It was observing him - studying his response. It was leading the other berserkers, and that wasn't a good sign.