26 Chapter 26 (1/2)

Slow but heavy footsteps announced the approach of the bandit leader. The adventurers readied themselves, a.s.suming battle positions and stances. They were weakened from their fights already but were still set on accomplis.h.i.+ng their contract. Wilfred stayed in the back, observing the figure emerging from the darkness of the tunnel. At first, only a black silhouette but then a metallic hue was more apparent the closer the bandit leader got.

Halam spoke to Wilfred, the tension in his voice noticeable.

”We'll need your help with this one.”

Wilfred nodded positively, acknowledging Halam.

He had quite a few useful things from his preparations that he made in the city before they left but ideally wanted to try and keep most of them secret if he could. It would have been helpful if he could use a healing spell or such to a.s.sist the adventurers but he did not have the strong affinity that he did for Wind and Alteration. He did have one alteration spell however, one that he recently acquired [Lesser Enhance Const.i.tution]. He had only tried it out on himself and not using it on others but it should also work.

Not much thought was needed in order to a cast a spell on oneself and the academy had not gone over how to use your spells on another person yet.

Well no time like the present to try, Wilfred thought. Looking at Fig, Wilfred aimed his hands towards him and cast his spell.

”[Lesser Enhance Const.i.tution]!”

However, it did not work and only served to cast the spell on himself. Wilfred then tried another way, focusing on the presence of Fig and casting the spell once more.

The soft orange glow enveloped Fig who visibly saw it and panicked, thinking it was the bandit's leader doing. Wilfred quickly stepped up to him in order to calm him down.

”Wait, no! It's me, I'm using defensive spells on all of us.”

Resuming where he left off, he used [Lesser Enhance Const.i.tution] on all 4 of them and prayed the battle would soon be over. At a rate of 6 Mana per, minus 1 for his own regeneration, keeping this up was costing him 23 Mana every second. Having used a few spells earlier, Wilfred figured he could last for maybe 200 seconds like this.

a.n.a.lyzing his companions he was able to see that just like on him, the spell increased their const.i.tution by 15 points and that their health had also increased by 75 points.

What really spoke volumes about their opponent was Halam discarding his spear and drawing his sword, the weapon he has the most proficiency with. Wilfred wasn't sure why he hadn't used it up till now, perhaps he was training his spear skills or preferred the longer reach of the weapon but he knew that everyone was being serious now.

”Halam, I won't be able to hold this up very long on all four of you. We need to end this soon.”

”Wilfred, keep it up only on yourself and Alcot. Me and Fig have other ways of evading damage and this will likely be a long battle.”

Although reluctant, Wilfred cancelled the spells from Fig and Halam, trusting Halam's judgement. Alcot discarded his war hammer and instead took the s.h.i.+eld that was on his back along with an axe that was on his belt.

Finally, the bandit leader was visible to all, exiting the darkness of the tunnel. Clad in a black heavy armor, he was a very imposing sight to behold.

Wasting no time, Wilfred used a.n.a.lyze to gleam what he could from him.

”[a.n.a.lyze]!”

Blackjack Landen [Lv. 27]

t.i.tles: Leader of Sondano Bandits

Health: 225/225

Str: 37(44)

Con: 43

Agi: 23(28)

Dex: 21(25)

Int: 15

Wil: 14

Wis: 11

Lck: 12(16)

Skills & Spells: [Sword Mastery Lv.6], [Leaders.h.i.+p Lv.1], [Swift Strike], [Whirlwind Spin Lv.2]

Something was definitely increasing his attributes, perhaps some sort of magic item but still, he was very strong without even taking magical items in consideration.

”Hey, so here's what can I see from this guy…”

Wilfred then conveyed his abilities to the adventurers, they especially showing concern at his level and attributes but Halam was worried about his sword mastery.

”That's a truly high level of mastery...even the best swordsman in the guild only has [Sword Mastery Lv.7].”

Only 60 feet separate them now and time for talk was over. They still had numbers over their opponent but things didn't work like back on earth here. There was no telling what kind of effect their attacks would have if at all.

The bandit leader stopped, unsheathing his sword, a large two handed blade that was strapped to his back. It reminded Wilfred of a claymore.

”How brave and polite of you all to stay and fight. It would have been terribly boring to chase you down. Have you made your peace yet? Too late!”

The bandit leader rushed the group, his claymore held back and ready to strike.

Alcot intercepted him and stood in his way, leaving time for Halam and Fig to position themselves better. It would be hard for Fig to fire shots in this battle as his two companions would be in the thick of it. His shots would need to be carefully placed and would likely not have great effect on his armor at any rate.

The claymore struck the s.h.i.+eld with a loud band, Alcot's arm bending under the force of the blow but he still held while Halam circled around and attempted to strike at Blackjack's knee from behind.

The bandit leader however was still very agile even with such a heavy armor and moved his left leg out of the way, spinning around and bringing his claymore to bear on Halam, striking from overhead.

”[Evasive Strike]!”

Halam raised his sword horizontally but at an angle, deflecting the blow to the side making the claymore slide to his right and stepped in closer to Blackjack striking him in the chest with the pommel of his sword.

The bandit leader was slightly staggered and pushed backwards but he swiftly regained his footing and followed up with an ability.

”[Swift Strike]!”

The claymore was suddenly thrust forward like a spear, slicing Halam's right side but narrowly missing any vital organs. Halam pulled back, clutching his side which was bleeding with his right hand.

At that moment, Alcot sidestepped and Fig fired in quick succession on Blackjack, many arrows glancing off harmlessly but one found its mark, in his armpit where the armor was less reinforced.

Blackjack changed his focus to the archer, sprinting at fast speeds with his claymore ready to strike. Alcot tried to catch up but could not due to his leg injury.

Wilfred watched in horror as Fig used his bow to block the strike, the claymore then continuing onwards and leaving a trail of blood on his chest. Blackjack lifted the claymore up high, intended to do a finis.h.i.+ng blow but Wilfred intervened.

”[Barrier]!”

It was a last minute effort and Wilfred wasn't even sure that it would work but it did to everyone's surprise. Wilfred was surprised it had worked because he'd never seen it done before, Fig was surprised because the Claymore that was heading for his head bounced off of an invisible wall and Blackjack was especially surprised because he did not know there was a mage with the adventurers.

The barrier did not last long though. As soon as it came to life, the claymore destroyed it but it had done its part and Fig still lived. Using the precious seconds that Wilfred bought for him, Fig took a potion off of his belt and drank it in one gulp. As Blackjack prepared to swing again, Alcot charged him from behind, knocking both of them down.