24 Taking A Turn (1/2)

”Bodeth, tell us again why you guys are extremely keen to get to the rat imp burrows soon? We just got your party and the survivors out from the warehouse and now you're going there again. We might need to fight you know.”

”Jin was it? You saw the damage they did around us. We didn't hole up in that wretched building only to die in another wave as soon as we got out. Let's hurry up. Keep your mind on this task, less talking.”

Bodeth continued to rush forward, leading their group as he lead them towards a village exit. Once they decided to leave for the rat imp burrows, all three parties headed towards different directions. Jin thought that it was a bit odd the burrows were located in three cardinal directions, but then again if the rat imps wanted to overrun the village, a three-point attack would be more than enough. The thought about rat imps organising their attacks and grouping into separate attack waves sent a chill down his spine. He immediately renewed the reinforcement on his body. He couldn't shake off the foreboding feeling after hearing Sebastian's parting words: Proceed with caution from all sides.' It was very cryptic and unnerving in a lot of ways.

”Jin. Jin. Oi Jin!” Aima nudged Jin back to reality as he shook his head as if to wipe away the bad premonition.

”Yes, Aima? Sorry I s.p.a.ced out.”

”You need to be alert at all times. Please don't leave the healer all by her weak self.”

”I see. I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I'll definitely keep my head straight from now on. Thanks for the nudge.”

”sigh. You don't react like Sebastian. It's actually no fun at all.” Aima pretended to sulk as she gripped her staff tighter and walked ahead of Jin instead of staying in the back as they decided earlier.

”Are you both a couple, Jin and Aima? We're near the burrows, please be on guard.” Bodeth held his weapon high as he seemingly prepared for combat with an unseen enemy.

”No, we're not. I understand Bodeth. To think that you and your party survived the rat imp waves. That's impressive.” Jin also held his glaive and buckler with antic.i.p.ation as he heightened his senses.

”Our party didn't just consist of me, Sylvie, and Oswin. Oswin usually hires battle slaves for his quests. They, unfortunately, perished during the onslaught.”

”What? Battle slaves?! That's why there were weapons strewn about in the village. You know what they are, right Jin?” Aima couldn't hold her surprise as she looked at Bodeth with surprise and horror.

”Yes, I know about them. Although they're quite rare in Wildecross City, there are some n.o.bles and adventurers that purchase slaves to add to their party's fighting ability. While they aren't well-trained like adventurers, they can't oppose the order from their master. In some situations, they can be used as a large attacking force. In dire situations, they may be used to hold off the enemies with their lives as their master makes a strategic retreat.” Jin gripped his weapons closer as he slowly understood Sebastian's message.

Bodeth stopped as he tensed his muscles and slowed his breathing down. He seemed to be in meditation as he closed his eyes.

”Do you sense something Bodeth?” Aima slowly went towards the back of their formation as she readied her staff. They didn't even reach the village exit yet but it seemed that there was something concerning him.

”Aima stay back!” Jin suddenly leapt in front of Aima as he parried a cleave from Bodeth!

CLANG!

”Curses. I wanted to end her with that strike.” Bodeth raised his axe as he readied his s.h.i.+eld for defence.

”Aima I need you to buff me whenever possible but also attack him if you have a chance. He means to kill us to silence us.”

”Understood Jin. I'm not sure what's happening but I'll trust your judgement. [Oaksin].” Aima pointed her magic staff towards Jin as her mana slowly enveloped him in a familiar light, indicating the reinforcement spell was successfully applied.

SLAs.h.!.+ BANG! BAM! BAM! Tw.a.n.g!

Jin and Bodeth seemed evenly matched as they wielded their weapons skillfully while using their buckler and s.h.i.+eld for defence.

Jin slowly circled Bodeth to create an opening for Aima however Bodeth showed that he was an experienced adventurer. Every time Jin stepped back, he immediately rushed with his s.h.i.+eld as he rammed Jin!

WHOOM!

GAH!

”Jin! [Heal]!” Aima continued to keep her distance as she waited for an opening. She didn't want to risk spending all her mana on reinforcement spells and end up with nothing left for her offensive magick. ”Tch.” The waiting and staying on the defensive stance left a bad taste in her mouth as she and Jin waited for the experienced adventurer to slip up.

Jin suddenly tensed his back straight up as he seemingly stretched his right arm. Crouching down again, he dashed towards Bodeth!

”[Spear Slash]! [Spear Thrust]!”

TANG! TATANGK!

”Why are you telling me your moves! Idiot!” Bodeth deflected both of Jin's attacks as he started to swing his axe down towards his head!

'[s.h.i.+eld Bash]'

BLAM!

”Wh”

Bodeth was caught off guard as he took a single step backwards after being his with Jin's s.h.i.+eld.

SSHHTTINGG!

”Guh!”

Aima's [Ice Lance] pierced Bodeth's chest plate, forcing him to continue stumbling backwards.

”This isn't-”

SSWUK!

Jin's glaive found its mark as he pierced through Bodeth's helmet with his [Spear Thrust]. Bodeth's limp body dropped its weapons and knelt down as the head was still impaled in Jin's glaive.

TOK

With a hollow sound, Jin pulled his glaive out of Bodeth's head after making sure he was dead.