Chapter 571: Defenders (1/2)

Chapter 571 Defenders

“Now if that doesn’t sound ominous,” Ilea said, stepping onto the sand in the coliseum like structure. Dozens of armed and armored statues, likely golems of some kind, littered the spacious ground. Some even hung from the ceiling or clung to the walls.

Stone or metal maybe? Hard to tell, she thought, squinting her eyes at the humanoid statues. Most pretty much just looked like rather large humans, smooth even at the joints. Spears, large curved swords, halberds, and even large morning stars were their preferred weapons. Or more likely, the weapons they were given by their creators.

“There are about thirty statues scattered around the place, and something tells me they’re not just there for decoration,” Ilea said, seeing the Thresher corpses strewn about here and there.

I should lure one of them to see what they can do, she thought.

“Any idea about their level?” Uriah asked, twirling the sword in his right hand.

“Too far away,” she said.

“I can’t even see them,” the man said.

“I could get their attention,” Finnley suggested with a smile.

“Please refrain from brash actions, you’re not alone with your team,” Uriah said.

Makai stepped forward. “I shall sacrifice myself to lure one of them here,” he said and bowed.

What did I do to deserve this? Ilea thought with a sigh. Is this how Meadow feels? Maybe it’s some kind of curse it put on me.

“I can target one with a small scale light beam,” Josie said.

Finally, something useful. Ash projectiles would have an audible impact… and so far they haven’t reacted to the torches we have.

“Yeah, you go for that,” Ilea said, looking at the woman.

___________________

Josie only saw the outline of a few statues, it would be enough however to attack one.

“Now?” she asked.

Lilith gave her a thumbs up. “I’ll engage it alone once it comes. If all of them converge on us, you guys retreat and observe. I’ll let you know if it’s safe.”

Nobody complained to Josie’s surprise. Maybe they finally understood who we’re dealing with here.

She aimed carefully, taking a few more seconds just to make sure she wouldn’t embarrass herself in front of the ashen healer.

Mana pooled on her index finger before a thin beam of light hit the statue she saw in the distance. She stopped the beam before the creature showed a reaction, just to make sure she wouldn’t overdo it and alert more of them.

A few seconds passed.

Maybe they’re not gole-

Just when the thought ended, the creature burst into motion.

Josie watched as its long legs changed into a sprint, charging right at them with massive strides. It had a slight metallic sheen, perhaps a little rusted.

The golem reached nearly three meters in height, its legs ending in single spikes of steel. In its three fingered hands, it held a steel battle axe taller than even Uriah. The weapon looked dull but threatening nonetheless, its cutting edge lost perhaps but turned into a bludgeoning nightmare. Its head featured neither eyes nor mouth or nose. Simple in design and made for one purpose only.

[Ancient Defender – lvl ???]

“Three mark,” Josie said, knowing her identify range was a little higher than her team’s.

“Prepare,” Uriah said, his auras exploding outward as he took a step forward.

Their team got into position behind him, far enough away not to stand in each other’s way or be struck by an attack targeting another.

Finnley and his group fanned out too, their magic surging.

This won’t be easy. That thing doesn’t look like it has an obvious weakness.

“Whittle it down with ranged attacks and avoid counters. I might not be able to take a direct hit. Focus on its legs. Retreat at half mana,” Uriah said.

“Welcome me to the end!” Makai said as he spread his arms wide, two curved blades glowing with dull purple light appeared in his hands.

Sulivhaan remained standing next to Lilith, glancing at her.

She started walking towards the running golem, her steps as casual as can be.

Is she seriously just going to face it directly?

Lilith neither stopped nor did she change into a sprint.

She’ll use a teleport at the last moment.

“Prepare to support her,” Uriah said.

The golem swung its axe at her in a horizontal arc, the speed far exceeding what Josie thought possible for a creation of that size.

She nearly yelped when Lilith didn’t teleport.

Instead the woman just slapped the weapon aside, the metallic sound reverberating through the vicinity.

She took another step and slammed her fist into the golem, cinders and mana flashing up with dull light. Two ashen limbs lashed out, cutting through the thin legs at their base.

The creature fell, trying to angle its weapon towards the woman.

Lilith grabbed it by the handle now, ripping it free before she twirled the oversized axe above her, bringing it down in a straight arc. The air parted before the dull steel crashed into the golem’s steel chest.

The axe won out, digging deep.

Its arms tried to grab the woman, the golem still not giving up.

Lilith stepped over it, kneeling down before she punched its head a few times, too quickly for Josie to count. A final metallic crunch had her dig deeper, her fist now inside the golem’s head.

She pulled her arm back and took the head with it.

The woman twirled the head in her arms, the thing as large as her chest. “Quite durable,” she commented as she walked back to the group, throwing the prize at a silent Makai.

________________________

Ilea smiled as the robed man caught the head, staring at it with intense glazed over eyes.

His hood hid his face in shadows but her enhancements allowed her to see through that effect, mostly.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Ancient Defender – lvl 515]’

They really are quite durable for that level. I thought a single punch with my spells would be enough. At least my ash is enough to cut through them.

“They’re pretty low three marks. Would do your levels good if you faced them,” she said to the mute and motionless group of Shadows.

“Three marks are beyond our current capabilities,” Uriah said finally. “The rewards aren’t worth the risks.”

Ilea glanced at him and nodded. An expected reaction, she thought, still perhaps a little disappointed. She understood of course. The safe way to level up was not facing three marks at level two hundred.

When did I kill my first three marks? The Undead Knights? I was close to three hundred then. Maybe I’m expecting too much. Shadows aren’t exactly Sentinels after all, she thought with a smirk.

She summoned her map again and tracked the cats.

“I have to agree, as much as it pains me. That demonstration was enough to know I won’t be able to stand against them for long,” Finnley admitted.

“I shall… fight them all,” Makai said and looked at her with a broad grin.

“No you won’t,” Ilea said, shaking her head before she focused back onto her map.

“I won’t,” Makai agreed.

Good boy.

“Can you clear out everything?” Sulivhaan asked. He looked the least fazed. Perhaps because of the mask.

“Mhm, give me a minute,” she said, feeling herself progress with the cats. By now she could near instinctively feel in which direction they were walking. Neither did she need any time to differentiate between them.

‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Huntress reaches 3rd lvl 20’

Oh? And that without being in danger. Well, to be fair, it has somewhat limited appliance in a battle. Hopefully I can get it to thirty in a reasonable time like this.

____________________

Josie looked at the woman and her map, trying not to breathe or make an unnecessary noise.

She killed a three mark so quickly… what level is she at? No wonder she fought an entire Baralia army. They never even stood a chance. A three mark monster might’ve fallen but a human who could match that raw power? With healing, flight, and teleportation?

What kind of beings did she fight to get to this point? Who trained her? How much pain and injury did she suffer through?

What would drive a human to do that?

She yelped when Lilith looked at her.

“What?” she asked.

“How… ?” Josie sent, unable to finish her thought.