Chapter 655: Intruders (1/2)

Chapter 655 Intruders

“He’s doing well,” Feyrair admitted, his arms crossed as they watched Kyrian fight a four mark Bluetail in the valley of blood.

The group had extended the slaughter in the weeks they’d been here, mostly killing the one species. One that didn’t seem to be exhausted quite as much as Ilea had thought based on the present corpses.

She watched her friend closely. His approach seemed methodical, all his movements and teleports the same based on the monster’s body language. Kyrian reacted before it could even cast its spells.

It’s like a better form of my precognition. But I don’t think he has a spell like that, Ilea thought. What he showed could only be achieved with continuous fighting against a single monster type. It reminded her of her battles with the Taleen Guardians. By now she could predict most of their attacks before they could even start them.

He wouldn’t be receiving quite as much experience in this battle as Ilea had for her first four mark Bluetail kill but it was important for his evolutions. He had already gotten lucky with the Wyrm he finished before they found him but this was proof that he could face a four mark all on his own.

The creature used its deadly wind blades but he had already prepared his position, metal plates hovering in thin air as the blades arrived, cutting through the steel but weakened enough to be deflected by the next layer.

Kyrian didn’t move a single step during the barrage, focusing fully on his metal. The second volley he deflected too, before the third managed to cut through one of his arms. He didn’t wince, simply catching the limb before he retreated, holding the bleeding body part to his shoulder.

Compared to Ilea, he didn’t have to get in close to overwhelm the creature. He simply had to keep it enraged and focused on him while his curse and steel slowly burned away any defensive measures and health the being had.

Ilea thought it quite a boring way to fight, but the results were obvious. It was how humans hunted large and dangerous prey back on Earth. Traps and exhaustion.

The creatures of Elos often had many more tools at their disposal than say a bear, but Bluetails weren’t exactly the most intelligent of beasts. Even a Drake would’ve likely tried to flee at this point in the battle. A more intelligent beast would perhaps understand that Kyrian fought defensively, not overextending. If one could force him to become the aggressor, he would likely make mistakes.

If he’s capable of making those, Ilea thought with a smile. She watched his every move, the mage entirely outclassed by the creature in both speed and sheer magical might. He remained calm through it all, his every move calculated and precise. It had been the fourth attempt of his at killing the creature, in only one of which Ilea had to intervene to get him out. They had retreated and regrouped, the two Elves, Kyrian, and Ilea discussing what had gone wrong.

Compared to her, Kyrian couldn’t allow himself quite as many mistakes. Nor could he simply outlast the creature as it sent barrage after barrage after him. He lacked the ability to absorb enemy spells and heal himself to the same degree as she could. His curse did allow him to steal mana and his third Class allowed for some insane regeneration, but those were simply necessary to even face the creature alone at all. The question was if he could push through and actually overwhelm it.

“If he doesn’t fuck up again, he might actually win,” Ilea said, summoning her cannon before she aimed at a nearby Bluetail that seemed interested in the ongoing battle. No you don’t, she thought, a beam of energy flashing out, cutting the creature apart. Burning pieces of smoldering flesh fell to each side as a ding resounded in her mind. Kyrian was still in there.

“You weren’t entirely idle,” Feyrair said. “A weapon or a focus?”

“Focus,” Neiphato said.

[Beast Warrior – lvl 430]

[Wood Mage – lvl 368]

“Neither were you,” she said, her eyes on the fight as she smiled, seeing Kyrian dodge an entire set of volleys.

“These isles provide wonderful training grounds,” Feyrair said. “Though I must admit, it is getting a little boring.”

Ilea chuckled. “Says the elf who’s been fighting Taleen for how many centuries?”

“They adapt, learn. Different versions and dungeons provide different experiences. And there is a goal, compared to this,” he said and spread his arms. “It’s but a mindless slaughter of stupid beasts.”

“Mindless slaughter that provides much more levels. Maybe you should’ve done this for a few years or decades instead. Would’ve allowed you to fight the Taleen more efficiently,” Ilea said.

The elf hissed. “Opportunities do not present themselves so easily. But I won’t ignore this one.”

Kyrian ultimately felled the beast on his sixth attempt, another intervention of Ilea necessary on the fifth, but considering the difference in levels alone and the available spells, he still did incredibly well.

The same could not be said about Feyrair’s attempt at facing a Wyrm.

While Kyrian was methodical, Feyrair was reckless. The metal mage knew when to retreat and regroup, to learn from his mistakes. The elf simply pushed harder, missing half his limbs and burnt up.

Needless to say, Ilea saved him many times. The lessons both her and Kyrian seemed to think obvious had to be learned over extended periods of painful fighting. Feyrair would’ve died at least fifty times in the few days they tried if his body wasn’t just as stubborn as his mind. More so perhaps. What he lacked in regeneration and healing, he made up in sheer resilience.

Neiphato proved much more adaptive, his approach downright cautious for an elf and his magic quite suited for ambushes and traps. He was the only one who didn’t need saving, though neither did he face a four mark. He simply lacked Classes powerful enough to be up to the task.

Ilea summoned her tracking device, not getting a signal from the surroundings. The arrow pointed towards the closest key, somewhere to the east. At least it’s not on another continent entirely.

With her marks positioned throughout the north, the plains, the Krahen isles, and the Isanna desert, she had a pretty good idea of where she was.

They had avoided using the gates excessively so far but with her main Classes above five hundred, she felt confident enough to start her exploration. Her allies still needed time to gather strength and Hunters, but when the time to strike came close, she wanted to have at least enough keys to learn more.

If they’re as easy to get as the Tungsten one, we’ll be done in no time, she thought. Ilea wasn’t sure what she was getting into. She hoped for the best and was prepared for the worst.

“You’ll be off again then?” Kyrian asked.

“Yeah. I’ll map out some of the gate locations and try to locate the keys, or at least the direction in which they lay,” she said. If the Taleen interfered or prepared traps for her, she would have the best chance of escaping due to her space magic and long range teleportation.

The metal mage nodded, rolling his shoulders. “Can you take me to Ravenhall?”

“Now that you’re getting so close?” Ilea asked jokingly.

“I don’t think I’ll get there on these isles. Don’t expect of me what you can do,” he said. “Hunting them is getting easier, but the experience is slowing down just as much.”

“You don’t think it’s enough?” Ilea asked.

He shook his head. “Feyrair thinks the same. But compared to him, I have yet to fight the Taleen. I will gain a sizable boost from them. If I don’t die trying.”

“Nice death flag. I won’t let you die,” Ilea said.

“Ah you mentioned that I believe. I thought I would die many times on each day during the past years. And that hasn’t changed with your presence. There is a reason we both have the Deviant of Humanity skill. We tread on paths beyond our species. It’s only natural for there to be risks,” he said and smiled lightly.

Ilea wanted to tell him that it was alright. To settle down, to stop. But she knew the thought was selfish. He had made his choice and he would see it through, just as she would. And who was she to stop him?

I’ll be looking forward to your progress.

“I met up with the Redleafs a while back. Aliana asked about you,” she said.

“Aliana,” the man mused. He looked up to the cavern ceiling, sadly wearing his helmet. “She still remembers me? I’ve been gone for so long, and we barely knew each other.”