Erick's POV:
I move forward slowly, my feet crunching on leaves and branches. The one-handed axe I hold, a representation of Ifrit's power, rests gently on my shoulder as I wait for them to appear. Soon, I detect faint sounds approaching my position until they come to a complete stop.
- You don't need to pretend you're not there, I know perfectly well you're here.
Silence reigns in the room as the tension grows more and more palpable. I can't help a small sigh escape my throat before looking ahead again.
- If you don't want to come out of your hiding places, that's fine. I'll get you out myself.
The moment I finished my sentence, my legs caught fire, and with a small explosion, I launched myself forward. A few surprised screams came from the bushes as I cleanly cut down two of their companions with one blow of my axe. Everything happened so fast that the two affected didn't even have time to scream.
- Fire!
A few moments later, a loud command was heard from the bushes, and suddenly, a bunch of small lightning bolts erupted from the vegetation above me in almost every direction.
- Whoa!
I quickly jumped into the air to dodge the incoming lightning, but it wasn't long before lightning rained down on me again while I was in the air.
- This really isn't good for my joints.
With my free arm, I quickly grabbed a branch and launched myself back to the ground to dodge the lightning again. On my way to the ground, I had completely cut down two more people and severed the hand of another, who hid again in the forest.
- So this is what they use to launch those lightning bolts at me.
On the hand I had severed from the one who fled, there was some kind of strangely shaped glove with the symbol of the angel Zadkiel engraved on the torso of the glove. Before I could examine it further, another wave of lightning erupted from the foliage.
- I've heard of these products, but this is the first time I've seen them in person.
An impressed voice came from my mouth as I quickly ran to dodge the incoming lightning bolts. Since the lightning came periodically, it was safe to assume they couldn't be fired continuously. While continuing to dodge, I quickly reignited my legs and launched myself with explosive force toward a trio hiding behind a tree. Being careful not to cut the tree, I quickly made three fatal slashes before the lightning struck me again.
- Change of strategy, Form 3!
While I was wondering what this could mean, a group of lightning bolts had already assaulted my position. I skillfully managed to dodge them all as a loud cracking sound rang out from the spot I had struck, leaving only scorched ground. However, there was something strange about it. The number of lightning bolts had significantly decreased. Before I could even think about it, another small cluster of lightning had struck me again.
- Shit.
Since I had just made a huge leap to the other side, it was impossible for me to dodge the attack, so I decided to cover my chest with my hands and take the impact so I could move away.
- Ughh.
A strong impact assaulted my torso as I recoiled back, wincing in pain. Despite the distinct lack of individual power from the small lightning bolts, the combined blows of nearly 15 lightning bolts had left my free arm incapacitated. Despite the intense pain I felt, it wasn't long before another cluster of lightning headed straight for my position.
- The recharge time... got shorter?
Although that was my first hypothesis, I quickly dismissed the idea. There was no way they could force the use of the gloves with the power of the Creator Angels. Therefore, the most logical thing was that they were now firing their lightning bolts in turns, that way they could fire almost continuously while I tried to locate them. The situation was getting worse for me given the overwhelming numerical difference. Now I avoided large leaps while continuing to dodge with quick movements.
- Gyaaaaa.
Another man fell under the powerful blow of my axe, but not long after, another group of lightning bolts fell against me. With that, I had taken down 8 of the 50 men surrounding the camp.
- Ughhh
Having switched to shorter movements, some of the lightning bolts managed to hit me. The numbness in my hands and legs was beginning to affect me.
- .... Should I call Ifrit?
I quickly shook my head, eliminating that option from my mind. If I did, she would be completely defenseless. As a hero, I shouldn't forget my priorities. There was another option that came to mind... but I dismissed that as well.
I quickly lunged at a group of three men who had their gauntlets ready to fire. I quickly closed the distance while waiting for them to show signs of fleeing before attacking, but contrary to my expectations, all three fired lightning bolts at me at point-blank range.
- Ahhhhhh
Ignoring the pain, I swung my axe forward, killing two of the three men. The damage from the previous blow and that blow had affected me enough to slow my movements to this point. The stabbing pain in my nerves and muscles grew more and more unbearable the more I moved, but I knew that if I stopped even for a moment, lightning would rain down on me mercilessly.
The third quickly fled from my reach as another burst of lightning descended on me. With a forceful slash of my good hand, I slammed my legs to reactivate them, lit them on fire, and fled with all the strength I had. As I prepared for the next wave, a sudden silence struck me. There were no more lightning bolts falling toward me. Cautiously, I looked around for some answer when a large man emerged from the undergrowth.
- I really didn't expect to find you here, my dear unsung hero.
His heavy footsteps showed the weight of his weapon as he wore leather armor that covered almost his entire body. A sigh escaped my throat as I looked at the familiar man with a confident smile on his face.
- I have to admit... I didn't expect to find you here.
I practically spat those words out as the man looked at me over his shoulder.
- What a small world, isn't it? Meeting twice in such a short period of time seems like fate uniting our paths.
- ...Do you believe in fate, electric-footed bandit?
- Me?...Not really? I just said something I'd heard from the slaves we usually transport. You know how women are in their free time. They love to daydream.
- The large man places a huge mass on the ground next to him, almost the same size as himself. We're separated by a few meters now.
- So your group has been helping with the slave smuggling.
- My group?...
An annoyed sigh escapes the man's mouth as he looks toward the bushes with some distaste.
- Didn't they explain who we are to the unsung hero?
- N-no sir, he didn't give us time to do so, sir.
Another heavy sigh escaped his throat before he turned to look at me, a confident expression plastered across his face.
- THEN DON'T WASTE TIME AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES!
- YES, SIR!
A small commotion sounded in the forest as some men began to move through the bushes, but without leaving them.
- We are the pride of Granest, the retinue of the sublime and powerful hero of lightning. The band of the eradication of beasts and witches. Those who work in the shadows and exalt Granest. THE LIGHTNING GANG!
Instantly after the extravagant performance shouted by all the men, including the one in front of me, lightning bolts resonated in the air, making a thunderous noise from all directions toward the sky. The electric-footed bandit in front of me smirked as he looked at me.
- It's a pleasure, unsung hero.