The streets of Neoras were silent, except for the sound of feet hitting the pavement. Relia and Helydia were running at full speed, their rapid breaths mingling with the echoes of their footsteps in the deserted town. Relia wore her brand-new armor that she had just retrieved, her body already accustomed to its weight and movements. She no longer felt any discomfort, as the armor perfectly molded to her silhouette, both elegant and protective.
Helydia, on the other hand, ran with almost supernatural ease. The eight silver rings she had bought earlier sparkled on her fingers.
The two women headed toward the source of the alarm, the main entrance to the town. When they arrived at the massive wooden gate, they didn't hesitate. Quickly, they climbed the protective wall overlooking the gate, positioning themselves above the large doorframe.
"Where have you been ?" A familiar voice called from behind them.
Relia and Helydia turned around and saw Dante and Canon approaching. Dante, as calm as ever, looked a little more tense than usual, while Canon appeared ready to spring into action at any moment.
"Sorry for the delay," said Relia, raising her hand to greet them. "Where's Samuel ?"
Canon turned and gave a thumbs-up behind him, indicating where Samuel was. He was standing there, watching the dense forest ahead. Next to him stood 'Maro Taliga,' the man in the black cloak, and Kai, his bow already in hand.
The group approached, silent. "Sorry for the delay, Samuel," said Helydia, her gaze already fixed on the forest, trying to understand what was happening. "Has it started ?" Relia asked anxiously.
Samuel, his brow furrowed, stood with his arms crossed, observing the forest without speaking. He was like a statue, frozen in anticipation. Even the other members of the guard remained silent. Kai, beside him, had closed his eyes, fully utilizing his "localization" skill. The atmosphere was tense, almost electric. Every member of the team was ready, and the other guards around them, although lower in level, were as focused as they were, some holding bows, others swords or spears.
The tension in the air was palpable. No sound could be heard except for the rustling of branches and leaves in the red dense forest.
"Get ready !" Kai suddenly shouted, his eyes still closed, concentrated.
It was then that a multitude of creatures appeared, running at incredible speed, some running on two legs, others pushing themselves on their hands. These creatures were fast, but their appearance was even more threatening.
One of the creatures emerged from the shadows. It crouched, ready to pounce. Its body was covered in smooth, dark blue skin, with lighter reflections on its muscular areas like its shoulders and arms. It had a massive, humanoid yet bestial frame, with long, powerful arms ending in clawed hands.
Its head was smooth and round, without any apparent face, eyes, nose, or ears, giving it an unsettling, inhuman look. Two long translucent tusks or fangs hung vertically from its upper jaw, almost luminescent, enhancing its menacing appearance.
Along its back, bone-like spikes protruded from its spine, resembling shark fins, adding to the aggressive look of the creature. Its legs were muscular, designed for running or jumping, and its wide, clawed feet were perfect for gripping and moving silently.
Everything about this creature screamed predator, hunter, a creature from the depths. It was there to stalk, to kill, and no one seemed capable of stopping it.
The guards around Samuel, who were watching with wide eyes and trembling hands, couldn't hide their apprehension. They hadn't seen these creatures in years, since the Venerable had settled in the forest, driving them back. But today, this forgotten terror was haunting them once again, and they knew they would have to face them once more. A flicker of fear crossed some of their eyes, but they remained frozen, focused.
Kai, standing still, his gaze locked on the approaching creatures, loosed an arrow from his bow with meticulous precision. "Tell me when I can shoot, Maro," his voice low, tense.
Maro, ever calm, observed the scene through a spyglass. The creatures were drawing closer. "Not yet, not yet," he murmured, his eyes scanning the advancing monsters. "Wait... wait a little..."
The monsters, as fast as lightning, were racing towards them, almost brushing the ground. They approached an area where the ground was no longer dirt but covered in a sticky, black substance. The tar that Malo had generated to surround the village as part of Samuel's plan was working. The creatures, accustomed to moving at lightning speed, found themselves suddenly hindered, their movements slowed, and they became almost immobile.
"Now !" Malo shouted, his tone decisive.
In an instant, Kai drew his bow, adjusted his arrow, and activated his skill "Blazing Projectile ". The tip of his arrow caught fire, the air around it heating up instantly. Without hesitation, he loosed the flaming arrow, sending it flying through the air.
The arrow hit the tar-covered ground, and the entire stretch of tar where dozens of monsters were trapped ignited. The line of tar burst into flames instantly. The monsters screamed in pain as their blue flesh blackened and melted away.
The spectacle was horrifying.
The creatures howled in agony, their flesh melting into a formless mass, turning black as it burned. The blue of their skin evaporated into ash, transforming into a sticky mixture that dripped from their charred limbs, merging with the tar on the ground. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, adding a macabre note to the scene. The creatures tried to free themselves, lunging forward, but the tar continued to hold them back.
The flames devoured their flesh at an alarming rate, reducing them to ashes, their screams mingling with the crackling flames and debris. Some twisted in spasms before disappearing completely under the fire's effect.
Before Samuel's eyes, chaos unfolded, yet he remained silent, watching with an unshakable calm.