As Finric had said before, it took approximately a week for their group to arrive at Frosthollow. Eiran was already quite relieved when they were almost there.
That was until they were suddenly attacked by a group of monsters. Eiran couldn't see them clearly because the Frosthollow region had already begun to snow.
Their wagon started shaking from the monsters' attacks. Realizing something was wrong, the Captain began shouting to warn the others.
"Everyone, jump! We're under attack!"
Eiran, already aware of the assault, immediately jumped from the wagon. A moment later, something white shot toward the wagon, instantly destroying it and sending their supplies flying everywhere.
Finric, who was late in escaping the wagon, was thrown violently. Eiran noticed this because he heard Finric's scream coming in his direction.
That's when Eiran finally saw the creature that had attacked them. It was a white wolf with snow-colored horns, but their eyes were as red as blood. Eiran could see their fangs extending long and sharp.
"Cryloth has attacked, stay alert!"
Eiran then tried to help Finric, who had been thrown not too far from him. Luckily, the young man wasn't too badly hurt.
"Are you all—"
Eiran hadn't even finished speaking when he felt Finric gripping his arm, his eyes trembling.
"Run … Run, Eiran! We'll die if those Cryloths attack us!" Finric's voice was filled with fear, his gaze fixed on the howling Cryloths.
That's when Eiran realized that these monsters were strong enough to trouble even a group of mercenaries like them.
A moment later, Eiran felt chills run up and down his body, sensing a threatening presence behind him. Eiran turned around and activated his Vanguard skill, even though he still didn't know exactly what the skill did. Still, he was sure it was a defensive one.
A transparent shield, like a barrier, appeared in front of Eiran. In an instant, a white wolf twice Eiran's size appeared, swiping its claws toward him.
Eiran had to take three steps back from the attack; his transparent shield vanished instantly under the blow from the white wolf.
Meanwhile, Finric, who saw it all, was dumbfounded. He couldn't process what he had just seen, he thought they were both about to die.
"Don't just stand there like an idiot! Run! I can't hold it off forever!" Eiran grabbed Finric's arm and pulled him to escape.
Eiran knew that he only had a defensive skill and not enough strength to defeat the Cryloth.
The other mercenaries didn't care about Eiran or Finric. They were too busy fighting off the Cryloths that had attacked them. Eiran didn't expect them to help either, so he scanned the area for a weapon he could use to protect himself.
[Ding! Quest received!]
[Quest: Protect the Mercenary Members during the Cryloth Attack!
Reward: Depends on how many people the Host protects!
Penalty: For every death, the System will impose 1 punishment.]
Eiran's face darkened as he heard the System's notification chime. And now, he couldn't even let any of the mercenaries die. Even though they all wanted him dead, this was just frustrating.
"Fuck! This damn System!" Eiran cursed under his breath.
"Did you say something?" Finric looked around nervously, panicked that the Cryloths might attack again at any moment.
Eiran glanced at Finric and rolled his eyes, but that's when he noticed Finric had decent equipment.
"Hey, give me your gear. You won't be able to use it in your condition," Eiran said, pointing at Finric's trembling body.
"You!" Finric was offended by Eiran's jab, but he realized it was true, so he reluctantly handed over his sword and shield.
"Just the shield. Use the sword to protect yourself," Eiran said, accepting only the simple wooden shield from Finric.
Finric nodded in understanding. Eiran knew they had to regroup with the other mercenaries if he wanted to protect them as well.
"We have to join the others. Stay close to me!" Eiran gave Finric the signal before moving to rejoin the others.
The Cryloths lurking in the shadows began to bare their fangs when they saw Eiran's movement. Eiran raised his shield, ready to face the Cryloths' attack head-on.
One Cryloth snuck in from the right and leapt toward Eiran with claws ready to rip them apart.
Eiran quickly blocked the attack while activating his Vanguard skill. This time, he was more prepared, and with great effort, he managed to push the Cryloth away from them.
"Run! I'll follow from behind!" Eiran realized they were close enough to the other mercenary members.
Eiran and Finric had been thrown to the snowy roadside earlier, while the others were near the wrecked wagon, protecting their supplies.
After fending off the Cryloth, Eiran ran after Finric. When they rejoined the other mercenaries, Eiran caught a glimpse of the scornful looks thrown his way.
Eiran was sure they weren't happy to see him alive. Still, he tried to ignore them and pretend not to notice.
"Where have you been?! Help us finish off the remaining Cryloths!" The Captain quickly ordered them.
Eiran took the initiative to guard the front, blocking the Cryloths' attacks that had clustered together in this area. With all his strength, he raised the shield to withstand the relentless assault from the monsters.
The other mercenary members also began attacking the Cryloths that were being held back by the tanks. Eiran didn't expect that there were about three magic users in the group.
Even so, Eiran still struggled to defend himself using only the Vanguard skill. He figured this was the perfect time to use his Skill Coupon.
"System, I want to use the skill coupon I have!" Eiran called out to the System in his mind.
[Understood. The System will assist the Host.]
[Item 'Skill Selection Coupon' has been used.]
[Please choose one of the following skills:
Guard Stance – Guard (Active Skill) Aegis Burst – Counterattack (Active Skill) Mana Veil – Protect (Active Skill) ]
Right now, Eiran couldn't just defend, he also needed a skill to counterattack. That's why he immediately chose 'Aegis Burst' when he saw the word "Counterattack" next to it.
"I choose Aegis Burst!" Eiran made his decision quickly, knowing he was in a tight spot.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations! The Host has obtained the skill 'Aegis Burst'. For more details, please check the Status Window.]
"I don't have time to check Status. Is it okay if I use it right away?" For his own safety, Eiran decided to ask the System.
[Of course, there will be no issue.]
Eiran nodded in understanding and refocused on the battle unfolding before him.
His arms were already shaking from blocking attack after attack. Eiran began pushing forward with his shield, separating himself from the other tanks and drawing the remaining Cryloths toward him.
Yes, this was his gamble to see what the new skill could do.
"Eiran, what are you doing?!" Finric was stunned by Eiran's action.
At that very moment, the last three Cryloths lunged at Eiran, each with claws and fangs ready to rip him to pieces.