Chapter 35

All ten additional heroes were useless against the mob of grotesque humanoids.

No matter how many times they took them down, they just keep getting up. What’s worst, they were moving farther from the boss, because the number of enemies kept increasing.

Both Sander and Arnold’s team were down and on their last leg and could barely hold on, and the first group consisting of Jack, Arty, Marco, Pedro, and the knight Malver still haven’t recovered yet.

“This can’t be happening!”

Sander now trembled before the face of the enemy.

Not even with their combined strength of all their teams, added with their magical weapons, which doubled their power, were enough to win.

They have never encountered a battle like this before, sure there were times they had trouble with some giant monsters, but nothing as hard as this.

No matter how many they take down, all of them just keep coming back up, even stronger and more resilient than before.

“Shit, this is unfair!”

A beaten up Arnold groaned, having nearly caught during his last attack.

Some enemies they fought were also getting used to their tricks and skills, as if each of them were adapting to certain attacks.

“What kind of mission is this?”

Randolph was already wheezing, shaking as he tries to keep his shield up in defense.

Every single one of them was tired, not to mention their hp and mp were now on the red, which made it impossible to use any of their special skills.

“This is hopeless. None of our attacks got through.”

The lively Dave had lost all hope, crying behind his comrades.

They take a step back when the first wave of the enemies they took out were on their feet, regenerated and moving.

Though they were slow and wobbly, they continued advancing, ready for another brawl with the youths.

“This isn’t normal.”

Sander blurted out again in sheer frustration, enrage because they were losing.

He could not accept the reality that they were being overpowered by monsters, especially since they’re considered the heroes of that world.

“That’s what we’ve been telling you.”

Marco snapped, irritated that they the others had to find out the hard way.

Now faced with a predicament, against a more powerful enemy, powerless, and with more wounded people than before.

“We have to retreat.”

Pedro calmly stated, wanting everyone to get their wits about. His eyes kept pacing back and forth, searching for an escape route, but none showed itself.

“How? They’ve surrounded us.”

Sander panicked even more, breathing heavily with each word. His gaze turned crazed, seeing how those grotesque humanoids move closer to them.

This brought up an argument among the youths, as they started blaming one another. The once perfect and coordinated teamwork they had shattered, as one by one they acted on their own.

Things would have gotten worse if Malver and the other two knights who served as guardians hadn’t stepped in. They were keen to make a move, seeing the discord among the group.

“We will pave the way for your retreat.”

He says, readying his sword in a stance. His companions followed as they too unsheathe their swords, all the while positioning themselves at the back where the mob was thinnest.

Before anyone could say a word, all three knights charged, slashing and piercing through the enemies. With their experience and skills, they took out a chunk of them, but like before, this did not faze the creatures as they continued attacking.

The minute a path opened, Sander and his team were the first to rush out of there, followed by an uncertain Randolph, while Pedro’s group stayed assisting the three.

“Go, we’ll keep them occupied!”

Malver shouted after pulling out his sword from an opponent he had just stabbed.

“No, we can all escape together.”

Arty replied. Using the remaining mana, he had to put a defensive spell around them.

The other two groups of youngster had fled but were still in view since they were staggering from their wounds.

Thankfully, the humanoids seemed to focus only on them, rather than chasing the other youngsters who were almost out of sight.

“That would be impossible. They’ll only chase us before we could even reach the camp. Now go!”

Malver hissed when he nearly got jumped. Luckily, he manages to throw a punch before slashing the monster’s head off.

“We ain’t leaving you.”

Jack retaliated.

Though they had the chance, none of them dared leave the three knights behind, knowing full well what would happen if they left them there.

“We have no choice.”

Malver’s face twitched, seeing nobody moved. He was fearing for the worst, as his other companions were getting tired and their enemies were beginning to close in on them.

“But we can’t abandon you.”

Pedro raise his voice in sheer distraught, becoming aware of what the man was trying to do. Not once have they thought about something like this happening, especially since they only took on missions that were easy, so he was now conflicted about what was going on.

Though the creatures were large in numbers, they seem to attack in a pattern, not moving all at once but waiting for their turn to pounce.

So it was both a blessing and a curse to the knights and remaining heroes, as they couldn’t understand if this was a strategy to tire them out, or they were playing with them.

They stood their ground for a good few minutes before the attacks subsided, as there was a sudden halt on both sides.

Backed up to each other, surrounded, and lost for breath, their group understood they were on their last stand.

“We still have one chance at this. Once we open a path, you run for it!”

Malver saw a route they could take, but also was well aware that they had to stay there to make sure the young heroes can get away safely.

“Not unless you come with us!”

Marco remained steadfast in his decision as the others too had not moved from their place, not wanting to abandon their companions there.

“Your lives are more valuable than ours!”

Malver gritted his teeth, frustrated at how defiant the youngsters were.

“That’s not true!”

Arty’s voice trembled, yet he steady himself, even as the monsters were getting closer by the minute.

A smile appeared on Marvel’s lips. Though they were hardheaded, he commended their bravery and kindness, not surrendering up to the bitter end.

“You are the hope of this kingdom. We cannot afford to lose any of you.”

He tries to reason out once more, but got met with retaliated looks from the group, making him chuckle. He was at a loss for words about how unreasonable the youngsters were, but at the same time, thankful for their efforts.

“We can still make it! If we hold on a little longer, Sander and the others might call for help.”

Pedro, remaining hopeful, thought of the camp nearby, being only a few minutes away from there.

He held onto that glimmer of faith that their comrades would not forsake them, seeing that they had now escape and headed for their rendezvous point.

“It is a risk we cannot take.”

Without waiting for a reply, Malver and the other two knights release every remaining ounce of their power and strength. Their swords glowed, each with a different color. With a swing, they released a wave of energy that took out more than the usual.

“Now’s your chance, go!”

He screams at the youngsters when they opened a path.

All of them rush out of the confinement they were in, but the three knights stopped midway, blocking the enemy as they began pursuing them.

Jack and the others also halted when a knight fell down and was dragged away, while sir Malver and the other were being pummeled by the rest of the mob.

“We have to help them!”

Pedro nearly lost his balance when he tried running back, but immediately got stopped by Marco.

“It’s too late!”

He says, grabbing the young mage down to stop him from going any further.

Being reoccupied with pulling each other. They barely had the chance to notice their other friends.

Jack and Arty were quick to rush to the knight’s aid. Arty used his remaining mana to create a barrier around the fallen knights, while Jack went on with his meteor strike to knock out the lot which pinned them down.

They then started pulling the three men out of there, but before they could take another step, several humanoids grabs a hold of them.

“Damnit all!”

Jack gaped when more hands held him down in place. All the while, Arty screamed in sheer terror, as their enemies jump and grab onto him.

This prompted Marco and Pedro to join in, but already being weakened and out of mana, they were of no use.

Screams of rage and fear came out from all four as they were being tackled.

All seems lost as the onslaught of punches and clawing started, none of them being able to do anything but surrender to their fates, until they hear a deafening roar.

“Earths grasp!”

As if by a miracle, everything seemed to stop. When they opened their eyes, every single of their enemies have fallen down on the ground, twitching and grumbling for some unknown reason.

They were still keen to look around, smiling as they were certain reinforcement had arrived like they had hoped for. But it was to their surprise when they saw a robe warrior in the midst of it all, kneeling in the middle of the crowd of monsters with his sword buried on the ground. A sigil glowed on where it pierced.

The magical circle seemed to be the one releasing the energy which held the mob, pinning them in place.