Chapter 25

Red dots blink non-stop, filling the entire map. The only thing keeping them safe was the terrain.

With an attack in mind, Clifford chose that location after careful consideration of its topography.

The natural earth wall surrounding it, along with its heightened area. Up to the amount of resources in and out. It was a near perfect base if not for all the monster around.

“There’s too many of them!”

Hallor gritted his teeth with each swing.

Even with his blessed weapon and his renewed strength, fending off all those creatures was taking its toll.

Each strike became heavier, slower, and harder. As their blades got stained with blood, fur, and entrails.

“If this continues on, they will overrun us.”

Galford continued to hack one enemy after the other. Each swing took out two to three at once.

But no matter how many they kill, more came, replacing the fallen. And it did not look to be stopping anytime.

“Sir Clifford, what shall we do?”

Hallor looked at the structure emanating the odd purple glow, cause the man’s voice now seemed to come from there.

They were keen to notice this was what was attracting the creatures. Since they only came when the golems finished the building and began letting out energy.

“Give me a few more minutes.”

Clifford continued to build and set traps as much as possible. Because the monsters already triggered half of them.

He’d been using the strongest and most powerful among all the spells and abilities he collected. Yet they did not seem to cause a good amount of damage when not used directly by a unit or living being.

There was only one entrance to the place, which made things easier. But even with that, some beasts were beginning to breakthrough.

As the two warriors could hardly take on all those giant wolves, lizards, and crawling insects. Though they continued to fight valiantly and with such savagery, they were not enough to defeat an entire horde of monsters.

“I don’t think we can hold much longer.”

Hallor’s breathing became ragged from continuously shifting from his front to his back. As the beasts that got passed returned to attack from behind.

“I’m sending the golems on your way.”

Not wanting to let everything to chance. Clifford orders his extra creation towards the two.

Five special units rush to aid their comrades.

In minutes, the tides turn in their favor. Each of those giant stone guardians threw devastating amounts of attack.

Burst of flames came out of their eyes, burning anything within their paths. Those who were lucky enough to escape faced the onslaught of a hardened fist of rocks.

This gave the two warriors ample time to rest. But they were keen to return to the fray once they garnered their strength.

This continued on for the next few hours until the sun touched the peak of the nearby mountain.

They lasted up to this long, thanks to the warrior’s vigor, along with the continues creation of additional golems.

And throughout this time, all Clifford could do was send out as much backup, while praying his companions hold out until he finished.

From his screen, the timer only showed about a few more minutes before the summoning completes. So he had no choice but to trust Hallor and Galford to keep the monster at bay until it finishes.

One good thing that came with it was the fact the two were adjusting to their new powers with no hitch.

With his system, he watches as their levels go up. From their previous level fifty and forty, they were now reaching around sixty. A number considered being a knightly class within that world.

All seemed to be fine, seeing all the red dots continuing to diminish with each passing time. Until another pop up came out from his screen.

‘Warning! High level monster approaching.’

Then several large markers appeared on the screen from different directions, numbering to about ten.

Clifford cursed, aware of how powerful those creatures were. He remembered needing an entire platoon, along with the two other young heroes, to take down one.

With little options, he can’t help but panic, knowing full well they may not survive this. He did not think of a solution.

From the timer, his available abilities, and all the other selections at his disposal. He began clicking and placing anything he could on the map.

“Guys, heads up. Stronger enemies are approaching our base.”

He let his companions know through telepathy.

Both men were currently resting, turning wide eyed upon knowing that. They were keen to look through the thickness of the forest, still unable to see them.

“All right. Bring them on!”

Hallor was up in an instant. Sword at the ready, he took a battle stance at the entrance of their base to search for the enemy coming their way.

Galford followed.

“Do not worry, sir, otherworlder. We will hold them back as long as possible.”

His doubt towards Clifford finally vanished, as a new idea came into his mind after receiving his blessings.

“If things get too dicey, we’re going to retreat to the torn down village. Do you understand?”

Clifford divided his golem army into two in order to prepare for the upcoming fight. Also, they had thinned down the horde enough to focus more on the new enemies.

“Agreed, sire.”

Galford took in a deep breath before standing. His posture now shouted valiantly, having that renewed sense of purpose.

“Then how are we going to save our family?”

Hallor turned to his master with a questioning gaze.

He’d remember the reason they were there in the first place was to prepare for the rescue. So he became agitated upon hearing their plan, especially after seeing the sheer power and benefit of the camp.

“I’ve already finished my preparations. So that won’t be a problem. I just need to see how far we can fight off high-level monsters.”

It was a lie.

Though Clifford also did not want to abandon the base. He’d willingly sacrifice the place to not lose his companions.

He thought it a better option, because now he was certain he could easily start over as long as he had the resources.

His pondering ended when he notice his alarm ringing. His map showed a single beast approaching, faster than the others who were still quite far.

“I see one!”

Galford pointed the tip of his shimmering sword at the monster.

From afar, a giant black wolf was dashing towards them, mouth opened, panting with each stride. Its eyes had this blood thirsty glint, making it look rabid with its tongue sticking out.

“Let me handle this for now. Don’t attack until I’m sure we have a chance.”

Clifford orders. They move to the inner parts of their base. Both warriors rush towards the large dwelling that resonated the purple light.

The golems were the first to face the intruder, throwing all their attacks straight for it.

In minutes, the forest turned into a blaze, fire dancing as high as the trees. But from its hot and burning confines emerge the unscathed beast.

With one swipe of its paw, it took down at least two units. But ended up stopping when mobbed by the others.

It did not take long before it wiped all their rock soldiers off, allowing the enemy to continue its charge.

“Here it comes!”

Hallor gathered all the courage he can, not wanting to put his newfound strength to waste. Sword at the ready, the lad stood still and waited for the creature to get closer.

“Calm yourself, child!”

Galford held his protégé, sensing the tension building up inside the youth, noticing how he trembled from the need to act.

But before it can take another step, the ground shook, causing it to falter and pause.

From underneath the earth, cylindrical towers emerge, each with a varying colored sphere of light on top of it.

The structures surrounded the enemy, caging it.

Surprised and confused, all the dire wolf could do was lower its head, bare its teeth and growl.

Another second and the things began bombarding their magical attacks straight for the beast. It let out a howl of pain, unable to defend from the onslaught of high tear magic.

The two warriors jump for joy, seeing how they were overpowering the creature. But their celebration got cut short when more giant monsters came crashing into the base.

One was a lizard the size of a house, the other a flightless bird with armed claws instead of wings.

The towers held up for quite some time, blasting every enemy within their sights. But the attacks weren’t enough to stop all of them, as more arrive from the outside.

Galford and Hallor trembled as the monsters toppled the structures.

They realize the power of each beast, remembering some of them to be considered as deity like.

“Those are the guardians of the forest.”

Galford blurted out, realizing what they were facing.

“We can’t let this place get destroyed!”

Hallor held his weapon, crouching for an attack. Even if his knees continued to shake, he cannot accept their hard work would end up for nothing.

“Forget about it. We need to retreat. There’s more of them coming.”

Clifford cursed, getting more warning appearing from his screen.

With that large a number, and seeing how they were taking out all his defenses.

He was certain the two warriors will not survive if they fight those things head on.

“Don’t you fool!”

Galford shouts when he missed grabbing ahold of the youngster.

The lad became so quick; he dashed straight into the fray, sword pointed at the nearest enemy he had his sights on.

A shimmering light flashed before Hallor, blinding him for a moment and stopping his attack.

When everything subsided, a figure came out from the beam, emanating a power that cause the youngster to gape in awe.

“Seriously, kid. Do you want to get yourself killed?”

Clifford snaps. Immediately pushing the youth to run back to the older warrior.

“Sir otherworlder. It’s you! But how?”

Galford met them midway, gawking upon seeing the person there.

“No time to explain. We need to escape while they're busy.”

With a wave of Clifford’s hand. More towers emerge, surrounding the entirety of their makeshift camp. The entire area now looked like a pincushion from all those structures poking out of it.

As the monsters became occupied with destroying those buildings, all three of them took that chance to rush into the forest.