Chapter 155 - Jungle Warriors

"Hahaha, to think we managed to surround you adventurers so easily"

"Boss, I don't think those six are with them. Just look at that guy's fancy armour for example, he looks like he could be a hero or something"

"Really? A hero? Have you been taking the wrong strength garnering pills recently? Everyone knows the heroes are long gone"

Within seconds of Melinda's warning, we're surrounded in every direction by dozens of humans all wearing martial artist robes and looking beefy as hell! Seriously though, all have those extremely prominent muscles but I'm simply not jealous because these lot seem idiotic and weak... Okay, maybe a little jealous but those muscles do seem a little much even for my liking.

'Let's confirm these three, status'

[Name: Kung | Species: Human | Level: 9]

[Health 400/400]

[Stamina 354/400]

[Magicka 0/0]

----------

[Name: Dominic | Species: Human | Level: 33]

[Health 2,300/2,300]

[Stamina 899/1,000]

[Magicka 0/0]

----------

[Name: Powder | Species: Human | Level: 12]

[Health 600/600]

[Stamina 528/600]

[Magicka 0/0]

'I was right, always knew muscles were overrated anyways. Coming across enemies like this really is a waste of time though, especially considering those seem to be the strongest'

This fight is clearly going to be one of those things I end up complaining about how easy it's going to be so let's just save the moaning for another time. I'd rather not waste any time but these guys don't seem that eager to leave us alone, free EXP at the end of the day I guess.

For some reason though, the adventurers seem to be pretty tense about this situation. I know being heavily outnumbered can be bad and all but last time I checked, Melinda was a decent level so it shouldn't be that worrying, right? Is this actually a dangerous situation for them? Eh, maybe it is, most humans don't have the capabilities to deal with this many people and a single vampire weakened by daylight isn't perfect as well. Looks like it was good we came along when we did.

"Stand down marital artists or we will treat you like heathens. We don't wish to enact needless conflict with you all"

Priestess is actually the one to announce that, maybe her internal bandit detector isn't working and is unsure if they count or not? It matters little anyways; she will still destroy anyone who attacks her first.

"Boss, why is there a nun way out here"

"Probably on some sort of pilgrimage. It matters little, we don't discriminate when it comes to punching! Let's beat'em to death, then take their gear!"

"*Sigh*... summon"

Heh, its obvious things are now going to turn bad just from the fact priestess has revealed her summoned sword. It doesn't seem to spark much of a reaction for anyone else around here though so maybe they've seen something like this before? It matters little, past experiences won't help them in a second...

Walking over to who I presume is the boss, that Dominic guy I scanned, I feel like I should give these weaklings one more chance before starting the action. Really can't see it working though.

"Oi, last warning, or you will regret it"

"Hahaha, are you really trying to intimidate us weakling? Just look at how small your arms are!"

"Suit yourself..."

Without giving the martial artist a chance to react, I release a fully charged fireball I was hiding within my fist and it literally burns a hole in his chest...

He just stands still, looks down to the gaping hole, then shortly collapses onto the overgrown flora that covers this jungle. That was easy enough, doesn't seem like the rest of these are fearful over that though.

"What the fuck? She just killed the boss!"

"Break every bone in her body!"

"Destroy the orange bitc-..."

Without giving me any warning, the guy calling me a bitch literally loses his head from a floating sword that just so happens to come into view. It's cool Petra can use that again but that really seemed unnecessary, these lot don't deserve such effort.

At the moment the guy's head lands, all the surrounding martial artists close in on us obviously extremely upset at what's just happened. All on our side have readied ourselves for the incoming combat and things starts to kick off...

Almost instantly, everything goes to shit with pretty much everyone piling up like the ending to a medieval battle, swords clash against each other while the flames around burn in every direction. There's no time to try and observe others though. In a matter of seconds, five or so artists surround me only armed with their fists.

The first attacking me goes down from a single slash to his chest, the second tries to avenge him trying to strike my head but that gets swiftly stopped by a block from Excalibur and a dagger into his ribcage. Another comes in from the side and finds himself into the path of another stabbing.

This entire scene seems to be taking place in slow motion but I've used that comparison enough already, fighting weaklings is no big deal at all now. Refusal to become distracted and training in the background with Petra has that effect it seems, I'm barely even focusing on what the others are doing right now.

"What th-"

"She's too fas- Argh!"

Two more go down without any issue from both my two weapons and I can't help but shake my head at these lot. This isn't even worth using any abilities, all this trash is good for nothing but becoming fertilizer for this jungle.

Before I have the chance to see how everyone else is handling this battle, another three of the artists surround me and by this point, I'm already bored. Doing what my fellow phoenixes have done, I just spray my flamethrower all at those who approach and all go down like a burning sack of potatoes. Dual wielding and using magic is pretty damn easy when you literally can just point a finger and the magic flows from that, funny how I was worried about this once upon a time.

'Screw this, I'm killing all these idiots now'

I wouldn't say I'm angry but coming across braindead enemies who only seem to be placed for 'plot' reasons bores the hell out of me, I'm just going to embrace killing right now. It's time to spill more than a little blood...

"Fuck this, those adventurers have found some heroes!"

"I'm not dying today, run!"

"Let's retreat!"

Finally realizing this battle will only end in failure, the dozen or so left, scarper into the jungle with their tails between their legs. As for the rest that haven't, they've joined their brethren as corpses all around this clearing now. Some are burnt and charred, others and cut and bloody, and a few seem to be missing their head. Petra's getting even deadlier with her swings now it seems.

(Petra) "..."

"Fucking idiots, get back here and burn!"

"Calm down Zeki, the fight is won"

"You all good Lotte? Things got a bit hectic there"

"All good Nat, heathen scum deserve no mercy but best leave the rest... for now"

While everyone is cleaning the blood of their blades and calming the adrenaline of just being in combat, all I want to do now is kill as many of those retreating as possible. They dared to waste our precious time like this so they deserve everything they get...

"No you don't, get back here you cowar-"

Before I have the chance to chase after them, I feel a slight tug on one of my wings.

"Leave them Ikarus, they're not worth getting split up in the jungle for"

But... yeah, Petra's probably right, best save my wrath for when it's needed and not on low levelled scum who focus more on appearance rather than ability. Who the fuck uses a fist in battle anyways?

"Think my bloodlust returned there for a second, thanks Petra..."

__________

"Thanks for that assist, but I've got to ask what you six are even doing out here this far away from your islands or the empire?"

As for what's going on right now, most of us are either sitting or standing taking a quick breather while Ariza's tending to the injured adventurers. Some of them definitely took pretty deep cuts from that fight but there's no casualties on this side though.

Who asks that question is the vampire Melinda. Presumably, she knows about the knight and priestess and where they're from so no point following that up. Should I reveal what we're doing way out here though? It's not like we really trust Petra's ex.

"Just doing a bit of exploring and adventuring in this part of the world, nothing too major or anything like that. What about you?"

"You travelled all this distance just for that? We're on important guild business so there's no point continuing this conversation if both sides aren't willing to share"

Considering how the vampire was last time we spoke, if anything she seems grumpy as hell today. Maybe she does have a point but I can't be revealing to everyone we're dungeon spelunking, right? I actually don't think it would matter that much but still.

"Don't be like that guild master, none of us keep any secrets so loosen up a bit!"

One of the adventures puts his arms on her that gets an even sterner look from Melinda. I really can't see how it's a good idea to be treating a vampire this way but hey, it's his funeral if he wants to treat his guild master like that. I'll speak to him then and see if I get an answer.

(Ikarus) "So... do you mind answering what you're here for then?"

"Ah sure, I'll say, just ignore her since she's a little grumpy we got outshone by you lot! We're actually out here subjugating the locals since those martial artists have been a menace to everyone wanting to use this forest recently..."

In all honestly, it could be down to meeting Petra once again and realizing she shares no happy feelings to her but what do I know? This guy actually travels with her so maybe he's right.

As for the guild being way out here, they are known for travelling all over the world and accepting many different jobs so something like this isn't that unheard of. It makes them sound more like mercenaries rather than adventurers but as long as the pay is good and they're not committing atrocities, no one really cares all that much.

"...I've got to say though, your fighting was brilliant! The way you use both your blades was inspiring!"

(Ikarus) "Heh, thanks... I guess?"

While I'm conversing with the happy adventurer, the vampire moves away from him and seems to want to speak with Petra now. I'm still keeping a close eye just in case she goes black eye mode and wants her destroyed, but I reckon that fear is long gone now.

"Seriously Petra, what brings you six out here? I promise I'll play nice and try not to say or do anything evil"

"..."

Petra's silence says all, except the fact she reluctantly forces herself to speak with the woman once again.

"...*Sigh*, dungeon hunting Mel, shouldn't need to say anything else"

You know, it's pretty good how Petra can now share words with her even if it's just that... what are you saying Ikarus? This is like the perfect time to get jealous and worry about the ex-stealing away your future misses! It's funny how I don't feel that way in the slightest, I guess I trust Petra more than I could imagine.

"Dungeons... Oh, you're trying to enter that cursed place? You're in for a right surprise then"

"What's the surprise?"

"That only happens to be one of the bases of these gorilla bastards. We've already confirmed it and have no chance against them all until we can get reinforcements..."

The next dungeon is the base of these martial artists? Oh, for fuck's sake, I keep forgetting dungeons are never easy. I might just nuke them and call it a day if we have to take on an entire base now.

"...Look, we no longer have the strength to keep on fighting and we really should start to head back. Thanks for the assist everyone and for healing my men as well"

(Charlotte) "Blessings to you all"

(Ariza) "It's no problem"

"If you were really thankful, you'd pay brother for his services"

(Ariza) "Just shut up Zeki"

The rest of us just end up giving them a nod as we can all tell this vampire really doesn't want to be here right now. Can't say I blame her too much if they've been fighting nonstop against these gorillas for days, it definitely seems like us being here doesn't help at all. There's clearly some feelings still towards Petra and that can't be helping Melinda as well.

'Should we offer to fly them-, no Ikarus. You aren't a charity act flying and helping everyone, they can find their own ways out of here'

Just as they've gotten everyone ready to go and are now leaving, a question has come up that I just can't help myself with. There's got to be a reason this vampire doesn't seem evil anymore, right? People just don't change for no reason, at least that's what I've noticed from life. Look at me for example, I realized I was naïve and stupid so went about trying to fix myself. Can't say the journey I'm on is perfect yet but I'm definitely a load better than how I used to be.

"Before we part ways, I've got to ask something Melinda... Why did you change? From the sounds of it, you were apparently completely evil and yet, you don't seem to be anything like that now"

It's her aura when she's around these guys as well, it's nothing like what you'd think an evil vampire would be like. Maybe she's hiding it but it just doesn't seem that way.

Petra as well seems to spark up most from my questioning but something like this is interesting to us all, right? An evil vampire changing for the good and leaving that old life behind, it can't be all down to Petra trying to kill her?

"That's a little persona-"

"The boss was addicted to blood, that's why! Ever since she's been off the strong stuff and onto a substitute, she's been kind and caring. Heck, she even goes to feed homeless and orphans now! She pretty much donates all her income from the guild as well!"

Before the vampire even has the chance to respond, the same guy who had his arm around her answers only making the vampire start to visibly turn red. Not from fluster though, he's really starting to piss her off.

"Even you lot know she's a vampire? Huh, I guess that wasn't a secret then. What substitute do vampires even use for blood anyways? It's got to be something similar, right?"

"Ah, that's pretty simple really, the substance she takes is-"

This time around, the vampire quickly goes to cover the mouth of her guild member, that was clearly embarrassment on her face this time around. What substance is embarrassing enough that she'd have to do that?

"Some things are best left unsaid, we're definitely leaving now... Can't believe you were going to tell them that! What's wrong with you..."

"Ah, sorry guild master, forgot you want it kept secret..."

The adventurers walk off out of sight and out of mind presumably in the right direction? My mind is thinking about what was just said though.

'I'm kinda annoyed, what could vampires take as a replacement? There's got to be something out there similar that could work, but what though? Wait... aren't vampire's and succibis considered part of the same family? Priestess doesn't need anything to rely on but she has a God supporting her so that may remove any temptations. Without Dio, would she get urges as well? Okay, I don't want to know the answer to this question now'

[<Aesa agrees with Ikarus, that thought it best left ignored>]

'You don't say anything until something dirty comes up? Naughty Aesa...'