- Ri-ight… -- sighed Kirea— you probably haven’t even divided them into groups, have you. Just see a bunch of monsters, right?
- Uh-huh— cheerfully nodded Bom— That’s right! A monster mash in the dirt.
- This is the main problem guys— once again sighed Kira— So, these groups stop at certain times, but sometimes the time corresponds. At this point we have to hit with the remaining mass from a distance and continue to fire with all the long rage arsenal we have. And this has to be done before they finally stop digging. You understand why they sometimes stop?
- Fatigue? – I suggested first, guessing.
- Uh-huh. Fatigue. Their endurance is not unlimited. They also run out of steam, as we do. This is their weakest point. I made a battle plan, I’ll describe it now.
- Are you a colonel in the real world? – muttered Cray, dumbfounded.
- I am not… -- chuckled the girl— Just game experience. Listen. I calculated the intervals between stops, and periods when these intervals are the same. Somewhere at seven and a half minutes is the biggest stop— just three groups will freeze. It is about sixty percent of the total opponents. What’s more delicious— it is the most numerous group. In this very moment, we strike when the enemy is exhausted. This will give many advantaged. The first— they cannot go on the offensive. Second— they will not be able to maneuver and evade, which will allow our massive hit to the target with one hundred percent accuracy. The third— that of the enemies who still have mobility, most of them will have to attack from the bottom up, moving on a slippery and quite steep slope. Fourth— the element of surprise is in our favor. Fifth— our group has obstacle spells, such as “thorny wall” and “stone peaks.” This will further slowdown the enemy. Sixth— the commander will not be able to use all available troops, because they will be stunned, disoriented and exhausted. Thus, we will have every chance to destroy all the small fry before the soldiers cross the distance and attack in melee combat. I estimate that our chances are pretty high, provided that all will go smoothly, on time, and that no one does anything silly. All clear?
The answer was a stunned silence.
I kept a hard and stony expression with difficulty. Such a detailed plan I hadn’t heard before.
- C… clear— squeezed Doc— This… Kirea, do you need work in the “real” world, by chance? I can arrange it! A good post! Good money!
- I already have a job – said Kira with a cute smile— I’m looking out for one nutjob… So, you already understand, what our strategy will involve. We now turn to the tactics. The current position is quite comfortable, but Bom and Cray, immediately after the attack begins, will have to move forward a couple of meters, and join with me in a single bundle. Doc will stand just behind us. Doc, as soon as the attack is launched, immediately start up all the auras that you have. Ros, Orbit and Kaylen are behind. Classics, proven experience. We will use all the “masses” that we’ve got. All completely. From the very powerful to the lowest ranking. The most important task— to inflict maximum damage to the enemy at the first attack. We won’t get a second chance. Let’s get to it, warriors. Mages, do not forget your mana potions. Anyone who has strengthening potions— drink them immediately after the outbreak of hostilities.
- Ridiculous— I muttered, barely audible— Kitten turned saber-toothed tiger… and I stroked its fur…
- You don’t like something? – inquired Kira just as quietly, hearing only my mumbling.
- What are you saying— I whispered – Just admiring aloud.
- Well, well— Kira chuckled and added, louder— Two minutes to the hour of reckoning.
A short movement of the hand and a set of bubbles of various shapes and sizes appeared before the paladin. I could identify six bottles in total, most looking like an assortment of combat grenades. Inside, piercing blue liquid bubbles and on the label was a volumetric cloud explosion, scattering debris.
Explosive potions. Probably the same as those used by Vlas when he was chasing mountain trolls, sitting astride a griffin.
- The last word of the negotiations— Kira informed me, catching my interested gaze.
- Hella negotiations you have – I snorted, taking a poorer assortment out of my bag.
Mana potions, essentially. The energy I am going to need, first and foremost.
- Soldiers should gather as many stones as possible – Kira continued to command, completely absorbed in the details of the future fight— Not the small ones. Get the big and hefty ones. The larger the stone, the greater the chance the enemy will be knocked down off their feet. Or from their fins or tentacles… damn… collect rocks, is what I mean to say. That’s what we meet them with when they break through the magic barriers. Doc, gather all the “fireflies” and “pillars”. Once I say, just put them all on without exception. Let it be bright and hot. Better for us, and for the enemies, not so much— less aim, nothing they can really see. All they will see are the tears in their own narrowed eyes.
Beautifully said…
What is the most surprising— we all unconditionally obeyed Kira. No one objected, and no one offered their own variants or discussed an already existing plan of action. But in our group, there is no established hierarchy. Formally, I am a leader, but I never put myself above others. Kira does the same. They all listen to her, even though she is the newest member of the team. Once again, I was convinced that she is a real paladin in class and spirit. A leader wrapped in a radiant aura…
A few more minutes passed occupied by hasty preparation.
After waiting twenty seconds and peering at the monsters, Kira abruptly straightened to her full height, throwing off mud off her shining armor and said in her full voice:
- Let’s go!
Two explosive potions sped at a shallow arc to the center of the pit. Even before they fell, the air rustled with a new pair of “bombs” this time directed at different points within the pit.
Not lagging behind, I put up a hand and snapped:
- Fireball!
A buzzing clot of flame broke from my hand and carried straight to the bottom of the pit, crawling with monsters.
- Fireball! – Kaylen supported me— Clot of poison!
Beside me flew another fireball and a drop of viscous green liquid.
- Stone “chicken haunch!” – growled the bald elf, throwing a common stone at the enemy. From this “spell” I almost stopped short.
In an instant the mud pit turned into a geyser. Here and there rose fountains of sticky mud and stone, and bodies of the opponents. Fireballs cut into cohesive groups. A raging fire was added to the fountain. And we continued to generously spend the whole meager supply of scrolls. Wasting them with nothing remaining, mercilessly, seeking out the greatest accumulations of creatures.
- Stone rain! Cloud of smoke! – chattered the combat mage like clockwork, dust from spent scrolls falling on the ground.
Something thundered, and showers of stones swept over the pit. Squealing, whistling and squeaking monsters were driver into the mud. An ashen cloud muddied the pit, blinding and confusing the enemy. And it didn’t stop us— we could see the contours of the put, and didn’t need anything else. Hit in the center and you can’t go wrong.
In the smoky haze was a second crash. The last of the explosive potions showed itself in all its glory. Before my eyes ran an endless list of accomplishments, flashed fancy names of slain monsters, and the joyful and long awaited message:
You got a new level!
The effect, “feel like the terminator.” He too had a flow of information when he looked at the enemy. Here we have the same thing. Only ten times the amount. Each line— a slain monster. And there were already dozens of these lines. The creatures were dying in batches. And we had not even budged.
Left without scrolls, I held up a hand and somewhere amid the raging mud and smoke rose two “walls of thorn.” Thorny and bothersome. I didn’t stop there, but continued to plant a maze of thorny bushed. Mana went down like a bottomless pit, but I wasn’t bothered
. More! More thorns! More prickles! More plant walls! More cheery white flowers! The flowers on their tombs!
- Stone peaks! – Kaylen Seeker joined in on the slaughter, “scorching” immediately with both hands— Peaks! Peaks! Peaks! Peaks!
- Booby! – Orbit yelled, throwing the enemy another stone.
Several places in the smokescreen thin and several monsters lunged in our direction. Here was the first wave.
- Ignore! – loudly shouted Kira— Continue to beat the center with all you’ve got! There is a whole artillery left there! Soldiers! Throw rocks at the nearest ones!
- Hit the seals! – yelled Bom, raising a stone the size of a cow with some effort— Go!
With a split second delay, Cray sent down his impressive “gift.”
Bending down, I picked up a mana bottle from the dirt and sucked it down, replenishing my energy.
With an oblique look down I was saw the moment when the rock covered the most zealous enemies. it covered them and rolled on, crushing those in its way. I continued at double speed, planting thorns persistently at the center of the mud pit.
- Ros, cut the first line of freaks! – Kira commanded, and I dismissed the sight below, and landed “thorn walls” directly among exhausted and wounded monsters. After that, I swallowed two mana potions at once while shuffling spells and infusing “coals” into my right hand. Soon the time will come for close range combat.
- Kaylen! Now you!
The fighting sorceress shouted something and clearly waved her hands. A cheeky resident of the ocean depths, something between a fur seal and a bulldog, was planted on a jagged rock peak and was killed. In the place of his death, other enemies immediately went forward.
We had seen a picture of the battle only in fragments. Lines of experience continued to run and run. There’s lesser creatures who continued to die— tiny snakes, worms, fish, and other incredible creatures. And we didn’t even notice them among the bubbling and almost boiling mud. And we hadn’t yet seen the owners themselves— the Krabbers. Where are those damn overgrown crabs?
- Fire onto the first rows! – Kira ordered, at the same time sending down several stones.
In the next fifteen seconds I incessantly burned, set up walls and coal to anyone who came near, at the same time trying not to “interfere” with Kaylen’s fire and evenly disperse the combat magic on all rows.
It worked out well. Enemies were hit with spikes and stone peaks, knocked down with stones and burned “coals.” The gnarled mess of mud continued, and the tumbling and hobbling creatures howled. As in a nightmare. Nothing to say about my hearing— personally, it had long shut down, reacting only to the voices of my people. Enemies didn’t want to die in silence. Each of the perishing monsters contributed to the noise, which didn’t make anything better.
- There they come! – said Kaylen with a nervous voice.
- Three! – supported Cray, who had great eyesight— Closing and opening the claws, what freaks! Light, Doc!
Doc?
Oh yes… light.
I had completely forgotten. And now, above our heads, shone bright and spotless magic. We were bathed in light. Drowning in it. But we continued to see the enemy clearly. But the enemy unlike us could see nothing. They were literally “going into the light.” And they could no longer see anything. Only light and nothing more.
Usually light means salvation. The exit. And in our case the light meant death. They went to die. Like moths that flock to the beckoning light bulb.
- Wizards! Open fire on the Krabbers! Orbit! Ghosts to the first wave of the enemy! Go!
Our hands in sync, Kaylen and I set our sights on the menacing silhouettes of the Krabbers. I took the “stone wall” from my hand and placed “shards” in its place and fiery flashes blossomed on the chest of the barbarian. The Krabber staggered, he stumbled, but stubbornly stepped forward, moving all four legs and getting closer to us with each step. And I had thought myself to be a terminator. I had made a mistake. These are the terminators coming straight towards us now, taking the magic strikes, but stubbornly ignoring them.
After him, covered by his body, stepped two more body monsters. And one was truly bad— it was limping on three legs. The fourth dragged on helplessly through the mud. Another had a deep rift in his chest armor. And two more I had not seen. They weren’t there! Where are these thing?! Where is the leader?! Running away? Bypassing them? Laying down in a shelter?!
- What is this crap?! – boomed Cray dumbfoundedly, lifting up his head.
There, under the dark vault of the case, a snow white figure of an anger hung in the air, a golden halo over his head. The angels came to us…
- Let him hang there! Let them watch! – Kira shouted, raising a spear to throw— Don’t even think about shooting it!
- Int-teresting after all!— disappointedly said Orbit, calling one of his spirits away from the angel.
An angel had come to the carnage. And the bloody bald elf nearly struck it! That would have been fun!
A second, and the white figure in an iridescent haze disappeared. The angel left us.
Why did he come? Who knows. But he cannot intervene. Gameplay is holy. So, fie on the angels. Hit the Krabbers!
Though I was distracted, my hands continued to move automatically. Each palm was charged with combat spells. The Krabber staggered, his legs buckled, and he fell heavily into the mud. He was still alive, trying to rise, but the magic beat on him continuously into the mud, ripping off pieces of armor and leaving scorch marks. We were merciless. The two battle mages achieved their effect and the Krabber groaned, collapsed flat, and stopped moving. And yet he was not dead yet— they are very tenacious. The creature will rise if we allow it.
- First row!
Once again we changed the fire, shuffling spells. Once again, monsters were covered with thorny bushes and jagged spikes. Again I swallowed mana potions. And soldiers swallowed enhancing potions too, ready to meet the enemy with swords and axed.
I acted like an automaton, moving jerkily and choosing the target on a whim. Before my eyes flashed disparate fragments. A snake crawling in the mud, attacked by the screeching Nathaniel, numerous paws digging into its eyes and neck. A stone flew like a rugby ball into the nose of the overgrown seal, knocking it back right into the “thorn wall.” Good work, Bom.
Another ghost covered two moray eels with its body. Covered them, lit up and then scattered into wisps of fog. And Orbit was shattered, his life jumping down. The vigilant Doc stopped throwing small stones and rushed to the victim. The bald elf, wiping away tears of sorrow, had already summoned another specter.
With an angry growl, Tyrant caught a slug and pulled him like a rag. He threw aside the limp opponent and began with the next one— a tiny water snake sliding through the mud. Kira leaned her body forward and threw the last spear, piercing through the body of a monster similar to tangled seaweed.
A wail of panic came from the bog creature, hiding in a deep crevice. The creature was in a wild panic, but now we weren’t going to focus on his feelings. Kaylen fell on her knees and with both hands sent a fan of coals at the approaching monster. Her face distorted, she bit her lower lip, and her eyes splashed with wild excitement. Either we had them, or they had us.
Cray thrust the axe at the ground, killing several small but certainly poisonous snakes. Doc rushed to the dwarf, noting that his life jumped down a little. A snake had still managed to get him.
- Good! Now on to the Krabbers! All except me, Bom and Cray! It’s time to kill the freaks! This is our land! – loudly shouted Kirea the Protectress, brandishing her sword in the air.
- This isn’t our land! – I shouted back. It looks like Kira forgot. Remembered the old days, when the clan defended their lands. So that’s how she inspired her colleagues… truly a paladin… And how did that fool Gosha send such a fighter to rebirth?
- I blurted out of habit! Hit them anyway!
- Hitting, hitting— I gasped, stepping a few paces back.
The magician doesn’t like close range, and it was getting closer. But the enemies were less.
The meat chopper we had launched didn’t reduce speed, but the “meat” was coming to an end.
- Le-ve-ee-l! – triumphantly yelled Doc— One more! Ee-ee!
We had lumped some experience together. Others would go up soon too. And I, as leader, cannot help but rejoice.
- Two more! – Cray yelled hoarsely, knocking a strange creature off his leg, which looked like a hairy jellyfish— Boss!
- Now it’s gonna be fun! – I yelled back, looking at the boldly striding, fresh Krabbers coming towards us. The leader was on the move. The one who was gilded and silvered. That’s all I could see— the monstrous claw, while the shoulders and chest were only shreds of former glory. Our first attacks were still effective. And judging by the abundant streaks of dirt on his armor, it’s possible we buried him briefly. Oh, and we drove him off his throne for sure. Face right in the dirt. From the throne right to the grave— I would be offended too.
- Full speed ahead! – loudly yelled Kira, wielding a sword and shield— Before they arrive, we have to finish all the rest, including the ordinary Krabbers! Ros! Focus on the leader! We’ll take care of the rest!
- Yes ma’am! – I foolishly slurred, swallowing mana.
And again we began. According to calculations, there were no more than three or four dozen left alive. Some could already be safely written off. And one of the Krabbers kissed the ground, and two others were mutilated and burned. The main danger was the last pair of furious barbarians.
Looking at the way my “flaming coals” harmlessly bounced off the chest plate of the leader, I was seriously worried. I couldn’t really inflict any damage on this hulk. I felt like a teenager with a slingshot against a tank.
Not only I understood this, but also our paladin.
- Warriors! Get ready to rumble! Fifteen seconds of attack and we retreat immediately! On my order! Orbit! Take back the ghosts! – Kira shouted, pulling out the waist bag of pure ice parchment— The last trump card! Ice!
The white scroll shattered into a thousand tiny snowflakes and a miniature snowfall rushed to the ground. And the field of battle before us was covered with ice. Puddles of water were frozen completely. All living things instantaneously froze into ice sculptures and either perished or were left unable to move. The Krabbers froze too, turned into ice.
The Way of the Clan 4 (World of Valdira) Page 25