Jack didn’t know whether or not Bastian would be at the shop. When asked earlier, the peculiar old man simply said he would stick with his precious.
As he walked into the forge, Jack couldn’t see even the slightest trace of the smith, only silence under the enveloping darkness. Even with Shadow Eyes, he couldn't detect anything.
“BASTIAN!” Jack called out. “BASTIAN! BASTIAN!”
It took a few instances of yelling for a creaking sound to come out from under the floor. A square piece of wood was suddenly dropped down, then moved to the side, revealing a passage.
“Get down here!” The swordsmith's voice echoed from below.
Jack carefully approached and set his foot down the wooden stairs. It was surprisingly bright down there. The chamber was a bit tight but well-equipped, with beds, chairs, and a small crafting table. The walls were lined with swords, some glittering with intricate details, others monstrously deformed like the worst of defective products. A Black Lighting Blade was also among them, given a special spot right in the middle of the room, separated from the lesser ones.
This must be his complacent room, Jack thought.
“So? Has it ended yet?” Bastian said, waving the mug of beer, the foul sense of heavy alcohol coming out from his mouth, overwhelming the tiny space.
“There soon isn’t gonna be an Oxdale anymore; how’s that for an end? And still, you are enjoying yourself quite well here?”
“If what you say is true, shouldn’t I enjoy it while I still can?”
Jack put his hands up as he found the reasoning didn’t worth the time, then pointed at the dark purple sword.
“I need it!”
"And I need you to get out," Bastian snapped back. “And who the hell can use it anyway? Sure, it's powerful and all, but it’s decoration only."
“Meinhard can,” Jack said.
Bastian frowned for a moment as if this obvious fact hadn’t ever come to his mind.
After a while, the old smith waved his hand.
“Take it away. Oh, and you pay for every single scratch on it.”
Jack nodded, lowering the sword. An electrical current ran through his body as his skin made contact with the weapon. It was a delightful tickling as if the sword itself couldn’t help but be excited about its first battle.
Without much thought on the Black Lightning Blade’s reaction, he put it in its cover and left in a hurry.
The situation at the east gate was becoming ever-dire. The Crusader Artificers, despite possessing a large mana pool, as well as the ability to use many heavy weapons, still couldn’t find a way to deter the Caverwraith. The monster's regenerative ability was beyond the scope of understanding from previous studies. At one point, they had managed to break two of its mana cores, sending the monster back to a defensive stance. But before they could finish the job, the signs of regeneration had already appeared, with two small light blue dots forming just five minutes later.
Though no casualty of the high rankers had been reported, the creature had slain numerous Herald in the midst of combat. Its screams paralyze the nervous system, opening windows for its claws to tear and pierce through its enemy. When it rushed into the middle of the defender’s formation, the Crusaders had to be wary of friendly fire. Just like that, one Cavernwraith had brought the east gate’s force to its knee.
Juan and Julia were having no less of a problem. They had tried using everything they got to clear the way, but the monsters seemed to understand the strategic importance of these two individuals and gave their own best too. As one fell, others quickly filled the gap, blocking the opening that had just been briefly opened.
Two rhino-like monsters charged toward the pair. The creatures puffed out white smoke, their hooves kicked kick the ground with force, but also with speed, their horns sharp, covered with a layer of mana, ready to pierce through anything standing in their way.
When Julia caught sight of the two monsters rampaging towards them, she shouted.
“Juan!”
But it was too little too late. The monsters were too close.
The battle went similarly in each area, as if the monsters were purposefully deployed to isolate and attack the human forces. Gaius tried to order his subordinates to spread out to no avail. They were gradually cornered like the squads of the Harpers and Hensleys. Even in the area around the mayor's mansion, the Arcanist team, as well as the two strongest individuals, Meinhard and Marvin, could not leave the surrounding encirclement.
Meinhard continued to launch water spears at the mutant Cavernwraith. Beside him, Marvin was hopping around and bouncing off the strongest of blows. Much like what had happened at the east gate, the two managed to destroy two mana cores, albeit with much more difficulty. Marvin and Meinhard were covered in sweat, their teeth clenched in helplessness.
This Cavernwraith apparently needed more time to regenerate. However, the firepower needed to take it down was no longer there. Jars and vials of mana potions were poured into the mouth rapidly but couldn’t keep their mana replenishment afloat.
“None of them have been dealt with yet,” Marvin panted as he approached Meinhard while the monster was also taking its time to recover.
The principal sighed, constantly thinking about every possible scenario. He turned around to see his subordinates supporting, holding each other with their wounds piling up, the blank gazes of the people protected by the mana walls. Rolling his eyes, Meinhard shook his head to clear his mind and steady his look at the monster once again.
The Cavernwraith, feeling the growing anger of its enemy, raised its head and opened its mouth full of fangs, roaring menacingly.
It was at this moment that Jack arrived at the scene; in his hand was the sword capable of turning the table.
“Principle Meinhard!” Jack called out.
“Jack?” It was Marvin who had that surprised expression. “What are you doing here?”
“Turning the tide,” Jack replied.
Before the mayor's doubtful eyes, Meinhard took over the Black Lightning Blade. This confused Marvin even harder as he realized that his old friend seemed to be expecting this.
“Hold it off for a while,” Meinhard said to Marvin.
“Oh, this better works.”
Meinhard gave his friend a solemn nod, understanding this might be the last of their energy.
The mayor lowered his center of gravity, his legs continuing to bounce off, aiming straight at the Caverwraith. His movements were much slower than before, but still, with experience, he constantly mixed up his weapons and attacks, as well as took advantage of the monster's openings to force it back. However, every blow he landed had its trade-off. The monster's claws had finally found a way to leave scratches on the mayor's body after having discarded his Crusader armor.
Below, Meinhard closed his eyes and focused on the lightning-shaped sword in his hands. He poured his mana and spirit into the sword, seeking feedback of information and instructions from the blade. Jack silently watched and covered for him while also thinking about how to help Mayor Marvin if the situation turned for the better.
A minute later, Marvin had finally used up his mana pool. He now completely relied on his stubborn physical strength against the monster. The Cavernwraith was just as weakened as he was, but it still held enough mana to take out its foes.
A nebulous wave of light drew the attention of Marvin and the Cavernwraith. Below them, snake-like purple and blue lines of lightning crawled up Meinhard's right arm. He opened his eyes, his pupils flickering with excitement and determination. He pointed his sword towards the sky, concentrating all his remaining mana on the ability he had been channeling in the past few minutes.
A flash of lightning, indistinguishable from the veil of night, shot straight down from the sky, covered the sword, and then dyed the lesser sparks that surrounded Meinhard into jet black.
Meinhard slowly lowered his sword, its tip pointing directly at the hideous creature. A cluster of black lightning bolts gathered and sped toward the Cavernwraith.
The monster had no time to react to that speed. Black lightning pierced its protective layers and spread throughout its entire body. Its roar of rage soon changed to a screech of pain.
Black Lightning's ability to directly attack one’s spirit and soul proved effective.
Marvin struggled to get back on his feet. He lowered his legs, channeling his next attack. Their chance to counterattack had arrived, and there was no room for mistakes.
Jack didn’t know whether or not Bastian would be at the shop. When asked earlier, the peculiar old man simply said he would stick with his precious.
As he walked into the forge, Jack couldn’t see even the slightest trace of the smith, only silence under the enveloping darkness. Even with Shadow Eyes, he couldn't detect anything.
“BASTIAN!” Jack called out. “BASTIAN! BASTIAN!”
It took a few instances of yelling for a creaking sound to come out from under the floor. A square piece of wood was suddenly dropped down, then moved to the side, revealing a passage.
“Get down here!” The swordsmith's voice echoed from below.
Jack carefully approached and set his foot down the wooden stairs. It was surprisingly bright down there. The chamber was a bit tight but well-equipped, with beds, chairs, and a small crafting table. The walls were lined with swords, some glittering with intricate details, others monstrously deformed like the worst of defective products. A Black Lighting Blade was also among them, given a special spot right in the middle of the room, separated from the lesser ones.
This must be his complacent room, Jack thought.
“So? Has it ended yet?” Bastian said, waving the mug of beer, the foul sense of heavy alcohol coming out from his mouth, overwhelming the tiny space.
“There soon isn’t gonna be an Oxdale anymore; how’s that for an end? And still, you are enjoying yourself quite well here?”
“If what you say is true, shouldn’t I enjoy it while I still can?”
Jack put his hands up as he found the reasoning didn’t worth the time, then pointed at the dark purple sword.
“I need it!”
"And I need you to get out," Bastian snapped back. “And who the hell can use it anyway? Sure, it's powerful and all, but it’s decoration only."
“Meinhard can,” Jack said.
Bastian frowned for a moment as if this obvious fact hadn’t ever come to his mind.
After a while, the old smith waved his hand.
“Take it away. Oh, and you pay for every single scratch on it.”
Jack nodded, lowering the sword. An electrical current ran through his body as his skin made contact with the weapon. It was a delightful tickling as if the sword itself couldn’t help but be excited about its first battle.
Without much thought on the Black Lightning Blade’s reaction, he put it in its cover and left in a hurry.
The situation at the east gate was becoming ever-dire. The Crusader Artificers, despite possessing a large mana pool, as well as the ability to use many heavy weapons, still couldn’t find a way to deter the Caverwraith. The monster's regenerative ability was beyond the scope of understanding from previous studies. At one point, they had managed to break two of its mana cores, sending the monster back to a defensive stance. But before they could finish the job, the signs of regeneration had already appeared, with two small light blue dots forming just five minutes later.
Though no casualty of the high rankers had been reported, the creature had slain numerous Herald in the midst of combat. Its screams paralyze the nervous system, opening windows for its claws to tear and pierce through its enemy. When it rushed into the middle of the defender’s formation, the Crusaders had to be wary of friendly fire. Just like that, one Cavernwraith had brought the east gate’s force to its knee.
Juan and Julia were having no less of a problem. They had tried using everything they got to clear the way, but the monsters seemed to understand the strategic importance of these two individuals and gave their own best too. As one fell, others quickly filled the gap, blocking the opening that had just been briefly opened.
Two rhino-like monsters charged toward the pair. The creatures puffed out white smoke, their hooves kicked kick the ground with force, but also with speed, their horns sharp, covered with a layer of mana, ready to pierce through anything standing in their way.
When Julia caught sight of the two monsters rampaging towards them, she shouted.
“Juan!”
But it was too little too late. The monsters were too close.
The battle went similarly in each area, as if the monsters were purposefully deployed to isolate and attack the human forces. Gaius tried to order his subordinates to spread out to no avail. They were gradually cornered like the squads of the Harpers and Hensleys. Even in the area around the mayor's mansion, the Arcanist team, as well as the two strongest individuals, Meinhard and Marvin, could not leave the surrounding encirclement.
Meinhard continued to launch water spears at the mutant Cavernwraith. Beside him, Marvin was hopping around and bouncing off the strongest of blows. Much like what had happened at the east gate, the two managed to destroy two mana cores, albeit with much more difficulty. Marvin and Meinhard were covered in sweat, their teeth clenched in helplessness.
This Cavernwraith apparently needed more time to regenerate. However, the firepower needed to take it down was no longer there. Jars and vials of mana potions were poured into the mouth rapidly but couldn’t keep their mana replenishment afloat.
“None of them have been dealt with yet,” Marvin panted as he approached Meinhard while the monster was also taking its time to recover.
The principal sighed, constantly thinking about every possible scenario. He turned around to see his subordinates supporting, holding each other with their wounds piling up, the blank gazes of the people protected by the mana walls. Rolling his eyes, Meinhard shook his head to clear his mind and steady his look at the monster once again.
The Cavernwraith, feeling the growing anger of its enemy, raised its head and opened its mouth full of fangs, roaring menacingly.
It was at this moment that Jack arrived at the scene; in his hand was the sword capable of turning the table.
“Principle Meinhard!” Jack called out.
“Jack?” It was Marvin who had that surprised expression. “What are you doing here?”
“Turning the tide,” Jack replied.
Before the mayor's doubtful eyes, Meinhard took over the Black Lightning Blade. This confused Marvin even harder as he realized that his old friend seemed to be expecting this.
“Hold it off for a while,” Meinhard said to Marvin.
“Oh, this better works.”
Meinhard gave his friend a solemn nod, understanding this might be the last of their energy.
The mayor lowered his center of gravity, his legs continuing to bounce off, aiming straight at the Caverwraith. His movements were much slower than before, but still, with experience, he constantly mixed up his weapons and attacks, as well as took advantage of the monster's openings to force it back. However, every blow he landed had its trade-off. The monster's claws had finally found a way to leave scratches on the mayor's body after having discarded his Crusader armor.
Below, Meinhard closed his eyes and focused on the lightning-shaped sword in his hands. He poured his mana and spirit into the sword, seeking feedback of information and instructions from the blade. Jack silently watched and covered for him while also thinking about how to help Mayor Marvin if the situation turned for the better.
A minute later, Marvin had finally used up his mana pool. He now completely relied on his stubborn physical strength against the monster. The Cavernwraith was just as weakened as he was, but it still held enough mana to take out its foes.
A nebulous wave of light drew the attention of Marvin and the Cavernwraith. Below them, snake-like purple and blue lines of lightning crawled up Meinhard's right arm. He opened his eyes, his pupils flickering with excitement and determination. He pointed his sword towards the sky, concentrating all his remaining mana on the ability he had been channeling in the past few minutes.
A flash of lightning, indistinguishable from the veil of night, shot straight down from the sky, covered the sword, and then dyed the lesser sparks that surrounded Meinhard into jet black.
Meinhard slowly lowered his sword, its tip pointing directly at the hideous creature. A cluster of black lightning bolts gathered and sped toward the Cavernwraith.
The monster had no time to react to that speed. Black lightning pierced its protective layers and spread throughout its entire body. Its roar of rage soon changed to a screech of pain.
Black Lightning's ability to directly attack one’s spirit and soul proved effective.
Marvin struggled to get back on his feet. He lowered his legs, channeling his next attack. Their chance to counterattack had arrived, and there was no room for mistakes.
