Chapter 209: Follow the voice
"Are you really sure this monsters are Acolyte rank?" Stallus asked, she couldn’t keep her doubt to herself. They’ve finished killing all the monsters around them for now and they sat to cultivate the essence.
Alex shrugged and gestured to the small yellow stones in front of him. "The essence stones will say different. We all see the quality the essence right. I guess we’re just strong."
Catena was cutting up a monster. "I guess we are not the average Awakeners in our current ranks. We aren’t when we are in Initiate rank either. But we are not there yet, these monsters are just very weak Acolyte rank."
Azaroth nodded, indeed the monsters were weak. "We don’t kill the boss. And I don’t feel it around here."
They made them stiffened but then made plans to look for it and to trace where the crypt that the monsters break from appeared. Catena offered to make them some light roasted meat before they continue but the disagree because they don’t know what the aroma might attract.
Moreover they haven’t done that much work that they’ll need food so the grumbling Catena packed the cleaned and processed meat into his ring. He threatened not to cook for them later but they all know the tall boy is only after his stomach.
It was agreed upon that Stallus should keep the essence stones they find. And they they turned towards where the monsters have been using for lair before they slaughter them. A big clearing with dry yellow grasses, facing a small narrow cave mountain covered heavily with moss.
They inspected the cave but it wasn’t where the monsters come from and its even too small to admit them. So they began to tour the forest, but they concealed their presence as much as they could so that monsters won’t see them coming.
They hadn’t gone long when they saw another pack of Acolyte rank monsters, they are bigger than wolves with sharp yellow claws and fangs that gleamed in half opened mouth. They have a single eye on their head but it’s big enough and rotate sharply to see from all angles. Their nose is like slit and it’s located in their flanks.
Since they are here for the essence, no matter that it’s in the crypt or outside. They made up their mind to kill everything until they locate crypts.
"Stink wolves." Alex called them. Are are one of the numerous sub species of wolf monsters sprawled in crypts.
Catena was interested in why they are named by that name and he was told its because they stink. Very bad.
Unlike the other monsters, there ones have their boss in front, the Alpha and it’s noticeable bigger and stronger with darker fur. As Acolyte they might have a skill or two tucked away but Alex had no idea what it might be.
Azaroth brought out his sword this time and the others promptly showed their weapons, gleaming in the afternoon sun. "Alright, we go in!"
The pack must have been out hunting but currently they are resting, most of them sat or leaning against trees or sleeping. They are one of the top predators here and need no fear much in this side of the forest.
So they were completely shocked to see four humans bust into their temporary territory like that! Snaking up on them unaware. But their reaction is just as fast and growls filled the air and revibrated through the trees.
The noses on their flanks twitched and green smoke bellowed out in great waves.
"Is that poison." Azaroth have already stopped breathing as he saw the smoke.
Alex shook his head. "Close but it’s a gas that stinks so bad most Awakeners and other predators don’t like hunting them." Alex said. "But if lower rank breath too much in then they will fall sick but first, don’t forget they can use it as smokescreen!"
And he’s right, the bellowing smoke quickly filled up the space and covered everything in rolling green. Maybe it might have worked on others but Azaroth and his team have trained to fight without nothing but their senses.
Azaroth raised his sword, ignoring the smell but it was hard as the rotted odor seems to be the air he’s now breathing. He slashed the air in front of him, and he struck something solid and meaty, followed by a pained yelp. He took a step forward and thrust, using the opportunity to kill the monster.
But before he straightened himself, he flunged himself forward and a mouth cloth where his head had been earlier. He lashed out and his blade cut into the monster’s jaw, taking away bit of flesh and fangs.
Stallus voice called from somewhere from the green smoke. "Be careful with their fur! It’s hard to pierce!"
Azaroth frowned and then he simply set the space in front of him on fire, burning everything there. If any of his team was there he’s assuming they should be Acolyte enough to avoid it so he didn’t hold back as he poured essence and scorched the air.
Pained, terror filled growls rose in the air then lowered before suddenly cutting off as monsters burnt to death in minutes. That was enough to turn all the attention of the monsters towards him and they rushed him in waves.
He senses screamed danger at him and he know that no matter what he do if he let him surrounded him then he’ll be done for. Azaroth called out. "Catena! Follow this voice and make a curving tall wall!"
Then he jumped forward to meet the first wave of monsters with his sword and forged body. His sword cut with deadly swiftness, his target was their heads, not bothering to try their bodies where the fur is the thickest.
Behind him he head the shifting of the ground and then something shooting out of it. He wait a second before jumped back and his back slammed into a wall. Azaroth smiled.
