Chapter 87: Spear-wielding Terracotta
In the meantime, Regaleon and Aureleah were facing off against a different Terracotta.
Unlike the first two constructs, this one was wielding a spear. However, it wasn’t merely the weapon that made it dangerous; instead, it was because it fought differently...
Regaleon had noticed a pattern among the animated Terracottas. The first one they encountered had possessed a strength comparable to a Rank One Anima. This also included the second one...
However, the third one, the mace-wielding Terracotta, had been noticeably stronger. Perhaps it was due to its bulky frame and specialization in overwhelming force, but whatever the reason, its power had been significantly greater than the previous two.
This fourth construct was also different. Although it lacked the sheer brute strength of the mace wielder, it more than compensated with its versatility.
Defeating the previous Terracottas had largely been a matter of patience and coordination. Over the course of the battle, Regaleon and Aureleah had discovered flaws in their fighting styles and exploited them relentlessly.
The sword knight had been predictable, and the mace knight had sacrificed speed for power.
Against both opponents, Regaleon had occupied their attention while Aureleah delivered decisive strike from blind spots. It was a strategy that worked beautifully, and naturally, they expected the same pattern to work again.
But unfortunately, reality proved to be far less cooperative...
The spear-wielding Terracotta possessed almost no obvious weakness. The battle had long since reached a fever pitch because unlike the first three constructs, this one fought with a frightening precision.
Since it was a statue, one would naturally expect stiff joints and cumbersome movements; yet the construct moved with an astonishing fluidity as every strike was measured, every thrust was deliberate, and every motion flowed seamlessly into the next one.
The Terracotta moved less like a statue and more like a veteran knight who had spent decades mastering the spear.
Crimson flames burned intensely behind its visor as...
WHOOSH!
The spear shot forward like a bolt of lightning. Regaleon’s golden eyes narrowed as the spearhead raced toward his shoulder with terrifying speed...
CLANG!
His Halberd rose just in time. Using the axe blade, he diverted the thrust away from his body; however, the Terracotta reacted immediately...
The moment its attack was redirected, it twisted its grip and swung the shaft of the spear toward Regaleon’s ribs...
BOOM!
The impact sent a ripple of shockwave outward. Regaleon managed to intercept the strike with his own weapon, but the force still caused him to slid backward several steps.
The construct pressed the advantage immediately. Its spear danced through the air as it executed a flurry of attacks; thrust, sweep, thrust again, and spin...
Each strike flowed naturally into the next, yet Regaleon was able to match its rhythm, even if it was barely.
Then, he saw an opportunity. Planting his feet firmly, the Forgotten Knight surged forward immediately.
Rather than retreating from the spear’s range, he entered it and taking the moment the construct extended its weapon outward, his boot slammed into its torso...
BANG!
The Terracotta stumbled, nearly losing its balance and that was exactly the mishap Aureleah was watching out for.
Shadows unfurled behind it as the silver-haired Assassin emerged soundlessly from the darkness.
Twin silver arcs sliced through the air toward the Terracotta’s back; yet as if having eyes behind it, the construct reacted instantly...
It twisted its body at the last moment, causing the blade to scrape against the armour, leaving only shallow marks.
The attack that should have crippled it became little more than a scratch and without hesitation, the construct retaliated.
Its leg lashed outward with an explosive force, but Aureleah dissolved into shadows a fraction of a second before the kick connected.
The attack struck empty air, and Regaleon immediately capitalized on this opening...
Silver light surged through his Halberd as he activated "Silver Sheen." With a roar, he thrust the axe blade forward and the attack landed squarely...
CLANG!
Sparks erupted as the impact echoed throughout the crypt. Yet when the light faded, there wasn’t even a single scratch on the surface of the armour.
This was also another major disadvantage that made the fight difficult.
Aureleah possessed King Tier Soul Essences, so when her attacks connected, they could genuinely damage the construct.
However, the problem was landing those attacks as the spear-wielding Terracotta seemed capable of anticipating nearly every ambush.
On the other hand, Regaleon’s Halberd was only a Viscount Tier Soul Essence. Although his strikes connected more frequently, they lacked the destructive force necessary to inflict meaningful damage on it.
Together, the duo possessed all the tools needed to defeat the construct, but separately, neither could accomplish it.
That disparity was what made the battle so frustrating...
The Terracotta regained its footing at last. Its crimson eyes burned intensely as it attacked once more. But this time, there was no probing, only aggression as the spear transformed into a blur...
WHOOSH! WHOOSH!! WHOOSH!!!
A storm of deadly thrusts descended upon Regaleon, targeting vital points which included the chest, neck, head, and heart.
CLANG! CLANG!!
Regaleon parried desperately; each impact rattled his arms as every collision sent intense vibrations through his bones.
Yet the construct refused to relent. The pressure mounted as the attacks intensified until eventually, one thrust managed to slip through...
Regaleon’s golden eyes widened as the spearhead struck his shoulder suddenly...
SHING!
His Armour caved inward as the protective Essence gave way until the spear punched through flesh. Blood erupted in a violent burst but Regaleon didn’t even flinch...
Instead, he grabbed the spear and locked it in place. The construct immediately attempted to pull the weapon free but it couldn’t as the failed Knight’s grip was absolute.
"Aureleah!" His voice thundered across the crypt. "Now!"
Shadows exploded once more behind the construct as Aureleah emerged. Her silver eyes gleamed coldly as she activated "Mark Of Darkness" and without another word, she plunged both of her Essences into the Terracotta’s back.
The construct tried to evade, but it was too late because at that same moment, Regaleon acted...
Ignoring the agony tearing through his shoulder, he thrust his Halberd forward. "Silver Sheen" activated once more as the axe blade slammed into the construct’s chest...
The armour resisted; but with blazing eyes and through gritted teeth, he drove the weapon forward. Slowly, the Halberd pierced through the armour...
The construct froze... Then, the crimson flames in its eyes flared wildly. With a final act of defiance, the Terracotta shoved its spear deeper into the failed Knight’s shoulder.
The spearhead burst through the opposite side with a spray of blood. Regaleon grunted painfully, yet he refused to retreat. Instead, he also drove his Halberd deeper, then...
CRACK!
Something shattered within the construct. The crimson flames flickered wildly beneath the visor for a brief moment, then, cracks began to spread across its body.
Eventually, the Terracotta collapsed into a heap of rubble...
Regaleon immediately stumble backward; his Halberd slipped from his hand, clattering onto the ground.
Aureleah appeared next to him almost instantly.
"Are you alright?" Her voice remained calm and composed as always.
Yet beneath that facade, there lingered a faint trace of concern and something subtle... Something that is yet to make itself known.
Regaleon looked into her silver eyes and nodded. "I’m fine."
Her gaze shifted toward his wound. Though it looked bad, it actually wasn’t fatal but it would surely hinder him moving forward.
"Can you still fight?" She asked.
"Yes." Regaleon affirmed.
Seeing that she was somehow skeptical, the failed Knight had to assure her further. "Aureleah, I really am fine."
The silver-haired Assassin studied him carefully before nodding. Picking up his Halberd, she handed it to him before replying.
"If you say so..."
Then she turned toward the already animated statues. This time there was a dozen of them that awakened at once and they were already assembling at the center of the avenue.
"... Because there is still much work to be done."
Regaleon golden eyes flashed with determination. Grunting, he forced himself to stand upright. "You are right. Let’s do this..."
And with that, the duo ran towards the assembled army...
