Chapter 975 975 Rival Squad (2)
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After a quick search of the surrounding area, the expedition squad picked up the trail of the other group of explorers that were traversing the island of perpetual fog.
As per their orders from the top brass of the adventurers guild, they would have to eliminate any trespassers that ignored the guild's claim to this new landmass.
This place was a rich with resources as it was dangerous, and the adventurers guild was not going to give it up to anyone else.
'It looks like traveling at night is not going to be easy.'
Even during the brightest parts of the day this island was unsafe, but at night several nocturnal beasts and monsters that were more vicious than their diurnal counterparts came out.
In the trees around them several cat-like monsters with dark black fur were hopping along the tree as they stalked their prey.
From a glance Marcus thought that they might be like oversized black panthers, but once he got a good look at one, it became apparent that was not the case.
For a fleeting moment he was able to spot one of these beasts in its entirety and saw that it had two heads that were closer to a mix between a tiger and a bat.
He also saw that these monsters had a membrane between their legs akin to that of a flying squirrel. Allowing them to glide around the tree tops.
They did not appear to be able to achieve actual flight thankfully, as nothing on this island seemed to be an exception to the no flying rule as of yet.
Along the back of these monsters were sharp dark spines that were coated in venom.
Without warning the numerous monsters, launched an attack on the expedition squad.
The venom coated spines on their backs went flying, and several of the large cat-like monsters leapt down from the trees.
Their speed was incredible and any lesser group may have found themselves overwhelmed from the onset, but not a group comprising of some of the top parties in the adventurers guild.
With an adept use of magic and skills, the expedition squad turned away the attacks coming towards them before counterattacking.
'Voltaic bombardment.'
Cast a tier five lighting magic spell, Marcus fired dozens of bolts into the trees and blasted the monsters attacking them.
Several of the two headed cat-like monsters failed to avoid the spell and found themselves stunned as massive amounts of electricity passed through their bodies.
Following up on Marcus' attack, the other members of the expedition squad finished off the stunned monsters.
The few that survived the initial assault fled immediately now that they realized the prey they had targeted were far more resilient than expected.
However, this first attack during the night was far from the last.
The backfired toe headed cat-like monsters were among the weakest threats in this part fot eh island, and greater dangers quickly found the expedition squad.
Through the night they were hounded by all manner of monster and beasts that wanted to kill them.
Even some creatures that were at the legendary grade took a shot at them.
Of course, with the combined might of their squad none of these beasts of monsters succeeded in killing any of them, but it had certainly been a slog to advance.
Still, they trudged through the island during the night in order to catch up to their quarry.
It took three days for them to finally find the other group of explorers.
Miguel raised his hand to signal them that his summoned beast had spotted them up ahead.
"They appear to have recently finished a battle with a hulking monster resembling a troll. Some of them are injured and receiving healing, while others are dismantling the creature they defeated." Miguel informed them all.
He then told them about their numbers, positions, and the distance between them.
"We will try to capture at least one of them to figure out who they are working for, but do not worry about holding back if it puts any of us in danger. Our first priority is making sure that we take them all out. This island was claimed by the guild and they made sure to inform every interested party that they would not tolerate other encroaching on this place." Evette said, her tone deadly serious.
Naturally there was no discontent from anyone and they prepared their opening move.
Thanks to Miguel, they knew where their enemies were without being within detection range.
Using this advantage, they prepared to launch a magical bombardment from a distance before closing in.
If they were lucky, they would be able to take out multiple of their targets with this surprise attack and then rout the rest in the confusion.
'If we are doing this, I might as well go all out.'
With his staff that was toped with a phoenix talon held above his head, Marcus began waving it in a circular motion as he accumulated his mana.
He felt a massive drain on his stores and the phoenix feathers adorned his staff began to glow brightly.
Far above him a colossal sphere of flames began to form that looked like a second sun.
This was the same magic he had used against the wendigo, the tier eight fire magic spell meteoric inferno.
However, this time its power as even greater as Marcus had more time to concentrate his mana and was using his phoenix staff that massively increased the potency of fire magic.
Once his spell was ready and at the peak power of what he could control Marcus looked around to see what sort of magic the other members of the expedition were casting.
The closet to him was Thegia. Around her she had conjured several giant pillars of stone that floated in the air and were ready to launch at her command.
Marcus had in fact seen this spell before when he witnessed the sparing match between Ardea and Retharin, but Thegia's paled in compassion to the previous example he had seen. The difference was so great that Marcus was not sure at first that this was the same spell.
'I guess I should not compare Thegia to a great witch ten levels above her. Ardea is just in another realm of power.'
Soon every member of the expedition squad that was preparing magic was ready to attack.
All of them had prepared tier seven or eight spells that each packed enough power to devastate a small city. Their combined might was something that could even bring the capital of a decently strong nation to ruin.
Normally these spells would have been extreme overkill to use on just a few dozen people, but they were not going to be taking any chances.
At a rough estimate this rival group was composed of individuals that were only a bit weaker than the average member of the expedition squad. Being careless could lead to several casualties.
"On my mark, launch your magic." Evette said, begin the one designated to signal the attack.
When she brought her raised arm down, everyone with prepared spell let it loose and multiple spells that were equivalent to calamities fell down upon the enemy squad.
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