NOVEL NEXT 53
For the next month, Asai volunteered for night watch. Hoping for another chance encounter. However, to his disappointment or perhaps joy, the only person to visit him at night was Mel. At this current point of time, he considered Kozumi to be a benefactor, one he would endeavour to assist in return in the future, similar to the young lady who had given him the apple in the past.
"I already have Mel, I should be satisfied right? I shouldn't be greedy and desire more than I can handle."
[Sword and Dagger Mastery]
- 50% boost in Dagger and One Handed Sword damage [Passive]
The skill seemed to be capped at 50%. Either Mel's own skill proficiency is also at 50% and he would need a partner who had 100% to copy from. Or the skill itself was literally maxed. Or perhaps he had to earn the last 50% himself via actual training and experience?
...
The group arrived in a frontier village. After passing through this check point they would enter the lands around Einhoren.
Asai watched as Mel laughed and chatted with the other women of the group. Glad to see that her smile had returned, Asai would pop open a few bottles of alcohol to celebrate tonight. Towards his other side, he saw the MFC performing press-ups and sit-ups. Since they didn't have mana, which meant they couldn't activate skills. Asai ordered them to hone their bodies more. With only low level vargs to kill, the group had hit their plateau.
[Asai: Lvl 38] [Mel: Lvl 22] [Clam: Lvl 15] [Benny: Lvl 14] [Gary: Lvl 14]
"Oi, Clam. Make sure you and your boys focus on cardio."
"Kar-dio?" Confusion evident on Clam's face.
"Errr, never mind that, just do more running and jogging. Increase your endurance. Imagine being chased by me and the moment I catch you you're dead."
"Y-yes!" He pounded his chest with a fist before running off to fulfil Asai's orders.
...
"If I desire more power, more levels and skills. There's no doubt I need to dive into another dungeon. However, I have to decide whether to bring others with me or not. What if they die? Just like Alex. I nearly lost Mel once already, isn't that enough?" Asai glanced over to Mel.
*DANG DANG DANG DANG!* Suddenly, the village bell was rapidly rung.
"MONSTERS! MONSTERS!"
"MEN TO THE FRONT, DEFEND OUR HO- AAARRGHH!" As Asai was running towards the village entrance, he saw a young man flying back after being impaled by what seemed to be a green grotesque spear. Before he casted [Hide]
"Milord, what are your orders?" [Clam: Lvl 15] [Benny: Lvl 14] [Gary: Lvl 14] we're closely following him.
"Clam, on me. Ben and Gary go protect Mel!" The two immediately turned towards their new destination. A hint of relief on their faces. As much as Asai wanted them to level up, he didn't believe he currently had the strength to protect and keep an eye on so many. For now, Clam will do.
[Asai: Lvl 38] [Clam: Lvl 15]
The two entered the clearing, outside the village gates were a horde of monsters engaged in a melee with the village militia. Most adventurers went with only swords, or dual-wielded blades. However, the local militia weren't a force designed to kill, but rather to stall and survive defensively. Because of this design dictated by the local lord these men sported square shields and a small beginner mace.
Another volley of green spears impacted against the many shields of the defenders. Some missing and bypassing over them flew towards Clam. The speed was incredible, Clam thought he saw his life flash before his eyes before Asai with his dagger that radiated a black mist sliced the spear apart.
"Stay sharp!" Clam watched as Asai vaulted over the shield wall and out into no-man's land. A blast of black energy shot forward and slaughtered many of the monsters. Bracing himself, desiring greater strength to no longer fall victim to the whims of others. Clam yelled and charged through the defence lines to join his new lord.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARHHHHH!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. Another volley of spears shot out towards his position, taking a dive towards the side he miraculously dodged them all. Upon closer inspection of the invading force he saw the plant-like monsters.
They had large sunflower like heads, but rather than yellow petals. They were a muddy shade of green. Their lower bodies resembled a scorpions and were also green. At the tips of their feet were sharp claw like nails that dug into the ground every time they fired another spear out of their non-existent faces.
The projectile power was greater than their body mass, making them lose balance and falling back for a moment each time they fired.
Clam, realising that as his window of opportunity plucked a shield off a corpse nearby and braced against the next impact. After every volley he dashed forward and slammed his sword downwards into the closest plant.
The monsters weren't as intelligent as the humans. Rather than forming close defensive formations like a shield wall. They were sporadically positioned and almost seemed like they acted solo.