the monster that emerged from the debris was slowly recovering from its injuries due to the lack of stamina but with every deep breath, it was gradually regaining its strength, it tried imitating a rattlesnake shaking its tail lightly repeatedly as the natural armor with the flexible barbed spikes made the intended rattling to warn the newcomers to leave it be.
It was currently facing the group of four adventurers the armored one stepped out in front of the other three lifting the large shield in the shape of a triangle in one hand in front and a large Axe to the side ready to cleave at anyone that threatens them thinking that there could be more than one monster as one can never be too cautious in these areas.
the red-haired girl drew her bow and arrow fully stretching the bow with an arrow nocked causing the monster they faced to crouch lower as if to lessen the gaps the arrows can get through The archer scanned the beast trying to find a good spot to attack however with the monster crouching the way it did with its arms now crossed she decided to bide her time and wait since there was another person that can help as the sparks of lightning may it obvious that her party member already prepared a spell.
*sfx of Crackling lightning*
The robe little girl grinned sadistically before pointing her staff at the losing the cool and calm look the armored figure shuddered a little when he heard the lightning but stayed his ground as a line of jagged light flashed near him before heading towards the monster!
Since it was prepared it grabbed one of the debris near it and tossed it towards the incoming spell causing the rock to explode!
The monster grabbed another debris then aimed for the mage-
A feminine voice interrupted it!
"oh no, you don't!
*sfx of an arrow hitting something hard*
but an arrow struck his shoulder while it bounced off the arrow still messed up his aim from the power behind it as the armored man moved fast enough to block the large rock but grunted from the projectile that made him drag his feet a bit!
The monster turned its head to the one that fired at it but the culprit simply smiled before loading another arrow.
*GRRRRRRrrrrr*
A low growl came from the large face-less monster since the actions of these adventurers were obvious, they intended on killing it, the armored man charged with his shield in front keen on ramming into it!
but thanks to the monster's trait for not relying on its eyes to see it was able to 'see' the mage shooting off two fire arrow spells that slipped around the running tank, the man that was charging acted as the front liner and the distraction so that his party members can use their abilities to the fullest!
The beast also realized that there was one person missing!
right above it, a hooded man had appeared holding his curved blades in a reverse grip and aiming downward as if trying to dig his two weapons into the gaps of its natural armor, the armored man threw his Axe to distract it again with an arrow nearing its head!
The monster first headbutts the arrow causing it to break, then swung its tail upward surprising the man above forcing him to block most of the attack and getting a few holes in his arms, and thanks to his two-layered studded armor none of his internal organs were punctured by the spikes before he was sent flying back to his group!
"GUeH!"
was the sound of the hooded man when he landed and the red-haired archer bit her lower lip to control herself, she was worried but the monster was still standing so she stayed at her spot lest her actions could end up killing them!
The large Axe was caught with one hand thanks to the difference in strength then used it to block the incoming fire arrows one struck the Axe causing it to turn bright red, as the heat burned the hand of the monster it was forced to let go as the second fire arrow struck its right hamstring!
The pain made it howl in agony, as the fire arrow didn't disappear right away and was stuck there for a while!
The armored Man thought that this was the best time to attack but the mage called out to him before casting a few more spells.
"YOU BIG OAF, GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!"
But the armored man already had his blood rushing to his head as he sounded out his battle cry!
"WWWAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!"
the monster was still trying to cope with the burning pain of the still active fire arrow, so it made a painful decision, using its blade-like claws, it ripped out its flesh that the arrow was connected to while it may lose a chunk of its flesh it was better than losing its life from being distracted!
the Armored man slammed the front of his shield into the head of the beast stunning it while making it retreat a bit, then shoulder tackled the monster followed by a stab using one of the pointed ends into its chest that cracked with the natural armor exposing the vulnerable flesh underneath before turning his shield around then swung towards it using the other pointed end tearing through the flesh!
The monster backed away as it clutched the area that oozed out blood before roaring at the man and clawed at him causing sparks of light when the man used his shield to block and was forced to the ground near his heated weapon!
Seeing his weapon The man grab the Axe that was still kind of red, thanks to his padded gloves it prevented his hand from getting roasted as steam came from the glove as he dodged the large tail.
he then attacked with the burning Axe towards the head of the monster as the tail retreated back then instinctively avoided it by tilting its body to the side however the Axe still bore into the shoulder before the sound and smell of sizzling meat followed!
The pain made the monster howl before it spoke angrily!
"DAMN! THAT FUCKING HURTS!!!"
Shocked by the sudden words the adventurers paled as monsters that could talk were those that can evolve into a monster lord!
-----Mark's pov-----
the pain Mark up from his passive hibernation as he wasn't conscious the whole time his body moved on its own to protect him as he was trying to heal!
The armored man regained his bearings and put more weight into his Axe he was trying to end this fight before things can get even worse as monsters that could talk can also adapt and grow as the fight went on!
Mark used the only method that he was most familiar with as he panicked like any man that is surprised and instinctively protects himself, adding his increased strength skill and Natural Armor, he threw a few punches, one on the handle of the Axe removing it completely from his aching shoulder, the second one on to the shield the formed a bent as it was forced to the side from the hit and the third smacked the armored man's head with a right hook!
The man's brain was rattled from the impact and the ringing sound of his armor before his eyes rolled up, dropped his equipment before flopping down to the ground like a puppet without strings!
Seeing this the other three panicked the Mage girl did so even more as literally screeched before firing a torrent of spells believing that her friend was killed!
As not once since they ventured together has the man ever get knocked unconscious!
Each spell, reached its intended target so quickly, Striking Mark's body, as his arms protected the area that lacked armor, so heavily before he did something that made the spells stop suddenly, Mark grabbed the downed armored man then used him as a shield, and if it weren't for the red-headed girl and the agonized cry of the man, the mage would've kept raining down spells!
Seeing that their friend was still alive they were stuck with a dilemma chase the monster down and risk their friend dying or don't chase it and possibly have a future monster lord to grow!
But thanks to the guild card and rules they can't let their party member die or it'll be like they killed him but if they let it go the consequences are still bad no even worse. they'd get shafted regardless of their choice if they report that a future monster lord was running around one way or another the nobles and other adventurers would label them as incompetent making them targets for those that had a grudge towards them and things will just go downhill for them!
So decision? they'll leave it to the monster if it kills the man they hunt it down until they can get some kind of evidence to prove their words if it sets him free they'll stop right then and there since they aren't in the best of condition right now for a prolonged battle they are only D ranked adventurers they don't want to stay in this rank!
While they feared for the possible third option of the monster taking their comrade with it both the archer and mage were ready so such a scenario...
Mark used the man he held to cover him as Mark retreated to the nearby woods before things get out of hand and end up kills him, the hooded man was still on the ground trying to drink some kind of blue liquid, as the archer still had her sights on him while gritting her teeth while the mage had a death glare going on!
Once mark was there he noticed that when he was about to take the man with him to ensure his safety the party of adventurers tensed up as if ready to attack So Mark stopped then took a different choice as when he was about to lower him they relaxed.
So he tossed the armored man at the group then fled and thanks to his regeneration he stopped bleeding from his leg and his shoulder was mending itself before his body blended with the darkness and forest!