The situation didn't seem good. Just as we were about to catch up to Nash, Fina hid herself.
("What is she doing…?") [Solace]
I heard growls, yelling, and metal clashing going all at once. Using my |Night Vision| I helped myself to a view of the chaos.
("...How?") [Solace]
I was perplexed. Nash, Jai, and Medley were surrounded. There were kobolds all around, ranging from ten to fifteen of them. Each of them wielded some kind of weapon, be it a wooden club or a dull blade.
("They left for only a few seconds! How did they get surrounded already?!") [Solace]
I felt like I needed to make a move, but I didn't want to reveal my abilities to Fina or anyone else. Why? Because I'm not sure if I would be acting like a regular spirit or not, and standing out in an unknown world is not a very smart idea.
"Jai! Cover Medley!" [Nash]
"I'm trying!" [Jai]
Surrounded on all sides, they formed a positioning with Medley in the middle. Jai was bombarded with clubs and dull blades, but he somehow warded them off with shields made of rock in each hand.
("I don't think they're going to last long…") [Solace]
Nash had it the worst. Unlike Jai, he didn't have the build of an ox. Utilizing magic, he had seemingly created transparent magic circles to fend off the attacks, but it would always end up breaking after a few blows.
"Damn…! I'm running out of mana! Medley! Support!" [Nash]
He turned to Medley for help, but she was stricken with fear. Knees weak and eyes wavering, she wasn't capable of casting even the simplest spell.
("For all that talk she talked, she really can't walk the walk.") [Solace]
As the time went by, the situation got worse. Jai's shields began to crumble, and Nash's complexion became worse. The two of them fought bravely, but they were no match against a pack of kobolds while lacking support.
("Are… Are they going to die? Fina? Are you just going to watch...?") [Solace]
Fina was as still as a rock. Hidden within the darkness, she observed the battle going on.
"Urgh…!" [Nash]
Nash fell to one knee. The magic circles that defended him began to falter, causing one of the wooden clubs to strike his head.
"Nash!" [Jai]
Jai broke formation, grabbing Nash and Medley before attempting to defend them himself.
("They're… They're going to die…! Should I help them or not?!") [Solace]
As much as I didn't want to reveal my skills, I also didn't want to just let people die in front of me.
("...Shit, fine! I'm not sleeping tonight with a heavy conscience!") [Solace]
Just as I was about to leap into action, Fina did it first. Brandishing a dagger, she jammed it into the throat of the closest kobold.
"|Ashen Arrow!" [Fina]
She aimed with her free hand, firing a black arrow into the skull of another kobold.
"Fina?!" [Jai]
"I've come to help!" [Fina]
Now that Fina had joined the fray, my worries died down a little.
"Didn't you leave for backup?!" [Jai]
"I came back thinking this would happen." [Fina]
The kobold's attention turned towards Fina, assessing whether she was prey or not.
"Then we're still doomed…!" [Jai]
"Not necessarily. Can you move?" [Fina]
"A bit. I don't think Medley or Nash can do anything right now." [Jai]
Jai was right. Medley stayed frozen while glancing around wildly, while Nash lay there unmoving.
"Then please stay where you are. I'll try to deal with the kobolds." [Fina]
"By yourself?! That's suicide!" [Jai]
"It's better to try than not to." [Fina]
She then lowered herself to the ground while placing her hands behind her back, as if preparing to jump.
("What is she…?") [Solace]
Fina leapt into the air, spinning upside down while glints of light flashed around her. By the time she landed, multiple kobolds howled in pain.
("Huh?!") [Solace]
The howls of the kobolds drew my attention. Glints of light became markers for my eyes, and I realized that they were daggers embedded in some of their limbs.
("Did Fina throw those?!") [Solace]
Fina seized the opportunity to attack. Bringing out her usual dagger, she began to dispose of the kobolds one by one.
("Behind you!") [Solace]
As skilled as she is, there was no going against that many opponents. Kobolds crept up behind her as she fought, which didn't bode well with me.
("|Ashen Arrow|!") [Solace]
Believing that a black arrow would remain unseen in the darkness, I fired multiple of them into the kobolds.
"You have gained |Experience|. You have gained |Experience|. You have gained |Experience|." [Spirit Guide]
Three kobolds dropped to the floor, which got me a bit nervous thinking that Fina noticed. Luckily, she was already focused on another kobold.
("How… How is she winning…?") [Jai]
Is what Jai was probably thinking at the time, but I'm no telepath. The flow of battle was progressing smoothly, which was akin to leaving an |Experience| buffet in front of me. Knowing anyone else that's played video games, there could only be one thought that comes to mind.
("Let's grind.") [Solace]