As Paul, Dean, and Rick went running in the frontline, wielding their swords and prepared for any threat, Kevin followed them from behind. He was quite slow while using "Titanium armor", but if he didn't do so, he wouldn't be able to bear the attacks of a Dread of 6th generation.
Also, what made a Dread dangerous wasn't just his generation. The generation could measure its raw power, but it also depended on the type of Dread.
Screamers were feared among the travelers because of their ability to disguise themselves among other trees and hide their "Chaos" until they decided to awake and attack.
Also, their roots were an issue, it was like fighting an octopus. Those Dread trees of the 6th generation might have about 6 different roots to control as they please, but some exceptions would have two more.
At first, the group needed to worry about just one root while running towards that monster. It moved on the battlefield like a whip, targeting precisely the spots where the group was passing for.
The Screamer retracted its root, thrusting straight afterward like it was a spear. Its sharp point was aimed at Dean, and going at a high speed.
If it was a month ago, Dean would probably falter and nearly be killed, but his coldness on the battlefield increased throughout the several battles that he needed to go through while fighting with that group always with his body harmed and destroyed due to his routine.
Dean ducked his body forward, his upper body seemed to be about to touch the ground.
The root passed on top of him, missing its target.
The Dread was going to retract it again, but Dean wouldn't let it happen.
Holding his sword firmly, he gathered quickly some "Willpower" on its edge and then delivered a slash upwards, ripping off at least one-third of that root.
He never stopped to run, though, which made his movements seem even more impressive.
The group heard a wild scream once Dean did it. That sound seemed to pierce through their ears as if it was able to make them deaf.
That was the characteristic that named those Dreads. Their screams were incredibly loud, and its tone was sharp. It was capable to stun and confuse anyone who heard it.
It didn't happen with Rick's group, though. Once they saw that Dean was able to hurt the monster, they covered their ears, preventing them to get shaken by that scream.
Soon, more three roots appeared in replacement of the other one.
Paul clumsily leaped across the forest, trying to cover himself behind other trees or rocks. He was more hiding himself than actually fighting.
Rick and Dean also used the trees as an advantage not to get target easily. As that wasn't an open field, they needed to pay attention and use the obstacles in their favor, not against them.
Although the roots moved between those trees like serpents, and also had the strength to pierce through it, the advantage was clearly showing as they approached quickly the monster.
More two roots emerged from the dark forest and pierced the air in their direction, making it even harder to dodge while running.
As the Dread didn't see Paul as a threat, it just let go of him and focused on the ones that were really hurting him.
Rick could swiftly keep his rush while swinging his long sword. He could make compact and precise swings, which made it easier to go through them.
However, Dean didn't have a good time while doing it. For him, more than two roots were too overwhelming.
He was able to pull through, but not to continue running while doing so. His tired body wouldn't let him do what it takes to overcome that situation.
'Tsc, this piece of shit. If he didn't have to make Kevin angry, he wouldn't have those bruises on his back, at least.' Rick thought while zigzagging forward.
Nonetheless, Rick's rush didn't last too long.
As he was dealing with three roots at the same time, dodging them masterfully, and cutting pieces every once in a while, he was surprised when another one appeared suddenly, coming from the ground.
'Damn it!' He shouted on his mind, doing a backflip and deviating by inches from being impaled alive.
'I forgot that those suckers do this kind of thing with their roots as well. Also, I thought that my guess of two 6th gen Dreads was wrong, but there is a second one indeed!'
Just as he concluded it, five other roots, also coming from the ground, went in his direction.
Contrary to what was expected, Rick didn't falter or got worried about those things.
He smiled sarcastically while looking at those roots with challenging eyes.
"Kevin, now!" He shouted.
"Hatred!" A chant echoed from behind Rick, Dean, and Paul.
'These idiots always wait until the very last second to do anything. Dumbasses!' Dean thought although he was relieved that he would be alive for one day more.
The roots suddenly stopped their assault against those three. Instead, it passed by them, aiming at Kevin who was approaching.
With that spell done, the entire set of Kevin was showed.
'Titanium armor, Intimidate, and Hatred.' Dean thought. 'One gives incredible resistance but takes his mobility. The other scare weaker monsters but doesn't work with Dreads that equals or surpass his power. The last one forces the enemy to attack him and make it lose its cool, attacking without calculating properly; it doesn't work well in wild beasts, though, since they don't think at all.'
That set was the protection of Rick's group and very useful in Dean's opinion.
"Go ahead! I can take it!" He shouted after defending the attack of three roots at the same time and being launched some meters away.
"I know, moron! Have fun!" Rick shouted back, but with a smile on his face
Afterward, he made sure to look at Dean like he was a loser for not being able to hold these roots by himself while catching up with him.
Dean tried to don't pay attention to him.
'Jerk. If not for Kevin, you wouldn't be able to hold them alone as well, even though it was more than mine.' He averted his look, starting to run without Rick ordering.
Right after, they were rushing forward again, now finally arriving where the main body of the Dreads was.