Glenn was beyond mortified after seeing the creature. He had seen these in the game, but never would he imagined that he would see one this early.
"Do you know what this is?" Glenn asked Joaquin who was still frozen in shock. "Hey? I am asking you a question."
"Dark Phantom," Joaquin replied. "A creature that dwells in the Underworld and serves as a higher classification of dark creature."
"Correct," Glenn said. "In terms of raw power, five of these things would equal to a General."
"What?" Joaquin gasped in shock. "I have never encountered one myself but I have heard from them in books and the academy. I knew they were strong, but I never would have expected to that extent."
"Don't worry," Glenn said. "A lot of dark creatures have those strong raw powers, but raw powers are nothing when your opponent is skilled. If you follow my directions, then we should be fine."
"But I am the captain," Joaquin tried to argue. "I should be the one commanding."
"Then let me ask you this," Glenn turned to him with a serious look. "Alone, can you beat this phantom?"
This was where Joaquin got silent. He knew that he was strong, but in front of a powerful creature such as phantom, he knew to himself that he couldn't do it.
"Fine," Joaquin gave up. "But if I lose, this will all be on you."
"I'm a healer," Glenn smirked. "If I let my carry die, I die too."
–
With a short amount of time that they have, Glenn and Joaquin managed to formulate a plan.
The fight was not only in between them and the phantom, but their drunken comrades' lives are also at stake.
"This fight will be bloody," Glenn said. "Let's start."
Joaquin just nodded and proceeded to charge towards the phantom. He had the affinity of air, so his movements were light and swift but his attacks are still fatal.
Glenn had studied the roles and classes, so whenever he faces a combatant, even when they're not an Adventurer, Glenn would still find a suitable battle style for them.
In the game, this talent was being sought out because this would allow their team to become more flexible in terms of their matches.
This being said, even though Joaquin was not an Adventurer and he had talents, skills, and even attributes that were familiar to Glenn, the latter was still able to find a way for Joaquin to defeat the creature.
"He has a light body that is capable of quick and flashed movements," Glenn thought to himself. "He also has a strong grip and his upper body is not left behind, so even when he's lightweight, he can still deal massive blows. Joaquin is like a Thief."
There are two branches of the assassin role namely the Rogue and the Thief. While Rogues are notorious to be hiding in the dark and had a specialty in surprises, the opposite can be said for the Thieves.
Thieves are assassins who fights in the front lines and they have more powerful attacks than rogues. Of course, this power was compensated from their speed, but Thieves are generally thought to be rogues with blows of a warrior.
Joaquin proceeded with their plan and he was now nearing the phantom. Glenn was still far behind them, watching their every move and will help when needed. This fight will be beneficial for Joaquin, so he intended to stay back and hold himself as much as he can.
The true traits of an individual will blossom when they face enemies that are stronger than them. If Joaquin can handle this without needing a lot of Glenn's help, then his future will shine brighter.
The creature roared when Joaquin was right in front of it. It launched its tentacles at the man, but he was no longer there.
Flash.
Joaquin appeared above the phantom. As he was falling down, he readied his sword and was about to launch his attack on the phantom when three more tentacles were sent his way.
This led to Joaquin's disbalance. He lost his footing after defending himself from the tentacles, so when he landed on the ground, he was greeted by a lot more.
"This is not good," Joaquin said to himself. "But I have no choice but to fight!"
The young knight was slashing and waving his sword around to defend himself from the toothed tentacles that were attacking him.
As time passed by, his movements got sloppier. He was getting tired, but the tentacles were still intact.
"What should I do?" Joaquin asked himself. "I don't know anymore."
Just when he was about to give up, a voice entered his head.
"Are you sure?"
This made Joaquin gain jolt of energy. He looked around and saw Glenn smirking at him.
"I know that this is not your best," Glenn said in his head. "You can do more if you allow yourself to."
"I don't want to hurt anyone again," Joaquin clenched his sword as he continued on defending himself.
"Who will you hurt?" Glenn asked. "When I'm around, I'll make sure that you will never hurt anyone that is close to you."
"What makes you think that I could trust you?" Joaquin asked.
Glenn smirked. "What does your heart say, Joaquin? Listen to it."
Joaquin was silent for a moment. Glenn thought that the man gave up, but his answer brought a smirk in Glenn's lips.
"My heart says that these tentacles are too slimy," Joaquin growled. "And that I should trust you for now."
"Good," Glenn smirked. "Let me show you, my true power. Swi–"
Glenn was tapped on the shoulder before he could finish his cast. It was John and the man looked serious. No one could recognize the quirky and outgoing man that they knew with the look he displayed now.
"Don't use that," John said. "We still don't know what it's capable of doing."
"He's right," Gina was standing on the other side of Glenn. "If you turn into that crazy man again, I wouldn't take care of you."
"Same here," John whispered. "Flash Dance."
It was like there were seven Johns approaching the phantom. His speed was a spectacle to behold as he jumped from the ground and slashed his sword in different manner.
When he landed on the ground, the phantom, along with all of its tentacles were sliced to pieces.
"And that is why you should bring your anti-poison with you," John chuckled while Joaquin stood there in both awe and shock.
"Wow," Joaquin whispered. "I have never seen anything like that before."