「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
I leap to the side, barely dodging the Night Beast's mount's tail. It had the body of a giant lizard, like a komodo dragon on steroids. It's body was practically on the verge of exploding with the amount of muscles packed in it's body. Getting hit by one of it's blows was dangerous–possibly even fatal.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
A burning ball of fire glimmers in the corner of my eye. I leap to the side once more, this time, in the opposite direction of the first one. The ball of fire – like all the others that came before it – misses me by a hair's breath, the stray embers singing a part of my leather armor.
Ever since our fight began, the mage at the back of the group had been casting and firing spells at me continuously. The mage at the back of the group seemed to be a magician that specialized in 「Conjuration」, preferring to stay at the back as support. The other members of it's group seemed to be in agreement with it's whims, choosing to act as vanguards or decoys to allow the mage to use it's numerous spells.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
The mage casted another spell, the intricate limes all over it's body glowed with clear purpose as the caster mumbled to itself. It seemed to be saying something, most likely a chant of some kind. The spell flew towards me, eight small embers like the fireball spell earlier was formed out of thin air. The size and power was clearly reduced.
It would seem that the mage changed strategies, opting for quantity over quality. It was a wise choice, considering the circumstances.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
Another Night Beast charged towards me aboard it's mount, a spear pointed at my chest was in the beast's arm.
I do a big leap backwards, away from the oncoming strikes. Sadly, though, another one of the beast's group was waiting for me.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
Without any other choice, I meet the beast's shortsword with my own blade.
Sparks flew as the our sword's blades clashed. The beast was strong, the faint lines on it's body emitting a faint glow. Like I had expected, most of the beasts were able to use 「Reinforcement」.
To my luck, though, they did not seem to be able to use it as proficiently as I could. The faint lines on them were – unsurprisingly – of low quality. They amount of mana they could produce was not enough to give the beasts any noticeable boost I power.
Despite this, though, the beasts still had the major advantage
I was still only one person. The amount that I could do was limited by what I could achieve by myself. The beasts were many. Though still in an amount I could somehow manage, that was with my abilities stretched to their limits. Not to mention my lack of any magical support.
The beast does not relent even under the force I was currently exuding on the blade. It's mount, though, was different.
The mount let out a growl, charging at me in complete disregard for it's rider. The beast's balance was disturbed, clearly as surprised as me with it's supposed pet's crass behavior.
This is my chance…
I retract my sword, and step on the mount's face. Because of it's reckless charge, it was practically by my feet when I chose to withdraw my blade.
The beast let out a low growl as I put my weight on it's scaly face. The rider, surprised by actions, could not react in time.
I let go of one hand from the sword I was holding, reaching for my back pocket. A moment later, my hand touches the hilt of a small blade, mana was currently empowering it.
Of course, it was not own. My mana was currently sealed until my circuits recovered. No, it was the witch's blade. The one she gave me earlier to level up.
The blade had her mana in it, enhancing the weapon's performance. Without hesitation, I bring the blade to the rider's throat.
"!!"
The rider, finally noticing my intention, tried to reel back and pull on it's mount's reins. Sadly though, it was too late.
In the blink of an eye, the blade lodges itself on the beast's throat.
The beast's fire faltered, it's light dimming. The hand holding the sword dropped, the fingers holding the blade relaxing as the handle slowly slipped out of it. The other hand holding it's mount's reins relaxed as well. Not much later, the beast muttered something, it's meaning completely unknown to me. It's posture slackened, falling backwards. The beast fell of it's mount's back without any chance of getting back up.
The beast's light bad been extinguished.
「Your attribute 'Absorption' is activating」
「You have obtained the skill 'Riding' Lv. 1」
「Your attribute 'Assimilation' is activating」
「Your attribute 'Assimilation' has reached the maximum amount targets it is applicable for」
「Your attribute's activation has failed」
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
Shouts and screams echo behind me. The mount below me elevated it's head, almost sending me flying. I quickly regained my balance, though, and fixed myself into a stance with the dagger level with my neck in a backhanded grip and the longsword in front of me.
The mount looked at me, glared, and let out snort before leaving, stepping on it's former rider as it left through one of the openings that connected further into the labyrinth.
Then the world was silent.
The screams of the Night Beasts had ceased, their mounts – unlike the one that just left – was tame and obedient. They were not thrashing or recklessly charging in my direction, only staying still as a statue while they awaited orders.
I look into each of the remaining member's eyes, sizing them up. I needed them to be scared of me, aware of what I can do to them should they get in my way.
Just like right now
As I made up my mind to charge forward, an explosion occurs on the other side of the pit.