Bandit leader Keith quickly looked around trying to get a summery of what just happened. He's never seen anyone move that quick or able to handle his [Duel Strike] skill. The only people he know that could tank such a skill without much harm are Knights of Royal Family.
Looking around Jimmy had a dagger in his shoulder and would only be a hinderance in combat.
"OH GOD! MY LEGS! I CAN'T MOVE MY LEGS!"
Dan was screaming with all his might. With his kneecaps blown open he couldn't walk and slowly bleeding out.
"I'll gut you like a filthy pig!" Bandit Leader Keith screamed out as he activated his [Quick Step] skill.
'This is going to suck so much *ss'
Lucas quickly picked himself up and started to cast spell after spell.
First was his [Cognitive Perception: 20 seconds] followed by 3 Array spells and finally his barrier.
With his [Cognitive Perception] skill active he noticed Jimmy was circling around the camp fire to back his boss up. Bandit Leader Keith in the other hand was once again quickly closing the gap between the two and at the ready to do another [Duel Strike].
'I really hate having to test this out now but only one way to find out!'
Of the 3 Arrays he casted two runes appeared in the air between him and Bandit leader Keith. They were bright blue and shot out multiple energy beams on the ground. Each spot they hit covered the ground in slick ice.
The last Array appeared near the camp fire. The floating rune was pure white with a blue outline. As soon as Jimmy got near the Array it activated. It started to glow a brilliant white color as it forcefully added air into the camp fire!
BOOOM
The camp fire expanded rapidly before exploding. Lucas's guess what's right. Just like science he could add oxygen to the fire to expand and exploit it.
The unfortunate part was everyone was caught In the blast. Not by the fire, but an explosion in a confined space of a cave! It was like they were in the barrel of a gun as it went off.
With Lucas's quick thinking he formed the barrier at the last second to protect himself somewhat from the explosion.
[50 points of damage taken]
All the hostages were thrown against the wall, Dan was thrown further down the pathway to their outhouse and Jimmy was thrown against the main door.
Bandit Leader Keith had it the worst. Thanks to his [Quick Step] skill he was faster then normal. Which cost him. He slipped on the ice falling to the ground giving himself a concussion just milliseconds before the campfire explosion sent him hurling into the wall.
Even with everything to have happen to him. Bandit Leader Keith was the first to stand up. Using [Nullify Pain] skill he couldn't feel any of his pain. His ears were still had a defining ring and his left arm was minor my dislocated, but none of it mattered to him. He was going to kill Lucas and then take the rest of his frustration out on those two noble woman.
He tried to scream words, but they were all slurred together account of him not being able to hear himself. He once again used [Quick Step] to get to Lucas before he could recover.
Lucas was struggling. Even with his barrier he was slightly stunned and sluggish. He realized he also had a concussion and thinking about casting a spell gave him immense pain. By the time he realized what was happening it was too late.
Bandit Leader Keith thrusted his short sword through Lucas's right shoulder and pinned him to the wall.
[60 points of piercing damage]
With his left hand Lucas quickly pulled out a dagger from his boot to defend himself to no avail. Bandit Leader Keith took his arming sword and stabbed it through his free hand and into his other shoulder.
[80 points of piercing damage]
"Finally! I've got you where I want you" Bandit Leader Keith said while picking up the dagger Lucas dropped.
"I'm going to take my sweet time killing your. Everything you've done to my friends. I'll make you pay!"
With dagger in hand he aimed at Lucas's eyes first. Wanting deprive him of all his senses besides hearing. He wanted to make Lucas listen to what he would do to his captives.
Just as he moved his arm to stab a familiar purple translucent barrier appeared. This time not to block the strike, but as a weapon. The barrier was 2 inches long and .1 inch thin. It was disc shaped and spun at an incredible speed. It cleanly cut through Bandit Leaders Keith's forearm.
"OHHH BY THE GODS!"
Bandit leader Keith screeched! Blood splattered all over both him, Lucas and the wall. He grabbed his stump with his free hand trying his best to stop the bleeding.
As he turned around to run to the camp fire trying to cauterize the wound someone else made their appearance.
The noble captive had gotten himself free from the dagger Lucas threw earlier. He had undid his ropes, but was slightly behind in combat thanks to the makeshift bomb Lucas made.
As soon as the Bandit Leader realized what happened it was too late. The noble took the dagger and stabbed it straight through his neck. He died instantly from the wound, missing an arm and the shock of it all. His body crumpled to the ground.
The noble was still on top of the dead body repeatedly stabbing the corpse.
"HOW DARE YOU LAY A FINGER ON ME AND MY BRIDES! I WILL MAKE YOU AND THAT D*MN BUTLER PAY!"
Everyone still conscious watched as this noble took his frustration out on the corpse. The butler was in tears knowing he was next.
"Hey buddy. Little help here" Lucas said nonchalantly while in incredible pain.
"Of course" the dark skinned noble said.
He quickly ran over to Lucas and pulled the arming sword out of his hand and the dagger out his other shoulder.
As soon as he was free he started to cast a spell. A familiar green rune appeared on his skin. 3 runes appeared on each wound and started to heal Lucas.
The noble couldn't believe his eyes. He's met many mages, but nothing like Lucas.
"You're a Warden?!"