Jordan had been watching the battlefield for a while now as he analyzed this team of fighters, most of which he recognized. He saw Mr. Ping engaged with the Gale cat and he couldn't help but shudder involuntarily. Had he been the one facing that cat, he would have been ripped to shreds in a matter of moments and he wouldn't even know what happened!
Conrad seemed to be fairing better as he killed hie enemies with ease. The problem however started with the appearance of the impossibly large beetle. Jordan could sense that it was actually a strong creature probably five to ten levels higher than him. Under normal circumstances he might have been afraid but this time, his heart actually thumped with excitement.
If he managed to defeat such a creature just what would the benefits possibly be? For a moment a crazed look flickered within his eyes but Jordan quickly shook his head to concentrate on the matter at hand. He raced forward and due to his low agility he would be a couple of seconds late but he would still be earlier than Conrad.
-
Veronica had opened her eyes only to see a black haired, muscular teen. His arms were fitted with black gauntlets as he threw a fist, hitting the beetle in the side of its head and knocking it to the side. It ran of course missing Veronica by a hair's breadth.
The black haired teen if he could be rated out of ten in terms of looks he would be a seven out of ten.
"Made it in the last minute…if I'm not the protagonist then I don't know who is!" Who else could this teen be if not Jordan Murrey.
The ground shook as the beetle crushed into an adjacent building, luckily this was the tuckshop and not where the other survivors were hiding, waiting for the fighters to return victorious.
Jordan looked at Veronica for a moment. After making sure that she wasn't too injured…correction close to death he focused entirely of the beetle. He took a few steps forward and clenched his fists as he stared intently. Conrad had managed to catchup and he was now helping Veronica by hanging one of her slender arms over his shoulder.
"Are you alright prez?" concern filled his feaetures as he asked this question. Veronica could only smile bitterly.
"I'm fine. Thanks to him" she replied softly as she looked at Jordan's back.
-
The beast had just managed escape from the dust and concrete from the formerly standing building. Its sent a hated gaze at the three. These weak creatures were becoming more and more annoying, since when had the beetle been injured to this extent before! The answer was non yet these weaklings had actually dared.
It was angry as it charged forward once more. Its new target was Jordan
Compared to a few moments ago there was a considerable difference. The beetle seemed to have lost most of its energy and stamina, courtesy of the injury Veronica.
"You better get to a safe distance" Jordan advised without looking back. Conrad looked uncertain and even Veronica had a slightly nervous look in her eyes. She didn't have any attachment to Jordan or anything, in fact all those who knew her would tell you that she didn't like men or boys. The only male she had ever tolerated and even liked to a certain degree was Conrad though he also seemed like a dumbass sometimes. Still the fact remained that Jordan would be a reliable and strong ally so if he were to fall here then it would be a huge loss.
"I hope you know what you're doing?" Veronica said
"Don't worry I got this..." Jordan replied as Conrad carried Veronica away. "…I hope" he whispered the last part to no one in particular. He dashed towards the approaching beetle with a fierce momentum.
Just as it seemed he would take the large car sized creature head on, he sunk his in the ground causing cracks to appear before he propelled himself to the side. Beetles in general just like, rhinos and elephants had trouble when turning their bodies Jordan was planning to take advantage of this even though he didn't know about this, given the large size of his opponent that would most definitely be the case.
As expected, the beetle blazed past him. A smirk formed on Jordan's lips when he saw this and without wasting any movements he stomped on the ground as he kicked off into the air landing directly on top of the beetle's shell.
Roar!
The beetle let out an enraged roar when it felt its hated enemy on its back. It shook its body side to side almost knocking Jordan off. The man in question could only grit his teeth and hold on to the best of his abilities. The beetle ran all over the place, stomping and killing some of the unfortunate creatures that got in its way. Building suffered under its destructive might, the earth shook violently with each step it took.
Conrad and Veronica could only watch as the destructive battle wreaked havoc all over the place. Meanwhile Mr. Ping had finally managed to kill his opponent gaining its soul essence and in the process he also obtained an active skill scroll. He was in the process of picking up the scroll when he felt an large force heading his way. When he turned to look around his eyes widened.
"What the hell!" without any hesitation whatsoever Mr. Ping turned and began to use the last of his stamina to run in the opposite direction. The ground shook slightly and when he dared to look back he saw the beetle running full speed in his direction.
"Fuck its mother…" he couldn't help but curse as he urged his legs to run faster
Conrad and Veronica thought it was slightly comical that the once agile former security guard ran like a normal person trying to escape from a raging bull.
Meanwhile Jordan had managed to finally stabilized himself. After gaining his footing on the rampaging monster, he ran towards its neck where the ice sword was still visible having not lost a single ounce of its power. When he arrived before the sword's hilt he clenched both his fists and raised them over his head. Together, he rammed both fists downward in a hammer strike.
The sword pierced deeper than it had before and the beast released a pained roar that sounded more like a shriek. Its movements became more chaotic and the dust and ruble it kicked off was double. in fact Jordan had been flipped in the air and if he hadn't held onto the sword, instead of falling onto its head he would have definitely fallen under its feet.
The force from the throw shook his internals and blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. Gritting his teeth once more he raised his fist in the air before swinging down in a hammer-like motion with all his might.
[Lightning energy: 10% / 50%]
His lips curled upwards when he saw this notification and he continued to hammer down with his fist and like a nail through wood, it plunged deeper and deeper. The beast roared in agony and its movements became more chaotic.
The beetle could feel its life slowly fading. Its vision was dizzy due to the excess blood loss and the pain. It was slowing and visibly losing its strength. Seeing this as his chance, Jordan raised both of his fists in the air and he swung downwards.
It was finally time just how much damage he could really inflict. The moment the gauntlets made contact with the sword a bright flash of purple radiated and the sound of thunder clapping resounded across the battlefield.
The beetle's head slammed into the ground creating small crater shaped hole where it lay still and life less. Two orbs escaped from the beetle's body one bigger and brighter entered Jordan while a smaller and slightly dim floated all to the way to Veronica Goldwing.
[You have acquired the soul essence of First Star Order Bulldozing Rhinoceros Beetle level 17.
You have received +20 Stamina/ +14 Strength/ +10 Health/ +6 Mana]
[You have leveled up to level 5. You cannot continue leveling up before forming your mana core]
[Mana core formation will begin when the host is at his maximum]
Jordan was confused about what this all meant but he was happy nonetheless. Stepping off the dead beetle, he could still feel its lingering energy radiating off its body. The skin around its head was burnt and scotched to the highest degree. Conrad and Veronica finally managed to approach the silent battlefield, as they looked at Jordan who seemed to have a satisfied smile on his face as he looked at his thunder gauntlets as if he was looking at the greatest treasure he had ever seen. At that moment his eyes finally flashed as he remembered something.
He immediately began searching the ground and as he thought he found the rewards he was looking for.
One scroll, one yellow orb and one red orb
"Phew…" Mr. Ping finally caught up. "Who's the new guy?"
"Jordan Murrey nice to meet you" Jordan replied without even looking back as he picked up treasures.
"Hey shouldn't we divide that?" Veronica asked barely containing the excitement in her voice. Who didn't know what the items in Jordan's arms was?
Well its not like I could just hoard all the items right? Jordan thought to himself before looking at the two orbs with a contemplative look. "We'll share the spoils later right now we have to get the survivors to a relatively safe and clean place…the main school block isn't good"
Everyone knew what he meant. The corridors were littered with blood and corpses so it would naturally affect the atmosphere. Without further delay the group of four returned to get the survivors.
A few moments later a group of approximately 50 could be seen moving together as a group in a rhombus Veronica protected the front, Mr. Ping covered the left, Conrad covered the right and Jordan covered the back. Everything seemed to be quiet as everyone moved smoothly. The gymnasium could now be spotted less than 20 meters away.
"Come on people we're almost there" Veronica urged which lit a fire in many of the survivor who now increased their pace as they wanted nothing more than to get out of the open and rest in a safe place. That was exactly what the gymnasium represented, a temporary safe zone.
Caw!
Everyone felt an immense pressure as fear gripped them unconsciously. The four fighters immediately felt their souls tremble as the felt an unimaginable sense of danger. Jordan looked up into the sky. Just then he spotted a shadow moving amidst the clouds.
Caw! This time Veronica immediately recognized the cry. It resembled that of an eagle
"This isn't good" Jordan unconsciously muttered.
"Everyone to the gym now!" hearing the distress in the council president's voice everyone without exception ran like mad men.
Whoosh!
A black feathered eagle dived down and in the blink of an eye it managed to reap five lives.