Kent's face was full of sweat. Only ten seconds had passed since he blocked the two Level 4 Black Rats, but he had already consumed over half of his mana. 'I'm still too weak!' He gritted his teeth while looking helplessly at the beasts in front of him.
"Let me help you!" Celine walked beside him with her sword in hand. She looked valiant and fearless, like the valkyries of the legends.
Kent frowned while staring at her. "What are you doing here?! Stay behind me!" He shouted. They couldn't afford to lose Celine. Without her, the group will have to struggle in Greyork.
Kent knew how important someone's status was. As the daughter of a high-ranking military officer, Celine was their only hope to receive better treatment in Greyork.
"Don't treat me like some weak woman, Kent! I know what I'm doing!" Celine muttered in a cold voice.
Hearing this, Kent raised his eyebrows in surprise. She was right. Excluding Rendell, her strength was second only to James. She was also more skilled in close combat compared to Phillip.
With a deep sigh, he nodded. "I apologize. Let's do this together." He could only hope that nothing would happen to her.
Celine nodded her head gravely before she rushed at one of the Black Rats.
Seeing this, Kent quickly followed her. 'No! I can't let anything happen to her!' He screamed in his heart.
The two Black Rats squeaked ferociously as they charged at them.
Celine adeptly showed her amazing footwork and swordsmanship when she clashed with one of the Black Rats. Her sword accurately blocked the creature's claws, preventing it from reaching her.
The strength of the Black Rat almost made her fall, but she tightly held her sword, unwilling to let go. 'I must stop them!' She shouted furiously in her heart.
Meanwhile, Kent once again activated his mana shield to block the other Black Rat. His face turned pale after activating his Gift. Given his situation, he could only use his Gift two more times before he would run out of mana. 'Dammit!'
Blood leaked out from his nostrils. The strength of the Black Rat was so overwhelming that he felt like he was just a bug in front of it. Once his mana was fully consumed, he would be at the beast's mercy.
At this moment, the situation on Celine's side took a turn when her opponent made a surprising move.
The Black Rat abandoned its defense and recklessly swiped its claws at her.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Celine was shocked, but she wasn't flustered. She twisted her body to the side and made a stabbing motion while aiming for the rat's neck.
Her attack connected and she managed to stab her sword deeply into its skin.
The Black Rat squeaked in pain and rage. It vigorously shook its body in an attempt to break away from her clutches.
Celine grabbed her sword and pulled it out of the rat's neck.
A spray of blood poured out from the wound, making the rat even more enraged. The hysterical creature violently struck her with its claws.
The sounds of blades clashing against each other echoed as Celine lifted her sword to block its claws. Although she managed to block its attack, the devastating power behind it sent her flying backward.
She crushed into a pillar, forming deep cracks on its surface.
Celine stabbed her sword into the ground to stop herself from falling over. She then stared deeply at the Black Rat. The difference in their strength was huge and if it weren't for her superior swordsmanship, she might have already been dead by now.
"Celine!" Kent was alarmed when he saw her being sent flying like a ragdoll. This moment of inattentiveness made him vulnerable to his enemy. The other Black Rat swiped its claws at him. If he was hit by this attack, he would be severely injured.
Kent noticed it late. Just as he thought that he would be a goner, a huge ball of flame struck the Black Rat.
Boom!
Kent was thrown away because of the impact. He fell onto the floor and stumbled a couple of times before he managed to steady himself.
He squinted his eyes and stared at the cloud of dust.
Soon, a bloody face emerged. Its head was full of injuries with numerous cuts and burns. James' attack was powerful, but it wasn't enough to kill it immediately.
'It's still alive!' He furrowed his eyebrows.
"Attack it now!" James shouted urgently.
Celine noticed this rare opportunity. She abandoned her opponent and rushed towards the severely injured Black Rat to deal the final blow.
After getting close enough, she lunged at the Black Rat and swung her sword.
The fierce slash cut open the rat's flesh!
You have slain a [Level 4 Black Rat]!
You leveled up!
Before she could rejoice, she felt the ground trembling. She turned her head and saw the remaining Level 4 Black Rat charging at her like a bull.
"Not in my watch!" Kent appeared in front of her and activated his Gift.
Bang!
The Black Rat collided with his mana shield, stopping it abruptly in its place.
Kent spat a mouthful of blood. He grabbed his chest with a contorted look on his face.
Meanwhile, the furious Black Rat swiped its claws, breaking his mana shield into particles of light. Its claws continued moving into its path and struck him!
Deep cuts appeared on his body, but he was lucky enough that it missed his vital parts. Even so, the wound made him groan in pain. He also felt his body turning numb and cold as blood leaked out from his wounds.
He fell to his knees, coughing up blood violently.
"Kent!" Celine quickly came to his side to check his condition.
When she saw the gruesome cuts on his chest, she was stunned. She immediately lifted him and carried him away.
The Black Rat didn't allow them to leave. It pursued them relentlessly!
"James, take him back to Ericka and get him treated! I'll deal with the remaining Black Rat!"
Hearing this, James ran towards her to get Kent. He looked at her worriedly and muttered. "Don't you dare die!" He then turned around and left.
After they left, Celine turned her gaze back to the remaining Black Rat. "Now, let's end this." She muttered coldly.