With just a leg broken, Brock sucessfully dodged the massive hit from the Simple. Sensing the danger that came with the strike, he instinctively condensed myn all over his body to help reduce the impact of the hit. And despite his efforts, he could not completely go unscathed.
In spite of the odds being against him, and even having a glimpse of the Simple's strength, Brock still had a firm determination in his eyes. Perhaps because there was no way out for him if he ran, or he, being a good husband will stay and do whatever he could to ensure the safety of his family, he was not willing to give up.
As the attack continued, with fervent strikes from Brock towards the Simple, his body started to feel the result of being stretched beyond its limits, and without recovery, might not be the same afterwards, that is if he survives long enough for that.
As for the rest of the fighters in the village they were all still fighting off the Dgraks. Slowly but surely, they were reducing their numbers but the opposite was true for their hunters. Although with the formation of fighting in groups, their losses was somewhat reduced compared to if they fought alone.
Suddenly a bang was heard, then a roar followed. Backup from the neighboring village had arrived and they were quick to launch into action. Archers nocked their arrows on the bow and at the command, they loosened the arrows.
Riders on Terras, which are beasts found in the mountains, with their long and thin limbs, they raced along quickly. Some headed towards the village to assist in killing the Dgraks, others to help the ones that are seriously injured.
They were all persistent in their actions, and while they all hoped for survival, the Simple finally got interested in them. And since 'the more, the merrier', it engaged them. No more randomly throwing the crystals on its body, now its intent was vivid and that is to kill them all!
It was deafening, the silence that came after its roar, chills and despair mingled together and started to form a canopy in the minds of everyone present, because now that the Simple moved with such a speed, it indicated that it will not be stopped easily.
The closer it got, the more the despair and the less the Dgraks. After all, Dgraks were not allowed to interfere no matter what, as that is the rule.
And being aware of this, they started to act in a frenzy, knowing they will not get another chance to partake in this buffet.
So while the Simple posed an unimaginable threat, the Dgraks became much more dangerous than before.
It was already past midnight, the bright red twin moons, casted an ominous glow on the battlefield that was Roktun. Perhaps with the intent to mock their weaknesses, the twin moons illuminated everywhere, ensuring that they saw how their comrades, families, friends and beloved village get torn apart by the Dgraks and the Simple.
As if the chaos that came from the movement of the Simple was not enough, the Dgraks went to the houses, the shops and some headed for the underground shelter, attacking the ones that were in charge of the injured, and swallowed them whole. As they desired to cause as much damage as they could, before they become restricted.
Brock Greenwood, now on his last breath, unable to move and about to lose his consciousness, made up his mind to have a last hurrah. Thinking about his wife that is as precious as his heart, and his unborn child that is a treasure he was expecting to hold in his arms, it strengthened his resolve even further. Because he would rather lose himself than lose them, he silently apologized to the two of them in his heart as what he had decided to do will hurt them.
He absorbed a lot of myn from the surroundings, and his aim was to overload his body and cause a huge explosion to harm the Simple.
Still in labor, persistent in the fight for survival, as giving up was not an option, a heavy presence was felt. Even the Simple and the reckless Dgraks, had to acknowledge this presence as this was the presence of a Tier 2 category. Completely unheard of, why would a Tier 2 category come to a small village like Roktun? The Simple, more adept at finding such a threat, scanned its surroundings and everyone could sense the shock felt by the Simple.
Ingram paused in shock as he knew what a Tier 2 category felt like. As a warrior, he had met many people on the battlefield, and fought alongside them. He was once chanced to fight alongside a Tier 2 category in a perilous situation. So he knew what it meant, the power that came with it, and for one to actually grace a small village like Roktun, he felt goosebumps.
The thrill of fighting with another Tier 2 category excited him even further making him increase his speed.
Faster than before, he had to get there. The rest of the squad, sensing a change in their leader, knew to keep up.
Myn ravaging him, soothing him, tearing him apart, and fixing him back together.
Everyone held their breath, as the Tier 2 category released his and opened his eyes.
There was a kind of calmness in his eyes, one that glowed with power and like a beast that was locked up for centuries unleashed, a barrage of attacks roared from him. Striking at every angle. Before the Simple could react, a limb was already cut off, and everyone was stunned.
Ingram saw it, he saw the man sever the limb of the Simple, it was astounding. Having never seen a Tier 2 category dressed like a blacksmith, he proceeded to help the others with the Dgraks. The warriors also dispersed, and now that the silence has faded, the chaos continued but this time there was hope in everyone's heart. A Tier 2 category, an actual Tier 2 category was there fighting, protecting them, Roktun will most certainly survive.
Now fighting with the warriors, the reckless Dgraks were dealt with, none was allowed to escape and their massive numbers dwindling.
The Simple saw through him, and proceeded to counter. But first he needed his limbs and he certainly did not need those crystals anymore, so he got rid of them and regenerated his limbs. As he just became a Tier 2 category, the feeling of novelty came over him, and yes it was shocking that the man that was on his last breath, was actually able to use the emptiness that he had at the time to breakthrough. While feeling a bit of respect for him, he was still going to die since that was just its upper layer.
There are lucky encounters and luckier encounters. If you are lucky enough, you meet a Simple that have only one layer and if you are luckier, you get to meet one that has two layers. It was quite a lucky day for Brock Greenwood, breaking through to the Tier 2 category as a mere blacksmith was no trivial matter, and now he was even luckier to meet a two-layered Simple.
With a fierce look, he knew he had to finish it quickly, or at least weaken it before it sheds completely its first layer. As the crystals were thrown, the layer was removed, the village suffered even more as the crystals were thrown towards it.
Now aiming for its weak points, he struck with precision, but it was ineffective as the second layer was unveiled.
With the desire to harvest its food, as they are now ripe, boasting of a height of 20ft, in humanoid form, the crystals now more concentrated on the hands, stood the Simple. And now it was ready to attack. Kill the Tier 2 category, and the rest are done. It wanted to break them, it will make them watch as the light of hope that came out of nowhere, it snuffs it out.
The Simple lunged at Brock, and as he awaited the attack, he used myn to improve his broadsword, increasing the heat output, making it bigger, lighter and sharper. Myn can be used even more creatively as a Tier 2 category, because of the innate control that came with it.
As a blacksmith, he knew which part to improve and which part to dismiss. The broadsword once the height of 6ft was now 14ft and much lighter than before, and with it Brock struck. Rather than defend the attack, he met it with an attack of his own.
A clash between the two-layered Simple and a simple Blacksmith began. With sparks flying in the air, neither sides relenting in their attacks.
Ingram intending to assist could not, as the Simple was not as simple as it had potrayed itself, and he was even more surprised that the Tier 2 category, was a newly broken through and still had the courage to fight.
The Dgraks were done for, as their numbers dwindled, thanks to the swiftness of the Warriors, they were to emerge victorious.
Now caught in its hand, squeezing him tightly, enjoying the sound of the bones breaking, the Simple delighted in torturing Brock. As the outcome of their fight is not in Brock's favor, he will be the delicacy it will enjoy first.
Seeing their hope in such a state, not wanting to falter, they continued to slay the Dgraks. Ingram decided to cause a distraction to free the blacksmith as he is the only way for their survival.
Heavy breaths and deep moans could be heard in an old shack. Amy Greenwood was now in the final stages of labor, and gathering all her strength and going for the final push.
The Simple seeing how it had triumphed, crushing their hope, its presence is one of despair and finally it proceeded to eat its first meal. Its mouth wide open, ready to swallow Brock and the only thing Brock thought of was his wife and son.
A loud scream came, and along came a baby. A power was felt, the mother's scream concealed it but a baby's choice to protect his parents, is the start of the story of Bolt Greenwood. The one whose birth obliterated the Dgraks that infested his village, and annihilated the two-layered Simple that was about to eat his father.