Sir Palest's heart pounded as he witnessed the intense scene unfolding before him.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The air was tense, and he wondered if they were walking into an ambush. His mind raced, considering the possibilities. However, his skilled knights swiftly defeated the two dogs that had emerged from the shadows, but instead feeling at ease, it caused his panic to grip his heart even tighter.
"Are these what I think they are?" Sir Palest muttered to himself, deepening his thoughts.
If his speculation was correct, these dungeon monsters were not ordinary enemies.
By sacrificing those two, it seemed they were simply investigating.
Palest couldn't help but feel anxious. He was a fifteen-star knight, while the rest of his crew ranged from five to seven stars.
Even so, if his hunch was right and these scaly beasts were indeed employing a clever approach, it would be disastrous.
After all, the most dangerous foes are those who are pure brawn and muscles but always the intelligent ones.
"Give it everything you've got!"
Sir Palest urged his knights, his voice filled with caution and confidence. He didn't want them to lose their composure and fall apart.
With his authoritative command, he hoped they would maintain formation and follow his lead.
But as the words left his lips, the shadows seemed to come alive with a barrage of eyes. They poured out like raindrops, leaving Sir Palest speechless.
Before he knew it, they were under attack, swarmed by the scaly creatures.
"These..." Palest stammered, his voice barely audible amidst the ensuing chaos.
The knights clashed with the dog-like serpentine creatures, their weapons flashing in the dim light. It was a flurry of steel and scales, with each knight holding their ground and engaging opponents one by one.
Clang! Snarl! Clang! Snarl!
As the battle raged on, Sir Palest's eyes widened in disbelief.
His back shuddered as he noticed something.
From the looks of it, they had a new strategy. They were singling out one knight, taunting the others and diverting their attention.
It sent a shiver down Palest's spine. These monsters weren't just intelligent; they were strategic.
However, defending the targeted knight wasn't a problem for him.
Palest remained confident, standing his ground with unwavering determination.
His sole mission was to protect the knight who had become the primary target of the scaly beasts' relentless assault. But deep down, an unsettling feeling began to gnaw at him, casting doubt over his usual composure.
It wasn't until he glanced at the swarm of creatures surrounding them that a sudden realization hit him.
"No way, this can't be happening," Palest whispered, his voice barely audible amidst the chaos around him.
In that moment, a chilling howl tore through the air, shaking the walls and rattling the earth beneath their feet.
AWOOOOOOOOOHHHRRRRR!!
As the echoes of the howl faded, Palest felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him.
DZZZZZZ!!
It was as if the weight of the world had descended upon him, sapping his strength and clouding his every movement.
His once-sharp senses dulled, his vision blurred, and his impressive abilities waned. It was a day when even the mightiest warriors felt out of sorts.
But it wasn't just Palest who suffered. He soon realized his fellow knights also struggled with weakened attacks.
"They're..." Palest exclaimed, amazed by their condition, which surpassed his own.
Their eyes, noses, mouths, and ears bled profusely under the strain.
As a result, the once-mighty warriors, renowned for their skill and precision, now struggled to deliver powerful blows, lacking their usual impact.
Watching their collective strength waver, like deflating balloons against these scaly creatures, was disheartening.
And if that wasn't enough to send shivers down Palest's spine, he suddenly spotted a new wave of scaly beasts emerging on the horizon.
These creatures, with their four sturdy legs, towered over their counterparts, radiating raw power. His protective instincts kicked in as the monstrous creatures set their sights on another knight, making their intentions clear.
With a heavy heart and growing dread, Palest realized that his valiant efforts to protect his comrades were proving futile.
The assault was overwhelming, and the scaly beasts' tactics made his protective role ineffective.
The knights fell one by one to the merciless onslaught, their lives taken in a chilling manner.
Sir Galen, known for unwavering loyalty, met his demise as a draconian creature's claws tore through his armor, leaving him defenseless.
Lady Seraphina, acclaimed for her lightning-fast reflexes, was overwhelmed by a pack of scaly beasts. Their powerful jaws silenced her valiant cries.
Sir Lucian, a masterful swordsman, attempted to counter the onslaught with swift swordplay. However, his strikes lacked finesse and seemed insufficient.
Overwhelmed by a pack of snarling scaly beasts, he found himself unable to keep up with their relentless attacks.
Their claws tore through his armor, leaving him defenseless. In the end, he crumpled to the ground, his valiant spirit extinguished.
Each knight fought with strength and dedication, utilizing their unique skills. But against the overwhelming tide of dog-like scaly creatures, their fate was sealed.
"I have to escape," Palest muttered, his eyes fixed on the terrifying unfolding spectacle. The knights, once formidable, were falling to the ravenous, scaly creatures.
He knew he couldn't face them all directly, given their numbers and mounting pressure.
"Sir Palest!" one of the three remaining knights cried out, but Palest ignored it, already resolved to make a swift exit.
The knight felt his heart sink as he watched Palest turn his back on them. He never expected Sir Palest to abandon them, but who could blame him?
Surviving this ordeal seemed unlikely for all of them.
Meanwhile, Palest cursed quietly, spitting out the taste of blood.
"Damn, who would have thought following some kid would lead us into this mess?" he grumbled, growing frustrated.
"However, this dungeon is no ordinary place. These beasts have more than just strength—they also have that damn howl? What kind of twisted place is this? It must be some high-level stuff," he pondered, shaking his head.
"This is not a normal Baron should know, I need to tell it to Red Horse faction!"
With adrenaline pumping through his veins, Palest bolted away with incredible speed, propelled forward like a cannonball.