The moment the alarm whistle blew, the once-quiet squad around the campfire sprang into action.
The first to leap into the darkness were Splitting Blade and Dry Leaf. In a single breath, everyone disappeared into the night.
Water Stream instantly positioned himself in front of Kent.
The figures dispersed, dashing forward. The escort squad immediately formed an assault formation.
Before the men arrived, arrows had already been fired. Two successive arrows sliced through the air, piercing the darkness. A pained roar followed as the first enemy fell.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
In the distance, the heavy sound of hammer and axe striking shields resounded like rolling thunder. A muffled groan followed, signaling that the giant shield warrior, Fatty Bull, was injured.
In the shadows, several figures dashed madly toward Fatty Bull. The fastest was the assassin Crow, whose form became a blur of darkness. Dry Leaf and Cripple, wielding bows, flanked to either side. Splitting Blade, like a fierce panther, quickly closed the distance. The others followed closely behind.
The escort squad charged fearlessly forward!
Under the faint moonlight, two groups of figures collided with the force of crashing waves. Blood splattered like a tidal surge upon jagged rocks.
Splitting Blade tore through flesh and bone, his momentum soaring. His massive slashing sword scraped the ground as he swung upwards, cleaving diagonally in front of Fatty Bull. Empowered by this, Fatty Bull roared and charged forward instead of retreating.
Two more arrows flew through the air, striking vital points with deadly precision. Blood gushed as the massive slashing sword followed, sending another enemy to their demise. Splitting Blade leaped past Fatty Bull and the freshly slain body, charging toward more incoming figures.
Broad shoulders, sharp claws, and fur-covered bodies—it was the Tiger Tribe of the Forest Clan!
Could it be…
The agreement with the Red Tiger Family was a trap?!
There was no time for Splitting Blade to dwell on the thought. The battle had already erupted.
The assassin weaved through the enemy ranks with agile steps, leaving a trail of blood and dismembered foes in his wake. In front of him, a tall scout stepped forward, raising a round shield and swinging a battle axe. But before the axe could fall, a black-feathered arrow pierced his throat, jerking his head violently backward.
More shouts erupted as swords clashed with axes in chaotic cacophony. Two figures, Skinny Stick and Robdia, rushed to Splitting Blade's left flank, their spears and short swords striking in swift tandem. They quickly felled one of the attackers surrounding him. On the right flank, Uru Buk charged forward with his shield, crashing into and scattering several figures.
From behind, the giant Ray barreled through, wielding his heavy hammer. His strike sent a massive figure flying.
In the chaotic night, the clash of blades and axes lit up the battlefield. Thanks to the squad's tactical coordination, their combat synchronization shone brilliantly. While their individual prowess might not have been exceptional, as a unit, they rivaled any elite regiment on the battlefield.
The Tiger Tribe's ambush was ferocious, but the escort squad's counterattack was even sharper. With years of training manifesting in perfect coordination, their offensive and defensive transitions were seamless.
Splitting Blade lived up to his name. His massive slashing sword cleaved through enemy ranks like a beast tearing into prey. The enemy's numbers clearly exceeded a single squad.
As Splitting Blade pushed forward, his comrades followed, launching ferocious attacks. Ray's hammer drew the attention of four or five Tiger Tribe warriors, who surrounded him in a chaotic melee. Despite his apparent struggle, Ray's slow, steady advance belied his endurance. One by one, the Tiger Tribe fell, only for reinforcements to join the fray.
In the distance, the hidden hunters unleashed arrows that struck with deadly precision, aiming for vital points. The sound of swords clashing with axes mingled with the howls of the Tiger Tribe and the sharp whistling of arrows, echoing like a thunderstorm over the grassy plains.
The sudden encounter between the escort squad and the Tiger Tribe tilted in the squad's favor.
But why were there so many Tiger Tribe warriors?
Amid the chaos, Splitting Blade let out a long howl. Answering his call, a fiery arrow streaked overhead, piercing into the distant forest. Dry Leaf's flaming arrow served as a harbinger, illuminating the enemy's numbers.
The ground trembled.
More shadows surged forward, ghostly outlines flickering through the trees.
The Tiger Tribe's dark tide continued to advance.
Amid the looming shadows, more warriors charged on all fours, their killing intent palpable. Splitting Blade leaped in front of Crow, intercepting incoming claws and axes. Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! His massive slashing sword deflected three or four attacks in quick succession.
"Formation—Shield Front!" Splitting Blade roared instinctively. He didn't know why the words came so naturally, but they did.
"On it!" his comrades responded in unison.
Bodies shifted, two massive shields locking into place on either flank, guarding the sides. The slashing sword led the charge, and the formation advanced.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Arrows from Dry Leaf and Cripple slowed the onslaught of the Tiger Tribe. A resounding roar from afar confirmed Splitting Blade's suspicion.
The skirmish was swift. From contact to formation, only moments had passed. The first wave of Tiger Tribe warriors lay defeated, but the squad bore its own injuries.
At the critical moment, faint glimmers of light shone like guiding stars, illuminating their bodies.
Exhaustion vanished as strength surged through their veins. The squad's combat capabilities elevated across the board.
It was Kent's precise Prayer of Vitality, cast over his comrades.
+80 approval from Dry Leaf.
+60 approval from Cripple.
…
A second wave of Tiger Tribe warriors clashed against them. Swords and beastly blood erupted mid-air as the battlefield turned into a frenzied maelstrom. Despite the endless surge of enemies, the squad stood their ground.
The front line was Splitting Blade's battlefield. His slashing sword and Ray's hammer cleaved and crushed their way forward. Skinny Stick and Robdia protected the flanks with unwavering precision.
Like a tempest of death, the escort squad pushed relentlessly forward, slashing through the chaotic onslaught. The Tiger Tribe's strength lay in their raw, wild power. Their attacks, however, lacked coordination, leaving them vulnerable to the squad's well-honed formation.
Splitting Blade, leading the charge, confronted waves of attackers. Even five or six Tiger Tribe warriors together couldn't halt the advance of his massive slashing sword. The blade's massive arc sought and destroyed each enemy with ruthless efficiency.
His blade, steeped in the blood of past battles, continued its grim work. Yet, even with Kent's divine assistance and magic bolstering their strength, Splitting Blade knew that tonight's ambush would have been insurmountable without their preparation.
A ferocious roar pierced the darkness. A colossal shadow broke through the forest—a massive figure armored in steel, save for its vicious eyes and fetid jaws. It charged toward them, exuding an aura of primal savagery.