Chapter 61 - Battle (1)

_ Recluse 1: " Well well, check this out, guys! "

_ Recluse 2: " Good timing, we were starting to get bored! "

_ Recluse 3: " Hey, how about a bet? The one with the highest kill count gets a double portion tonight. "

_ Recluse 4: " Hahaha, your bet is lame, but I'm still up for it. "

Wasting no time on their discussion, my gaze crossed with Blaike's before immediately pivoting toward our comrades.

_ Ayden: " Let's create two groups. One group to protect Shailly and one group to launch the assault. "

_ Son: " Okay! "

_ Kona: " I will stay back and protect Shailly. "

Then, she looks at her twin.

_ Kona: " Stay in support with me; you are still injured. "

_ Kaya: " Huh? I can still fight. "

_ Kona: " All the more reason to stay in the back! It is not debatable! "

Torn between her desire to contradict and the necessity to obey, Kaya resigned herself to reluctantly follow her sister.

_ Ayden: " Son, Hazel, and Maïko, with me. We'll be the assault team. This time, it's our turn to attack first. "

_ Son: " I completely agree! We can't defend ourselves forever! " he said, banging his fist.

_ Ayden: " Shailly is probably the strongest one in the group. With her out of the game, it's going to be tough, but it's still doable. "

_ Blaike : " You two, protect the little one with the crutch. Rider and I will handle them. "

_ Member 1 & 2 : " Right away, boss! "

_ Recluse: " Let's go! "

Each camp rushes forward with fervor. A range of bladed weapons looms before us. Machete, axe, knife, all sharper than the others. A dozen Recluses leap from their hiding places in the trees, openly challenging Blaike and Rider who are advancing toward the front line. Others, agile as monkeys, quickly move from tree to tree using vines.

_ Ayden: " Let's stick together! Under no circumstances should we be separated! "

_ Son: " Yeah, don't worry! "

_ Ayden: " I've observed Hazel and Maïko. They're quite far away/at a distance. In that case... Son! Charge straight ahead, I've got you covered! "

His eyes, initially surprised, settled on mine with confidence.

_ Son: " I trust you, man! "

Two Recluses stand before him. One attempts a vertical machete strike, which Son manages to evade, while the other, well-positioned, lands a direct knife blow on the staff, blocked just in time by the latter. Upon impact, the knife shatters, to their incomprehension.

_ Recluse 1: " What is this madness?? "

_ Son: “ But? “

My granite formed over the stick is enough to break the knife. Reacting to this opening, a huge strike from the stick lands directly in this latter's face.

_ Son: " Incredible! Without me noticing, he strengthened my staff! "

_ Recluse 2: " You're dead! "

_ Son: " Damn! Too late! "

_ Recluse 2: " Huh? Why is my machete so heavy? " he said, nervously.

To his great surprise, his machete sinks into a viscous mud, nullifying any offensive.

_ Hazel: “ Now, Son! “

Immediately after, a second well-aimed blow struck the back of his skull, smashing his head directly into the mud, trapping him in turn.

_ Son: " Guys, you crushed it! "

_ Ayden: " Stay focused, it's far from over! That being said, it is encouraging. If we keep this formation, we can beat them. "

At the same time, four Recluses surround Blaike.

_ Recluse 1: " You seriously think you can beat us in your condition, old man? "

Adopting a combat stance and with a confident gesture, he grabbed the handle of his military knife, clenching it in his fist.

_ Blaike: " Even with one arm, you are no match. "

_ Recluse 2: " You bastard, we'll calm you down quickly! "

Two of them surge forward, separated by a distance of only a few meters. The assaults follow one after another, but Blaike evades them with disconcerting ease.

Irritated by this humiliation, in a final desperate surge, the closest one leaped, his body propelled by rage, attempting one last attack. Seeing a multitude of openings, Blaike positioned himself this time to counter-attack. With the adequate timing and placement, he slit the throat of his opponent, who was unable to stop his own momentum.

In the process, he immediately recovers the corpse and rushes at his opponents, using it as a human shield. The short moment of incomprehension from the latter gives Blaike a considerable advantage. Swinging the hefty corpse in their direction, Blaike vanished from the sight of the two concerned, heading directly for the fourth one right behind them. A reflexive movement begins in the Recluse, but sufficiently late. So late that the knife goes through his chest.

A moan escapes his lips as the assailant withdraws his bloodied blade. Barely freed from their colleague's massive body, the last two turn around and receive a knife strike to the throat.

_ Blaike: " I told you you were not up to par. "