Chapter 24: A Desperate Stand (Part 1)

*** A few moments ago ***

"This is the plan. I will distract the first monster so that Anna can free herself. After that, I will use all the defense items I have and try to hold on as long as I can. At the same time, you and Anna need to join Thomas and defeat the other monster as fast as you can," Sarah explained, laying out her strategy.

Sarah's plan was sound, but one question lingered in my mind. "Sarah, I want to confirm something. You might not be able to use spells, but you're still a mage, right?"

"Yes, I am. I am a 3-star mage, but due to my current situation, I am unable to use any spells," Sarah confirmed.

Her response didn't surprise me, considering Anna and Thomas' levels. It was reasonable to assume that Sarah would be on a similar level. Being a level 3 mage, she should possess a substantial amount of mana, making her plan feasible.

However, relying solely on her mana quantity and defense items might be too much for her to handle. Just because Anna and Thomas were currently holding their own against the Armored Back Great Bear didn't mean the monster was weak. Their ability to match the monster was a testament to their skill and genius, factors beyond simple level comparisons.

Battles involved numerous elements to consider—spells, mana quantity, magic items, and battle techniques all played a role in determining the outcome. Sarah seemed to lack proficiency in several areas, casting doubt on her ability to fulfill her role effectively.

"Let me do it. I'll distract the monster long enough for you to defeat the other one," I suggested.

"No, William! I know you're stronger than an average 1-star mage in close combat. I can see it based on the fight you showed us before. But this time is different. Your opponent is not a 1-star monster; it's a 4-star monster at its peak," Sarah replied with concern.

"Then are you suggesting that you can handle it? You'll have to be in close proximity to the monster if you want to restrain it. Without spells, how do you plan to deal with it? Even if you have a defense item that allows you to control it from a distance, such items consume a lot of mana, which would only make the situation worse," I argued.

Before Sarah could respond, I interrupted her, asserting firmly, "Don't say anything else. Just trust me. I'll get the job done, and you won't even realize it was done."

I insisted on taking on the task because I had confidence in myself. Although defeating the monster was impossible, stalling for time was within my capabilities.

"Okay then. But take this. It's a defense item suited for you. And promise me that you'll be careful," Sarah said, passing me a black shield that stood at 2 meters tall. This item was perfect for me, as it didn't require much mana and excelled in its sturdiness and defensive capabilities even in its base state.

"Roaarr!!"

"Ready, our chance is coming," I declared as the monster's roar filled the air, indicating it was time to act.

*** Present ***

I struck the monster just as I stepped in front of Anna. With all my might, I managed to halt the monster's charge with a powerful punch. Growling furiously, the monster retaliated, but I raised the black shield in front of me, successfully blocking its charge once again.

The black shield proved its worth, diminishing the impact of the monster's charge and allowing me to maintain my footing. Its weight, however, made it challenging to maneuver. Yet, for a normal mage, this weight would be a significant disadvantage. For me, it was nothing.

"Quick! Go and help Thomas. I'll stall this monster for a while until you guys finish," I instructed Anna, swiftly relaying Sarah's plan, aware of the urgency of the situation.

"But what about you? You can't stand against a 4-star monster," Anna voiced her concern.

"Don't worry. You know I'm not that weak. Besides, while I may not be able to defeat this thing, stalling for time is well within my capabilities," I assured her, managing to convince her to leave as she reminded me to be cautious.

Now, it was just me and the monster. This was my first encounter with a 4-star monster. A regular 1-star mage might be terrified, but I found myself unexpectedly excited. Master always said that warriors dominate mages at the low-tier stage, but he never mentioned anything about low-tier monsters. Now, facing a mid-tier monster and skipping all the lower-tier ones, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Facing the monster, I adjusted my posture and focused my mind. Strangely, despite the dire circumstances, I could still control my breathing, following the pattern of the Supreme Warrior Art. As I controlled my breath, a sense of calm enveloped me.

"Roooaaarrr!!!"

With a composed and focused mind, I locked eyes with the monster, staring directly into its fierce gaze. "Now, let the fight begin."