Chapter 16

KYAAAK!

SCREEEEE!

Clang! Clang!

The loud screams of the monsters and the sound of metal resounded throughout the forest.

The knights were drenched in red bathing from the monsters' blood.

"Shit!"

Sid, who's currently possessing Krynt's body, cursed loudly when his attack bounce off because of the hard metal like scales of the double-headed snake.

He only managed to grazed it a little.

They already managed to cut the other head, however, they still needed to cut the other head to kill it completely.

KSSSHHH! SHHAAA!

The angered snake spouted a thick purple venom on his direction. Krynt hastily jumped backwards to avoid it.

The ground where the venom fell was melted with smoke coming out of it. If Krynt dodged a second later, half of his body probably melted.

Kssshhh!

"Are you alright?" Joben asked.

"Yeah...huff, huff," Krynt replied while catching his breath.

Baaam!

"This damned snake!" Carlos cursed after he got hit by its tail and was thrown to the ground. He quickly got into his feet and took a stance to attack the snake again.

The snake began attacking the knights again, rapidly spitting its deadly venom in a speed of a bullet.

Pew! Pew! Kssshh! Pew!

"I'll catch its attention," Krynt announced to his companions.

Out of the three of them, Krynt has larger healing capabilities. That's why if he ever touched the snake's venom, Krynt will only suffer a minimum damaged.

"Okay," Jobel and Carlos agreed to his suggestion.

They quickly executed their plan as soon as Krynt gave them the signal.

He fired an attack to the snake, while Jobel and Carlos left the snake's field of view, making the snake to solely focus its attention to Krynt.

KYAAAAK!

The snake angrily shriek, seeing that Krynt slyly dodging its venom bullets. It finds him annoying for evading its venom while throwing a series of shallow strikes to taunt it.

"Haha...Shit!"

Krynt let out a wry laugh, when the air around the snake changed all of a sudden.

KIEEEEEK!

The snake changed its stance, it rears up the front third of it's body like a king cobra. Its yellow eyes glint dangerously as its pupils locked on Krynt's. It opened its mouth widely, showing its fangs and sharp teeth that resembled the frilled shark's teeth.

"Krynt! Hold that damn reptile for a little longer." Carlos shouted.

"Ugh!... How long?"

"Two, give us two more minutes!"

"Understood."

The snake began to aggressively charge toward Krynt, its goal is to tear him apart and swallow him.

BAAAM! BAAAM!

"Urgh!" Krynt groaned as his face crumpled in pain.

He failed to avoid the snake's strike because of it's increasing speed and Krynt's deteriorating stamina.

***

Sidereae felt tired, she's been running around and hunting monsters non-stop, from the moment they entered the danger zone of Lobrell forest. On top of that, taking the aggro of these hideous creatures is really taxing.

Huff...huff...huff

"Damn, now I know how it feels to be a tanker," I tiredly said while running.

"Is two minutes already gone? Why are they taking too long to kill this damned reptile?"

I couldn't help but to complain. I feel like this stupid snake has an infinite stamina.

"Why the hell are you so fast?" I jumped sideways when it tried to pounce me, "Your other head is already gone, so just die already!"

Maybe the snake understood what I said because this giant reptile suddenly came at me like a raging bull.

"Ah shit... I'm going to die again."

I looked at the face of the angry snake after it managed to catch on me. I instinctively put my arms in front of my face.

"Carlos, Jobel! If you're going to kill this stupid reptile, kill it now!" I shouted on the top of my lungs, hoping that they'll come to rescue me on my impending demise.

KSSHHH!

KIEEEK!

The snake charge at me, and I couldn't move already as my strength faded because of tiredness. I closed my eyes and waited for my death, but...

BAAAMM!

I opened my eyes and saw a shield that seems to be made of compressed holy light. The snake tried to bite me in a half, but it was blocked because of the Divine Shield that materialized to protect me.

SLAASHH!

A flash suddenly appeared, it was Carlos sword dealing a large slashing attack to the snake.

KYIEEEEK!

The snake screech in pain, and before it can recover from the shock, Jobel leap in the air and dealt a finishing blow.

SLAAASHH!

THUD!

Its hideous head fell making the ground to shook, its body followed afterwards causing dust to explode everywhere.

"Cough...cough!"

I fell on the ground and the Divine Shield disappeared after that.

"Haaah!"

I breathed a long sigh of relief, seeing the lifeless snake on the ground. I really thought that I was going to experience death again.

"Krynt, you alright?" Carlos walks toward me. He swing his sword to remove the blood before putting it back to the scabbard.

"Yeah, thanks."

He held out his hand to help me stand, but I shook my head, "Naah, I need to catch my breath for a moment."

"Okay, I'll go and help Jobel to dispose the carcass."

"I'll follow you in a minute."

***

SPLASH!

"Haa..."

A refreshed sigh escaped my lips as I washed my face with water. I also took the opportunity to wash the monsters' blood from my armor. It has a foul smell and has a disgusting appearance which is nauseating to look at.

I sat on the rock at the riverside, and took out my waterskin that I refilled earlier.

"Gulp, gulp...ah! That hits the spot, heh!"

After quenching my thirst, I put back the waterskin on my waist and rose from sitting on the rock.

I picked up my sword beside me and tied it around my waist, before deciding to go back to my companions.

I leisurely walk while humming along the sound of the chirping birds.

"Huh?" I stopped on my track when I suddenly felt something off.

My eyes wandered around, trying to find something that's lurking around.

Crunch! Crunch!

The sound of dried leaves crushing under someone's step is getting closer. I immediately place my hand over the hilt to pull it out from the scabbard anytime.

Then I shadow appeared behind the trees and formed a silhouette of a man.

"There you are! I've been looking for you."

Raphael appeared from the shadow and relief settled on my chest. My body relaxed and my vigilance disappeared.

"Is it time to go back?"

"Yeah, why are you here anyway?" His brows arched as he looks around.

"I emptied my water and came here to refill."

"I see..."

Raphael nodded and walk beside me, "I heard you use Divine power, shall we test it?"

"!"

I was stunned in confusion as I felt the cold blade suddenly penetrating my flesh.

"Urk!" Blood flowed from my wound as Raphael pulled out the dagger.

I couldn't comprehend what's happening.

Raphael let out a sinister laugh as he's eyes looked cold while holding the bloody dagger in his hand.

'Wh-what? Did he just betray me?'

I quickly put distance between us and drew my sword.

Anger flared inside my chest, I can feel Krynt's chaotic emotions as I faced Raphael. He probably couldn't accept that his closest friend will do him dirty.

"Don't give me that look." He playfully said as he pulls out his sword.

"Why?"

A distorted voice came out of me as I tried to control Krynt's rationality.

"Why? Hmm...let me see," Raphael contemplated for a moment whether he should answer my question or not.

"I guess it's alright to tell you, since you're going to die in my hands." He sneered at me before breaking into laughter.

"I was ordered by the pope to kill you."