Side Chapter - 108 - A Rutgrounder.

Humda was next to the thing in an instant his sword slicing at the thing but missing as the creature angled its body effectively away. Undeterred he struck again with an old dagger aiming for the head only for it to clang off its exoskeleton like metal against metal while a loud scraping sound echoed. Still, it had created an opportunity to take a good look at the thing right before he vanished letting the darkness pull him away.

It was about eleven feet in length. Its outer body covered by segments of metallic plating. The points for the connection of the two segments let the creature coil and move like a great snake. Two compound eyes on its head with five sharp hookers on its lower head around a hole that was most definitely its mouth. Yet there was a second hole right at the tip of its tail. Which he would have ignored as its butthole if the creature hadn't launched a needle at him right at that moment.

Just as Humda materialized right by Carla's side two crescent moon arcs of four feet in diameter each struck the creature twice on the same spot. In her hand, the two hand fans dimmed as the light on them faded.

[Glovers Wind - Handfan ]

Rank - S

A normal hand fan in most hands but not to a battle medic.

Perfect for slashing attacks and deviating attacks.

Weekly one-time skill - Massive drain. Takes half the soul essence of aggressors that can be bestowed on allies.

The metal sizzled but remained unaffected except for a scorch mark on the area. It was apparent how high the attack value was but the creature's defense was even higher.

Light Cleave - (Active)

Condensed arcs of lights create damage equal to host level x mana plus intelligence. Burn effect applied.

Carla knowing how high her stats were could only grimace at this thing's absurd defense. After all with her level still at ten and her stats set at its values she only had a ninety in mana and sixty in intelligence. That would give her 1500 in damage. Yet it barely scratched the creature.

"This is bad" she muttered.

"Not as bad as what I'm seeing," Kendor spoke from the side where he stood. They had at most five feet of space between them. So they were capable of holding conversations.

"It's called a Rutgrounder. And it is dang scary. I'm beginning to think we should have indeed gone for the giants."

Carla and Humda gave him a look which he returned with a confused one. " What?"

Shaking her head Carla just asked how he knew what it was. Apparently, as a hunter, he had an innate skill he unlocked called identify. Still, Carla was eager to learn it.

"Call out its info let's see what it's all about. Maybe it has a weakness or some.." a shield appeared in her vision just as a clang echoed.

"Keep your attention on it". Sanda yelled at them while she stood Shield in hand blocking the Rutgrounder. It screeched in annoyance at having its surprise attack blocked before a needle extended from its tail tip.

Then in a shocking display, the rutgrounder engaged Sanda in a flurry of offense and staggering defense. With its head, it bashed into her shield while its tail whipped out to strike her from around.

Clang.

The needle was halted instantly. There in her right hand was a long spear. Just like the shield the spear was the reward gotten from finding the duo.

Pushing off the Rutgrounder and then spinning on her leg as fast as she could her right hand brought the spearhead down straight on the thing's head.

A screech came from it as the halberd sliced through the metal and formed a narrow line on its face right between its compound eyes. It retreated instantly while the long blade that ended in a triangular point dripped black blood onto the ground.

A giggle left Sanda as she watched the Rutgrounder pull back in caution its eyes never leaving her.

[TAY - HALBERD]

RANK S

The fangs of a god that shouldn't be named. Puts fear into those who feel its presence.

+100 to mental attacks.

+10 to Str

+20% to piercing str

10% chance for critical damage no matter where the blade hits.

x2 to dexterity and x2 to agility.

x2 to piercing damage.

Required - Str 50

[KONG SKULL - TOWER SHIELD ]

RANK SSS

Forged with the inspiration of a massive animal once known to the Great one. Kong skull brings defense and yet mobility to its peak.

+200 to defense

-20% to enemy blunt impact

+5 to Str

x2 to dexterity

x3 to vitality.

Skill - Bastion - For one hour remained unmoved and unharmed. Absorbing 50% of attack damage. Cooldown - 24 hours.

Required - Str 55

While not even up to level ten yet Sanda was only glad her stats had risen to the required numbers. She'd been unable to wield the duo when she first got them. But after a bit of leveling up in the past month, she had achieved it.

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STATUS

NAME - Sanda Bornfoot

RACE - Human

GENDER - Female

LIFE GRADE - Mortal

LEVEL - 7/10

ESSENCE - 5670/6400

AGE - 17

TITLE - Priestess of Erlezos

CLASS- (COLOSSUS TANK)

ABILITIES - DURABILITY, STRENGTH, SANCTUM, SEEPER.

DIVINE BLESSING - 1

STRENGTH - 50 (+10 +5)

AGILITY - 29(58)

DEXTERITY - 29(58 +58)

STAMINA - 50

VITALITY - 50(150) (ENDURANCE - 200)

INTELLIGENCE - 29

MIND - 30

MANA - 41/41

SKILLS - PiercerLv6, Achilles Throw Lv5, Beserk Stomp lv 2, Hostile Radar Lv8, Only Me Lv3, Buffer Shout Lv2. Halo Ball Lv1.

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Sanda smirked after reviewing her status. While she had never seen the others she believed her's to be just as good. After all, getting a stacked stat for her strength and dexterity was enticing. It had given her just the buff to wield Tay and Kongskull adeptly.

The long black staff of the spear looked just as heavy as it had been when forged by Erlezos back then. Its black steel was lusterless and cold seemingly absorbing the light around them.

Kongskull was shaped in the design of a black giant skull with one single golden eye in the center. Jaws at the bottom that lacked any opening but was a mere design and white lines running along their edges.

The shield was just as heavy and thick as the spear if not more. Yet the shorter brunette smirked at the Rutgrounder before dashing forward like a crazed spartan. Hollering she raised her spear to align with the side of the shield and kept the shield upfront only letting her eyes peek above its top.

Buffer Shout - Lv2 - (Active)

Utter a roar to increase all allies' stats within a 20m radius.

Replenishment in loss of strength.

Increase in stamina x2.

Morale rises.

Vitality drops by -70% of received attacks.

Duration - 2 mins

Cooldown - 30 mins

The five hundred both fighters and non behind her quickly became invigorated and courageous, evident from the many that burst free from the crowd to assist in assaulting the Rutgrounder.

Meanwhile, Kendor listed out the Rutgrounder's stats for Humda and Carla. Carla herself though was peeved as she pondered how to learn the

identify skill while Humda kept wondering where Moira went off to by herself.

Name -

Race - Rutgrounder

Lifegrade - Evolver

Mana - 950/1000

Attack - 2000

Defense - 2800

Skills - Spiked shooter, Gnawler, Misty secretion, Screecher, Steel Armor, Corrosive, Burrower.

"At least we know the white stuff wasn't normal," Carla uttered. Humda shook his head.

"That thing appeared immediately after the sun went down. Almost like it had been watching us for a while and decided to act went it got dark ." Kendor noted.

" No. That would have been useless for it. Look around. " Doing as Humda said their eyes moved about before they nodded in realization. The cave-looking area was bathed in a soft blue ethereal glow that no one needed to wonder where it came from.

"This means the sun does something to it that made it only attack now. Either it's a night hunter which I doubt or..."

" Hopefully it's a night hunter" Kendor argued not liking the second probability.

"Let's go. I doubt Sanda realizes that thing is an Evolver. She'll need our .." a pained screech sounded out reverberating off the stone walls and rocks. The Rutgrounder reared up as black blood spurted out a hole in its side. Below it a short five-foot-four girl stood laughing hysterically while black blood dripped off her spear.

"That's her spear she got as a reward right?".Kendor asked. Humda nodded while sheathing his dagger and raising his sword.

" In that case. It's not resistant to weapons from the great one. This should be easy then". Carla mused with a smirk.

The next events happened in a flash, from Carla creating winds mixed with Light cleave to disrupt the Rutgrounder's attacks to Kendor who pulled out and fired a set of arrows that were different from the normal ones he usually used. Humda threw himself into the fray his sword flashing out like a whipped snake and creating several black lines from which blood trickled on the Rutgrounder's steel body. Always quickly rushing behind Sanda who took on the things strikes with Kongskull her foot solidly locked to the ground.

While the camp members realized their weapons could do nothing it didn't stop them from adjusting. Remember these weren't rookies at least not fighting. Seeing its heavy metallic defense the fighters quickly went for its joints. Swords, spears, and arrows lodged into these parts and severely injured the Rutgrounder.

A screech of distress left the things gaping maw. Humda only made a click with his tongue as he dashed passed from its left to its right while cleaving a neat gash beneath its body where the metal was weaker.

"Tch ..weak".

But the four hadn't realized one thing, it wasn't that the Rutgrounder was weak. It was more like they were stronger than a normal human. After all, without them, the camp members wouldn't have people to retreat behind when targeted. Plus the vapor that had been spread being cleared up the Rutgrounder had nowhere to hide. It was less of a front-line attacker and more of a stealthy killer.

Speaking of the misty secretion the Rutgrounder began spewing more of the white stuff. Obviously trying to block the view of it and either run or attack them.

"Not happening worm" Carla's soft expression gave way to a murderous look. At least she hoped it looked murderous as she twisted her face. To the side, Kendor chuckled as he shot another arrow into the thing while receiving five more in his quiver.

"Seawind- Arc two..".

The words echoed as the winds around her picked up instantly. The Rutgrounder feeling the rise in wind intensity hurried to release as much as it could. The wind formed a pillar around the girl as her eyes locked on the Rutgrounder. The thing shivered as it felt a killing intent on it which made it glance around for the source. Finally, its compound eyes locked on Carla.

"...Sweeper's sundering'.

The pillar shattered and then fell like a wave down to the Rutgrounder. Yet it gathered together as it flew for the thing forming a singular point on its path where the air rushed into. Finally, it arrived, and the Rutgrounder finally made up its mind to run turned tail.

Its head shot down as it gnawed into the ground and then instantly attempted to burrow in. When the wind arrived its head was long inside but it didn't matter. The entire wind was now so compressed that it resembled one sheet of air with a single point. A point that ripped through the segments of the Rutgrounder at the spot still visible above ground and detached it strongly from the rest of the head.

Everyone stared, Carla included as the huge body stopped moving. Then slowly fell to the side black liquid pooling out onto the floor. Only then in the familiar voice of the system did she hear the sweet words.

[You have slain Rutgrounder]

+ 52,090 essence.

YOU HAVE REACHED LEVEL CAP.

EXTRA ESSENCE LOCKED TILL AFTER EVOLUTION.

OBTAINING EVOLUTION REQUIREMENTS.

AREA CONDITIONING PERFECT FOR CRITERIA.

EVOLUTION REQUIREMENTS -

Obtain extra 1000 essence -(1000/1000) (Completed)

Slay ten Bukgarwolves - (0/10)

'What's a Bukgarwolf? And what does it mean by area conditioning being perfect?'. Carla pondered. Before she could even finish though she got her reply.

"Missed much here didn't I" In front of the dead Rutgrounder stood Moira, her hair scattered her arms dirtied and her face scratched up. Yet no one could miss the devilish on her face. Looking away from the dead thing she looked them over her eyes halting on Carla.

"I brought presents"

Somehow without asking Carla knew it had something to do with the evolution requirements she just received. Like a response to her suspicion, a howl tore through the air and everyone sighed. Well, the four sighed the rest just stared on.

"She brought wolves?". Kendor asked.

"Bukgarwolves. She brought Bukgarwolves. Best get ready, I'm sure there's a lot to go around" Carla corrected stepping forward with a sigh. Well, she couldn't complain since Moira just helped speed up her evolution. As she moved the rest did too.

The environment dimmed around Humda as the shadows wrapped around him like a cloak for a few minutes before fading off to reveal an exquisite armor that bore a few familiarities to Moira's. It was black with a hooded cloak but no gauntlets. The eye symbol on his chest was replaced with a dim white. In a way, it rhymed with his sword perfectly.

[ERLEZONITE ARMOR - LIGHT ARMOR]

RANK S

An extremely durable armor that only gods might have the strength to pierce. Boosts all attacks of the wearer whilst on the offensive.

x2 negation to all hostile ranged attacks

Spatial blend - Five minutes walk through the spatial shadows. Cool down effect 30mins.

x2 to agility and Dexterity.

x2 to mind.

Despair strike - x5 mental attack boost on enemies.

Presence cloak.

"Always wanted to wear this' Humda sighed with contentment as he felt the added boosts to himself in his body. Looking over his sword he grinned at its effects.

[KUMA-TAY - NODACHI]

RANK S

A Nodachi cut from the bones of that which shouldn't be named. Ruthless to all but its wielder.

+10 to strength

x2 to mana

Fear effect inflicted on all enemies once drawn.

Bleed Effect.

Life drain once cut.

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STATUS

NAME - Humda Bornfoot

RACE - Human

GENDER - Male

LIFE GRADE - Mortal

LEVEL - 8/10

ESSENCE - 4995/12800

AGE - 18

TITLE - Priest of Erlezos

CLASS - ("K'NIGHT" JADER]

ABILITIES - NIGHT'S EMBRACE, SHADOW TREACHERY,

DIVINE BLESSING - 1

STRENGTH - 36(+10)

AGILITY - 54(108)

DEXTERITY - 55(110)

STAMINA - 38

VITALITY - 36

INTELLIGENCE - 34

MIND - 50

MANA - 44/44(88/88)

SKILLS - Slasher Lv8, Shadow Hopper Lv5, Sprint lv 3, Shadow bend Lv1, Dark cleave.

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At this point, one could say he was faster than Moira when equipped with his sword and armor. Beside him, Kendor was counting his normal arrows in a quiver strapped to his hip while his unique ones were strapped to his back.

A black hide draped to his thigh while a short sword was strapped just below it.

[DARK NEMEAN HIDE - HUNTER'S CLOAK]

RANK SS

The skin of a fallen beast.

x2 to agility

+10 to perception

Presence hide

Skill - Camouflage - Blend user into the environment. Duration - 5 mins

Cooldown - 10 mins

[SOUL SEEKER & CATCHER - BOW $ ARROW(SET)

RANK SS

The parts of a renowned hunter that remained well hidden. Patience was his most suitable trait till misfortune crept upon him

-10 negation to mental attacks

Bleed effect

Life drain

x2 to Dexterity

+10 to agility.

Skill - Triple shot - Fire off three arrows at once for crowd control with a sure explosive effect. Cooldown - 2 mins.

Skill - Soul harm - Cut the soul with one decisive shot. - 10 to spirit when used. x2 in critical chance.

Unique effect - Replenish - Never run out of arrows as long as you make a hit. Strikes consume life force or blood from the enemy to repair damages and return to the host.

Kendor refused to believe he was the weakest of the group with his gear effects. In fact with just soul harm he was certain off being a danger to Moira.

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STATUS

NAME - Kendor Grumdull

RACE - Human

GENDER - Male

LIFE GRADE - Mortal

LEVEL - 8/10

ESSENCE - 3710/12800

AGE - 19

TITLE - Priest of Erlezos

CLASS- (RAAVA'S RANGER)

ABILITIES - ALPHA OF THE WILD HUNT, TARZAN'S VOICE, UNTAMED.

DIVINE BLESSING - 1

STRENGTH - 35

AGILITY - 34(+10)

DEXTERITY - 55(110)

STAMINA - 37

VITALITY - 34

PERCEPTION - 55

MIND - 34

SPIRIT - 80/80

SKILLS - Double shotLv6, Bow combat Lv5, Quick feet lv10, Identify Lv1, Stalk Lv5, Wild Fray Lv1.

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A growl brought him out of his assessment. All eyes glanced ahead and went wide as a 7ft tall wolf stepped out of the darkness and into the blue glow of the light.

"You're sure this is the entrance and not the center of the path right?" Humda asked Old man Kindo loudly. The old man replied from the safety of the crowd.

"You're thinking the same with me right?" Moira asked. Everyone looked at her in annoyance.

" Trust me. I didn't attack. I was scouting ahead to find a good path in case we needed to run without abandon. These guys found me though. Not my fault. Besides I figured you'd appreciate the extra so I brought them over". She defended herself while making an offended expression.

Everyone sighed not able to fault her for helping them. Yet taking a look at the thing as yet another one appeared they couldn't help but ask.

'How were they going to fight against more than one or two of those?'.

Like the Bukgarwolves were rubbing their demise in another stepped in followed by another. And then another. Within a minute more than twenty of them filled the exit from which they needed to move through.

" Well. at least there's a lot for everyone here". Sanda smirked while rolling her shoulders and stepping front to tank the beasts.

One by one they took positions with Humda and Moira on the right and left of Sanda respectively. Carla stood right beside Kendor with a more than five feet gap between the both. Fortunately and unfortunately the space was wide enough for five hundred.

A Bukgarwolf, head raised, two horns on its head, large fangs, and knife-like claws which stabbed the floor as it

stepped forward its green skin pulsing like a heartbeat.

Awooooo.

Uttering a howl that chilled all their souls it pounced forward, behind it the more than twenty Bukgarwolves following.

No matter how they tried everything turned chaotic instantly.