Chapter 5: First Tower

Although Julius truly hated Journey for Supremacy, its wacky plot, annoying characters and a frustrating protagonist, what he actually admire is when Michael's party started to raid. Raiding sounds fun, it might be dangerous of course, but the idea of slaying monsters, fighting floor bosses and treading trap-filled pathways, was  every action fans' greatest desire.

Glory and achievement after a fatal encounter. Too bad Julius could not partake in that. He's a freaking backup, don't even mention fighting in front, he'd be stuck at the backline, waiting for any injured person. That sounded too boring. Even if he acted brave, what could he possibly do? be the monsters' bait? As such, since arriving in this strange world, Julius already accepted his cruel fate of being stuck as a professional milk dad.

It must be noted that even in game, Julius would only chose warrior class, since he likes slashing and hacking in the frontline. Now he'd be forever stuck as a healer, and he don't even possess any ability to attack.

Gazing at these twin beside him, they're still young, yet they could probably even take down an orc by themselves. While this girl Aria, is capable of holding back an entire troops of goblins if she wanted. Sadness filled him, as he stare absent mindedly at the group of knights' and different parties prepared to escort him.

A total of 20 knights, all clad in blue armor as they march in a straight line. After them was Leo Reinhart's party, the Templar. It is compose of Leo himself, a holy knight responsible for protecting his team, he also serves as their leader.Cecil, his sister, acting as their healer, Elaine as the magical support and strategist, Aria who is responsible for protecting me, Sarina Nibleheim and Isley Mobius.Together they form a balanced party, focusing in attack followed by support magic.

Cecil is a reliable healer, with high mana capacity, so with Julius'  and the twins' addition, they have a solid support. Left of them was Michael's four person party, focusing on mobility. Then other veteran parties were situated on the right side.

A large portal flashes in the middle of the gate, with purple spark ominously glowing in broad daylight. At least five meters tall, the portal could allow an entire troops inside.The porters stood solemnly , carrying large bags. Others pulled the carriages, with food ration neatly stack inside.

For the first time in his life, Julius' never felt this much excitement and fear at the same time.The twins hugs Aria's dress, looking nervously at the wide gate

Towers are considered both as a blessing and a curse to any country. It is feared by people, yet residents would often flock whenever a tower is created. Houses line up near the tower, with a bustling market full goods from the tower.

Though it appears tame on the surface, the inside of the tower is a monster infested territory. The slimy walls covered in unknown grime, whilst beastly howling could be heard from a far. There are an abundant amount of fauna inside. Flowers with vivid colours and an alluring scent. Large insects surrounds it, with sizes reaching the hight of a two years old human child.

Large saucer-like blue eyes , with spike filled body, divided in segmented parts. Its long legs hangs freely in air, its transparent wings flapping in a vibrating manner.

The group immediately prepared for battle, with the brave knights protecting the group with their bodies. Leo acted first, hacking at the first insect, then the others. He succeeded in killing at least five monsters in one go.Seeing this great demonstration, the entire party followed suit. After completely annihilating the insects' nest. The party then encountered a three way path.Leo guided us in the middle room. The group was divided into three, with Michael's party together with a group of 7 mages taking the right path, while the remaining party lead by Laura Veron took the left path.

Both Templars and knights' party exceed in terms of number, however, the other parties are obviously filled with strong people, with a few experts mixed in. The middle path lead us to a damp area, the ungodly stench making people who step on it churn in disgust. Leo ignored the unbecoming scent, still too dignified to be bothered. Unidentified mushroom infested walls, suspicious looking stained floors and a few rodents ran across the area. Cecil grimaced at the sight, peering cautiously at our feet.

Aria kindly protected Julius from behind, with the twins walking  on both his sides. Closely following them was the knights' party, Harold nervously  hide in the middle.Lukas shot him a dirty look, glancing at us from time to time.He was the sole raider who joined our group, volunteering as a ranger. Again, he is another extra character, with even lesser parts than Julius himself.

Suddenly, a loud growl came from the dark ruins. A large rodent, standing at three feet tall, bares its yellowish potruding fangs. Its eyes glowed red, looking menacingly.

The party instantly prepared for combat, however, the rodent ignored the tank, Leo and quickly jumps over to Cecil. With a loud shriek, the poor girl lost her balance, tumbling down on the wet floor. Isley reacted, casting a fireball towards the beast. Miira hurriedly casted a protective barrier, covering the frightened Cecil.

In anger, the rodent ferociously attack Miira instead, its claws hovering right at our party. Good thing Leo acted fast, hacking at the beast's stomach.Its blood spurted, it laid prone on rhe floor. Taking advantage of its vulnerability, Isley shot another fireball, bigger this time. Elaine supported him, creating multiple water blades in a minute.

The beast finally went down, eyes glowing red even in its remaining breath. Cecil is still in shock, running after his brother. Now her pure white dress is in complete ruin.Those disgusting spot is bound to stay.Seeing this, Cecil pouted, annoyed by the grime stuck to her.

Seeing this, Julius applied cleanse on her, effectively removing the dirt. Cecil smiled brightly, giving him a thumbs up. Isley nodded in approval, seemingly amused.

Continuing their journey, the group was then lead to a narrow passage. The path can be barely seen. Cold winds blew at them, making the girls shivers. Lukas bravely approach it, inspecting the pathway.

"Guess I'll be checking this one. Hey Isley, follow me!"

Lukas then disappeared in the dark passage. Isley hurriedly ran after him, creating at least four lights before he left.

"Our party will advance first. The others should only follow after we clear the area."

Befitting of a leader, Leo shouted, instructing the rest of the group. Harold sighed in relief. He even took the time to command the knights to create a camp for him. Templars' party finally entered the path, with a screaming Cecil in tow.

After half an hour, Leo appeared before us, unidentified stains stuck to his cloth. The knights immediately prepared, clearing the campsite.

Barely seeing anything, Julius squinted, eyes still not used in near darkness. Surprisingly, the twins are calm, walking side by side. Looks like they're more used to it more than he thought. On the other hand, Aria huddled close to him, protecting him from behind, though it seems like she's the one scared instead.

"Hey Cecil, if you keep screaming, the monsters will really hear us. Why don't you copy Elaine?Look, she's too calm and collected"

"What calm, look, her legs are shaking!!!"

"Its not!!!,it was the cold wind!The wind!!!"

The three bicker back and forth. Isley laughs as Cecil hangs on Leo's arm for her dear life. Elaine fix her dress, hiding her shaking legs. Leo sigh, ignoring the trio.

"There's an open path!!Focus!"

From a far, Lukas alerted them. The party went back to business, clearing the small monsters jumping from the walls.

Like Lukas said, an open area covered in green grass greeted them. Unlike the rest of the stinky damp place they came from, this place alone looks harmless. However, this is inside a tower, there'd no such thing as  safezone.

Grrr.....

A huge beast suddenly jumps over. Its hulking figure covered atleast 1/4 of the area. A big black dog in fact. Its yellow eyes glared at the intruder, its teeth baring dangerously at Leo's party.

"Shit. Its a f*cking burghest. Leo get back, this thing' is beyond us.!!"

Lukas shouted, scrambling back inside the passage. Too late, as the big dog rans faster than him. Leo parried its attack, tumbling back in the impact. The beast growled, releasing blue sparks from its body.

"Shit. Everybody dodge!!"

Isley was the first to react, dragging Elaine to his side. Aria shielded Julius the twins, her petite figure receive most of the damage. Miira release her familiar, a small fox, attacking the dog in return.

Julius promptly healed Aria, checking her heaving figure. She smiled wryly, her back still paralyzed. Leo jumps over, stabbing the beast's legs. The mages supported him, with Cecil worriedly casting spells for her brother.

The beast howled, this time releasing large sparks of electricity.Caught off guard, Leo was hit first, then his entire party. Aria tried to assist them, with both Miira and Liira casting buffs on her. She somehow hold back the beast while Cecil and Julius hurried healed the party.

All types of spells can heard, with the knights assisting Aria. However, it looks like the beast is stronger than they think, evading all the attacks. Ignoring the tanks, it turned its attention on the healer.

For some unknown reasons, contrary to how they look, these monsters are more intelligent. While smaller ones attacks indiscriminately, the bigger ones could decern the weakest person in the party. That weak members happens to be healers, as they obviously lack any means to defend their selves.

Cecil push Julius, getting flung in the distance. Her bloodied white dress was torn into shreds. Still stunned, Leo watched his sister's bloodied figure.

"Sir Julius!!"

Alarmed, Aria screamed, ranning after the beast. Julius scrambled hurriedly, barely avoiding the attack. He ran back, healing Cecil as he duck in the corner.At the distance, Liira drags Cecil's body, ignoring her sister's shouting.

"That big dog is obviously targeting our healers. Who said that burghests are stupid monsters!!",Isley screamed in frustration. Half of his body still numb from the attack.

"Oh no, this pretty sister pass out!! Liira can't carry her!!", Liira tries to drag Cecil, falling down due to the difference in height.

As the party was thrown into chaos, an army of skeletons appeared, apprehending the monster. Dark blade hit the burghest, cleanly cutting its head off.Harold screamed, horrified when the dead dog's head flew right in front of him.

Just like that, Michael's party save Leo's team. Isley laugh awkwardly, carrying the knock out Elaine with him.

Hahaha.As expected of the damn protagonist. Came like a true hero. Isn't this too much? The huge gap between him and Leo is too huge. How annoying.

Julius huffed, pulling Miira and Aria with him. Leo thank them, as he stand weakly. Alice healed him, probably gaining some brownie points from him. As expected of the heroine.