Chapter 39: "Gear Up and Level Up"(6)

This was no time for emergency treatment. If any of us stepped out, the entrance would be immediately breached.

Hanson swung his sword, unaware of Zeeth's fading life behind him.

Zeeth let out a weak wheeze.

Frothy blood mixed with his breath, flowing out.

"Wait!"

Jenna quickly turned and released four bolts in quick succession. Each bolt hit a different troll leaping over the wall.

With that, the quiver ran out.

[08:05]

Jenna hurried to Zeeth's side.

His eyes grew dim, unaware of what lay before him.

"Damn it!"

As her dagger descended, the troll's skull split open.

"Okay, ugh, ah..."

Even if there was time for emergency treatment, there was no solution.

To remove the blade lodged in his abdomen? It would unleash a fountain of blood.

Jenna knew there was nothing she could do. She slowly shook her head and rose again, clutching her bow.

[Zeeth (Geed) has returned to the embrace of the goddess! His enduring spirit will be forever remembered.]

"Ze... Zeeth, just take over for a moment. I just need 30 seconds... One minute..."

Hanson gasped, his words trailing off.

But there was no one left to listen.

A troll pushed its lance. I grabbed it beside me and yanked it out. The long lance slid out smoothly. It had been a while since I wielded such a useful weapon. Grasping the lance with both hands, I thrust it forward.

First one pierced, second one too, third, fourth, all the way to the sixth.

I poured every ounce of strength into it. The muscles in my legs flexed with power.

I pressed on. A surge of energy surged back. I ground my teeth, tasting the tang of blood. The trolls in the passage began to give ground.

With unwavering determination, I drove the lance into the troll's chest, piercing through to the handle.

"Kueeeek!"

I probably impaled at least ten of them.

A momentary halt came to the troll advance.

I ran straight to the open space.

"Hanson, head to the left entrance! I'll handle this side!"

"Hyung-nim? And Zeeth?"

"He's resting, exhausted. No time for words, just go!"

"Okay, understood!"

Hanson ran off to the left.

He seemed to have missed Zeeth's dead body on the ground. The way was blocked by a pile of troll carcasses, giving us a brief respite of 30 seconds to a minute.

I flicked my blade, cleaning away the sticky blood and fat.

[Even in desperate conditions, the heroes' spirits awaken!]

[Drumroll!]

[Ability awakened!]

[Han's Low-rank Swordsmanship has reached Level 5!]

[Han's Pain Resistance has reached Level 2!]

[Han's Composure has been raised by two levels! Now at Level 3.]

[Drumroll!]

[Ability awakened!]

[Jenna's Low-rank Knife Mastery has reached Level 3!]

[Jenna has obtained the ability Quick Agility!]

Being hailed as a hero or sacrificing oneself amounted to nothing if it led to inevitable death.

Decisively, I charged forward.

The situation in this passage was reaching a breaking point. Trapped in a narrow passage, the trolls were waiting for the balance to tip, ready to flood the open space in a relentless surge.

I struck the first troll's head with force. Despite kicking their chests vigorously, they held their ground. The trolls behind them acted as a cushion, absorbing the impact. Well then, let them die right there. I kicked and struck them repeatedly until they met their end, blood spewing from their mouths.

[05:21]

Jenna gripped her knife tightly, swiftly moving across the open space.

The arrows had long been exhausted. The trolls, unfazed by the towering wall, surged over it in a steady stream.

"Aaargh!"

[Aaron is experiencing bleeding. Health decreases at regular intervals.]

A cry echoed from the left passage.

Aaron's right arm was soaked in blood, bearing the marks of a vicious slashing.

The bleeding was severe, far from a clean wound.

"We no longer can fight back."

"Gather in the open space! Leave the passages! Strengthen the walls!"

The trolls had four entry points.

The left, right, and rear alleys, and finally, the stone wall surrounding the open area.

To stop their advance, we needed at least four people.

Remaining in combat readiness were myself, Jenna, and Aaron.

"Hyung-nim, save me! Please, save me!"

If I went to his aid, I would put myself in danger.

I ground my teeth; I really had no way out.

I advanced toward the open space.

Trolls poured out from the lower entrance like an endless wave.

"Where should we focus? Where?"

Aaron seemed distraught.

His leather armor was unrecognizable, soaked in blood from head to toe. I probably didn't look much better.

"Jenna, Aaron, stick close to me."

[Hanson has returned to the embrace of the goddess! His loyal soul will be forever remembered.]

"And Zeeth and Hanson... Are they dead?"

"If you want to mourn, do it after we've survived!"

The path was clear. Trolls spilled out onto the open space, resembling a swarm of ants.

"Jenna, Aaron, and I positioned ourselves with our backs against the northern wall. I took the middle, Aaron on the right, and Jenna on the left.

"Are we going to die here?"

"Don't talk such nonsense."

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