33. Monster Tide – Part G

Flint jumps over a building as the manticore crashes into it collapsing it. "COME BACK HERE, INSECT." Flint keeps running but the manticore slowly catches up despite the crashes.

*PANTS PANTS* Flint keeps breathing heavily as he's pursed. He turns *CRAASHH* the manticore crashes into the building then chases Flint as his thoughts. "I….I can't make it. He'll catch me at this rate." He puts his everything into running.

There's a place right before them with a fountain at the center, Flint runs as the manticore chases him with only 5meters between them. "HAHAHAHA Soon, you'll be nothing but meat in my mouth." The distance closes then the manticore jumps. Things slow down as the manticore's mighty jaws loom over Flint, the jaw slowly closes as horror is all over Flint's face with his thoughts. "I'm going to be eaten!"

Just as the jaws are about to cover Flint, a dull silver shield slowly hits the jaws as it pushes it away *BAANG* manticore crashes. Flint falls since he lost all hope of escaping, he rolls on the ground and gets up to see a figure he calls his best friend. "Chuck." He whispers with joy.

Chuck steps back, "On your feet Filly, that thing's not dead yet." Flint gets up and stand behind Flint. Chuck chuckles nervously, "Looks like your head is unlucky to meet this."

Flint taps Chuck's back, "Yeah, thanks." He grips his sword as he enters a stance, the manticore gets up.

Chuck lowers his center of gravity steadying himself. "So, just curious but what was the plan you had to win this?" Chuck smiles with expectations.

"Get to the gate."

Chuck shakes his head, "No seriously."

"Get to the gate and hope for the best." Flint raises his sword above his head.

Chuck looks at Flint in desperation, "You gotta be kiddin- " *THUD THUD THUD* the footsteps of manticore echoes before them.

The manticore grins, "More meat for me."

Chuck gives a dead face looking at the manticore, "Gre~at, just gre~at. Never had a girlfriend and I'm going to die like this. If only Clara had gone out with me, and Pixu, and Hope, and Dorothy, and Orella, and Mika, and Portia, and- "

The manticore interrupts, "Enough already. Just how long are your last words? Just die." Flint swings his sword down, "CONDENSED ENERGY SWORD SLASH!" Flint swings his sword down as a sword slash leaves his EP aiming for the manticore and strikes it. *GRAAGHH!* the manticore experiences pain.

[INFORMATION MAGIC DISPLAY LEVEL 6

Name: UNKNOWN

Race: Manticore

Title: Terror of the Ravine

Rank: Legendary

Level: 59

Base Stats:

- HP: 727/760

- EP: 269/280

- SP: 312/320

- SoP: 710

END]

The manticore breathes fire at the duo, "YOU DAMN INSECTS!" Chuck takes the brunt of the fire as he blocks it though the heat still hits them with 5HP damage per second. The manticore breathes fire as it approaches them, it raises its paw high aiming for Chuck. The manticore grins, "DIE ALREADY!"

*BAANGG* the manticore attacks Chuck's shield. Chuck grits his teeth. "SHIELD TECHNIQUE >> COUNTER. BARGE" An equal force hits the manticore making it lose its balance as a shockwave pushes it back.

Flint jumps over Chuck, "ENERGY SWORD SLASH." EP leaves Flint like a blade slash but the manticore is unharmed. "NOW!" Chuck turns and runs to the gate and Flint follows as Chuck screams, "THIS IS A BAD IDEA!"

The manticore regains its posture and pursues, it runs on all fours and jumps looming over Flint who's behind Chuck. The manticore grins, "Time to die." It thrusts down with a punch *BOOOOOM*. "Huh?" the manticore raises its fist but there's no trace of blood or anything. *CLANG CLANG CLANG* Attacks land on the manticore but since it caused 0 damage it couldn't tell where it's being attack from.

The manticore turns around to see Aku right before its eye with her twin swords pointed forward. *THRUST* "AAARRGGHHH!" It swings itself then Aku pulls her swords then switches with a rock as she lands away form the manticore's sights. The manticore only has its left eye remaining. "COME OUT NOW! YOU INSECTS!" it breathes fire over the houses as it sets them on fire.

Aku glows blue and runs from the area and catches up with Flint in a few seconds shocking Flint, "WHAT?!". Flint trips but recovers. Aku runs beside them, "I managed to poke out one of its eyes. It's very angry now. So, why are we heading to the gates? There're a lot of monsters coming from there."

Flint looks back to see that the manticore is looking around for them. "We can't beat all the monsters coming here, I figured we could use him to fight the monsters."

Chuck keeps running but he has the least stamina so he slows down panting, "That *PANTS* is the *PANTS* worst idea ever!" he raises a finger above him as he glows blue and his SP starts to recover. Chuck appraises himself and goes through his items

[INFORMATION MAGIC DISPLAY LEVEL 6

Name: Chuck Delvan

Race: Human

Level: 36 (SS)

Stats:

- HP: 220 - +50

- EP: 175 - +50

- SP: 105 - +50

-SoP: 180 - +50

Physical Stats:

- Strength: 98 - +100

- Endurance: 154 - +100

- Agility: 87 - +100

- Intelligence: 110 - +100

- Wisdom: 127

Skills:

Shield Techniques (Level: 2)

Counter (Level: 1)

Physical Enhancements (Level: 1)

Items:

- Low grade green core armor. (INACTIVE)

- Brawler set (Shield and sword). (HIDDEN EFFECT: Grants +300 to ENDURANCE AND STRENGTH)

- Pills.

Bloodline: Fake Messenger of Light: Assimilation 1%.

- Dimensional body (All physical attacks below UNKNOWN RANK is nullified).

- Grants SUPERNOVA attribute to fire/light skills.

- Grants FLOAT HIDDEN EFFECT.

END]

Chuck turns to the others, "Hey guys, why don't we use the bloodline thingy? It does nullify all attacks." He sees the manticore face then as it charges at them.

Aku gives a wry smile, "I already used mine against a Naga king." She taps Flint and Chuck as their shoulders glow blue with the taps.

Flint shakes his head, "Don't depend on the bloodline. It nullifies all attacks under UNKNOWN rank, we don't know that rank. For all we know it could be the same rank as this thing." He points his thumb to the manticore chasing them. Twenny grabs and pulls her hair in desperation, she nearly blurted out. "ONLY FREAKING GODS CAN HURT YOU IN BLOODLINE MODE!"

The manticore draws closer as they keep running then they finally reach the gates. Then jump, turn and slide backwards but they are facing the manticore. Chuck slams his shield into the ground rooting his shield there. Aku's swords are coved in flames as Flint's swords glow blue with sonic vibrations coming off it. They all shouted, "ACTIVATE WEAPON SKILL. BERSERK!"

EP leaves Chuck forming an EP giant behind him of about 5 meters with the shield and sword. Aku is covered in flames as the swing of her swords sends a fire wave. Flint is covered in a red aura but his sword is covered in violet rings that move like ripples through the air.

The giant before Chuck roots his shield in the ground and pushes it towards the Manticore, the manticore throws a punch at it *BANG*. The manticore is pushed back as above it fire wave slashes hits his back *SLASH SLASH SLASHS SLASHS* *GROANS* The manticore feels intense heat on its back as scorch marks like sword slashes are lined on its back. "HOW DARE YO- " *BANG* Chuck's giant slams the sword down on Manticore's head.

Flint runs below the giant, he's covered in a red aura as he has a crazed look on his face, a face of rage. He reaches the manticore and swings his sword, "YAAAGGGHH!!" *BANG!!*the manticore blown off its feet and sent back.

[INFORMATION MAGIC DISPLAY LEVEL 6

Name: UNKNOWN

Race: Manticore

Title: Terror of the Ravine

Rank: Legendary

Level: 59

Base Stats:

- HP: 522/760

- EP: 210/280

- SP: 270/320

- SoP: 710

END]

The eyes of the manticore turns to look at Flint as an eerier voice fills the area, "I've had enough." The manticore glows blue and it vanishes.

In Aku's vision, she saw the manticore move like a blur in slow motion as its scorpion tail struck the head of Chuck's giant crumbling it to crystals dusts. Chuck is oblivious as he can't respond to this speed. Aku moves in slow motion and makes eye contact with the manticore, it growls at her but Aku pushes further to Chuck.

The manticore opens its mouth as its throat light up signifying flames, Aku's thoughts. "If Chuck gets hit at this range, he'll die. I have to make it." She runs as the fire comes out of the manticores mouth slowing inching towards Chuck as he's still oblivious to the threat behind him. Aku throws herself as Chuck is slowly being covered in flames, his skin could be seen burning yet he couldn't even detect it. Aku moves slowly through the flames, just as the tip of her finger touches Chuck. "POSITION SHIFT!" they switch place with Flint.

Flint points his sword through the flames and moves through it. The manticore didn't know they had switch and clearly assumed Chuck to be burning. Flint moves through the fire slowly as he makes a coat of EP around him but.

[INFORMATION MAGIC DISPLAY LEVEL 6

Name: Flint Barimah

Race: Human

Title: SSTM DC Wielder

Level: 35 (SS)

Stats:

- HP: 42/170 - +50

- EP: 57/190 - +50

- SP: 81/165 - +50

-SoP: 200 - +50

END]

Flint reaches just 5 meters to the manticore through the flames, his sword pointed at the manticore. "SUPERNOVA!"