Chapter 607
Let’s Go on a Rampage After a Long Time. (3)
Dududududu!
The cyclopes, who had been hurling boulders toward the fortress, turned their heads at the sound of galloping hooves.
Tiny humans were charging toward them on horseback. Rage flared at their fearless arrogance.
Kaaaaaaah!
One of the cyclopes lifted a boulder and hurled it at the approaching humans.
These were stones gathered from the fortress specifically to be used against monsters. Naturally, they were massive.
If the attack landed properly, their formation would be completely shattered.
Paaaaaaa!
Seeing the rock slicing through the air, Ghislain's eyes gleamed.
Fwoooosh!
Dozens of mana spears materialized around him, instantly launching toward the incoming boulder.
Kwaaaang!
The massive rock was obliterated in an instant, scattering into countless fragments. Ghislain and his knights rode through the debris without hesitation.
Kaaak!
Five cyclopes locked their gaze on Ghislain.
The humans charging toward them carried an unsettling momentum. The monsters instinctively sensed danger.
Kaaak!
All five cyclopes halted their assault on the fortress. Instead, they lifted new boulders and hurled them toward Ghislain and his knights.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaaaang!
One after another, the flying boulders were shattered into pieces by the storm of mana spears Ghislain unleashed.
Realizing that their rock-throwing was futile, the cyclopes grew even more frenzied. They grabbed their clubs though "clubs" was an understatement. These were enormous logs bound together, powerful enough to stagger even a dragon if struck directly.
Kaaaaaaah!
Watching the roaring cyclopes, Ghislain grinned wickedly.
"Kong, let’s go wild after a long time."
Hiiiiiing!
Ghislain's eyes glowed red. A surging energy radiated from his body, enveloping even the Black King.
Dududududu!
Cyclopes possessed strength on par with superhumans. Yet Ghislain felt no fear.
The ones following him were more than capable of handling them.
Gripping his massive greatsword tightly, Ghislain shouted,
"Gillian! Kaor! Take one each! The rest of you, spread out and hold the perimeter!"
On either side of Ghislain, Gillian and Kaor rode alongside him.
Paaaak!
The moment Ghislain issued his command, their greatswords radiated Aura Blades.
Ziiing—!
Light burst forth from between the black armor plates of the Fenris Knights. Their armor, absorbing their vast mana, now granted them an overwhelming power beyond anything from before.
Dududududu!
With the earth-shaking thunder of galloping hooves, the charge of the Fenris Knights was like lightning within a raging storm.
They raced into the monster-infested hellscape without the slightest hesitation.
Dududududu!
The pursuit force comprised only half of the Fenris Knights. The other half was currently moving toward a different fortress alongside the Mobile Corps.
No matter how strong they were, overcoming the monstrous tide with only half their numbers was no easy feat.
Yet, the Fenris Knights showed no sign of fear. Instead, their faces bore an almost ecstatic thrill.
Every knight wore the same fierce grin as Ghislain. Their eyes burned, not with fear, but with an unshakable will.
— Charge first into the most dangerous place.
This was not just a slogan. It was the very reason for the Fenris Knights’ existence.
They were born for this moment. They lived for this moment. They had received the best support and endured the harshest training for this very purpose.
That was how they became the strongest knightly order on the continent.
Kwaaaaaang!
With a thunderous crash, the Fenris Knights clashed with the monstrous frontlines.
Their charge struck like meteors falling from the night sky unstoppable in both speed and strength.
The monsters rushing toward the fortress were swept away before they could even react. The destructive power of the Fenris Knights had now surpassed all others on the continent.
Though they were far outnumbered, each and every one of them had reached the level of high-rank knights. Some, like Lucas, had even attained the pinnacle of knighthood.
The monsters were torn apart in an instant beneath their greatswords.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaaaang!
The beasts standing between the cyclopes and the Fenris Knights quickly vanished.
Kuoohhhh!
Kuung! Kuung! Kuung!
The cyclopes let out earth-shaking roars. Their eyes gleamed with a crimson madness as they charged toward Ghislain.
One of the cyclopes in the lead lifted its massive club. The weapon came crashing down with enough force to shatter the ground, aiming straight for Ghislain.
Kwaaaang!
The tremendous impact echoed, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
But Ghislain was no longer there.
With masterful horsemanship, he had already dodged the attack. His greatsword swung low, aiming for the cyclops’ ankle.
Puuuk!
The blade bit into the monster’s flesh.
Yet, even with the Aura Blade, it was not enough. The cyclops’ thick hide was tougher than steel.
His sword, which could cut through metal, was stopped in its tracks.
At that moment, Ghislain’s will touched the laws of the world.
As if responding to his intent, the flow of the world bent to his blade.
Drrrddrrrk!
The very space around him twisted, and time seemed to slow.
For a brief instant, everything stood still.
Except for Ghislain’s greatsword.
It continued forward unstoppable, carving through flesh and bone alike.
Paaak!
As time snapped back to normal, an unbelievable sight unfolded.
The cyclops’ massive ankle had been completely severed, soaring through the air.
A flash of light flickered across the clean cut, and then—
A fountain of crimson blood erupted.
Kraaaaaah!
Thud!
Losing its balance, the cyclops collapsed, falling to one knee.
The cyclops couldn't comprehend what had happened.
It had felt its powerful muscles endure the attack.
A wound? Perhaps. But that was all.
It simply needed to stomp down before its ankle could be completely severed.
Yet before it could even register what was happening, its ankle was already gone.
Its instincts screamed that something was wrong, but it lacked the intelligence to understand why.
A cyclops was nothing more than a brute with overwhelming physical strength, it had no capacity for higher-level techniques or reasoning.
Kaaaah!
Dududududu!
As the cyclops roared in agony, Ghislain drove his horse past it.
Another cyclops beside it attempted to crush him beneath its massive foot.
Kuung!
With a firm pull on the reins, Ghislain made the Black King twist its body in an almost unnatural motion, sharply changing direction.
Dududududu!
It was horseback mastery at its peak.
The Black King, strengthened by Ghislain’s mana, moved like the very wind, following his lead without hesitation.
Ghislain continued to cut down monsters while circling the cyclopes.
Kaaaaaah!
Two of the cyclopes swung their massive clubs, stomping furiously in an attempt to crush him.
Kuung! Kuung! Kwaaang!
But Ghislain weaved through their attacks, never stopping his circular movement around them.
Instead, the surrounding monsters suffered, sliced apart by his greatsword as they got caught in the chaos.
Meanwhile, Gillian and Kaor each engaged a cyclops.
Though they couldn't overpower the monsters, they were skilled enough to keep them occupied.
Thanks to them, the Fenris Knights could focus on eliminating the surrounding monsters without worry.
Kraaaaaah!
The cyclopes grew even more enraged.
Even the one with a severed ankle, unable to stand properly, swung its club at Ghislain with desperation.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaaang!
Yet, Ghislain continued to evade with the Black King, effortlessly avoiding their wild attacks.
Instead, the monsters near him ended up being smashed by the cyclopes' own clubs.
Before long, the battlefield around him was empty.
The monsters that had been swarming him were all killed not by him, but by the cyclopes' reckless attacks.
The remaining monsters had either rushed toward the Fenris Knights or charged at the fortress.
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaaang!
As the massive clubs rained down like a storm, Ghislain took a deep breath.
"Huuup!"
A brilliant crimson glow engulfed his greatsword.
He swung targeting another cyclops’ ankle.
Kagagagak!
Once again, the blade was stopped midway.
Even the Aura Blade struggled against the cyclops’ thick, iron-like flesh.
But just like before—
As soon as Ghislain focused his will, the cyclops' ankle was severed.
Kraaaaaah!
Thud!
The massive creature collapsed, unable to support its own colossal frame.
Drip.
At the same time, a trickle of blood slid down Ghislain’s nose.
Even though he had only used his power of will for a brief moment, the strain on his body was evident.
Still, Ghislain never stopped moving.
In battle, saving energy was a luxury he couldn't afford.
Dududududu!
Kwaang! Kwaang! Kwaaang!
The Cyclopes were determined to take down Ghislain. Their fury was entirely directed at him.
Dodging every attack with agility alongside Black King, Ghislain once again slashed at the remaining Cyclops's ankle.
Puh-uhhhk!
Crunch!
Thud!
The third one's massive body wavered as it lost its balance. At last, all three Cyclopes had their ankles severed.
The giants of legend struggled to stand, but with one foot gone, it was not easy to support their mountainous frames.
Kaaaaaah!
A ferocious scream erupted from the Cyclopes.
Writhing in rage and agony, they swung their clubs wildly.
If they could just land a single hit, they might be able to kill him but they couldn’t hit him at all.
With the Cyclopes' movements sealed, Ghislain drew upon even more mana.
Even with their ankles severed, the sheer force of their colossal bodies still posed a formidable threat.
He needed to move faster and more precisely.
Gaaaaaaaahng!
The Fifth-Stage Core within Ghislain’s body activated. It would be dangerous to rely too much on the Power of Will, so he decided to fight using only the Core’s power.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Every time the Cyclopes' attacks struck the ground, the earth cracked, and tremors shook the battlefield.
Even on the unstable terrain, Black King moved freely, as if dancing. Ghislain felt as though he and Black King had become one.
Swish!
Each time Ghislain and Black King moved, fresh wounds appeared on the Cyclopes' bodies.
Due to the difference in height, most of his attacks targeted their lower bodies, but even the arms swinging their massive clubs could not escape his blade.
Kaaaaaaah!
The Cyclopes were on the verge of madness.
A mere human, insignificant as dust, was flitting about before their eyes. Yet catching that tiny creature felt like an impossible task.
If they could land just one hit, it would be over but that single opportunity never came.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Cyclopes' frenzied club strikes and Ghislain's rapid attacks continued in a relentless cycle.
As time passed, the Cyclopes’ arms, thighs, and calves became tattered, drenched in blood.
Kuoooooo!
Meanwhile, Gillian and Kaor who were handling the other two Cyclopes had also restricted their movements.
They could not fight the Cyclopes as Ghislain did but they were able to distract them and inflict minor wounds over time.
The enraged Cyclopes focused all their attacks on the two men. They had successfully drawn the attention of the most dangerous foes.
And the first place where this change became evident was the fortress.
“It’s done.”
Jerome’s eyes gleamed.
They no longer had to block the Cyclopes' indiscriminate boulder attacks.
Jerome looked up at the sky. The blackened skies were still swarming with flying monsters.
“Let’s get started.”
Jerome murmured to himself with a smile.
The monsters climbing up to the fortress could be left to Belinda. His task was to deal with the sky.
“Hoo…”
He took a deep breath.
Up until now, he had been using multi-casting to block projectile attacks while simultaneously suppressing the airborne and surrounding monsters.
But now, he stopped multi-casting and focused entirely on drawing out his mana.
He intended to use a simple spell, but the power contained within it had to be stronger than ever before.
It would take some time, but he trusted Belinda and the soldiers to hold the line.
Crackle!
Before he knew it, blue light began flowing along Jerome’s fingertips.
The energy flickered and danced between his fingers like a living creature. With each pass, the glow intensified, growing brighter and more powerful.
When it reached his palm, the lightning suddenly expanded, surging in a volatile burst. The electricity spiraling in the center of his hand rushed up his arm in an instant.
Zzt—Zzzzt!
The current hesitated momentarily when it reached his shoulder. But it was merely the calm before the storm.
Flash!
Suddenly, Jerome’s eyes gleamed, turning completely blue.
As he extended his arm, the lightning responded to his will, shifting and crackling with energy.
His voice rang out in a low murmur.
“Chain Lightning.”
KRAAAAAAAAAAANG!
A thunderous bolt shot from Jerome’s fingertips, splitting in midair like branching tree limbs.
The spell struck its first target, then rebounded stronger than before toward the next.
Like a relentless predator, the lightning leaped ceaselessly from one monster to another.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The battlefield was illuminated like broad daylight as the dazzling blue lightning danced across the sky.
KRAAAAAAAAAANG!
At the peak of Jerome’s magic, a deafening thunderclap erupted, and the entire world was swallowed by light.
Then, for a fleeting moment - silence.
Saaaaaah…
The archers and mages in the rear, who had been firing their attacks, stood momentarily dazed.
The dark clouds that had once blocked out the sun slowly began to disperse. Light poured down from the heavens.
And the flying monsters that had once filled the sky…
More than half of them had turned to ashes, scattering in the wind.