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n*Clang! Clang! Clang!…

nBoom!

nThe constant sounds of metal striking metal resounded in the plains by the outskirts of the Darknar forest alongside the occasional BOOM. Albert watched closely as Tyler and the Gray-War troll called Kadiz went at it. Most of the group around him seemed to be getting restless and Liz became more uncomfortable the longer this fight went on. To be honest, he had underestimated this troll as he was caught off guard when it had suddenly went berserk and used an unfamiliar ability that granted it the means to use spells and skills.

nTrolls were similar to ogres in the sense that they were unable to use spells and most of them couldn’t even use skills, relying mostly on their inherit strength and racial regenerative ability. Which was why everyone had been in shock when they saw this massive troll being able to use both. Azar, having been saved by Tyler and no longer possessing a weapon, received a long sword from Albert as the group organized themselves to defend against the trolls that had already surrounded them.

nWhile Kadiz may had promised them that his men wouldn’t interfere, the group wasn’t that naive, they knew better than to trust in the words of a troll. Albert was still watching the fight intently as he thought he had finally realize what Tyler’s intentions in this fight were. Having already been informed by Tyler of his previous hiatus from action for a couple hundred years now, he figured Tyler was now trying shake of his rust from such a long break.

nAlthough Albert hadn’t witness Tyler’s fight with the Tier 6 magic beasts back at the town personally, and had only heard the details from the guards, he could still speculate. Still, there wasn’t much he could tell from hearing alone, he still knew that Tyler wouldn’t have had the mindset of learning in that situation with the lives of so many people on the line.

nAlbert thought Tyler may be trying to get back to his peak due to the fact that he was now returning back to the demon king’s castle in such numbers, which had a higher chance of attracting attention. Perhaps this was also a way to accelerate his plans. Heading to the Demon king’s castle was indeed dangerous and may even cause an uproar all through out the demon continent, putting them in the eye of a very dangerous storm.

nHowever, for the residents of the settlement, this was their best option and a way to show their saviors gratitude. It wasn’t like they had any other better alternatives, heading anywhere in the demon continent with such numbers and so little fighting force was practically a death sentence. Whilst this way they had the protection of someone like Tyler and Liz.

nWhereas for Albert this was much more. He wasn’t exactly a vengeful person but he wouldn’t miss an opportunity if he was ever given the chance. Although he wouldn’t do anything against his new master’s wishes he still felt like being in the center of the major events about to unfold in the demon continent would give him the best chance at avenging his family and everyone that had been under him. Maybe even finding a way to solve Erin’s current predicament.

n•••••••••••

n|Smog of Darkness|

nAnother glyph on Kadiz chest flashed red and he activated a new spell. The black smoke like aura his body exuded gusted out of him like an explosion, creating a thick smog, covering more than a 15 meter radius. The smog was a dense layer of smoke that seemed to have the attribute of absorbing all the lights within, making the inside of the smog void of light therefore becoming as dark as night. It was actually interfering with all Tyler’s senses.

nAlbert’s team retreated with the arrival of the smog as they could feel the immerse danger emanating from it, even the trolls around them seem to become apprehensive and hesitant, with the less equipped ones even taking steps back ignoring the their group.

nTyler instantly lost track of the Gray-War troll that was in front of him only a moment ago, he was now unable to tell where this cunning beast had gone. The smog drained away his sense of awareness little by little and it slowly started to feel like he was in the vacuum of space. Tyler held his breathe as his intuition told him not to breathe in the contaminated air or he might be corrupted.

nThis smog felt a little like the aura he exuded when he had used the spell ‘Wave of Despair’ although this contained a lot less negative energy. Tyler felt himself being trapped within this empty void, slowly losing awareness of his senses, feeling isolated from the world outside the smog.

nHe also felt the smog try to invade his mind but was resisted, not sure what to do next Tyler readied himself for an attack. He doubted this was all there was to such a powerful spell and as if on cue he barely felt something headed towards him rapidly. Tyler swung his weapon and a loud clang was heard. He barely felt the presence of the troll before it disperse again, merging perfectly into the smog.

nTyler had just barely stabilized himself when another attack hit him in the back. Well, it aimed for his back but was quickly deflected by the cracked greatsword. Tyler was now sweating a bit, he was pushing his senses to the limit and yet was only barely able to sense such simple attacks. ‘I really should’ve learnt magic sense.’

nMagic sense was a Tier 3 spell, so Tyler couldn’t have learnt it back then even if he wanted to, however, that didn’t stop him from complaining. Still, even after quicky striking back at the space the attack originated from, he was unable to feel any contact.

nAfter finally adjusting a little, he could now sense everything around him within a 3 meter radius but was unable to locate the troll again. Several attacks aimed at Tyler’s blindspots, flew at him from different locations making him think the Gray-War troll was everywhere at once, or maybe it had really merged himself into the smog.

nWith the current situation the way it was, Tyler thought he might actually lose if nothing changes. His battle instinct was surely lacking so he was barely able to keep up with the disappearing troll. He already knew his swordsmanship was subpar but his movements now were a bit too sluggish. He had been relying too much in his sight to fight and now that he had to use all five sense just to barely keep up, he realized how truly weak he was.

nTyler felt like someone that was originally right handed, suddenly losing their right hand and unfortunately they weren’t ambidextrous. Moreover he wasn’t used to welding a greatsword so his dexterity was already a little compromised. Tyler controlled the frustrating thoughts from building up within him as he struggled to block the trolls attacks. ‘I might’ve been a little too cocky earlier, now it’s coming back to bite me in the ass.’ He lampooned.

nAlthough Tyler knew this wasn’t his limit, he couldn’t help feel the pressure from his current predicament. Determined not to rely on his speed, he tried his best to make better use of this situation.

nAnother attack slammed straight into the greatsword in his arm, making the the crack in the sword grow larger. Tyler tried his best to focus as much as he could, the more attacks he deflected, the better his reaction got. He couldn’t learn any advanced techniques over night so the best he could do was improve his battle instincts and senses. With the continuous stream of attacks from all around him, he could now cleanly dodge the attacks without needing to punish the heavily damaged greatsword.

nAfter another round of attacks, Tyler noticed the trolls energy was growing rapidly, the smog was expanding and the attacks were getting faster, stronger and more erratic. The troll must’ve been getting frustrated as well, however if this continues, it might end up involving the residents of the settlement and could lead to a devastating death caused by a desperate opponent. ‘Fine, I guess it’s time to end this.’ Feeling a little satisfied with what he’d learnt, Tyler no longer tried to cleanly dodge the incoming attack.

nWith a slight twist of his body he narrowly avoided the attach. Letting his Mana flow into the greatsword, Tyler used his second and most powerful skill as a swordman. °Burning Strike° The oversized blade moved swiftly as it cut through the dark smog with a fiery aura that rapidly expanded as it left the blade. The more Tyler’s senses got used to the smog the easier it was to locate the troll.

nSomehow the troll was able to move through the smog almost instantly, appearing in different locations before attacking. Although Tyler knew he was fast enough to stop the troll, his main goal had been improving himself so he just took the attacks. Now however, he might’ve gotten all he could from the fight so it was about time he ended it.

nA pained wail escaped the mouth of the troll from within the smog as a figure was sent flying out of it. Albert who had been trying to penetrate through the dense fog ahead with his eyes, all the while staying alert to the nervous trolls around them felt relieved when he saw the figure that flew out and the now dispersing smog. Not know what was happening within the smog had made him doubt his master a bit but he quickly shook the thought out of his head.

nWhen the smog finally disperse, Tyler let out a loud breathe, holding his breathe the entire time was a lot harder than he had expected but he was glad he no longer had to do so. The Gray-War troll moaned in pain as it struggled to stand up. There was a long burnt mark on his chest alongside a missing arm.

nThe wound on it’s chest didn’t seem to be recovering and the troll was finding it hard to stand up properly. Tyler tilted his head a little, wondering why the troll’s regeneration ability wasn’t working. ‘Is it vulnerable to fire?’ If that was the case then this troll really wouldn’t be a threat to him if he used magic as the only offensive spells he knew was fireball and magic Arrow.

nThe Gray-War troll forced itself to stand properly as it roared loudly like a mad beast. It took a stands and swirled it’s Hamaxe by the chain. ‘Is it planning to just attack from there?’ Tyler felt that this match was over, even without using his speed such basic attacks like throwing it’s Hamaxe at him wouldn’t touch him. He was previously the lowest ranked swordsman in the adventurers guild of the human continent, if he hadn’t perfected the art of dodging as well as the art of running away, he would have been dead a long time ago.

n“Damn you! Don’t you dare look down on me!” Kadiz Bellow with near madness in it’s eyes.

nJust as expected it threw it’s weapon at Tyler with all it’s might. Disappointed, Tyler moved out the way as he planned to finish off the troll with his next attack. However, Tyler’s expression froze the moment he had moved out of the original trajectory of the weapon. This was because, a sudden glow of the rune on the blade made the Hamaxe turn at a right angle, correcting it’s trajectory back at him with a sudden bust of speed.

n“!”

nTyler hurriedly swung his greatsword to the side, aiming to knock away the Hamaxe which was almost upon him. However, he was a moment too late, and the Hamaxe scraped his right shoulder, sending an impact through his body.

nAlthough the attack hadn’t hurt much neither did it leave a mark on his body aside from the torn shirt, however, thinking of this as a first person shooter game Tyler felt like he had made a great mistake.

n“Ghahahahahah, I did it, I hit you, I finally hit you. Hahahaha…”

nHearing the taunting yet delusional laughter from the mad troll, Tyler felt like a vein had popped in his head.

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