Chương 18: [BL] 18. Small Dragon [1]

After a long trudge further into the forest brimming with thick vines and huddled trees, they had to wade through the pool underneath until they finally found the portal. Though they abandoned the wagons, they managed to bring the horses. Nestled between two trees was a green ripple of power that shone in a circle not taller than Willow herself. Five Kobolds guarded the portal. Each of their sizes was just a bit bigger than a child's. Red reptilian plates covered their skin, gleaming green by the portal.

Two horns jutted out from each creature's head, and their eyes were wide and dark. All five carried a simple sword—short enough for their hands—and a small buckler.

"They're kinda cute," Willow mumbled as she peeked from behind a tree trunk.

"Bright one, we're prepared to take them down," said the [Legionary], a man with greying, short-cropped hair. The gruff soldier ignored Willow's comment.

"Before making contact with your guards, I took down three of their scouts. I don't believe they have any further reconnaissance nearby." My guard? Willow glanced back, and the Sheran Guards did not offer a complaint. Willow waited for someone else to give the command, but everyone just waited. Nesha and Josha looked at her expectantly, with the latter holding a horse's bridle. She chewed her cheek again as the pressure bore down on her. Fine, first information.

"Josha, what does the portal's colour mean?"

"You shouldn't focus only on its colour. It's important, sure, but its size also needs to be taken into account. A green portal signifies that the strongest monster inside is a Tier One beast, meaning it's below level twenty. That portal? It's the smallest size, so their world must be the size of a small village. For comparison, the Lich portal we escaped from reaches skyward—which means its size is at least that of a continent."

"A continent? Are you sure?"

"Yes, Willow, I'm sure." He furrowed his brow as if offended.

"Remember the Hollow Knight rift, which height reaches a three-story building? Its size is like that of a major city, as big as the capital."

"This kind of portal is perfect for Rift Farm then," Willow summarised.

"Not really," Shera said this time.

"Usually, a rift farm has to yield plenty of class stones to be worth it. But this portal? There can't be more than two hundred Kobolds, and I'm not sure how they reproduce or if their class stones are worth it."

"Well? So you guys are sure we can take them, right?" Willow asked again. The [Legionary], named Habel, said in a rough voice, "We can. The Kobolds, by my estimation, have committed half of their forces to harry the princess's carriage."

"We do it now then," Willow decided, and grew annoyed that she had to prompt the others.

"Look, I'm new at this. So…" She gritted her teeth.

"Don't look at me for a command. If anything, please tell me what to do." Her admission of incompetence caused each of them to take a surprised step back. Why? It was obvious she was not fit to command.

"Habel." Willow pointed after raising her voice. If they so insist on her taking the command, then she would gladly cheat.

"You're in command."

"As you wish, my lady." Habel clasped his breastplate and bowed his head down.

"Please keep your party by my side." Immediately, Habel went through their forces. Fifteen mounted soldiers, most with [Guard] classes, Josha and Habel were the two outliers. The rest were the six youngsters, including Shera, with Shera being the only one who had a class. Willow wondered why the other five even followed them until she recalled it was a desperate escape to save her life.

"Wait," One of the Sheran Guard suddenly said after the last count. He looked at Willow and hesitated over what to call her.

"Lass, shouldn't you stay back here?"

"I need to level up," Willow simply said, and she glanced at Habel, who nodded approvingly.

"Our force is simple enough, and there's really only one way of entry, and few guards on their side. Cavalry, except the Rider, spread out. My lady, you will decide when we're going to launch our attack. Please keep yourself on horseback behind the Rider." So in the end, he pushed the decision to me. Willow stifled a sigh and gave him a thumbs-up.

Wading through the water, the cavalry split up into two groups, with Habel leading one of them; their horses had to be led backward because the green light of the portal reflected in the pool so brightly that sneaking straight would be impossible. She held her breath as the cavalry departed, leaving the youngsters with only one horse, which Josha was riding. There would be no path to escape.

"Help me up?" Willow asked.

"Come on, legs on stirrups," Josha said. Willow took his hand and braced her legs, then swung up behind him, having to clutch the strapped saddle below to steady herself.

"Do you need my mist?" Shera asked.

"No, I don't think we do," Willow said, peeking her head to the side and seeing the Kobold still standing there. Still only five of them.

"But I want you to still run with us for the experience." Shera's face changed from disappointment to fear in an instant, but she did not offer any complaint. After two minutes or so, Willow caught the owl hoot Habel had used earlier, and she tapped Josha's shoulder. Josha's horse—Enzo spurred into a gallop, rushing beneath tree branches. Water splashed around them, and Enzo's charge grew heavier as he had to trudge through the pool.

The Kobold's reptilian eyes glowed with iridescent yellow as they locked onto Willow and Josha. Their glow smouldered by the overwhelming jade of the portal and sapphire of the forest, yet they still sent a chill down Willow's spine. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. The Kobolds split into a group of two. One of them broke away and made a run for the portal while the other four met Enzo.

Willow had built Scythe on her right fingertips, but she could only watch the retreating kobold helplessly until a spear flew through the air and skewer right into the Kobold's head. The creature could barely let out a cry before its head blew apart somehow. The sound of the spear and the body rippling against the pool made the rest of the Kobolds turn their heads.

"Now!" Josha commanded. And as if he got a second wind, Enzo charged forward, leaping into the four Kobolds, barrelling into their formations. Willow had to sling her left hand around Josha's hip, struggling not to get thrown off. Josha's elbow almost smashed into her cheek when he swung down and slashed one Kobold's head. His sword stopped midway through its flesh, and with a cruel rip, he drew it back, letting the Kobolds fall down.

"Back up, Enzo!" On command, the Horse pranced backward, barely dodging two spear thrusts. Willow gritted her teeth and leaned forward.

"Move over a bit, Josha!" Willow sliced her finger down, and Scythe streaked through the distance and carved apart one of the Kobold's shields into two. The Kobold let out a loud yell at its broken weapon. Now enraged, it ran ahead with its spear held two-handed, but Willow had already built another Scythe and sent dark wind to cut the scaly creature across its forehead, killing it with a deep sizzling gust that split its brain, sending it toppling backward.

[You recover one Dark Wind Rune] With half of them dead, the last two Kobolds turned around and ran to their portal. The cavalry had already begun cutting off their escape route, with two mounted [Guard]s positioned right in front of the portal and another dozen descending on them. With no way to survive, the Kobold roared and let out a primal cry toward Enzo. The horse raised its hind legs, making a loud yellow whiny, and Willow hugged Josha's waist tightly.

When Enzo lowered back down, the horse charged straight ahead, straight into the two spears.

"Josha! Tell him to back up!" The intense night wind devoured her cries, and a light glow emanated from beneath her. One moment Enzo's brown skin was there, and the next moment a leather barding materialised around the horse. One spear broke apart as it met the barding. The other met the same fate when the kobold tried to stab Enzo's side. Josha passed his sword to his left hand and leaned forward to deliver a scything motion, looping off the Kobold's head despite being at full speed. In front.

Enzo trampled the kobold underneath his hooves, and a crack sounded below, with blood colouring the pool underneath. [You grow stronger] [Wind Mage—Level 6] Scythe (2) [2]—Increase Scythe range. + 1 Arcanic Huh, I levelled up from Josha's kill. Not bad at all, Willow thought. And it's not only her. [Hunt Party 3/3] [Hunter—Level 1] [Rider—Level 3] [Frost Witch—Level 2] Okay, what the hell? Just from that, Josha already reached level three? Half of her Mage class?

Granted, he killed three himself and got one shared experience with Willow. Still, this felt really powerful and unfair. Shaking her head, Willow coughed loudly, earning Josha's attention as he still read his guidance spirit.

"Oh? Sorry, I'm just taking this in…" Josha said, his hand trembling.

"It's fine, take it in," Willow smiled.

"There's a number beside one of my spells."

"Rune cost?"

"No, it's different."

"That is an upgrade to the next tier. When you reach three, your spell will achieve second tier and get a massive upgrade."

"Neat," Willow commented. A more powerful Scythe? Well, that would be very welcome!

"I can join the fight next." Willow and Josha turned their heads to see Shera, alongside the other youngsters, approach them. Shera did not seem to care as the hem of her [Witch] dress touched the Kobold's blood. She opened her arms, and mist swirled around them, forming a fist made entirely out of cold fog.

"I can send this to choke someone," she explained. Out of curiosity, Willow asked, "What's your rune group as?"

"It's an Instinct rune, I think. Instinct of Mist." So she herself couldn't be sure.

"Help me down," Willow reached to Shera, and she led her a hand. Willow plopped down and massaged her butt. She was so sore even though she had only ridden Enzo for a short time.

"Sorry, just need to stretch."

"I think we have to rethink our formation, Willow. My rune is the Momentum Rune. So, I'm more useful when I keep charging."

"Huh, so that's why this guy suddenly got armor," Willow said as she caressed Enzo's underdeck and the horse careened his head to her. She laughed softly and rubbed his cheek.

"He never did that to me before," Josha stared deadpan at his own horse.

"My lady, it was very well done. You handled yourself bravely," Habel said as he approached them. He clasped his breastplate again and knelt with his head bowed. Behind Habel were three spears strapped to his back, their tips peeking above his head.

"That's your spear then? The one who took the kobold's head?"

"Indeed. I possess the Rune of True Strike, making spear handling much preferable rather than sword." Willow nodded thoughtfully. That made sense; with a spear, he could much more easily punch through the enemy's weak point. Josha coughed, earning Willow's attention. The rest of the calvaries gathered by the portal awaiting them and her order. I will not get used to this.

"Habel, this means you prefer to ride in a safe place, no?"

"As you guessed, yes. I also dabble in archery, although my arrows are weak; hence, I sometimes ride forward with my spears if needed."

"Perfect, I will be riding with you then," Willow decided.

"Shera, maybe Josha can use your help." She added, as Habel helped her up onto his horse. The [Legionary] himself did not ride yet, instead leading with one hand and the other wielding his spear.

"In theory, it might work…" Shera hesitated, looking at Josha. Josha offered her a hand.

"We won't know unless we try. I will throw you off if you mist-choke Enzo, though." She stopped herself from taking Josha's hand and stared at him, unimpressed.

"I'm joking," he added.

"As for the others," Willow turned to the five behind them. When the hunt was over, Josha and Shera would probably be much higher level than her Ranger Class. So, she needed to make sure she had access to another two level one.

"Stay here. I will bring some class stones back. Now to the portal." The [Guard]s entered at her command. Jaquin—Josha's brother—threw a rather pissed-off look at Josha, who met her brother's glare. Jaquin sniffed and entered with his dark horse.

"Will that be a problem, lad?" Habel asked.

"I don't know," Josha said in a small voice.

"I don't."