Chapter 268 Unfair Deaths
As the Lumidrakes crawled out of the depths of the forest, the cohort braced themselves for the second wave.
Like many other races of monsters, killing their leader had put them in a frenzy. These beautiful and majestic beasts had become ravagers, seeking nothing but blood and destruction.
And yet, Northern couldn't help the restraint he felt. Only he, perhaps, could bring a quick and equal end to this, but he felt it was so unfair to the monsters.
Of course, this stemmed from what he had read of their leader's True Name.
Perhaps, they were not the first to invade the forest. Whoever was the first had killed their overseer.
And now… they were killing them…
It felt unjust.
But Raven was right, if they didn't fight, they'd be killed.
'...but still.'
While he was still contemplating, the Lumidrakes surged forward, their roars filling the air.
Northern suddenly jerked his head up. He tightened his grip on his blades and prepared to charge when Helena's voice cut through the din.
"There are too many! We need to find a way to slow them down or we'll be overrun!"
Raven turned to him.
"Northern…"
"I know…" he frowned slightly and closed his eyes, pushing all those contemplations to the back of his mind as he opened his eyes.
All around them, their numbers began to increase, more Northerns began to appear, filling the forest.
In a couple of seconds, the cohort was shrouded by a throng of Northerns holding Mortal Blades and Soul Takers.
This was the first time he was using this many of his clones.
Northern could feel it, their power had watered down compared to when he summoned just one or two.
What was amazing about it, however, was the fact that he could see so many links. He could see from their perspective so clearly without even having to use the Chaos Eyes.
Helena was dazed. She opened her mouth to talk but did not immediately find words. Much later, she muttered with a small grin.
"Amazing."
Easily like that, their numbers were even.
The Lumidrakes seemed to have also realized that fact. They paused and became very cautious.
'Please turn back and retreat, please just turn back I beg you…'
This was the only possible way for Northern to totally get rid of the feeling of inconvenience he was feeling.
Probably, if he knew that their home was taken away from them and their overseers were killed, he wouldn't have repeated the same mistake and killed their lord.
But the deed was done. He really hoped they wouldn't make him kill them all.
He hoped so, but the ferocious look on the faces of these monsters… it didn't look like they were going to back down.
Not at all.
Northern's clones stood ready, forming an impenetrable wall of steel and resolve.
Each clone mirrored his stance, their eyes blazing with determination.
The forest held its breath, the only sound the low growl of the Lumidrakes and the rustle of leaves.
For a moment, it seemed as though Northern's internal plea might be answered.
But then, one of the Lumidrakes roared and charged. The spell was broken, and the others followed, their ferocity undiminished.
The Lumidrakes crashed into the wall of Northerns, and the forest erupted into chaos.
The clash of steel and claws, the roar of beasts, and the grunts of effort and pain filled the air.
Northern moved with deadly grace, his blades dancing through the air as he cut down the attacking monsters with a bitter taste in his mouth.
Each monster that dropped by his blade made his heart ache.
He felt like he was doing something wrong.
And gaining talent fragments over and over again did not make him feel any better.
Helena, Raven, and Terence fought too, thanks to Northern's clones acting as shields, they could let loose without worrying too much about themselves.
Helena's rod crackled with dark energy, each strike sending waves of destruction through the ranks of Lumidrakes.
Raven's dual swords flashed like silver lightning, slicing through the air with deadly precision.
Terence, her soul essence blazing on her sword like golden sparkles, moved swiftly between the ranks of monsters, her sword a blur of motion.
The battle tensed and continued for a while, drowning the forest in a crude clangor of steel.
His clones were fighting fiercely, destroying and cutting down the beasts with frightening precision, and he was gaining talent fragments with every tick of the second.
In fact, it almost got him wondering why he had not tried this method sooner.
Of course, not that he hadn't thought about it, it was just that he didn't feel the need to.
Instead of relying heavily on his clone power, Northern wanted to garner more experience and have the whole fight all to himself.
While his intention was good, it was a little selfish in some parts of his growth.
Because this decision of his had slowed down his talent fragments influx, therefore affecting his growth.
Nonetheless, he was becoming a better fighter.
And although he did not know, every move of his, every move of his opponent, and every move of his allies he could see, were being seared into [Formless].
Of course, being able to tap into each overwhelming pool of battle arts was now another question.
The fight was drawing out, and Northern was beginning to feel the burden of using so many clones on his reserve of Void essence.
He needed to do something.
Northern switched to Chaos Eyes, then he began observing the entire battlefield as he moved swiftly through monsters in a wake of lacerations and crude arcs of gore.
Towards a hill, he paused and looked back. At this point, he was quite far from the main ground of the fray.
Northern raised a hand, and immediately, hundreds of flaming black lances appeared in the air.
He swung his hand down, simultaneously ordering his clones to cover Helena, Raven, and Terence.
The entire forest shuddered as the flaming lances descended upon the Lumidrakes, each lance piercing through multiple beasts with deadly precision.
The explosive impact sent shockwaves through the forest, the force of the blast uprooting trees and sending debris flying.
The Lumidrakes roared in agony, their once beautiful and majestic forms now twisted in vicious and unfair deaths.