Dead:Lost - Chapter 6 Before The Red Dawn

On the next day, we depart from the rest area to the [First Danger Zone]. We have arrived on the wasteland. This place was a great forest and grassland. There were seven villages around the forest and the villagers usually worked as farmers and woodcutters. Now, after [Rain of Chaos] ravaged this land, this place has turned into barren land, with dead forest and the red blood soil. The sky is always cloudy and there is an “unpleasant cold” sensation when you arrived here.

“Leader, the Guild Master instructs us to be on our guard. We will arrive at [Second Danger Zone] a few moments after that valley. The Guild Staff with [Clairvoyance] and [Weather Prediction] skill said there is a high chance that there will be small monsters waiting there and the wind is quite strong. They also predict 87% chance of rain tonight”

“Roger that. Tell the Archers to be on standby, I’ll handle the rest.”

“This is Jack, Archers with horses, please switch with Knights. Arnold-san, please take command of the knights to protect the Archers. Forward scouts, move outside of the Knight formation and scout the nearby area. Don’t wander too far and send [Distress Signal] if you encountered enemies.” I heard Arnold’s voice in Jack’s [Communicate] Skill. He probably is still communicating with Jack.

I activated my [Telepathy Broadcast] Skill, “This is the Leader of [White Falcon] and this message is for everyone except Archers and Knights. Scouts, activate your [Hawk’s Eye], [Far Seeing], or any far-seeing skills or abilities that you have and don’t wander too far from Archers and Knights’ view range. Equip your targes and use [Body Strengthening]. Do not forget to activate your [Clean Vision], [Protection from Wind], and [Dry] Skill. The weather will not be in our favor after we passed that valley.”

“Harold to Kaichou. Kaichou, what’s that about the weather”?”

“There is a high chance of rain and strong wind. There is also a high chance that the enemies are waiting for us.”

“Copy that. I will take command of my men after we passed that valley.”

“Knights who drives carriages, use your [Body Strengthening] and [Free Sight] after you wear your helmet. Do not forget about your shield.”

“Mages prepare your spells. Enchanters will take command on your own carriages. Feel free to lead our team members from there. Healers, Sorcerers and Warlocks be on standby. Don’t forget to enhance your group and the carriages. If possible, Wizards will enhance the carriages behind you during battle. Your main job is to enhance the Vanguards, Scouts or attacking the enemies. Any further instruction will be issued by sub-leaders.”

“If we engage a battle, warriors will move form a perimeter around the carriages and help the Rogues and Mages who are inside the carriage.”

“Scouts, may sit next to the drivers or let the warriors sit there you can also provide overwatch from the carriage roof.” After issuing the orders, we keep moving forward passing the first valley.

“Leader, we have passed the first valley. The sky is getting cloudy and the wind is starting to pick up.”

“Thanks Jack.” I thanked him for the report and activated my [Telepathy Broadcast] Skill again. “Everyone gets ready. Get into formation.”

“Aniki, the Guild Master said heavy rain has occurred on the front. Other adventurer parties ahead us have received a warning signal from their skill. They said groups of demonic beasts would flank them from two sides. I’ll wait for your command.”

“Hey, Robert don’t wander off of your own! Go back to your formation!”

“*Sigh* I need EXP to level up…”

“ROBERT!”

“Yes, yes…as you wish…My Lord…” Then I heard Rania and Yuna-san laughing over the telepathy.

“You sure love him don’t you, Boss?”

“Please stop it Thomas…it’s so embarrassing…”

“AN ATTTTTTAAAACCCCKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!”

“Owh Shit. The Guild Master used [Broadcast] Skill to scream!” said Arnold while flinching his ears.

“Aniki there is a Giant Centipede and Scorpion attacking [North Wind of Liberation] Party formation!”

“Hey Robert how long do you want to hunt EXP?! Get your ass back here!” Thomas shouts at Robert.

“Leader, three small-size monsters spotted on our left, most likely packs of Direwolf and medium-size from the front. What do we do?” Jack reported and he waits for further instruction.

“This is the Leader of White Falcon to Guild Master. We are currently engaging three groups of Direwolf and medium-sized Scorpions.”

“This is Guild Master Serus. Our Magic Archers will help you if you send the signal.”

“[White Falcon]’s Leader to all unit. CHANGE FORMATION AND PREPARE TO RECEIVE ATTACK. SCOUTS, RETREAT BEHIND THE KNIGHTS AND LET THE WARRIORS RIDE YOUR HORSES. ALL UNIT IS TO DEFEND THE CARRIEGES!”

I broadcasted my command to all party members, shortly after that the heavy rain started, followed by strong wind.

“Aniki!” I noticed a drenched man approaching me. That man is none other than Robert.

“How is it Robert?!”

“The scorpion is tough as hell. I managed to kill one with my lance. The Knights and Warriors are still battling against that. But it’s really hard to fight properly when you are riding a horse.”

“How’s the Mages and Archers?!”

“They are a big help here. Glad they can work in sync.”

“The [North Wind of Liberation] Party has quite a nasty time there…Oh, I need to go back to the right flank. See ya Aniki.”

“Be wary.” After Robert left me, I noticed Jack almost fell from his horse.

“Whoa Jack! Be careful when you are aiming something!”

“Thanks for helping me Leader. Those wolves are nimble and quick, I need to use my homing arrow skills to hit them and it requires stable footing. It’s hard to draw my bow when I ride a horse.”

“How many wolves left?”

“Around 25, I need to activate my [Stable Riding] Skill to shoot them. The Enchanters probably need your help, it’s best to tell Vetto to use [Lightning] Elemental attacks or Debuff spells. We need to slow down them or make them faint. That’s the best course for now.”

“This is Leader, Vetto-san, Mikazuchi-san and Jill-san, are you okay?”

“This is Mikazuchi, Kaichou we need your help. That big Direwolf on my left is dangerous. It keeps avoiding Salia’s attack.”

“This is Vetto, I’m sure that wolf is the mutated one. Its eyes are red and it has red horn. Probably, it was corrupted by [Chaos Flood]. It can also breathe fire.”

“This is Leader to Rania-san. Please send your underlings to everyone in the party. It will help the Mages spreading their spell effects to everyone here.”

“Sorry Kaichou, my hands are full right now.”

“What are you doing?!”

“I joined Robert-chan and the others to fight these Scorpions…kyuuuu! My blood is pumping right now!”

“I’m sorry to ruin your mood but we need them right now otherwise these wolves will reach our carriages!”

“If you beg me to—”

“I don’t have time for that Rania-san, that wolves will attack Jack and Arnold, please hurry!”

“Fine, fine…mattaku (Oh My…) you are a mood killer…Robert, cover me for a bit please!”

Then, bunch of mini-spiders with cute appearance appears from the sky. They are flying toward our carriages. One landed on me, Jack and Arnold.

“KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!”

“HEY DO NOT SCREAM ON [BROADCAST] YOU BASTARD!” said Arnold.

“Olga-san?! What happened?! Pl—”

“WHAT THE FUCK WITH THIS SPIDERRRRRRRRRRRRR…!!!”

“BAKAYARO (You Fool) DON’T KILL THE SUPPORT BEASTS!” I heard Mikazuchi-san scolded her, a sound of something being smacked and I also heard Rania-san’s laughing voice from the [Broadcast].

“Kaichou, I have finished the ruckus here, we are ready to attack.”

“White Falcon Leader’s to Enchanters, Academists and Bards, cast your magic buffs, the spiders will channel it to our party members. Please use all buffs you have right now. After that, the First Chanter will cast periodically and they will be replaced by the Second Chanter. Do this until all enemies are defeated. Wizards will take turns between [Enchant] and [Attack] with the Chanters.”

“Summoners, command your fire elemental to attack the scorpions and command your divine beasts to attack the wolves. Use your spell in moderation and do not use high-ranking spells for small fries like this. Alchemists and Pranksters throw Debuffs Potion; also prepare mana potions for the Mages and Archers. YOU HEAR ME ERICK, DO NOT GIVE POISON TO YOUR COMRADES.”

“Aww…I won’t, I won’t…” Erick stopped making something suspicious.

“Sorcerers, keep up your attacks, Warlocks please use your spell ONLY WHEN YOU ARE BEING TOLD. YOU HEAR ME TIM? I SAW YOU CASTED FIVE HUGE FIREBALLS BUT NONE OF THEM HIT.”

“…fuck he saw me.” Tim voices can be heard in the broadcast follow by Robert’s laugh.

“Mages, especially Wizards and Witches, use [Lightning] and [Earth] Elemental Magic to disable or weaken their movement. Witches may use [Witch Arts] freely. For the ones who are fighting the scorpions, please aim at their eyes and they will retreat from battlefield. You need to disable their claws, tail’s function and movement first.”

“I REPEAT, TIM DON’T TRY TO USE [METEOR SHOWER], [METEOR RAIN], [BULLDOZE], [MAGNITUDE], [ROCK SLIDE] OR [EARTHQUAKE] RIGHT NOW. YOU WILL KILL THE ENTIRE PARTY INSTEAD. DON’T YOU THINK I CAN’T SEE YOU YA…”

“…shit how the hell he can see me.” Through the broadcast not only Robert laugh can be heard but also Thomas, Rania, Andrew and Toval’s laugh.

“To battle! Warriors and Knights, who are still in your carriages, please protect the carriages!”

“SIR YES SIR”

Then, the formation shifted as the Knights and Warriors engage the beasts in melee. The Mages have casted the required spell perfectly and The Archers have enchanted their arrows with [Higher Piercing Buff] and [Shell Impact]. The Summoners have summoned their beasts while the Wizards and Witches have weakened the enemy’s movements. I also confronted the Leader of the Direwolf and attacked it with my divine-enchanted lance. The Knights are provoking or taunting it while riding their horse to reduce the aggro between party members.

“Ugh!” It almost bites Nida, my horse.

“[TAUNT] ACTIVATE!”

“Good assist Rubert-san!”

“Are you okay Leader?!”

“You don’t need to worry. HEAR ME WARRIORS AND KNIGHTS! TAKE DOWN THE REMAINING SMALL WOLVES! ARCHERS, AIM FOR THEIR FEET AND EYES! WIZARD AND WITCH PREPARE A LARGE SCALE PITFALL ON THE FRONT WHEN I SEND THE SIGNAL!”

Rubert and I kept luring the leader of wolf; I saw my comrades have eliminated the smaller wolves and collected the remains. I saw that two of them injured and swapped with other members.

“Leader, Abel and Ron are ready to join you! Hel and Ridell have retreated and now they are being tended by the Healers.”

“Is their wound serious?!”

“It’s quite serious. But you don’t need to worry, we have capable Healers. The wounded horses have been stored in [Space Elemental Magic: Storage] as well.” said Ron as he reports our current situation.

“Good Lord, good thing you followed my instructions…”

“Leader, I think we don’t have time for chatting right now. That thing is still chasing us.” Said Abel and when I look at my back, that giant wolf is still chasing us.

“Ron, switch with Rubert. Abel, bring Rubert to me right now.” They nodded and following my order. I gave Rubert [Stamina] and [Mana Recovery] Potion.

“Rubert here, I’m ready to receive your order.”

“Ron, Abel, Rubert did you catch the broadcast message that I sent to the Mages earlier?”

“Yes, I did.” Ron answers through broadcast while Rubert and Abel nodded.

“We will trap that wolf. We need to get rid of that before reaching the [Third Danger Zone].”

“I need you to put [Taunt] on me. Then keep attacking it carefully. One of you prepares [Dimensional Storage] or [Time Storage] to be used if I fall from my horse or if my horse collapsed. I will change my position to lure the wolf to that pitfall. That pitfall will trap the wolf and then The Mages will finish it off.”

“Is it okay if I teleport you to the first carriage?” asked Rubert.

“It’s fine, please watch over my horse. Remember, only if I fall!”

“Copy that.”

“MAGES, COMMENCE OPERATION IN 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and NOW!”

Then I swapped my position with Ron. Abel and Rubert casted [Taunt] and {Provoke] on me, after that I threw a javelin at that wolf. That wolf is pissed off at me now. It sprinted to my position. The Wizards are still chanting and The Warlocks are preparing their strongest attack.

“Leader, our pitfall is ready!” Yuna reported to me.

“You can attack after that thing falls into the pitfall, don’t forget to bind it.”

Then I’m galloping into the pitfall. On the way I gave my strongest enchant on Nida and then myself. I urge Nida to jump when we reached the pitfall. I know Nida’s jump can’t reach the other side of the pitfall, but it’s enough to bait the wolf there.

“Kaichou! The wolf fell into pitfall and now it’s trying to escape!”

“MAGES, RELEASE YOUR COMBINATION SPELLS!!!”

“[TELEPORT]!” I activated my [TELEPORT] skill and I am able to reached the ground again safely. I heard a loud explosion behind me. Shortly after that, my status showed that I have leveled up and that big wolf’s material also appeared on my status.

“You did it Leader!”

“Oh, thanks Abel. Ron and Rubert, thank you for your good work.”

“Good tactic Aniki, you also helped us.”

“Oh Robert, have you finished off the scorpions?”

“Yeah, only their ashes remain. We followed your command to get rid of them.”

“Leader! Sorry to ruin the mood but we will reach [Third Danger Zone] momentarily!”

“Thanks for your report and hard work Jack.”

“Here, have some water.” I gave bottled water to Abel, Ron and Rubert. It is really hard to drink when you are riding a horse.