Chapter 67 – Ambushed (Start)

After a period of sweeping, the two squadron members all rested within the chambers. Because the space within the chamber was indeed not small, there was more than enough for accommodating 30 odd people.

Thus, after the initial bustling, the estrangement between the two squads during the time they rested was fully distinct.

Although the two current Adventure squads had organized an alliance, and was considered to be of the same team, yet in times of lacking combat, everyone all started to look out for their own selfish benefits. This estrangement was naturally unavoidable.

For instance, when they rested, no matter which member of either squad, they would all be more willing to be grouped with their own squadron mates. Perhaps it was because of the tacit agreement and trust that was formed from a long period of training, or perhaps it was for the honour of being the same squad.

Apart from when the Commanders of the two squadrons would be together and discussing affairs, the other members of the two squadrons, when they saw each other, they would only nod their heads; the situation of them having an intimate discussing would basically not happen.

Afterall, they all understood that after the mission was accomplished, the two squadrons, would still be as before and be two separate squadrons; unable to stay together as a comprised alliance.

Increasing the capabilities of their own team members, as well as the concern of the degree of their own intimacy was what they cared about the most. It was also what was of most use in regards to their futures.

On this point alone, Rumont was neither an exception. During the period of resting, he and Fafnir, would stay with the other members of Howard’s squadron.

“Come, eat slower. Here’s your water.” seeing Fafnir who was by his side and eating the dry dull meat jerky, suddenly choking unexpectedly, he couldn’t help but shake his head, handing over his own water pouch to him.

Fafnir was neither polite in grabbing it for a drink. Straightaway he gave a few good satisfying belches after washing down the jerky in his throat. Seeing him eat with such gusto, Rumont also felt the hunger of his own stomach at this moment. As a result he took out a pouch of jerky from his own bag, and began eating it as well.

Only, as he chewed, he suddenly found that the taste of the meat jerky within his hands was somehow off, there appeared to be a kind of stench. Carefully sniffing it, it also didn’t seem to be emitted from the meat jerky.

At this time, Rumont had lifted his head, before noticing the situation within the chamber at this time.

A fire pile was flaming in the midst of everyone, allowing this slightly gloomy and cold area, a bit more warmth.

Wanting to create a fire within the forest was extremely easy; because the materials were already present. A fire could be sparked by casually selecting the drier branches and igniting it with a fire lighting device. However, because it was easy to start a fire, as a result, unless it was an open space, Adventurers in general would not easily start a fire up.

And this place was a sealed off chamber, there was naturally no misgivings of sorts here. Besides, the windows above the chamber were already opened, the lit flames wouldn’t create a deprivation of oxygen.

Close to the fire pile was basically all the members of Lancas’ squad. Although their battle skills and ability to face a battle was alright, but probably because it was a long time since they had entered the forest, therefore, they were momentarily unable to cope with the temperature difference in the forest.

As for the members of Howard’s squadron, since last year when they arrive in the town of Ricca, they long ago had an understanding of the climate within Briar Forest. Their bodies had long ago spent time in adapting, thus, even though there was a big difference in the temperature during the day and at night, they still spoke freely and joked about as before, not at all minding.

Incomparable, so to speak of them, as the opposite members of Lancas’ squadron were roasting themselves by the fire, they all wore a gloomy face, constantly straightening their own clothes and footwear.

The strange odour that Rumont had just smelt, had arrived over from their location.

Because they had been busy during the day, they were indeed tired. Thus, the current majority, who had suddenly after arriving at an safe area, had relieved themselves.

No small amount of people had not only thrown away their coats to roast themselves by the fire, they had even removed their footwear; they had all successively cleaned with a frown, the grime and dirt on their footwear and legs.

The fire roasting in front of them continuously emitted a pala pala¹ sounding, and giving off a heat from the fire; endlessly warming up everyone’s body.

Rumont had no choice but to watch as those people from Lancas’ squadron tidy up their footwear and roast by the fire. When he again lowered his head to look at the meat jerky within his own hands, he immediately lost his appetite. Thereupon having eaten casually for a while, he had placed the bag of meat jerky back into his bag.

“Rumont, go to sleep. We still need to hasten on tomorrow.” seeing that he had followed up with drafting his map again, Fafnir, who already couldn’t keep his eyes opened, had tried to advise.

“I’ll rest after I finish drafting this.” Rumont recorded in detail the location of the ruins onto the rough draft before stretching out.

At this time, a lot of people had nestled together, and begun to sleep.

Rumont also felt a bout of sleepiness attack him, as a result, he leant his head against Fafnir’s shoulder, and also began to rest.

As a Druid, even if they were sleeping, in regards to the surrounding situation, they would still respond accordingly. After an unknown amount of time, Rumont, who was just in midst of dreams, had suddenly felt a murderous intent attacking towards him. He then immediately awoke, opening both his eyes just in time to see a wooden club smashing towards his own face.

Practically a conditioned reaction, Rumont propped his arm against the ground, violently rolling himself to the side. The wooden club smashed against the boulder behind him, emitting a heavy sound. It was obvious that if wooden club had hit against his skull, it would have definitely resulted with his brains splattering!

And meanwhile, Fafnir who had also jumped away together with him, a strange creature with a big stature was also in front of him. Just waving his wooden club mean and ferociously, all the while wailing about.

This strange creature was grown quite oddly, the lower mandible was long with pointy tusks, an ashy fur, and a long bearish face. It’s stature wasn’t too high, yet quite sturdy. Speaking overall, it still had a human-like shape.

“It’s a bearbug!” once he saw this creature, its name was immediately rushing out from Rumont’s memory.

According to Rumont’s understanding of resources, this kind of goblin appeared to be taller than the ordinary goblin, and it’s combative strength was even higher than a common goblin by more than a fold.

However, they were even more pure-blooded, as well as ever more brutal. Because their figure was bigger than the common goblin, their strength that appeared to be associated with a bear, and even having the fierce characteristic of a bear; they were thus called a bugbear by humanity.

Although bugbears were a type of goblin, they were however quite brutal, unexpectedly even treating common goblins as their own food. Encountering them this time, they would unconditionally need to go through a hard fight.

Only hurriedly sweeping his eyes over the situation, Rumont then inhaled a large breath.

What he saw within this wide spacious chamber was unexpectedly a large group of bugbears appearing at this time; seeing approximately 30 odd units.

They seemed to have suddenly emerged from underground, all successively brandishing the wooden clubs within their arms, hollering about and attacking everyone who were completely unprepared. Because they didn’t have any sort of preparations, thus as it started, everyone was all unable to put up a guard against the hits.

A good few members whose reaction abilities were worse, were even torn apart by a group of bugbears; broken into pieces. Fresh blood sprayed the floors. The stench of blood reeked the air, practically causing people who smelt it to feel nauseated.

And after paying such a disastrous cost, the members of the two squadron immediately reacted. They all successively took up their own arms in fighting with this group of bugbears.

In the midst of the battle, because Rumont needed to rescued a seriously injured member, he was therefore arranged to be protected by 2 squadron members by Howard.

Even though from time to time there would still be a bugbear that ran over to his side in attacking their small group, depending on his own strength, as well as a few squadron members, they were able to overcome it quickly.

However, even if no bugbear was able to approach his side, a good few times, he was still yet able to while amidst of scrambling to rescue a teammate, feel a killing intent appearing by his side.

Yet probably because of how the situation was currently so critical, probably because there were still people by his side, the killing intent that would always appeared, would then just as quickly disappear.

This kind of scenario had appeared a few times, making Rumont increasingly raise his guard. Even if was rescuing a seriously injured member, he still prepared for battle at anytime.

And along with the human’s side of increasingly more wounded personnel, the bugbear’s side of corpses on the floor was also gradually increasing.

In fact, with the capabilities of the two squadrons, the only reason they would pay such a disastrous cost of such casualties, was only because they had treated it lightly at the very start. It was because they saw the chamber as being absolutely safe, even if an unforeseen event had appeared on the outside, they would have also been able to raise an appropriate response.

As a result, with the sudden appearance of this large batch of bugbears, the squadron team was unable to, in any way mount a guard and had eaten a large debt. As for those people that were already alert, after the initial panic, they had also adjusted quickly into a battling mode.

Amidst of this battle, Fafnir seemed to have acted because of the previous disgrace, yet also acted seemingly because he was stimulated by the fresh blood all over the floor. In brief, his performance in the midst of this battle was utterly outstanding.

“Come.” a short distance from Rumont, Fafnir who had just moments ago killed a bugbear, had his whole face covered with fresh blood spurting from the enemy’s neck region.

As for the enemy’s headless corpse, after sustaining a kick from him, it had toppled over loudly; one of many toppling over into the dust.

However, Fafnir did not pay attention to it, he only absent-mindedly wiped the bloodstains on his face and laughed a haha. He then started waving his big sword towards another bugbear and again dashed over.

Fafnir’s hair was also messy at this moment, his clothes also had a few good tears, yet his eyes were still flickering with the radiance of wanting to continue in battling.

With his current fierce-looking face all covered in blood, it could still be seen that he was an adolescent in his teens.

If it was said that in the previous battle Fafnir was from a moment of carelessness, successfully ambushed by the goblins, then this time, he whose battle skills was alright, had surprisingly known how to go utilize a few techniques that he had learnt from the last battle with the goblins; making a good few bugbears, who had sturdy physiques, endure an unknown loss. His martial skills this time was even brilliantly displayed in full abundance.

Not despising any enemy, not relaxing under any circumstances. Exhausting all routes of possibilities. Learning the ability to allow one’s strength to become stronger.

This was what was needed to be noted from battle.

As for the youth Fafnir, he had already, from the midst of continuous battling, gradually matured.

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