Chapter Eleven: In the Darkness (2)
Both Sorenberg and Vladkov saw a determined yet slightly worried expression in each other’s eyes. The current dire situation could not shake their fighting spirit. Knights were warriors born for battle; retreating or fearing was never part of their creed. But this did not mean knights were all rude, simple-minded fools. The various exotic magical beasts gathered here and the undead creatures lurking in the shadows were clearly looking for an opportunity. Their group was like delicious food delivered right to their door. These creatures, trapped here for unknown years, could finally smell the scent of living beings, putting them in a state of extreme excitement—a very unfavorable situation for them.
Scorpions had incredible vitality. Although Sorenberg and Vladkov had not yet encountered such magical beasts hidden beneath the earth, experience told them that powerful magical beasts often used this advantage to launch attacks through unusual means. A single mistake could lead to disaster, so it was crucial to strengthen their defenses. Both Sorenberg and Vladkov cast magical shields around themselves, while Rebrí, behind them, reinforced their knightly armor with his own dark magic shield. Together with Komer and Lome, they activated a light-based magical barrier covering the entire group.
Though not extremely powerful, as a spell of the light element, this barrier could somewhat counter the sudden attacks of dark magical beasts. Some dark beasts that feared light were far more sensitive to light spells than powerful creatures like scorpions, such as the incessantly hissing black magic bats.
Dozens of scorpions spread out like a flood, taking up attacking positions along the defensive line formed by Komer and his group. Their bean-green eyes glowed fiercely as they swung their pincers up and down, with their stingers hidden low on the ground. Countless legs served as oars, providing these creatures with swift speed and power.
Shatima licked her lips excitedly. At this moment, a sense of pleasure from imminent release and eruption enveloped her. Her massive dragon spear was held slightly horizontal, its unstable blade of light indicating that this true super dragon warrior had raised her combat power to its peak. Seeing these arrogant little reptiles before her, Shatima found them utterly ridiculous—when had these little creatures dared to act haughtily in front of dragons? The desire to unleash her true dragon power surged forth at that moment.
The surging dragon spear emitted an endless glow of deep blue light. With a soft howl from Shatima, it transformed into a semicircular ring of light. The sharp spear blade burst forth with an exceptionally brilliant flame, like a comet exploding in the universe. One of the scorpions was hit first; its swinging pincers shattered into pieces in an instant, and dark black fluid splattered everywhere as its body broke apart.
With this successful strike, Shatima could no longer control herself. She let out fierce roars and charged into the scorpion camp. Her dragon spear created gusts of wind and thunder, striking in all directions with unstoppable force. As Shatima’s dragon breath emanated from her body, whether intentionally or not, the highly sensitive scorpions detected a terrifying scent. Yet, their fierce nature prevented them from retreating at the sight of Shatima’s breath. Instead, the slaughter of their kind only fueled their desperate counterattack.
Three scorpions suddenly leaped into the air. After their pincers were severed into six pieces by Shatima’s spear blade, their bodies split at the last moment. Their massive tail stingers were ejected like three javelins, shooting toward her in an instant. Unprepared, Shatima never expected such small monsters to resort to such a suicidal tactic. As the stingers approached, she was unable to dodge. Suddenly, a brilliant golden shield-like defense appeared, shining brightly. The three stingers turned to fragments upon piercing the shield, and thick black fluid flowed down Shatima’s body.
Scorpion venom meant nothing to Shatima. As dragons, they had natural immunity to all poisons except for a few rare exceptions. Having survived this attack, she became even more frenzied. In her excitement, ice magic surged forth, turning all the scorpions around her into ice sculptures. Her dragon spear swept through, turning over a dozen scorpions into fragments of ice.
“Shatima, come back! Hold your position!” Kommer’s angry shouts came from behind. That damned guy—luckily she had been prepared; otherwise, just three stings from the scorpion tails would have dealt her severe damage. If she hadn’t kept an eye on her, the light magic shield wouldn’t have been able to respond in time. But now that her defense had been exposed, she had no choice but to release three Dark Fire Skulls ahead to cover the gap left by Shatima’s departure.
By now, Shatima had already entered a frenzied state. The aura and venom of the scorpions acted like stimulants, constantly pushing her control to its limits. It had been a long time since she’d had such a thrilling fight. Ever since being attacked by a swarm of Jelly Ants, she had been holding back, unable to find the right opportunity to vent her pent-up frustration. Today was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, with someone protecting her—how could she not make the most of it? When else would she get such an opportunity?
The dragon spear swirling in her hands formed a huge dark blue disc, growing larger by the moment. The light and shadow flickering between its blades emitted a buzzing hum, occasionally breaking apart to release dazzling bursts of flame. Though the scorpions were fearless, facing the equally mad dragon race, their strong defenses and tenacious vitality were not enough to counter them. The dragon spear, imbued with light magic, dealt massive damage to the scorpions with almost every attack.
However, the scorpions weren’t completely passive. Although they seemed helpless against the fierce Shatima, their sheer numbers overwhelmed Kommer’s group almost instantly. They jumped, darted, launched ambushes from the ground, and moved swiftly through the air. Though lacking intelligence, their innate viciousness made their attack methods complex. Holy light spells could only cause superficial damage; they couldn’t inflict deep harm. The stings and the venom and smoke sprayed from them kept Kommer’s group in a state of chaos and danger. These people weren’t immune to scorpion venom like Shatima—any drop of it could be fatal.