Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 632: The Raid II

***

Scouts led the barbarians in hunting down every goblin that fled, capturing not just those who slipped away amid the raid, but even the ones absent from the settlement prior to it.

No mercy was shown to any.

Over an hour ticked by before the mission finally wrapped up.

Much of that duration went toward guaranteeing the total wipeout of all goblins, rather than battling.

With every goblin slain and their ears gathered as evidence, the raiders finally geared up for a victorious march back to BloodIron.

Kavakan showed clear annoyance at how feeble the goblins proved, as Mogal nursed a hint of regret that none could challenge him fully.

The return trip kicked off without issues.

That is, up until the midpoint.

In their path, clogging the trade road, loomed an odd caravan—dozens of wagons formed into a bizarre array.

—

Kavakan's brow furrowed.

Such placement screamed suspicion.

It screamed ambush perfection.

However, bypassing the road completely meant plunging into notorious beast lands—home to prowling packs of deadly monsters.

After assessing dangers and gaining Mogal’s nod, Kavakan directed the squad away from the main trail into the monster-ridden wilds.

The two warriors shared the identical assessment:

An ambush orchestrated by humans numbering that many in formation dwarfed the peril of crossing beast grounds.

Typically, quick movement and minimal noise let beasts overlook travelers entirely.

Should they spot intruders, odds favored the monsters shying from a band this large and fierce.

Berserk beasts might rage wildly and erratically, yet survival instincts gripped them fiercely.

While the raiders shifted course, weaving into beast territory—

Chilling eyes tracked their withdrawal from the caravan's midst.

"They didn’t take the bait," a voice grumbled.

"Move quickly. We’ll intercept them at the danger zone."

Half an hour's side trek brought the raiders to beast territory.

They pressed on with utmost care.

True to predictions, the local beasts spotted them right away, yet none lunged first.

Rather, wary stares flew between them—the predators eyeing with hunter's wariness, as the weapon-ready raiders advanced boldly yet steadily.

Tension hung thick while they navigated the area gingerly.

But nearing two-thirds across—closing in on the heartland swarming with berserk beast breeds—

Chaos erupted.

"ROAR!!!"

The earth trembled under a deafening bellow.

From a hillside erupted a colossal three-meter behemoth, twisted hippo abomination.

Its rear legs poured crimson rivers.

Maddened by its blood's aroma, the monster barreled forth in blind fury—thundering right at the raiders.

"Damn it!" Kavakan swore.

Blood's sharp tang raced airborne, sparking savage hungers in nearby beasts.

Hunger blazed in their gazes.

Drool spilled from fanged maws.

Disaster unfolded.

The wounded brute offered limited meat. Soon as beasts grasped not all could gorge, eyes would pivot—to the raiders.

Worse, the berserk charge barreled their way, hauling the frenzied predator horde in tow.

Where Kavakan once harbored doubts of a plot—

Conviction now gripped him fully.

"Run! Head for higher ground!" he roared.

Elevated ridges peppered their flight path.

Full withdrawal from the zone lay impossible now. Yielding heights to beasts spelled doom.

Kavakan swiftly commanded seizure of a high perch to fortify as bastion.

At the same time, Mogal surged ahead—right at the bloodied hippo horror.

Boom!

Bang!

The Dravo warrior clashed frontally, smashing fist into the beast's cranium.

Impact echoed like juggernaut versus bastion.

A ferocious blast exploded outward, hurling dust to veil the clash.

Seconds passed before Mogal flew from the haze, crashing hard to dirt.

But up he leaped in a flash—bounding erect and bolting after his fleeing comrades.

No death blow landed—yet confusion gripped the monster.

That split-second stall granted the raiders precious moments to slip from its direct pursuit.

Without its prey in sight, the furious beast rampaged savagely—slamming its column-like legs into the dirt and crashing its colossal frame against nearby slopes.

The pack of predators lured by its blood quickly drew the brunt of its wrath.

Even as the maddened swarm finally overpowered it, the creature refused to go down without a fight.

In its last gasps, it pulverized a handful of unlucky hunters under its bulk before breathing its final breath.

Quickly, a pecking order started forming amidst the monsters—

the mightiest alone claiming the corpse, while the feeble ones hung back on the fringes, drooling with envy.

Or at least... that was the plan.

The instant that order took hold, the surviving beasts suddenly fixed their gazes on the escaping raid group.

Bringing up the rear, Kavakan and Mogal skidded to a stop and whirled around together.

Killing Intent!

Kavakan lunged ahead, unleashing his killing intent as a towering spectral tiger.

The nearly tangible phantom burst from his back, hurtling toward the advancing horde—its crushing aura slamming down like a peak sovereign crushing arrogant foes.

The immense pressure of that presence made countless beasts stumble.

Their limbs buckled—and they spun to run.

The defiant ones pressing on collided directly with Kavakan’s paired axes and Mogal’s unceasing punches.

Fresh blood drenched the ground anew.

Far from sparking greater madness, the carnage only amplified their terror.

They shattered—bolting in chaotic terror to preserve their hides.

"Ah—!"

All at once, before the warriors could savor their victory, a piercing shriek erupted from behind—keen and frantic, akin to a dying wail.

"Ambush," Kavakan stated darkly.

Without a second's pause, the pair pivoted and dashed back to the raiding party.

***