Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 634: Bandit Ambush II

***

Mogal locked his eyes on the hostile forces ahead.

"Advancing forward is our only choice," he declared. "But they don't seem inclined to let us through without battle."

The beasts in the area behind them stayed locked in frenzy.

Though Kavakan and Mogal had held them off temporarily, pulling back that direction would surely incite the creatures into an unending wave chasing them down.

Their sole path to safety stretched forward—

—yet bandits sealed that route tight.

"Captain, the majority are coerced slaves thrust into battle," Hargul reported swiftly. "Eliminate the powerful ones, and the others ought to shatter and flee. That creates our chance to break free."

"Excellent," Kavakan approved with a nod, liking the sharp thinking.

He appreciated how the brothers skipped over remorse, zeroing in on a workable plan instead.

Shifting focus ahead again, he saw the bandits starting to shift uneasily.

"Just in time," Kavakan grumbled, a smirk appearing. "I missed out on a real scrap before. Hope they offer some fight before my darlings shred them."

Across from them, unrest swelled among the bandits.

The slaves' reluctance—sparked by the crushing aura from Kavakan and Mogal—had let a golden chance escape.

Furious, the bandit chief and a few accomplices yanked out whips, flogging the wavering slaves.

Sharp snaps echoed as lashes bit into skin.

Slaves frozen in terror endured savage beatings—

A handful died right there.

But for the leader, it went beyond the squandered moment.

Something deeper stung.

The slaves dreaded Kavakan and Mogal more than their own master.

That truth eroded his ego.

If their terror of him had dominated, they'd have surged on despite the warriors' oppressive might.

To him, this blemish on his command demanded retribution.

The thought only stoked his rage higher.

His whip lashed repeatedly, slamming with vicious power as he unleashed wrath on his underlings.

That defined slave existence in the Wildlands—worthless as the dirt they trod.

The other slaves quaked as one comrade fell lifeless under the whip.

"Hesitate once more, and you join him," the bandit leader threatened icily.

"I demand little. Charge them. Slay them. Nothing else. Sure, they might kill you...

"But freeze up like that again, and I will end you for certain."

His eyes scanned the group.

"Choose wisely—maybe death... or guaranteed doom."

The slaves shivered violently.

"Fine." The bandit leader nodded, pleased. "Now we're clear... Charge!"

The forced fighters lunged without pause, barreling at the outnumbered Fortuna squad.

Simultaneously, the leader signaled discreetly.

Gold Rank warriors melted into the throng, blending amid the slaves.

Most slaves topped out at Bronze Rank—

—but in that packed rush, the elites' golden glow faded from sight.

Their band had thrived on this ploy.

Hidden elites baffled foes, who struggled to spot and target them—letting Gold Ranks wreak havoc unnoticed.

As bandits stormed ahead, the Fortuna team met them in a fierce clash, Kavakan and Mogal at the forefront.

Killing Intent!

Right before impact, Kavakan erupted with his crushing murderous intent.

The impact hit instantly.

Slave fighters stumbled—just a heartbeat—but it sufficed.

In that flicker, hidden Gold Ranks stood revealed.

The raiders spotted over a dozen in that flash.

Though it sparked curiosity—how did bandits hoard such powerhouses?—the commanders pushed it aside.

Call of the Wild – Lycanthropic Transformation!

Beast Totem – Dune Croc’s Scales (Defence)!

Kavakan and Mogal shifted as one.

They exploded forward like feral predators, ripping through slave lines while homing in on the real threats: concealed Gold Ranks.

Kavakan's dual axes acted like savage talons, slicing foes indiscriminately—slaves or elites—with merciless precision.

Mogal proved equally horrifying.

His frame toughened and armored in scales, his strides carried savage force as he bulldozed enemy lines unhindered.

Every fist and foot strike wrought utter destruction in its path. Mere moments later, two additional Gold Rank warriors collapsed under his relentless assault.

The remaining members of the raiding party surged forward from behind.

Kavakan’s overwhelming killing intent shattered the foes’ morale and concentration, making their outnumbered fight far simpler.

With fresh vigor, they sliced through the bandits.

Fury contorted the bandit leader’s face.

Suddenly, he unsheathed his sword and launched a wide arc slash, heedless of the slaves in its way.

A few slaves dropped dead on the spot as a shimmering blade energy wave hurtled toward Kavakan and Mogal.

The two warriors responded instantly.

Axes clashed against the energy.

Fists smashed into the force.

Boom!

Kavakan struggled to keep his footing, his rune tattoo bolstering his frame enough to endure the blow.

Mogal flew back from the impact—his restrained condition curbing his durability—yet he took just a light wound.

’Veteran Rank... (Combat Master)!’

That truth hit them simultaneously.

Shock flashed across their gazes.

Never had they anticipated a simple bandit group harboring a Combat Master—much less sending one after them.

Surprise gripped the bandit leader as well.

Even without his maximum power behind it, the blow exceeded what typical Gold Rank foes could block without heavy harm.

Mogal astonished him the most.

Though he seemed frailer than Kavakan, the man weathered the strike with only a minor gash on his arm.

’No surprise they felled my Gold Ranks so fast...’

His eyes narrowed into a lethal glare.

’No... I won’t let them roam unchecked anymore.’

He clenched his weapon harder.

’Looks like I must handle them personally.’

***