Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 647: Bolt- and Pump-action II

CH647 Bolt- and Pump-action II

***

The horsemen had barely any time to even comprehend what was happening. Their protective aura defenses, flimsy and utterly unprepared, were easily breached as if they were mere paper.

In the blink of an eye, all four riders met their end, impaled.

The foremost rider’s body stiffened, then slumped, lifeless, from his steed.

This sudden and drastic turn of events sent ripples of panic through the entire procession.

"What in the world—?!"

"They actually killed the captain?!"

"Sound the alarm! Annihilate them!"

Chaos erupted as the remaining guards on horseback spurred their mounts onward, charging towards Alex’s position. Their aim was to establish a defensive perimeter and grant precious time for the others.

Inside the convoy, the laborers and drivers reacted swiftly.

Shields were hoisted. Crude weapons like clubs and daggers, or whatever they could readily grab, were unsheathed.

Some scrambled onto the tops of the carriages, hastily fitting arrows into their rudimentary bows.

In the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Hollowcrest Wildlands, survival dictated that even the most common laborer learned to defend themselves.

This was especially true for those who marched under the emblem of the Lost Heathens; any moment could necessitate becoming a killer.

Alex, alongside Mogal and Kavakan, remained stationary, choosing not to advance to meet the oncoming horseback charge.

They held their ground firmly.

Thwack!

From the commanding ridges that bordered the road, Sergeant Lopota, leading the Fury Knights, opened fire with their recently acquired armaments—a specialized crossbow variation engineered by Sugud.

Lopota precisely targeted one of the charging riders and unleashed a shot.

Thwack!

The bowstring snapped forward, propelling the bolt with deadly accuracy.

Without even needing to observe the outcome, Lopota smoothly pulled the foregrip backward, operating the crossbow's pump action.

With an audible click, the string reset, now under tension from an internal spring mechanism that fed a fresh bolt into position.

Without any pause or hesitation, he fired once more.

And then again.

Fire—pump—fire—pump!

The Fury Knights unleashed a continuous volley, each warrior maintaining a consistent tempo of nearly one bolt discharged per second, until their magazines were depleted.

The Fury Knights calmly switched to fresh magazines, and soon, resumed their firing with fluid efficiency.

The charging cavalry had no opportunity to react.

They were mowed down in the midst of their charge, their offensive momentum shattered before it could even properly commence.

Meanwhile, positioned further back on the highest vantage point, Silver and the original contingent of Fury crossbowmen took their aim.

Their weaponry differed in design—another innovative variant conceived by Sugud.

These were longer, heavier, and meticulously crafted for long-distance precision.

The enlarged bolt grooves accommodated reinforced, extended bolts, and the internal mechanism facilitated mana infusion.

Silver and the five skilled crossbowmen channeled their potent mana into their respective weapons.

Energy coalesced along the strings, subsequently concentrating into the bolts themselves.

Once fully charged—

They unleashed their attack.

THWACK!

The release was sharper, the sound more profound.

The bolts sliced through the air with terrifying velocity, striking targets over a hundred meters away with unwavering precision.

Silver actuated the bolt-action mechanism without diverting her gaze, her eyes remaining fixed on the unfolding conflict below.

The limbs of her crossbow creaked under the immense strain as she drew it back, the string locking securely.

With a firm forward movement, the chamber sealed—another bolt snapped into position, poised for discharge.

She aimed once more.

Mana was channeled.

The shot was fired.

One by one, the more formidable adversaries succumbed.

Below, the battlefield rapidly transformed.

The pump-action crossbows, wielded by Lopota and his Fury Knights, devastated the less-skilled combatants, cutting them down in swaths.

Simultaneously, Silver and her specialized unit systematically eliminated the higher-ranking targets with their bolt-action, mana-infused crossbows.

Within mere moments—without a single sword unsheathed, without any spells cast—the Fortuna party had definitively seized command of the battlefield from a considerable distance.

Silently, and with remarkable efficiency, they signaled the dawn of a new era in warfare.

Alex observed the entirety of the engagement—if indeed it could be termed such—a subtle smile gracing his lips.

’To take the bolt-action and pump-action principles I casually mentioned and integrate them into crossbow designs… it speaks volumes of a dwarf-elf hybrid's ingenuity to transform what was essentially an abstract concept into deadly, functional prototypes,’ he reflected inwardly.

’With this as a foundation, I feel assured that, given sufficient time, he will be capable of replicating even more sophisticated weapon systems. Should developments proceed as anticipated, I might be able to forgo the necessity of devising an alternative cultivation path for those lacking the requisite talent. Armed with the appropriate tools, even ordinary individuals could evolve into potent military assets.’

’And if the opportunity arises to further enhance these designs using Rune-Tech… I could potentially amplify the weapon system's effectiveness for both Professionals and non-professionals alike.’

By the time his contemplation concluded, the battle had already reached its swift conclusion.

Following the initial intense barrage from the crossbows, the Fortuna party descended upon the remaining opposition, efficiently neutralizing any survivors.

The entire skirmish had concluded in under ten minutes.

Alex and his wives hadn't needed to lift a finger. His subordinates, beast companions, and the Fury soldiers had managed the entire situation with brutal effectiveness. No one was taken alive. The individuals flying the Lost Heathens' banner were marked for elimination by the party, and Alex saw no reason to alter their fate. After the area had been... cleansed, the group meticulously searched the battlefield, retrieving their expended projectiles. Subsequently, they established a rudimentary barrier to protect the captured carriages from any predatory beasts. From a distance, Alex activated his Beta Bracer and initiated a call to Raven Horn. "The initial objective has been achieved," he stated once the connection was stable. "Understood. My personnel will arrive in under ten minutes," Raven Horn responded. "We will not be lingering. We are proceeding to the second objective." "Very well. We will await your subsequent report." Alex terminated the call, exhaling softly. "Assemble yourselves," he instructed the group. With a mental command, he activated OmniRune. The AI mage-assistant responded instantaneously, conjuring a Spatial Gate before him. Zora raised an eyebrow. "I had OmniRune convert the formation into a spell. It proves... more practical this way," Alex explained nonchalantly. He spoke as if it were the most ordinary occurrence. Zora gazed at him, momentarily taken aback. Eleanore and Udara exhibited the same surprise. Just as Zora and Eleanore began to recompose themselves, Udara spoke—further amplifying their astonishment. "Master... if this is derived from the Interplanar Grand Formation, does that imply your intention is to eventually transform that into a spell as well?" Alex stroked his chin, deep in thought. "That’s actually not a terrible concept," he remarked. "What are you suggesting, Udara? Don't encourage him," Zora interjected immediately. "Apologies..." Udara replied sheepishly. By that point, the Spatial Gate had fully stabilized, locking onto a previously identified location pinpointed by the scouting contingent. Without any hesitation, the Fortuna party began to traverse through. One by one, they disappeared into the portal. On the other side... awaiting their arrival was the Lost Heathens' most crucial shipment depot. ***