After giving his instructions, Diavel turned around, silently signaling with a nod.
No further words were needed, everyone began to move, each step cautious on the uneven stone ground, the flickering torchlight illuminating the path ahead.
Ren walked between Yuna and Nautilus, occasionally glancing at his two companions.
In the wavering light, Yuna's face appeared tense but resolute, while Nautilus slightly hunched his shoulders, as if trying to summon all his courage with each step.
"Keep the formation tight." Shivata, already in battle stance with his shield and straight steel sword, reminded them in a low voice from the rear.
Up front, Diavel raised his hand high, palm open, signaling the group to stop.
Ren halted immediately, holding his breath.
In the darkness, not far ahead, came a faint sound like claws scraping against stone, a familiar noise he had once heard during a previous, aimless wander.
"Kobold," Lind whispered, hand already on his sword's hilt, eyes gleaming with a cold glint.
From up ahead, four or five figures loomed into view. They stood about half the height of an adult, with thin, pale-skinned bodies, tightly gripping crude weapons made of stone and rusted iron.
Their eyes glowed sickly bright in the darkness like diseased flames.
"Stick to the plan," Diavel said in a low voice, his grip tightening on his longsword.
"Shivata and Lind will take the offensive and draw their attention. Ren, with the highest AGI, and I will split the Kobold formation.
Chest protects the rear. Yuna and Nautilus, provide support and retreat if necessary."
Ren gave a small nod. He felt his chest tighten, but his legs no longer trembled like before.
His eyes met Yuna's and Nautilus's, a firm nod from the girl, and a youthful yet unwavering resolve in Nautilus's gaze.
The next moment, Diavel raised his sword, pointing it straight ahead.
"Move out."
Footsteps thundered on the stone floor, the screech of steel drawn from sheaths piercing the air.
Ren charged behind Diavel and Lind, his heart pounding in his chest, but this time, he did not falter.
In the darkness beneath the earth, the flame of determination flickered within each of them, ready to ignite the coming battle.
The Kobolds roared, their guttural howls echoing through the narrow space. They lunged forward, shadows darting past the wavering torchlight.
Diavel was the first to clash. His movements were decisive, like a spear thrust forward...his longsword slicing in a sharp arc, forcing one Kobold to stumble backward.
Right beside him, Lind dodged a strike and countered with lightning speed, a slash across the enemy's side, making it recoil with a pained hiss.
Ren had no time to think. Another Kobold was charging at him, swinging its axe with both hands.
In that instant, his body moved on its own. His hand gripped the sword hilt tightly, a sharp breath propelling him forward.
Ren's first slash was slightly off, grazing the enemy's shoulder. But instead of backing off, he spun, using the momentum to arc his sword down a second time.
The blade carved deep into the left side of the Kobold's chest, red pixel shards bursting out like broken glass.
Its scream rang out shrill and chaotic, causing Ren to clench his jaw even tighter.
Behind him, Shivata blocked two more Kobolds trying to flank them.
His shield moved as if part of his arm, each powerful bash knocking the creatures back.
Chest, torch raised high, slashed with calculated strength, each blow exploiting the Kobolds' staggered positions from Shivata's defense.
His movements were not flashy, but efficient and battle-tested.
From beneath his cloak, he occasionally threw small throwing knives.
They whistled through the air, sharp and accurate, embedding in the Kobolds' wrists or legs, halting their attacks mid-motion.
Ren sensed Yuna and Nautilus moving closely behind him.
A flash of silver streaked past, Yuna's dagger spinning through the air before embedding itself in the shoulder of a Kobold charging at Lind.
He paused for a beat. Since when did Yuna learn the throwing knife skill?
From what Ren remembered, she usually relied on short swords and support items like flash bombs or oil flasks.
That familiar image now felt distant, as if she had grown beyond the version of her he once knew.
Maybe... after the battle with the worm?
The thought passed fleetingly...no time to dwell.
A sudden strike from behind made Ren stagger, slammed hard in the back.
His HP dropped significantly, a red blink flashing at the edge of his vision.
Immediately after, a metal shield interceded, the clang rang out like a bell, Diavel had arrived.
He bashed the Kobold away with his shield, then slid left, unleashing three sword skills in quick succession, finishing off the enemy before it could cry out again.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes never leaving the battlefield ahead.
Ren nodded, his voice breathless but steady. "I'm fine... thank you."
Nautilus, moving quickly with each step, advanced and positioned himself in front of Yuna, his courage palpable in his gaze.
"Hold steady!" Diavel shouted loudly, his voice cutting through the sound of clashing weapons. "Don't let them separate us!"
Ren gritted his teeth, the pain from the earlier blow still creeping through his body, but he refused to let himself show weakness.
Each step now more fluid, like a hunting leopard, avoiding quick and precise strikes.
The tension in the cramped cavern, where every action was crucial, made Ren increasingly sync with the rhythm of the battle.
Every breath, every block, every sword strike of his seemed perfectly aligned, creating a whirlwind of speed and power.
The Kobolds weren't too strong, but they made the most of the confined space as an advantage. A slight mistake, a moment of hesitation, could cost the entire team dearly.
Ren could feel the tension in every muscle, every nerve being stretched, clinging to each moment.
He took a deep breath, his eyes sharp as blades, and when the enemy charged toward him, he no longer hesitated.
His whole body tensed like a drawn bowstring, his sword swinging with immense force.
The slash cut through the air, the sword flashing like a brilliant bolt of lightning, precisely severing the Kobold's neck, its head flying off and rolling through the air before hitting the ground with a dry "crack."
Red pixelated blood splattered in the torchlight, like stars shattering in the night sky.
They fluttered around, spreading brutally and beautifully, disappearing in an instant as if they had never existed.
Ren didn't stop. His eyes darted to find the next target. The battle wasn't over yet.
He took a deep breath, the pounding in his chest gradually calming after the recent strike, but his awareness remained sharp.
He still had to fight, still had to keep pace, his steps unceasing on the cold stone ground.
Another Kobold charged, its eyes glowing red like fiery anger. Ren sidestepped, feeling his sword swing up instinctively, cutting through the enemy with precise accuracy.
But this Kobold was tougher than the ones before. It quickly turned around and threw a stone knife at Ren.
He furrowed his brows, instinctively dodging to the right. The knife whizzed past Ren's head, narrowly missing his hood.
But once the enemy began to retaliate, Ren knew to brace for the next strikes.
At that moment, Yuna and Nautilus appeared from behind, closing in on the Kobold with wind-like speed.
Yuna drove her short sword into the Kobold's eye, causing it to scream and blink rapidly, only to be swiftly taken down by Nautilus with a powerful thrust to the neck. They moved as one, like seasoned warriors, without a second of hesitation.
Ren smiled inwardly, a sense of pride he couldn't hide.
Even though they were small movements, they fit together perfectly, making Ren feel like the pieces of a grand puzzle were slowly falling into place.
"Watch out behind you!" Shivata called from the rear.
Ren turned immediately, his sword rising once more, ensuring no Kobold had the chance to attack from behind.
The sharp strike sliced through its crude armor, and the monster fell instantly.
"We don't have much time left," Lind moved closer to Ren, this time his gaze held something more complex than the usual dismissal. "Hang in there, just a few left."
The team had found a steady rhythm, like a perfectly tuned fighting machine.
The Kobolds no longer posed a significant threat, but Ren knew the battle wasn't over.
One slip-up, and everything could change. He took a deep breath, his sword raised again, ready for the next attack.
The remaining Kobolds were being pushed into a corner, no longer able to fight back.
Ren continued to swing his sword, each strike precise, leaving no opening.
He could feel the sweat gathering on his brow, but there was no time to rest. His eyes stayed fixed on every movement, every shadow that passed through the darkness.
Finally, only one Kobold remained. It stood facing Diavel, holding a stone knife, its eyes filled with panic.
Faced with a seasoned warrior like Diavel, it had no choice but to charge, but as it advanced, Diavel quickly struck. A powerful slash, without hesitation, ended its life.
When the last Kobold fell, silence took over. The group's heavy breathing blended together, the tension in the air slowly dissipating.
"We did it," Ren sighed in relief, looking around.
Though it wasn't fully over, at least the team had won this battle. Everyone could rest, at least for a moment.
Diavel turned back, smiling in satisfaction, his bright blue eyes gleaming. "Good job. But don't forget, this is just the beginning."
Ren met Diavel's gaze, then glanced at Yuna and Nautilus.
Each of them had a spark in their eyes, a fresh feeling, they were becoming a team, even though many challenges lay ahead.