章 28: Bat Dome III

"We have less hours to finish this Stone bats," Kirex said, setting himself in position to face the approaching creatures.

"And that doesn't mean we have killed the boss, no?" Buji asked.

"We are yet to know the boss. Unfortunately, that's the main aim for this raid," Kirex answered. "They're closer Buji. Let's work together."

Kirex was interrupted by a powerful gust of wind which was generated by the massive wings of one of the Stone Bats.

"Let's aim for the weak spots this time," Kirex called out encouragingly, blocking his eyes from probable particles of sand which swirl out from the dust. "They're strong but not invincible."

Buji nodded, sweeping off the sweat that dripped from his brow, allowing the brown droplet to hit the floor.

The two bats are surely enraged. Judging from the way they approached fiercely.

"I will use my speed to distract them, Buji. Target their heart, that's where their life core lies. If you don't get the heart, slash their bellies. That will weaken them…"

Just as Kirex was still explaining to Buji, one of the bats lunged forward, sending its wing in a bid to slash the two hunters' head, but they were fast. Both of them ducked low, and Kirex slid between the creature's legs, coming out the other side.

In time, he failed to lose the opportunity he found as he sent his spear piercing into the chest of the Stone Bat behind. And with a swift move, pulled out the spear using it to gain stance and throwing himself up with it.

Landing on the Bat's shoulders, he pulled out a dagger which was stacked in a pocket bag on his right leg, and struck the creature's head. It screeched and just before the creature fell to the ground, Kirex jumped out.

It was dead.

Facing to see how Buji coped with the other bat, he was rather bemused than disappointed to see that Buji was running into the far distance, back to where they had come from.

"Buji! One creature down. Come back, you might meet the worst out there," Kirex lamented, and Buji listened.

He turned to Kirex direction and wondered if his injury was not severe enough for him to be able to take down one of the creatures. For him, he now squinted in movements. One of the claws of the frontier bat had clipped his shoulder, sending pain to flare through his arm.

'I'm not sure I would survive this.'

The last creature, the last Stone Bat, was in between Buji and Kirex now. For somewhat reason, it was calm. Maybe, because of the death of its companions.

This enraged the bat and its attacks became wilder. It moved with a super speed and swiped its massive wings toward Buji who got closer as a result of the bat's speed, forcing him to retreat step by step.

"Argh! Not again," he cried, stumbling back. His vision blurred momentarily from the impact, but he gritted his teeth and pulled backward just in time to avoid a slash from the blades of the wings.

"Buji, move to its flank!" Kirex shouted and with a serious tone, said. "Let me finish it!"

Buji understood what Kirex had planned. The understanding flashed in his mind, and immediately, he forced himself into motion, weaving through the creature's wild swipes until he reached its exposed side.

Of course, if he were to be stronger, he was at an advantage. The bat's core and belly were both exposed to him since he was closer. And from its condition, it was the first bat Kirex had attacked. So, it might be weakened.

The bat,, however, turned its head toward Buji who was by its flank, but it was too late.

"Now!" Kirex roared, rushing towards Buji and the bat.

With a final pull of strength, Buji leaped, plunging his short sword into the creature's cracked torso—it chest. That was where the core is suspected to be.

Fortunately, the blade of Buji's sword sank deeper into the bat's torso, the force splintering more of its stone shell.

At the same time, Kirex who had closed the distance leaped high into the air, the metal part of his spear glinting as it caught the faint light. Then, with a powerful thrust downward, he drove the spear straight through the Stone Bat's head.

Just like the other one, the creature let out one final screech before collapsing to the ground, generating a heap of shattered rocks and dust.

Buji fell to his knees, panting heavily. He had managed to use his trembling arms to defeat this thing, of course with Kirex's guidance. He is surely the team leader.

He carefully lay on the ground, throbbing his injured arm to lessen the pain it caused. Even, there was something else he felt apart from pain. He felt a spark of pride gushing out of him. He had done it. The weakling had fought back.

Kirex landed smoothly beside him, resting his spear on his shoulder. His blood stricken arm was still there, but he seemed not to care.

"Not bad," Kirex said with a small smile. "You kept your head when it counted.

Buji looked up at him, breathless. "I… I didn't think I could do it."

"But you did. And next time, you will do even better." Kirex extended a hand to help him up, but noticing his arms were seriously injured, he leaped him slowly from the ground.

"Come on, you have to keep up. This is only the start. If those weren't the boss of this dungeon, we've got a long way to go," Kirex explained.

Buji swallowed as he got lifted by Kirex. His whole body ached, and his short sword were still clutched tightly in his hands.

Buji, with the help of Kirex, trudged on one foot as they advanced deeper into the cave. He proudly took glances at the shattered remains of the Stone Bat and for the first time, he felt something he hadn't expected in this dungeon—hope.

'I just wish it lasts longer.'

"But, are there not treasures yet?" Buji asked.

"Treasures will come from the decay of their body parts. If we are lucky, we might find a store of treasures. It all depends, Buji," explained Kirex.

"So…"

But Buji was cut in between words with the rays of light that pierced into the dungeon as they continued moving.

"…where is that?"