Capítulo 72: A Wild Jack
Chraat stared at Byron, dumbfounded by his sudden interference. Also, He could feel that Byron's strength had returned to him. "What are you doing!? How did you escape?"
"You'll have to thank my new friend," laughed Byron while he pointed and the still rampaging fiery fiend.
"But-but that's impossible!" yelled Chraat as he forcibly pushed Jack back. The troll captain was on edge, no longer confident he could win.
If he were at full strength, he wouldn't be too worried, but Jack's tactics and attacks were too strange for him to anticipate and he underestimated him. Now that he knew Jack was stalling the whole fight, Chraat cursed himself for his own arrogance.
"Brat, I've toyed with you long enough!" Chraat charged toward Jack as he dropped his improvised club and retrieved his true club mid-swing.
Jack in his wild state tried to meet the troll blow for blow, despite the level gap. His temporary lv. 21 strength proved resilient but matching Chraat's blows with a true lv. 30 weapon wasn't something Jack could shrug off.
The red-hot lv. 20 rapier bent upon impact, unable to match the force of the lv. 30 club. In his crazed state of mind, Jack had forgotten it was a featherweight rapier he was wielding and not a heavy blade that could take hits.
Flung back into the staircase, Jack was momentarily airborne, yet his gaze remained fixed on the troll.
The troll captain attempted to charge Jack again but was quickly cut off by Byron wielding the green saber. "Where are you going? I haven't shown you what I learned from all those lessons you taught me down here. Now, I can finally share some of my insights, so try and keep up with me."
Chraat flinched when Byron parried his club's full power swing. This proved to Chraat that the poison was taking effect and fighting like this would only speed it up. He knew that this fight needed to end quickly.
"What's wrong? Scared speechless? I may only be lv. 31, but you're nowhere near your peak lv. 36 condition. I wonder who will walk away from this?" taunted Byron.
Before Chraat could respond, Byron disappeared. His heightened senses quickly caught wind of an attack coming from his right, the same side which could no longer wield a weapon. "Coward! Only fighting me when I'm weakened. You don't deserve to be called a warrior."
Byron paid Chraat's comments no mind as his saber swung towards the troll's arm with incredible speed.
This saber was very unique and was an heirloom of the Balt family. It was always gifted to the heir of the clan after they reached lv. 30, as a testament to their strength and potential.
The reason it was valuable was partially from the material it was made from. No one in the clan knew what material it was, they only knew it was most likely from ancient times.
It was specially crafted and designed as well, carrying a weighted tip at the curved end. This made it a little awkward to wield, but if it was mastered then the wielder would be able to easily decapitate a man or sever limbs.
This was why Chraat claimed it for himself and why Byron was ecstatic to get it back thanks to Jack's distraction and aid.
Unable to grab anything to defend himself, Chraat clenched his face muscles in anticipation of the impact and readied his counterattack.
Just when Chraat was ready to receive the blow, a flash of heat washed over him, setting off a mental alarm.
The troll had no way to dodge the incoming flame body as one of his arms was braced for impact and the other was mid-swing towards Byron.
Jack tackled Chraat, pushing him into the dungeon floor with a crash.
Byron was more aware of the situation then Chraat, so he held back from striking in hopes to instead attack the downed troll. Instead, as Byron turned to swing at Chraat stretched across the floor, his side was smashed by a fiery arm that pushed him onto the floor as well.
In Jack's current state of mind, he wasn't paying attention to the fight between Byron and Chraat, not differentiating between friend and foe. All Jack saw was someone who harmed him previously and someone that appeared to be getting in his way.
Both the troll captain and the Balt Guild heir were puzzled by Jack's actions. It was one thing to intervene and try to face Chraat, it was another to act indiscriminately.
"Jack, what are you doing!?" yelled Byron.
The flame body faced Byron and pounced towards him. Eager to kill his prey and claim victory, the Hell-flame Fox instincts had taken over.
Byron got to his feet and vanished with no time to spare, narrowly dodging the flame body's tackle.
Still without clothes or armor, Byron was fighting while stark nude so the skin at his side was singed and burned by the intense hell-like flames that made up Jack's body.
Chraat wasn't faring any better. Thanks to Jack's tackle the troll captain had lost a lot of skin and was covered in burns across his left arm and torso.
While Chraat struggled to push himself up with his numb muscles and handicapped right hand, Byron appeared in front of the troll. His green saber was already in mid-swing, aiming for the left elbow as Chraat was propped up on his one good arm.
Fear filled Chraat as he realized what was happening. Forced to retaliate, Chraat propped himself up with his crippled right arm and lifted his club to block.
The block was successful, but the mix of Chraat's heavy bodyweight and the weight of Byron's attack was too much. A splintering sound echoed through the dungeon, followed by Chraat's pained groans and shouts.
Byron attacked again, this time disappearing and reappearing on Chraat's right side.
When he noticed the bones protruding from Chraat's crippled wrist, Byron smiled. Byron's saber aimed at Chraat's right shoulder as the troll was toppling over his weakened arm.
Just as the blade approached the troll, Byron felt a familiar flash of heat.
Not wanting to harm Jack, Byron vanished again. After happening twice Byron was certain that Jack had no clue who was a friend and who was a foe.
Chraat, who was wincing in pain and was still struggling to get up, failed to notice the raging Jack until Byron disappeared.
As Jack dove and missed Byron, he made a direct hit against Chraat's right side. With that Chraat's entire upper body was covered in burns.
The worst part was that the searing flames that Jack was producing made contact with Chraat's exposed bone and flesh. Pain shot through the troll's right arm like it was struck by lightning. "AAAAGGGHHH!"
Jack grabbed hold of Chraat, forcing them both into a death roll. The insane heat of the flame body was roasting Chraat alive while Jack's mouth was ripping at Chraat's shoulders and chest.
Byron remained completely still in hopes to keep Jack from attacking him further. Plus, he wouldn't dare to attack the two while they were in a flaming death roll. The difficulty of only hitting the troll was beyond what he felt comfortable trying.
"You… You!" Chraat was losing his sanity to the unimaginable pain he felt. He released his club and grabbed Jack by the throat. "Die! Just die!"
Jack's instincts kicked in once again, recognizing that the troll was easily superior in terms of strength. So, in retaliation to hand around his neck, Jack released the troll's shoulder and latched onto Chraat's neck instead.
An extremely furious grunt escaped Chraat's mouth. He wanted to physically rip Jack from his flesh, sacrificing his right shoulder in exchange for Jack's life.
However, Jack's hold on the troll's neck made it impossible for Chraat to do so without suffering a possible mortal injury.
Switching strategies, Chraat let go of Jack's neck and clenched his fist. He punched the fox with everything he had, desperate to get this flaming demon off him.
Jack's strength wasn't enough to threaten Chraat's life, and the troll understood that. But he also understood that Jack's flame body alone was causing him crippling damage that couldn't be recovered without serious medical attention and a ridiculous amount of time to recover. Especially because every wound Jack created was instantly cauterized and scarred Chraat's body.
If it weren't for the difference in raw strength, Chraat learned that he would have lost his life to the low-level Jack.
The troll's punch landed on Jack's throat forcing him to release his Jaw.
Immediately taking advantage of this, Chraat grabbed Jack's neck again and threw the fiery threat as far away as he possibly could.
Jack slammed into a nearby empty cell, crashing through the wooden bars and setting them on fire.
A painful whine came from the rubble. Byron and Chraat stared intently at the flaming pile of debris, waiting for Jack to spring out full force.
They were both glad to see the flaming Jack crawl out weakly, give another pained whine, and pass out.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
TheSilverQuill
TheSilverQuill A heads up, we go premium on September 2. Thanks for all of your support and feedback! I wouldn't be able to make this story without you and I look forward to your continued support and help. Let's make this story amazing!
Capítulo 73: The Battle Ends
A sigh of relief left Chraat's twitching lips. The level of threat Jack showed was unprecedented and it truly scared the troll captain.
Not only was Jack a physical threat and his body could be a weapon itself, but his planning was impeccable. He was able to aid Byron in recovering while stealthily stalling for time against a foe that was far stronger than himself.
Chraat couldn't help but shake his head at his terrible luck to meet such a foe without prior knowledge.
"Are you done saying your last prayers?"
The voice of his executioner brought Chraat back to reality. He was still laying on the floor, chest up and almost unrecognizable due to the bodily damage Jack's unimaginably hot flames caused.
"At least tell me this, who and what is he?" pled Chraat.
The troll admitted defeat, certain that there was no hope for his victory. Thanks to his tussle with Jack, he was too weak and physically handicapped to act further. Even his one good limb was no longer usable. He had grabbed Jack's neck tightly not once but twice, causing his left hand to receive the worst burns of all.
"I'll be honest," said Byron as he lifted his saber. "I have no clue myself."
With a flash of green light, the blade easily cut through Chraat's chewed-up neck, silencing him forever.
Byron fell to the ground, sitting upon the dungeon floor. The cold stone felt surreal in contrast to the warmth that lingered in his body, mainly from the heat the Jack put off.
Slivia ran out towards Jack who was sprawled across the stone floor, naked and unconscious.
"He's probably fine. I'd guess it's MP exhaustion from that insane stunt he pulled," said Byron.
"You're probably right," responded Slivia with a shy, blushed expression. She didn't dare look at Byron, too embarrassed to see him without any cover.
Byron laughed, "Your one lucky girl, to have a man like that."
Slivia's face instantly turned bright red. "He's-he's not my man. He's a friend, from my new party."
"Oh? That's it?" asked Byron. "Don't tell me you have no feelings for him, not after what he just went through."
She was silent, only turning a deeper shade of red as more blood rushed to her cheeks.
"Well, am I wrong?"
"N-no…" Slivia quietly muttered as she examined Jack's body carefully.
Looking at him, she was baffled. There were no visible signs of bruises or damages on his skin. As a cleric, she prided herself in diagnosing her companion's injuries, but she couldn't find any issues.
To double-check, she began casting a basic healing spell regardless. When she did, her eye went wide in shock.
"What? What is it?" Byron noticed her shocked expression and got the feeling that something was off.
"This… I've never felt something like this before," explained Slivia. "Looking at him, I would give him a clean bill of health. But while using magic, I can get a small feel for how they are feeling internally."
"Really?"
"Mhm, I can feel the magic channel across their bodies and begin the healing process. From what I can feel I know he's hurt internally, but his body is only channeling a portion of the magic. That's the first time I've ever heard of something like this," stated Slivia, who was still staring at Jack's uncovered body.
"That's…" Byron didn't know what to say. Like Slivia, he had never heard of such a rare occurrence. He assumed it might have something to do with Jack's ability to transform but he had no way to verify that.
*****
Out on the battlefield, the samurai were still fighting for their lives.
Brunar and Troni were near complete exhaustion. They had held off well, but the reinforcements weren't drugged with neurotoxin and were able to fight with their full strength. This pushed them further than they were able, leaving them only able to defend and prolong the inevitable.
Both of them had many serious cuts and injuries, tempting them to try another potion. However, they both knew that they most likely wouldn't be able to maintain consciousness after the pain from another potion.
Maynard still on the defense against the captain and the fat troll. Occasionally he'd get a strike in and deal some damage, but not enough to turn the tide of the battle or make up for the injuries he was accumulating.
Numerous times he had tried to contact Rydel or Jack, wanting an update on the situation and back up.
Sadly, no response ever came from either of the two. Maynard instead felt as if their connection was partially severed.
There was this sinking feeling that he was alone with his disciples, waiting for the slaughter. When he thought about that, Maynard couldn't help but sigh in disbelief that this could be their end.
"Keep it up! Stall for as long as ya can!" Maynard tried to encourage his disciples. "Hold out for a while longer, things will turn around soon enough."
"Yes, Master!" yelled Brunar, more determined than ever. His true colors were magnified under the pressure, proving that he's a man that welcomes any challenge no matter the difficulty.
"Yes," said Troni, panting and out of breath. Unlike his counterpart, Troni had very little hope left. His movements were getting sluggish and extremely predictable. Troni would be the first to go if help didn't arrive soon
Thanks to the goblin and troll tag team, Maynard was unable to help his disciples and he hated that feeling
Currently, Maynard was in the middle of his two opponents and at the mercy of their attacks. That's when he noticed a shift in the goblin's gaze that confused the ronin.
The goblin captain suddenly lunged forward at Maynard, going in for close combat.
Stunned by the goblin's change in plans, Maynard was forced to take another defensive stance and wait for the troll to follow with an attack.
But the goblin's attack never came. The goblin continued to lunge forward, effectively passing Maynard and charging the troll.
Laughing, the troll was glad to offer an indiscriminate follow-up attack. It would be even happier if it could hit two birds with one stone.
However, as it swung its heavy club forward and targeted Maynard, it noticed that the goblin didn't stop and attack. Seeing the goblin duck under its club and drive a blade into its chest, the troll shouted in pain and rage.
"What you doing!?"
Smiling the goblin hurriedly removed its shortsword and slashed across the troll's chest, from the shoulder down.
Maynard followed along and caused both of his katanas to glow blood-red before diving into the troll headfirst with a Bloody Cross.
Blood oozed out from the troll's cuts and the corner of its mouth. It was confused and didn't quite understand what was happening.
Before the troll could counter, it had already received a deadly blow from Maynard and was then quickly finished off while yelling in misery.
As the goblin captain removed its shortsword, Maynard raised his blades through force of will, ready to lay it all on the line.
When the goblin saw this, it chuckled. Retrieving a contact crystal, the captain began to speak in goblin.
Maynard was awkwardly standing there in a guarded stance in front of the casual goblin.
Taking a moment to reassess the situation, the ronin peeked at the other side of the battlefield. He was dazed to see that the remaining goblins not only stopped fighting, but the gathered into a group and no longer gave off any sense of threat.
"Umm, Master, what's going on?" asked Brunar.
"I… I have no clue."
"But they're not fighting us anymore; what did the other do exactly?" Troni let himself collapse on the floor, speaking his thoughts softly.
Maynard tried using telepathy again but to no avail. Instead, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
He turned around to see the goblin captain extending its contact crystal, motioning for Maynard to take it.
Hesitant to follow along, it took Maynard a few seconds to willingly take the crystal in his hand. As soon as he touched it, he became really confused.
"Hey, are you still alive?"
The familiar voice rang out in Maynard's mind. "Ya sly hunter, what did ya do this time?"
"I've been busy talking matters over with the queen. She was surprisingly reasonable," answered Rydel. "Oh, and you're welcome for the help."
"Why didn't ya answer any of my calls?"
"I didn't get any, but you didn't answer mine either so we're even," replied Rydel.
Baffled by the weird situation and the strange circumstances, Maynard remembered something very important to the plan. "Hey, what happened to the kid?"
"I'm not sure. Last time I talked with him he was headed for the…"
"Hey, what happened? I lost ya for a second there," stated Maynard.
"Call me on your own crystal, I've got to hurry to the dungeon!" yelled Rydel.
"The dungeon? What's down there?" asked Maynard.
"The boss troll, that's who!"
When the connection cut off, Maynard instantly dashed into the city gate.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES
TheSilverQuill
TheSilverQuill
Again, thanks for all your support to make this happen. On September 2, we'll go premium and everything starting from arc 3 will cost spirit stones. There are still a couple of chapters till arc 3 begins, but you'll have some time with arc 3 before it changes to premium.
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