บท 48: Pre-emptive Strike

[3rd Person POV]

A lone figure was running through the woods. He wore a dark blue set of armor, with his cape flowing behind him.

The figure disappeared as quickly as he came, leaving only a gust of wind.

Moments later, a group of around 200 armed knights in red armor appeared and disappeared again in much the same way.

The direction they were heading was north. Towards the beast wave. Towards what would be considered certain death to most. But to him, it was simply an EXP farm.

[Rewind a couple hours]

The scout had finally arrived at the northern gate of Hull. Exhausted both physically and mentally, he barely held his consciousness as his comrades brought him to the makeshift infirmary.

Breathing raggedly, he was obviously in no condition to report properly. After a couple cups of water and a few seconds to gather his breath, he began his report.

"Sir, the beast wave is in the northern forest! We accidentally stumbled upon their base, and the other three members of my team died…"

"Alright, you did a good job, soldier. Tell me, where is the base?"

"T-Towards the northeast of the forest. There's a massive clearing there. Also, there's a massive cedar tree along the way. If you stand next to it, then going east would lead you straight to their base."

"Thank you. What was your name?"

"Thaum, sir."

"Alright, have a good rest, Thaum. I'll see to it that you're treated properly, and your comrades' families compensated."

"Thank you, sir!"

---

Within the Guildmaster's office, the news had already reached Cairne. The first thing he did was tell Prudor, before calling Daniel and his party to his office.

"I'm afraid to say this, but the beast wave will start at any moment now. You need to speed up your production rate." (Cairne)

"My production rate? Oh right, I haven't shown you yet." (Daniel)

Standing up, Daniel produced weapon upon weapon, and armor upon armor until the room was almost entirely filled.

"Is this good enough?" (Daniel)

The bulky man did not reply. Instead, his jaw was threatening to dislocate as he opened his mouth to an inhuman degree.

Catherine and Arin, who already knew of their boyfriend's proficiency at creating equipment, were also astonished.

The amount here would be enough to equip an entire outfield army, let alone a small garrison!

The problem was that Cairne had agreed to pay 1000 gold per item. If they truly were to buy up every single one, then the town would become so bankrupt that not even selling the entirety of the Kingdom of Corus would be enough.

As such, Cairne was currently hesitating. It was until Daniel opened his mouth that he snapped out of it.

"I know that you can't buy all of this, so let's make another deal. I'll reduce the price of the items by 500 gold and sell them as a set, but you have to guarantee that you and Prudor won't hold me here against my will. And don't even bother trying to threaten me with my girlfriends. If you do, then you won't even know how you died." (Daniel)

A thick and dense killing intent permeated through the room, as the temperature decreased by a couple degrees.

Arin and Catherine, on the other hand, felt themselves heating up by a few degrees. This in itself was quite bizarre. However, Arin and Catherine had perceived Daniel's own threat as his protective nature over them.

If they knew that Daniel was simply saying it because he was jealous, they probably wouldn't know whether to cry or laugh.

"A-Alright, I got it. Is it alright if I buy just 200 of them at first?" (Cairne)

"Sure." (Daniel)

In the end, Daniel received exactly 100,000 gold coins, and Cairne left with 200 sets of equipment.

---

[Daniel POV]

I just sold 200 sets of equipment for 500 gold each. I now have 100,000 gold coins! I'm even richer than before! Being a famous blacksmith is such a good profession.

Anyway, now I will proceed with my previous plan. Taking Arthur and Gilgamesh out, I communicate with them mentally, before speaking to Catherine and Arin.

"Catherine, Arin, I'm going to go and attack the beast wave with some of my Guards. I want you two to stay here with Arthur and Gilgamesh, okay?" (Daniel)

"Nya!" (Catherine)

"Why can't we go with you?" (Arin)

"Because it's dangerous!" (Daniel)

"And that's exactly why I want to go with you! I don't want to relax in the town while you are doing something dangerous." (Arin)

Seeing her distressed state, it's obvious that cares deeply for me. Touched by that, I place a hand around her waist and draw her into my embrace, before planting a kiss on her lips.

"Thank you, Arin. But what I'm about to do can only be done by myself. I don't want the two of you to face any unnecessary danger." (Daniel)

And so I set off.

Taking 200 King's Guards out of my inventory after I left Hull, I ran towards the beast base.

On the way, several stray beasts didn't know what they were getting into and attacked us, only to be easily dispatched by my Guards. These Guards are the ones that have levelled up and experienced duels with each other, so they are actually LV100; almost the same level as me.

It was noon by the time we reached the base. It was impressive on all accounts.

There were orcs and wolves on lookout, with goblins reinforcing them with numbers. The trolls, ogres and cyclopes formed the middle ring.

There was no way for me to see inside any further, so I sent some of my insect undead into the cave.

They didn't come back. Which means that they've probably already been alerted to my presence.

Well, no time like the present.

Giving the order, the King's Guard and I charge out of our cover and engage the beasts.

What ensued was a chaotic melee to say the least. Although only for the beast side. My skeletons were absolutely decimating them, and I was weaving in and out of their ranks.

With my trusty Dragonsbane sword, I charged straight into the middle ring. Swinging left and right, I connect with a troll's head. Slicing it right off, a blood fountain started gushing.

Ah, the benefits of good equipment. If I were using a normal Noxia Longsword, there's no way I would be able to chop that head off. In fact, the sword might have chipped. That might have been a good outcome for the beasts.

But alas, I have with me Dragonsbane, a Half-God weapon. And much like its description, I was truly slaughtering everything in my path.

Whether it was goblins, orcs, trolls, ogres or cyclopes, they would end up as diced meat when they faced me.

I managed to level up all the way to 210, making my status as such.

[Status:

Name: Daniel

Age: 14

Class: Dragon Slayer

Secondary Class: Sword Saint

Available Classes: Swordsman (Common), Mage (Common), Magic Swordsman (Rare), Thief (Uncommon), Grand Mage (Rare), Sword Saint (Unique+), Arch Mage (Legendary), Magic Blacksmith (Legendary), Dragon Slayer (Legendary)

Title: Loved by Mana (Legendary)

Level: 102 -> 210

HP: 652/652 -> 1094/1094

MP: 2050/2050 -> 3160/3160

STR: 162 -> 271

VIT: 164 -> 276

AGI: 170 -> 264

DEX: 179 -> 283

INT: 186 -> 297

Skills: Bone Control LVMAX, Utility Magic LVMAX, Saint Sword LV5, Dismantling LV6, Tanning LV6, Tailoring LV7, Dagger Arts LVMAX, Underworld LV3, Fire Magic LV9, Ice Magic LV6, Water Magic LV5, God Smith LV5, Mana Merge LV5

Inventory: 3 x Health Potions (Rare), Flammable Bones (Uncommon), Bench Press (Uncommon), Squat Rack (Uncommon), Mithril Longsword (Unique), Many litres of Holy Spring Water (Rare)

Undead Area: 71 x LV30 Skeleton Warriors (Rare), 3500 x LV80 King's Guard Skeletons (Unique+), 1300 x LV80 Refined King's Guard Skeletons (Legendary), 200 x LV100 Refined King's Guard Skeletons (Legendary), 100 x LV90 Elder Lich (Unique), Bone Carriage (Uncommon), 5000 x Bone Mounts (Unique), 5000 x Royal Cavalry (Unique)

Equipment: Dragonsbane (Half-God), Orichalcum Dagger (Rare), Purple Death Cuirass (Unique+), Purple Death Leggings (Unique+), Purple Death Boots (Unique+), Purple Death Gauntlets (Unique+), Purple Death Pauldrons (Unique+), Purple Death Helmet (Unique+), Tri-Horned Tiger Cape (Uncommon)]

Unfortunately, the higher levelled beasts started coming out of the cave. After appraising them, I realized that they were much higher levelled than I expected.

[Drake – Status: Alive

Level: 539]

The Drake is basically a dragon. Despite having stout legs and arms, the thickness is unbelievable, and it can still tower over me. It lacks wings, and that's perhaps the only good thinga bout it for me.

It seems like this Drake was the leader of the entire group. My Dragonsbane would normally be able to make short work of it, but the overwhelming difference in levels meant that I would lose anyway.

Left with no other choice, I store my skeletons and run away.