“****.... I refuse to believe that we can’t even beat down a noob like him…”


    “Can’t you shut up and just ****** focus?”!”


    “...You little piece of…”


    Small numbers of them had been beat down and wounded, though no one had died yet. It was understandable as not only Noah was ganged up and left him small room to focus on one enemy, he was also lower levelled.


    Still, they couldn’t help but feel frustrated at their situations. In this stage where even some slight difference in level could tip the favor, how could they not be?


    And with that, they became reckless and just went for the kill no matter the cost. As long as they could kill this halberd guy, they could then be at ease. Or at the very least, could comfort themselves that they at least was able to whack the hell out of him.


    Left. Right. Front. Behind.


    Iron Might’s forces had Noah surrounded. No gaps, space, or way for him to maneuver.


    The only way was for him to break through the ranks and that was what Noah did.


    Kraaakss Srriingg Craaankk…


    And from that, Noah was even able to deal a lot of damage toward the enemies around him. It was just that because of the numbers, it seemed that it would be a matter of time before Noah finally was going to taste some fatal damage on him.


    "Nowhere to run, buddy!"


    "Should’ve picked your fights better…"


    "Let’s finish this already…."


    Booomm…


    A violent explosion tore through the ranks of the Iron Might’s members.


    Flames and shockwaves erupted behind them, hurling armored figures into the air like ragdolls. The sheer force sent some crashing into boulders, while others collapsed to the ground, their HP bars became zero from the unexpected blast.


    The suffocating pressure around Aron vanished in an instant.


    The warriors who had been seconds away from striking him down were now dazed and disoriented, if not dead.


    “You good there?” Wilhelm asked with a grin on his face. On his hand, there was a dark color glow enveloping it as his hand formed into a fist. As if he had just just crushed something in it just now.


    Noah let out a small laugh as he shook his head, “Careful from your right side,”


    Kraannkk…


    As the last word of Noah came, a sharp big sword came toward Wilhelm with great momentum. It would have probably hacked him to shambles if not for the barrier that appeared in time, protecting him from that.


    A shimmering barrier of pure energy materialized, shuddering a bit as it absorbed the devastating blow. The impact sent ripples of magical force across its surface, distorting the air around Wilhelm like heat waves.


    The attacker, Thornshard himself, gritted his teeth in frustration as his blade still pressed against the barrier, unable to break through. His expression twisted in shock as he realized his ambush had failed. Yet again.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Wilhelm tilted his head slightly, his eyes flicking to the enemy at his side.


    “Nice try.”


    With a flick of his fingers, the barrier pulsed. And in an instant, the force within it rebounded, sending the rogue flying backward with a strangled cry, his body tumbling across the ground.


    Wilhelm glanced back at Noah, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Appreciate the heads-up.”


    Noah simply shrugged, twirling his halberd. “Doubt you even need that…”


    …


    The skirmish unfolded with a chaotic intensity. Grunts of effort punctuated the forest''s silence. The Iron Might fought with a ferocity that kept on building up, but Noah and Wilhelm were handling them likewise.


    Noah''s halberd whirled powerfully, delivering punishing strikes that kept his adversaries at bay. He executed sweeps and thrusts as he tried to keep a distance between them. His class, Halberdier, granted him agility and strength, and he wielded them skillfully.


    Wilhelm''s mastery of magic came into play as he cast spells that unleashed elemental fury upon their foes. Blasts exploded with fiery brilliance, searing the armor of Iron Might''s members, while dark looking shards pierced through their ranks, slowing their advance.


    Despite the chaos, Noah and Wilhelm fought as a well-coordinated team. Their coordination was in sync, their understanding of each other''s tactics seemed to be clear enough to see. It was this synergy that seemed to allow them to hold their ground against the encroaching Iron Might.


    WIlhelm was truly in wonder regarding Noah’s high skill and understanding, and could only say that it was as expected from the boss of him himself.


    But the Iron Might were no pushovers either. Thornshard pressed the attack relentlessly. He swung his greatsword with immense power, each blow a deadly arc of destruction. Noah''s halberd and Wilhelm''s spells were barely enough to deflect his strikes in his eyes.


    As the battle raged on, the forest seemed to close in around them. Boulders became obstacles to maneuver around, and the underbrush concealed hidden hazards. Noah and Wilhelm used the terrain to their advantage, luring their foes into ambushes and unleashing destructive attacks.


    The clash continued for a while and neither side was willing to yield. But the Iron Might''s initial confidence slowly waned as they realized that Noah and Wilhelm were formidable opponents.


    Exhaustion began to set in, but the intention to protect the treasure chest was obvious to see within Noah and Wilhelm. They knew that the outcome of this battle would determine the fate of the treasure and, perhaps, their standing in the game.


    "Damn it, who the hell are these two? The fight is not even long enough, but we suffered much already... Let''s retreat!"


    In the midst of the battle, Thornshard shouted a retreat order. The forest, having witnessed their ferocity and tenacity, seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as the Iron Might begrudgingly disengaged.


    Noah and Wilhelm watched as the Iron Might retreated into the depths of the forest, their leader casting a final glare at the treasure chest they coveted. The battle had ended and the treasure chest remained the object of their desire.


    Who wouldn’t though, if not for the lacking manpower that Thornshard had on his side, he would absolutely chose to go all the way. Especially when they had the numbers to overwhelm them. After all, it was not everyday that one could encounter a Rare Rare treasure chest.


    …


    With the immediate threat gone, Noah and Wilhelm turned their attention back to the chest. They had fought well to protect it, and now they would reap the rewards of their efforts.


    The treasure was theirs, like a reward to their resilience and patience in the face of sudden adversity.


    "Not bad, Bo-... Brother Demerit. I didn''t know that you were this capable already." Wilhelm commented as he eyed Noah with a smile.


    "It''s you who is amazing alright. Your damages are devastating enough for them to retreat fastly. Like Bro, don''t you think it''s too fast." Noah replied while shaking his head. Wilhelm could only shrug his shoulders.


    "This could be a lesson too, on why making a guild from scratch would be an arduous task. Cause if we are behind a prestigious name, we probably wouldn''t be attacked like just now. That, is my opinion naturally." Wilhelm explained slowly.


    Noah only nodded his head but didn''t reply to Wilhelm''s words as he seemed to have another opinion, but didn''t want to convey it.


    The two of them then focused back toward the treasure chest at hand that had been waiting for them to be inspected.


    ...


    ---


    Note : Author apologized for not releasing chapters in this few days, but now it''s going to go back on schedule. Where the comments and followers at? Come and show your your support to let Author knows it!