Chapter 155 Gateway (1/2)

Having regrouped, the Queens Guard have positioned themselves to strike together. Weapons drawn they form a row ten across and as one stab forward with their swords. Instantly ten beams of sword light flash through the air, impacting against the mercenaries who are knocked off their feet by the impact. With the constant force of the Gravity Spear dragging at them they can't possibly brace themselves against this strike!

Three mercs slip and that's all it takes as they 'fall' towards their own leader, the enormous great sword wielding warrior.

Chance!

With the front line in sudden disarray I immediately activate my infused mandibles, feeding my gravitational mana into them at a furious pace. The warriors might be struggling right now but those two mages at the back have maintained their footing, thankfully the kerfuffle at the front has pulled their eyes away from my magnificence for a moment, so I have an opening!

I don't know how these guys are able to block spells but that is something I surely want to learn! I mean, it makes sense that mages would be able to defend themselves against hostile magic, otherwise a magical battle would always be decided by whoever managed to cast first. I just hope the technique doesn't rely on their staves and is something I can achieve in my mind, perhaps the neglected external mana manipulation skill holds a clue?

With no eyes on me, I stealthily scuttle to my left, circling around the mercs whilst maintaining a twenty meter distance. Soon I reach a point where the two enemy mages are lined up, fire mage in front, wind mage behind, their elemental s.h.i.+elds flickering with power.

The fire mage recovers from his distraction and turns back towards me, eyes flicking about until he sees my position, not to mention my brightly glowing purple mandibles! He tries to shout a warning as he thrusts his staff in my direction but it's too late!

YOINK!

As my mandibles flare with power the fire mage flinches instinctively, lowering his stance to a defensive posture. Very alert these guys, I have to give them credit.

His wariness does him little good when his ally slams directly into his back!

BOOM!

As the two s.h.i.+elds, one of swiftly rotating air and the other of mana fuelled flame collide, the air erupts with a wave of heat as fire climbs into the sky. The two mages, caught completely by surprise don't have time to react before their elemental s.h.i.+elds begin to shred each other, the fierce wind merging with flame and shooting out amongst their own allies.

The mercenaries, grouped together and off balance, are licked by searing tongues of flame borne on sharp winds from behind. Their voices begin to take on a note of panic as the situation begins to spiral out of their control. Sensing weakness the Guards roar as one and charge again!

Now is the time!

Leaping forth I dash towards the flailing mercs.

My XP! Come to me!

If I'm going to fight here then I'm going to get my reward for it dammit! There is no chance the Queen's Guard will leave these traitors alive, if they have to die I may as well gain something from it!

After a few seconds the mages take control of themselves and shut off their s.h.i.+eld spells before staggering back to their feet. Just in time to see the monstrous ant rus.h.i.+ng towards them with its jaws wide and alight with power!

Shattering Bite!

CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH!

Not willing to give them a moment of respite I snap down on them three times in rapid succession. The ethereal jaws crush the two mages together and they slump to the ground, reeling from the strike.

[Shattering Bite has reached level 3]

Finish them!

First on one then on the other I shower them with Piercing Chomps as they weakly try to fend me off with their staves. The traditional weakness of mages in close quarters seems to hold plenty true in this world though as their feeble efforts are unable to shake me off.

[You have slain level 36 Human Fire Mage Apprentice]

[You have slain level 34 Human Wind Mage Apprentice]

[You have gained experience]

[You have reached level 14]

Nice!

Oh c.r.a.p!

Just I congratulate myself for the successful elimination of those threatening mages I notice the mercenary leader has charged towards me, ma.s.sive blade poised overhead to strike!

Dodge!

Diamond carapace or no I do not want to take that thing head on!

CRAs.h.!.+

The blade smashes into the stones with tremendous force, sending shards of rock flying everywhere and pinging off my carapace.

Phew!

Not wanting to draw too much heat I hit the ground running and put some distance between me and the mercs as the rest of the Queens Guard close in, continuing to launch attacks as they do.

Since my business district is facing the right way anyhow…