Ascension of the Primalist [A Tamer Class, LitRPG]

'Those bastards make me sick,' Seth hissed, blood boiling in his veins. 'Selling humans to the Fishlords.'

'What’s the plan?' Nightmare said, his crimson eyes fixed on the duo.

The blond Elementalist's cries and screams still echoed in Seth's mind. The youngster was Rank 13. He must’ve known Rifts were dangerous, so he’d trusted these two to keep him safe. And they’d sold him out like damn livestock.

'We kill them,' Seth answered, his voice cold as ice. 'And free that man in front of them.'

'That’s what I was hoping to hear.' Nightmare let out a low grow of anticipation, which rumbled through their bond.

Seth nodded. 'Any warning from Danger Sense?'

'Just a weak tingle. We’re good to go.'

'Good.' Seth unsheathed his dagger. 'Let's take out the woman first.'

'Understood,' Nightmare replied, his invisible form gliding silently through the swamp toward their target, each step deliberate and soundless.

Seth followed closely behind, his heart pounding into his chest as his core flooded his muscles with its mysterious energy. Padding forward, they both closed rapidly to striking distance while the duo of adventurers continued to walk, utterly oblivious of the danger closing in.

Nightmare lunged first. The woman froze mid-step, her hands suddenly darting to the daggers at her belt, as if sensing something was wrong—but it was too late. The direwolf pounced at her, jaws snapping onto her shoulder in a swirl of thick, black smoke. Her scream tore through the swamp as her leather armor and flesh began to melt under the corrosive power of the spell. She twisted desperately, stabbing Nightmare’s flank with her dagger. The direwolf growled in pain, but he didn’t let go.

"Nyra!" the armored man roared a dozen feet ahead, turning toward Nightmare while shoving the shackled prisoner to the ground.

Activating his Nimble Ring, Seth phased out of Illusionary Emptiness and dashed forward. His dagger shot straight for the woman’s heart, but she parried just in time, her weapons meeting his with a ringing clash of metal.

Seth's eyes narrowed, and he channeled dark lightning arcs into his blade while swinging it again. The electrified dagger made contact and sent painful jolts through her body, causing her to wince. Yet before he could follow up with another attack, aether burst out of her belt, wrapping her in a thin azure barrier.

"Use Fire Storm!" her partner bellowed, charging toward them and pulling out his massive ax.

Without wasting a second, Nightmare unleashed another density-enhanced Shadow Bite and the black, caustic smoke engulfed all the woman’s upper body. In a flash, the toxic cloud tore through the protective barrier before eating away at her flesh like acid.

The woman screamed, dropping her dagger, and her trembling hand reached for the purple pouch hanging at her belt. But before she could grab anything, Seth lunged again, pouring a quarter of his Well into his arm, and buried his dagger hilt deep into her corroded chest. The woman's eyes widened in disbelief then rolled back, her body falling lifelessly to the ground.

"No!" the man behind shouted.

A giant ax whistled through the air toward Seth, forcing him to throw himself to the side. Quickly, he snatched up the woman’s Endless Pouch and sprang backward while casting Identify.