Chapter 40: Good Warm-Up
It was a Risen over thirty meters tall, with a snake's head and a rodent's body. Thin purple veins ran across its skin, and a long bloodstained tail — more like an unstoppable blade — stretched out behind it.
Its roar made the miasma thicken even more, almost plunging everything into complete darkness. A terrifying pressure fell over them, making everyone's hair stand on end.
"A Risen almost at its peak... if he made it this far..." Zibia muttered, and everyone turned pale with fear.
Niara let out a heavy breath. The enemies known simply as Risen could have power equivalent to that of a one or two-ring Spiritual Guardian.
Since everyone in the fourth row was still new, it was obvious the third row would only let the weaker types through. But if *this* thing made it past...
It meant the third row judged that the nine who had pushed ahead could handle it.
This Risen was probably a bit stronger than a one-ring Guardian, but not quite at the level of two yet. And judging by the fresh blood on its tail... those nine were now eight.
One of them had been killed — which created the opening that let the Risen break through to the weaker group.
In the end, the third row had messed up. And now a monstrous enemy had reached the most fragile group of novices.
As the thing walked, the ground trembled, and it crushed every weaker Risen in its path. Everyone tensed up — they had just barely stabilized the fight, only managing to beat the weaker enemies with a lot of care. If this one attacked them... the casualties would be massive. Maybe even a total wipeout.
"Arrogant bastards..." Niara muttered under her breath.