PS. The previous chapters spent a bit too much on world-building and narration, and I received some criticism for that. I will change this in the future, focusing more on the plot.
"Help, help!"
"Hasn't the Lord's reinforcements arrived yet?"
The situation is dire! Now, the dock defenders' morale is starting to waver. The militia, looking at the enormous Water Ghost King, is filled with fear, and the guards who have been fighting for some time swallow hard.
The Water Ghost King forcefully pulls out the head of a dead guard and lets out a triumphant howl. The dock defenders can't help but collectively take a step back. Seeing this, the Guard Commander is extremely anxious. Of the forty dock defenders, less than thirty remain. The fact that their morale hasn't collapsed despite the heavy casualties is thanks to the leadership of a brave Kingdom Knight. Without him, the dock defenders would have likely fled long ago.
"What of the Water Ghost King? Watch me take it down!" Banda thought it was time to show his skills.
"No, Banda, don't go!" Viert exclaimed, knowing that the Water Ghost King is at least at the Elite Middle Tier in challenge level, and today the water ghosts were behaving unusually!
Usually, the water ghosts have black eyes, but today, from the water ghosts to the Water Ghost King, all their eyes are eerily red.
Something must be amiss!
"Roar!" The Water Ghost King quickly noticed the young human charging towards it and raised its Wolf Fang Club high, smashing it down towards Banda.
"Ugh!" Banda quickly dodged to the side. Under Viert's tutelage, his basics were quite solid. The gigantic Wolf Fang Club hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Dust covered the leather armor of the mercenary. As Banda was about to lift his sword to attack again, the enormous Wolf Fang Club swung up from below through the dust. The air pressure rushing towards him made Banda realize that things were not going well. Hurriedly, he parried with his sword.
"Bang!!!" The sound of metal clashing filled the air, along with the little mercenary's cries of pain. Amidst the thick smoke, a body was knocked backward and landed on the ground.
It was Banda. His two-handed longsword flew into the sky, his right hand severely deformed. The little mercenary gritted his teeth, his face covered with cold sweat, evidently enduring immense pain.
Not far from him, the gigantic demon was slowly approaching, dragging its oversized Wolf Fang Club.
Its heavy footsteps trod on the soft beach, yet they pounded on everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.
"Banda!" Members of the Blood Axe Mercenary Corps shouted in unison, and Viert howled in anguish, kicking away a water ghost beside him and running toward his beloved disciple. However, there was a distance of thirty to forty meters between the two.
"Damn." Teresa, with her silver eyes, closely observed the battlefield. Banda had run too far, out of the Hand Cannon's range. The female sorcerer instinctively wanted to summon her magic power but found it depleted. She had overdrawn her Bloodline Power a few days ago, risking a downgrade if she tried again. Having just recently broken through to Legendary, Teresa quickly decided it wasn't worth it for a weak, unrelated little mercenary.
Just as Teresa gave up, the tall figure of the Water Ghost King emerged from the dust and let out a reckless roar, raising its huge Wolf Fang Club: "Oh oh oh!"
"No!!!" The massive Wolf Fang Club came crashing down.
Banda reflexively closed his eyes.
"Bang!" Not the expected pain, but the sound of metal clashing.
"Life is precious. You can certainly give up your life for a great ideal, but dying senselessly is not within this realm." A calm voice sounded in front of Banda, and the tall figure raised a Warhammer, blocking the gigantic Wolf Fang Club: "Understand the difference between sacrifice and foolishness."
"Your recklessness could very well cost you your life, and once life ends, everything ends. I hope this moment today will help you grow, Banda."
After speaking, Laine began to use all his strength. At this point, Laine knew that everyone's hopes were pinned on him. His bravery and strength had kept the defenders steadfast until now, yet if he fell, they would collapse entirely.
The moment to decide victory or defeat had arrived.
The colossal Wolf Fang Club and the Warhammer's hammerhead clashed with each other, creating a massive sound and stirring up a whirlwind of dust. Amidst the flying sand and stones, the people at the dock could barely open their eyes.
When Banda opened his eyes, he witnessed an unbelievable sight — the Water Ghost King's Wolf Fang Club was actually deflected by Laine's Warhammer!
Laine possessed power greater than that of the Water Ghost King!
With another clash, the Wolf Fang Club was deflected again, and the Water Ghost King was forced to retreat a few steps. It looked at the human before it in disbelief, unable to accept that anyone could wield such formidable strength.
"Great! As expected of 'Great Hammer' Laine, truly living up to your reputation!" Lauritz exclaimed excitedly. With this exchange, the outcome was already decided.
What attack methods does a dim-witted water ghost have?
Nothing more than grabbing and biting. They rely solely on brute strength and sharp claws, yet if Laine surpasses the Water Ghost King in pure strength, he no longer has any chance of losing!
"Yay yay yay yay!!!!" The dock echoed with the cheers of guards and militia. The water ghosts realized that even their king could not defeat this terrifying knight, and thus they scattered in all directions. Seizing the opportunity for battle glory, the guards and militia charged to kill as many as they could, eager for rewards in exchange for their spoils.