Re: Evolution Online-Novel

<Level 35; Mutated Ison>

<Level 40; Mutated Ison>

<Level 38; Mutated Ison>

…

…

Liam inspected the new batch of isons, and every single one of these insects was unmistakably at a higher level.

On the other side, the guild's determination did not waver as Alex loudly shouted once again. "They are here! Switch back to attack mode! Focus on the bigger ones! GO! GO! GO!"

Everyone was already mentally prepared for this event, so they quickly started using all of their saved-up energy. 

Mei Mei once again redid all the buffs, and everyone hurled out their best attacks aiming for the bigger bastards.

The guild immediately went into full attack mode, and the entire area was lit up by the brilliant, dazzling display of the multitude of magic attacks.

As if this was not enough, something even more shocking started happening. The buzzing sound of the isons became higher and higher, the insects began screeching deafeningly.

Everyone gritted their teeth as the sound was almost unbearable. Even Liam and Luna slightly flinched, though they were farther away from the battle area.

"This is not good." Liam prepared to take action at any given second, as this looked like a sound attack. Something like this could completely disrupt the flow of the guild and shatter all of their coordination, instantly flipping the tide of the battle.

However, the next second, these screeching sounds were completely gone. No attack was executed, and everyone was able to focus once again.

Liam was stunned. Huh? They did not attack with sound waves? Then… were they just communicating with each other? A thought popped up in his mind.

But even if they did not attack with sound waves, it looked like the swarm had become a lot deadlier all of a sudden.

The attacks had become more coordinated, and the mutated isons were packing higher damage numbers and speed. 

The guild members who were clearly dominating the isons just a second earlier were now slowly starting to struggle a little here and there, with the weaker members feeling the brunt of the pressure.

"We can do this! We have to keep becoming stronger! We have to kill these insects this time! We have to slaughter every single one of them! Let's go! Keep moving! Keep fighting!" Alex's voice sounded loudly amidst the chaos that ensued with the second wave of isons.

With the second wave of the isons now in the picture, the guild started to slow down, and the number of isons in the swarm had also instantly doubled, with the newer ones a lot more powerful and dangerous. This made the situation drastically escalate.

"Master, shall I go in?" Luna snarled at the disgusting, stinky insects showing off in front of her, but Liam quickly held her back. "Wait a moment."

Though everything was going against their favor right now, for some reason, he felt as if Alex was still calm. It was as if she had some plan to tackle this situation.

At this exact moment, Rey suddenly shouted for the first time in the entire battle. "Watch out! I am triggering the bombs!"

Hmmm? Liam frowned. He did not like this. He had not given them permission to use grenades or rely on other external help for clearing the swarm of insects. So this development was a bit unexpected.

The next second…

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Several explosives immediately went off near the guild group, blasting away the bigger ones that were beginning to crowd and overwhelm the weaker members of the formation.

However… when Liam observed closely, these were not the grenades that he had expected. It looked more like the trap skill of the hunters he was familiar with back inside the game.

"Don't tell me…" Liam's gaze zeroed in on Rey, who was grinning wildly. Just one look at his face and Liam could tell that he was indeed right in his assumption. 

This guy had actually figured out how to use the 'Mana Trap' skill without a skill book! 

This was no ordinary feet as [Mana Trap] was an uncommon skill and involved an extremely fine-tuned mana manipulation technique that involved compressing mana to a great extent and leaving it in a state of fragile equilibrium.

Only in this state the slightest signal from the spell caster could trigger these mana traps leading to a chain of explosions like what was happening in front of him at the moment.

He He He! Liam began to feel excited. He did not want the guild to become too reliant on him, especially because he himself had no idea what the future held for them. 

The next time something unexpected happened, there was no guarantee that he would be able to reach them on time. Staying with them 24-7 was also out of the question.

But right now, watching everyone trying their best to overcome their shortcomings and excelling in various skills showed that he was worried about nothing.

This challenge would definitely become their stepping stone!

As Liam continued watching, the guild culled down the number of isons little by little. Even though the bigger ones posed a lot more threat, the guild patiently took them out one at a time.

After they regained momentum with the mana traps, the fight once again came under their control.

Time ticked by, and soon it would be fifteen minutes since the bigger ones showed up, and yet the guild was persevering quite well.

Liam was prepared to intervene multiple times, but ultimately, he did not have to do anything. 

He only helped Lily a few times, silently from the sidelines. Otherwise, the guild managed to survive the endeavor all on their own. 

It was a long and drawn-out fight that almost took an entire hour, but thankfully at the end of it, the swarm was reduced to the last hundreds.

Everyone was panting and heaving and only barely holding on, but their faces were rosy and full of smiles. 

This was because, just like the fatigue that had accumulated, their levels had also drastically changed just from this single fight.

***

Mass Release chapter 4~

Please thank Steamed Arrow for sponsoring this mass release!