One-Eyed Monster

The ferocious beasts quickly charged to the periphery of the besiegers.

These beasts appeared suddenly, seemingly dropping from the sky without any warning.

The Mantai People were clearly unprepared for this sudden change, and they pulled the reins of their mounts before forming another formation, one designed for defense, clearly readying themselves against the attack.

The beasts lunged forward in one go, none of them holding back, each desperate as they charged to tear and bite.

This situation was favorable for Igor and his allies because it helped alleviate the immediate pressure they were under.

Igor, Douglas, and the leader Gray Plain Wolf took a moment to catch their breath as they watched the oncoming beasts.

There was no wildness about these beasts; they were more like machines and their number was considerable, at least twice that of the Wolf Cavalry in front of them.

”Exchange Beasts!” Igor shouted out instinctively.

”I wouldn’t have guessed this guy was an Alchemist,” Douglas said with a grin, clearly pleased with the scene before him.

These beasts seemed to have no fear, showing no evasion of the Mantai’s curved swords and even when struck, no blood flowed from their bodies.

The Mantai were thrown into a panic by such an assault. They weren’t strangers to these Exchange Beasts. On the battlefield, the Empire’s Exchange Beasts had once given them a lot of trouble, a fact that the Mantai Cavalry never forgot.

Watching it all, they suddenly recalled the fear and experiences of the battlefield. Fortunately, there weren’t too many Exchange Beasts here, sparing them the battlefield’s full terror.

Their initial advantage vanished; the beasts’ arrival balanced the situation. The Mantai Cavalry found it impossible to eliminate the Exchange Beasts.

Exchange Beasts have a time limit, but what the Mantai Riders lack now is time. Initially, they intended to properly teach Douglas a lesson, but who would’ve thought this Hunter would lure them into such a scenario.

Now their plan needed a change; they must quickly retreat and not linger.

The Mantai leader took out a horn from his chest, showing excellent judgment of the situation. He sounded the horn—a clear call for retreat.

The less entangled Wolf Riders quickly withdrew, obeying the leader’s command to assist mates being bitten by the Exchange Beasts.

Once the retreat order was given, they executed swiftly, soon breaking free from the Exchange Beasts’ encirclement, allowing Igor and company to emerge from their predicament.

”They’re retreating!” Douglas immediately noticed the sign and said.

”We need to find a way to stop them!” Igor stated.

”But with just us two, it might not be enough. We need that guy’s help,” Douglas nodded toward the side.

At that moment, the odd man slowly walked over from behind.

The scene was chaotic. The Exchange Beasts lay in disarray, yet they never withdrew, continually fighting with their broken bodies. The Tramplers fought while retreating, maintaining cautiousness, as battles involving an Alchemist are notoriously difficult.

The Exchange Beasts bought Igor and his allies time for a brief exchange.

”I never expected you to be an Alchemist.”

”I didn’t expect you to be Divine Thief Hanter.”

Douglas and the stranger greeted each other peculiarly, without any awkwardness, laughing heartily afterward, unconcerned with Igor’s discomfort.

”Gentlemen, we need to stop them from retreating,” Igor reminded.

”Right, got to do the right thing,” Douglas replied.

”Buy me some more time, like before. You know, writing equations takes time, and with so many Exchange Beasts, even more so.”

”Alright!” Douglas agreed briskly, always a straightforward person.

”This...” Igor was at a loss, as he didn’t know how to buy more time.

”Causing trouble is my specialty,” Douglas climbed onto the Gray Plain Wolf with a grin.

Igor felt he’d heard those words somewhere before, reminding him of Kadi, that blue One-Eyed Monster, his best friend.

”Causing trouble, don’t leave me out!” Igor quickly followed Douglas, even though he had no idea what to do, he followed resolutely.

This familiar feeling prompted his instinctive actions, filling him with energy.

Douglas, a Divine Thief, quickly reached the Mantai’s side with the Gray Plain Wolf’s speed; he was there to steal.

The first item he stole was a horn, acquired with little effort while dodging a Wolf Cavalry’s attack.

Once he had the horn, Douglas blew into it.

Woo woo—

The horn’s sound was deep and boomy, resembling a rumbling belly.

Yet for the Mantai Riders, this sound had a different implication.

It was an order.

On the battlefield, no Mantai Soldier would care who blew the horn; they only cared what order the sound conveyed.

But now, the Tramplers couldn’t comprehend how the horn would order them to perform a war dance...

The Trampler leader hurriedly grabbed his horn to change the command, but as he prepared to blow, a Sword Qi slashed through.

It was Igor’s Sword Qi. Understanding Douglas’ intent, Igor targeted the leader and unleashed his Sword Qi.

The Trampler chief could only evade the attack, then figured out how to blow his horn again.

Yet when he reached for it, he found the horn was gone.

He looked up and saw the horn spinning in Douglas’s hand.

Douglas whistled, knowing his plan succeeded; as long as the Riders were thrown into disarray, time could be gained.

Now the Mantai Riders were completely disoriented, unsure whether to dance or retreat, glancing at each other before noticing their leader glaring in anger.

This turn of events happened all too fast...