Demonic Po*nstar System

Chapter 394: Moving Out

Thomas wasn’t about to test the possessive streak of a man like Kaiden. He didn’t even try to shake the hands of the women, introducing himself directly only to Kaiden and Diaz.

”Figured I should lay it out plain,” Thomas then addressed them all. ”My class is Shieldbearer. Strength’s obvious; I can take a hit and keep standing. I’ll soak damage, pull aggro, and keep attention where it belongs. My taunts stick well enough to buy backliners breathing room.”

He tapped the face of his tower shield with a gauntleted fist, making the metal ring. ”Weakness is just as simple. I don’t kill fast. My damage comes from bashing with this slab, and that’s slow and embarrassingly inefficient. That’s why I prefer to leave the real cutting to others.”

Kaiden gave a short nod. ”Fair enough. Damage-dealing capabilities are one thing we certainly don’t lack, I’d say. Then I’ll-”

Thomas cut in politely. ”No need to introduce your powers. I studied your team last night. I know your roles, your stances, your girls’ specialties. Even Diaz. I came prepared.”

For a moment, Kaiden just looked at him, then turned his eyes toward Tessa.

She was smiling. Truly smiling.

Patting Thomas’s shoulder, she said, ”See? Unlike Vaelira, Jack, and Sasha, this one’s a role model. Solid. Reliable. No drama. Exactly what a team needs. I wish all my subordinates were a hivemind with Thomas’s persona.”

No one laughed, especially not Thomas. Though Tessa did get a few amused looks from the girls.

Her expression then shifted, turning a bit ominous. ”As for those three... don’t worry. I’ve already handled it. I put them into the squad of a very nice lady with... power tripping tendencies.”

Nyx snorted while twirling a strand of her pink hair. ”Let me guess. She’s someone who won’t take their crap for even a second now that you gave her the blessing to treat Vaelira as a team member and not the gem that can’t be wronged.”

Tessa’s lips curved. ”Precisely. Vaelira won’t be walking over her anytime soon.”

...

Each member of the squad received a small, rune-etched stone that glowed when attuned. The comms artifact hummed once in Kaiden’s palm as a thin thread of magic bound his voice to the others.

Tessa explained their role clearly. ”The monsters are estimated between level fifty and seventy. Your squad is sitting around level forty. That means one thing: no reckless charges. A high-level strike force will lead the advance. You’ll trail behind, several miles back. Your task is to clear stragglers, eliminate anything that slips through, and tend to locals if survivors are found.”

She glanced over them. ”This strategy will keep you effective while minimizing unnecessary risk. Your comms will keep you updated on positions and changes. Stay disciplined, and if something unexpected occurs, make sure you call for help. Just because you’re following after the spearhead squad doesn’t mean you are not putting yourselves at risk.”

Kaiden nodded.

He understood this was a risk, but he thought it was a great opportunity to partake.

From his time with the association in the past week, he understood the value of working with professionals, at least until they gained more experience of their own.

Frankly, he was a bit reserved about putting his girls into extreme danger after what happened in the undead dungeon; he tried to balance risk and safety in a way that did its best to limit the dangers they were facing while still giving them big challenges that gave tons of XP and level-up attributes.

With that, the briefing ended. There was no unnecessary fanfare, no long speeches - just the kind of precise order that saved lives.

Kaiden fastened the artifact to his belt and exchanged a look with his squad. His girls were calm, Diaz gave a smirk that promised he was ready for the chaos ahead, and Thomas adjusted his shield straps with measured confidence.

Then a familiar gravelly voice came crackling through the artifact, filling all their ears at once.

”Alright, everyone. Time to move.”

It was Geralt.

Kaiden felt the corner of his mouth tug upward despite himself. The old veteran’s tone was as steady as stone, carrying none of the tension the younger awakened radiated.

”Front line is heading out. The rest of you, don’t fall behind, and don’t get clever. Stick to the plan and you’ll live to drink after.”

The sound of boots crunching gravel, the clink of weapons being readied, and the rising hum of awakened energy followed through the comms.

The mission had begun.

...

It didn’t take long. Barely ten minutes into their march, movement stirred among the crooked trees ahead.

Three hulking figures stepped into view. Their bodies were twisted with horns and iron-like skin. Their eyes glowed a hateful red as black ichor dripped from their fangs.

[Hellborne Ravager – Level 50]

[Hellborne Ravager – Level 51]

[Hellborne Ravager – Level 52]

Kaiden’s lips curved into a feral grin. With a thought, his Blood Monarch’s Gauntlet pulsed crimson, and a massive greatsword of living blood materialized in his hand, eager for slaughter.

Around him, his squad moved like clockwork. Luna’s stormblade crackled to life with arcs of lightning. Aria planted her staff into the ground, and instantly, silver moonlight coursed through its orb. Nyx’s eyes gleamed as a dozen daggers spun in the air at her command, already looking for weak points to stab. Bastet’s fingers shimmered as solar fire crawled down her nails in radiant streams.

Diaz flicked his daggers, already vanishing into the shadows at their flank, while Thomas raised his shield and dug his boots into the earth, becoming a wall before the monsters.

Heat flooded Kaiden’s veins. This was where he belonged.

Filming porn was great, awesome even. He loved every second of it.

Variety streams were an immense fun, the perfect opportunity to relax and simply have fun with his quirky girls. It was the best way to ensure their content was truly varied, not focusing only on porn or combat.

But, well, combat...

Danger, the snarl of monsters, the blood filling his greedy gauntlet... And even more importantly, the sense of progression as he felt his body become stronger with level-ups...

That was simply the best.

”Let’s go, girls.”

The hunt began.

...

Meanwhile, at a native tribe, a girl with light copper skin was in extreme dismay.