Changing direction meant that all of Wales’ previous efforts were in vain, and he had to recalibrate the route all over again.
Even though Wales possessed an exceptional Invisibility skill, it was impossible to keep the entire team constantly under the state of invisibility.
Additionally, the unknown map was barely cleared of monsters, resulting in their abundant presence.
Fortunately, Athena had wisely chosen to bring along archers and magi, all equipped with impressive AOE skills, making them well-prepared to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, Howard couldn’t help but feel secretly delighted.
He didn’t have to lift a finger, yet he was able to share in the rewards and even get his hands on high-level monster loot. It was like living a dream!
The only downside was that the Mordun Wasteland was considered a high-level map, with even the weakest monsters being at least LV70.
Given the massive level disparity, the experience points Howard could gain were significantly reduced.
Time slowly passed amidst battles with various lizards, sand snakes, man-eating plants, golems, and other monsters. 𝘳.𝑐𝘰
Wales lived up to the expectations, leading the team smoothly through the Mordun Wasteland without encountering a single enemy.
When the forest that was barely visible and the dazzlingly bright buildings constructed of white jade stones appeared in front of them, shining under the sunlight, Athena couldn’t hide her excitement.
Reaching Medea Ruins meant that they were not far from Crimson Dragon City!
Of course, traversing the Medea Ruins, even by the shortest route, would take at least two days.
Not to mention, Howard and his team needed to explore and pave their own way through unknown territories, which would at least double the time required.
“Medea Ruins,” Wales began, aware that Howard had limited knowledge about the world.
He simultaneously scouted ahead while explaining the peculiarities of the Medea Ruins. “It is said to be an ancient ruin from five thousand years ago. Before the world underwent its transformation, this place was nothing more than a cluster of ancient buildings. However, after the transformation, it has become a place shrouded in mystery.”
According to ancient legends, this Ruins was dedicated to a deity.
Unfortunately, due to a cataclysmic event in the past, much of history and literature were lost, resulting in a cultural discontinuity.
The people of today are utterly ignorant of what deity Medea might be.
They can only speculate based on the changes observed in the monsters within the Ruins, inferring that she might be the deity controlling mutations.
There were stories of a hound that, after spending merely a day in Medea Ruins, underwent a transformation and evolved into a Cerberus.
Someone once brought a pet snake across the Medea Ruins, only for it to morph into Medusa and petrify its owner into a statue…
Such incidents were countless, making the Medea Ruins a forbidden place in the hearts of most.
Fortunately, these mutations only affect beasts and have no effect on humans.
The transformed monsters, now possessing formidable strength, have turned this place into a training ground for the awakened.
However, at this moment, Howard and his group had no intention of training. They headed straight for Medea Ruins.
There is a saying, “The mountain appears closer than it actually is.”
Even the damaged buildings of Medea Ruins, now ruins and remnants of walls, remained spectacular and towering, some as high as several dozen meters.
Thus, even though Howard and his group could see the Ruins, it still took a considerable amount of time to approach them.
To make matters worse, just as they were nearing Medea Ruins, they unexpectedly ran headlong into a group of well-equipped cavalry.
The leader, a burly figure wielding a fiery red lance, had arms covered in dense hair, exposed for all to see.
Invisibility has its duration, and Wales could not possibly keep them in an invisible state at all times.
In an instant, the two groups collided.
At that moment, Athena, along with the numerous magi and archers, became tense.
Could it be that they had run into those who were hunting them?
Athena and her group were nervous, and upon scanning them, the eyes of those on the opposite side widened in surprise as well.
Stunned for a moment, the spear-wielding lead cavalry swiftly pulled out a scroll, upon which was a vivid depiction of Athena herself.
“Quick, fire the flare!” The lead cavalry reacted with incredible speed.
With a piercing howl, he thrust his spear forward, sweeping it towards Howard and the others.
There was no way to avoid it; they were simply too close!
At this moment, Athena had no choice but to reveal her strength.
She stepped forward, positioning herself between Howard, Wales, and the enemy.
Her long blade appeared in her hand out of thin air, clashing with the spear’s blade in a sweeping strike.
Fiery flames burst forth from the blade, transforming into a blazing phoenix with a sharp, piercing cry.
The flame phoenix engulfed the spear’s blade in an instant.
“Humph, Roar of the Flame Dragon!”
However, those daring enough to pursue Athena were naturally no pushovers.
The leader’s wrist shook violently, causing his spear to tremble intensely like a dragon, emitting bright flames and the sound of a dragon’s roar.
Witnessing this scene, Howard couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows slightly.
A spear against a sword, a dragon against a phoenix—this battle was becoming interesting!
Luckily, Athena’s strength was ultimately superior.
The flame phoenix’s wings fluttered, causing its form to spiral.
The previously stagnant battle suddenly shifted. The phoenix spiraled forward, its flames licking the lead cavalry’s arms, eliciting a howl of pain.
His mount, unable to withstand the immense explosive force, continuously retreated, almost collapsing onto the ground.
Fortunately, the lead cavalry was formidable.
After being forced back, he trembled his arm, dispelling the flames from his body.
Whizz—
The sound of air being torn apart echoed through the area as a dazzling firework suddenly burst forth in the sky.
However, this firework was not a beautiful spectacle; for Howard and his companions, it was a death knell.
If they couldn’t eliminate this troop quickly or put some distance between them, the situation would become dire once the other pursuers arrived.
Previously, Athena had paid the price of a hundred lives just to shake off their initial pursuers.
The pursuers they faced now were likely to be even more numerous. Escaping them seemed an impossible task.
However, Athena understood that this was not a failure on Wales’ part.
After all, his responsibilities were confined to the inside of the Ruins and the route through Mordun Wasteland.
The stretch of land between Mordun Wasteland and Medea Ruins offered no hidden paths; it was impossible to lay blame on Wales.
“Lord Ravenous Wolf, if you intervene now, I can offer you a higher reward!”
“There’s no time left, please!” Athena’s voice rang out.
At the same time, she swung her long blade, launching another attack while the lead cavalry was still reeling.
Wales furrowed his brows, hesitating for a moment.
Behind him, the group of archers swiftly drew their Mighty Bows, nocking arrows as they prepared to fire.
The magi, too, retreated, waving their wands while chanting spells.
Regrettably, for the magi to unleash their skills took far too much time.
Even Howard, on many occasions, could only release his skills under the protection of his teammates.
As for instantaneous skills?
Those were only good for dealing with monsters.
When faced with real people, instantaneous skills, whether in terms of power or accuracy, proved disappointingly ineffective.
As the archers released their bowstrings, sending a torrential rain of arrows into the sky, the magi were still chanting, preparing their skills.
However, the cavalry troop had already raised their shields, launching a charge.
Their leader, holding his own against Athena, was a formidable adversary. How could they afford to waste time?
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—
The sky filled with arrows, but they landed ineffectively on the raised shields of the cavalry. Clad in exquisite armor, even the arrows that hit their bodies couldn’t inflict substantial damage.
If an arrow was imbued with a skill, the armor would gleam, a special power would emerge, annihilating the force of the skill carried by the arrow.
It could be said that a shield-bearer was the natural counter to an archer!
However, they had their weaknesses—they feared pure magical attacks.
If the magi could successfully release their skills, this cavalry troop would surely collapse.
Therefore, the cavalry paid no attention to the archers. Shielded, they charged with all their might, aiming to reach the magi before they could unleash their skills.
Once the magi were in close combat, it would indeed be a dead-end for them!
The archers were becoming desperate, their eyes red, frantically drawing and releasing arrows.
The arrows struck shields and armor, sparking but failing to halt the cavalry’s advance.
“Right, aim for the horses! Shoot their warhorses directly!” .𝘤𝘰
Howard urgently shouted out.
He was not as cold as Wales; having spent so much time with Athena and the others, he truly couldn’t bear to see them perish miserably.
Hearing his words, the archers snapped back to reality, slapping their foreheads in realization.
Understandably, fear made it hard to make the right choices.
Fortunately, Howard’s timely reminder jolted them into action.
They quickly adjusted their aim, focusing intently on the cavalry’s warhorses.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—
In the next moment, arrows left the bowstrings, shooting like lightning, and fiercely struck the legs of the warhorses.
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