Tenebrous Wolf
Chapter 84: Nightmare Carapaces

Chapter 84: Nightmare Carapaces

The moment they sensed danger, the group instinctively took cover. Adrian and Seraphim readied their weapons in anticipation. Klaus crouched low, the Fang of Wrath already worn on his hands, while Briar and the Blackmane Stalker remained behind him, poised to react at a moment’s notice.

A few seconds later, a group of monsters moved across the labyrinth.

Klaus counted all of them one by one. There was approximately five of them, but the problem itself wasn’t just their overwhelming numbers.

’Tch. Just my rotten luck.’

The towering beasts were covered in thick, segmented black carapaces just like the Scavengers but were more bigger and more than that, much more terrifying. Crimson fissures ran along their armored bodies and instead of eyes, a cluster of bioluminescent slits flickered ominously across their angular heads.

Their limbs were grotesquely elongated, ending in scythe-like talons that could cleave through stone as if it were rotted wood. Along their spines, serrated ridges jutted outward like the remains of a shattered exoskeleton and each time they moved, it was accompanied by a ’clicking sound’ that emerged from their jointed limbs like the chittering of a thousand unseen horrors.

These creatures were Nightmare Carapaces. Without exception, each of them were of the Awakened rank.

However,

’These guys... Did they barely survive the flood?’

Upon closer inspection, the hulking beasts all seemed to be injuried. Deep gashes marred their armored bodies, exposing raw, pulsating flesh beneath the cracked carapaces. Some bore missing limbs and their severed stumps leaked thick, dark ichor that sizzled upon contact with the ground. Others carried deep gouges across their torsos, as if they had been raked by something even more monstrous than themselves.

Klaus narrowed his eyes. The crimson flood had left its mark, but it hadn’t killed them outright.

’They’re wounded, but still dangerous.’

Each of them were above the Shrouded rank. Though they were considerably wounded, it would still be troublesome to fight them as Striders.

One of the Nightmare Carapaces let out a low, guttural hiss, pausing as if sensing something. The bioluminescent slits across its face flickered erratically. A moment later, it twisted its grotesque head from side to side, clicking its talons against the ground in agitation.

The rest of the pack slowed, becoming more cautious now.

That’s definitely not good! Klaus panicked inwardly. If they had caught even the faintest trace of their presence, things would escalate fast!

Infront of him, Adrian tightened his grip on his spear, glancing at Seraphim, who had already shifted her stance, blade at the ready. Briar tapped against the Blackmane Stalker’s back, signaling it to remain still. The beast obeyed, lowering its body further into the shadows.

For a painful moment, the air was thick with tension.

Then, one of the creatures suddenly lunged forward, swiping at a certain location with its scythe-like arm, scattering debris into the air. It let out a warbling screech and snapped its head in all directions as if searching for something.

Klaus gritted his teeth.

’Shit. They know something is here.’

Truly, the instincts of a beast were not to be underestimated. The storm had unleashed a relentless torrent of crimson, drenching the desolate landscape in blood, including them. This meant they were cloaked in the lingering metallic scent of inorganic blood, something Shadow Creatures could use to track them. On the bright side, the sheer extent of the blood-soaked terrain also worked in their favor, masking their individual scents amidst the overwhelming stench.

...At the very least, it would make it harder for monsters to find them. But the real question was, how long would that last?

There was only two options now. Should they fight or should they avoid them and head another direction?

After a bit of thinking, Klaus finally reached a conclusion.

He stretched his hand forward and tapped Adrian on the shoulder, which attracted the blonde’s attention.

With a brief pause, he finally whispered:

"It seems like we would have to fight our way through."

Adrian’s eyes widened. Then, he quickly whispered back:

"What? Are you insane? Do you even realize what you’re saying? Those things are not Shrouded Hollows, they’re Awakened Hollows! They’re nothing like the Scavengers we’ve been hunting. They’re an entire rank above us! We might stand a chance against one or two, but there are five of them. We wouldn’t survive a fight against that many!"

Klaus nodded, fully aware of how reckless his idea sounded. Still,

"I get what you’re saying, but think about it. If my suspicions are correct, then these things are likely scattered all over the terrain. How are we supposed to make progress if we keep avoiding them? More importantly, do you really think we’ll make it out before nightfall?"

Adrian seemed like he wanted to retorted but soon closed his mouth and fell silent. As if seeking support, he looked over at Seraphim and Briar, but those two simply nodded in approval.

In the end, he sighed.

"Fine. But tell me you have a plan?"

Hearing that, Klaus smiled with a "of course" before he suddenly raised a question:

"Have you guys read the Basic Study of Shadow Creatures?"

Looking slightly confused, Adrian tilted his head.

"Isn’t that the basic study guide about Shadow Creatures?"

Klaus nodded.

"That’s right. If you already know the study, then you should also that the book also includes the behaviour patterns, habitants and weak points of common Shadow Creatures."

With that, he proceeded with his explanation:

"Those creatures are called Nightmare Carapaces. Luckily, just like Scavengers, they’re the most common Hollows to frequently appear throughout multiple Shadow Worlds. They have three weak points on their bodies. The first and most obvious is their bioluminescent slits. Those aren’t just for show; they’re their primary sensory organs. Unlike other creatures that rely on sight, these things sense movement and heat through those markings. If we can destroy them, we can disorient them completely."

Adrian frowned.

"That sounds easier said than done. Those slits are small, and if we miss, we’ll just piss them off."

Klaus nodded once more. Then, he continued:

"True, which is why we have two other options. The second weak point is the joints between their scythe-like arms and their shoulders. Despite their armor, those spots are more fragile because of constant movement. A well-placed strike there will at least cripple their offensive capabilities and deal serious damage."

Holding her chin thoughtfully, Seraphim said:

"That could work... If we can move fast enough to strike before they retaliate."

Briar, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up.

"And the third?"

Still maintaining his composed demeanour, Klaus continued:

"Lastly, the third weak point is on their back. More specifically, at the back of their heads, right where the exoskeleton segments meet. There’s a narrow gap there. It’s small, but if we strike it just right and pierce through it, you can crush the brain directly. That will send them to hell."

Seraphim nodded then whispered:

"Everything you said have been good so far. But that’s just their weaknesses. How are going to get behind them?"

Klaus looked at her then wore a knowing smile.

"That’s where the plan comes in. We divide them. If we let them stay grouped together, we’re dead. But if we separate them, we can take them down one by one."

Briar’s eyes narrowed.

"And how do you suggest we do that? My ability won’t work on monsters above my rank, remember?"

"You don’t have to worry. You are not the main actor this time around," Saying that, Klaus turned to Adrian. "You’re the fastest. I need you to bait two of them away."

Adrian stiffened.

"You want me to get chased by those things?"

Confident, Klaus nodded.

"Naturally, what’s there to fear? Worse case scenario, you will be torn apart from those monstrosities. Either that or you get picked up by some Carrion Crow. You can’t become any more dead."

The blonde frowned bitterly like he didn’t like the joke.

"You know, that’s not funny."

He chuckled.

"Yes, yes, I know, my sense of humour is terrible. But can you really blame me considering our situation?" Unknowingly, Klaus straightened his back. "In any case, I’m certain that you can handle it. Seraphim and I will take on one each. Morgan, you and the Blackmane Stalker will handle the last one. The moment they realize we’re attacking, they’ll go into a defensive stance, that’s when we make our move. We blind them first, cripple their limbs second, and then go for the kill."

Given that the Blackmane Stalker was an Awakened Hollow, it should be capable of taking down one Nightmare Carapace on its own. The real question was whether he and Seraphim could defeat their respective opponent in time to assist Adrian, who would be facing two Nightmare Carapaces alone.

This was the most logical approach. However, it was also an incredibly dangerous plan.

Under the false disguise of Morgan, Briar spoke skeptically:

"That sounds really risky. Why can’t we head back and try tomorrow? There’s no way of actually knowing if there would be more monsters or not."

She was right. There was no way of exactly knowing what would happen. Even so, Klaus shook his head.

It seemed he was not the only one that thought this way. Seraphim spoke with a blank expression:

"As you said, there’s no trying what would happen tomorrow. It’s possible that the terrain will be clear. But it’s also possible that the place would be filled with Shadow Creatures. We can’t afford to take a needless risk."

Adrian groaned.

"This is insane. It feels like I’m going crazy. Am I crazy?"

Hearing that, Klaus grinned.

"Welcome to the Dark lands."

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, one by one, they nodded in agreement.

They shifted into position with their weapons ready. The Nightmare Carapaces still skulked through the ruins and darted their bioluminescent slits in search of something distant. The clicking of their talons against blood-drenched stone echoed through the labyrinth.

Those wretched abominations were the remnants or quite frankly, the unlucky few who had barely survived the great tide. However, even in their weakened state, taking down just one of them would be a challenge. Truth be told, this plan of theirs was far more reckless than it appeared on the surface.

To begin with, they were Striders, and they were about to take on not one, but five Awakened Hollows.

Anything could go wrong. The plan could fall apart in an instant. One misstep, one miscalculation, and one of them might not make it out alive from this utterly foolish gamble.

But they absolutely couldn’t turn back now. Who knows what kind of unknown horror they would face tomorrow?

Klaus gulped.

Those spiraling thoughts dragged his mind deeper into chaos, sending his already frantic heartbeat and instincts into hyperdrive.

’Calm your mind. Swallow your anxiety. You are the bird of Hermes, eating your own wings to make you tame.’

Repeating the alchemical mantra in his head, he took a deep breath and slowly raised his hand.

Three...

The creatures prowled closer.

Two...

Adrian gritted his teeth and clenched his spear.

One...

"Go!"

In an instant, the battlefield erupted into chaos.