The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 134: Prey and Predator (1)

Chapter 134: Prey and Predator (1)

The beginning part of the journey was through grassland. The last part was through a dense forest of high grass and short trees.

The challenge in navigating through such a landscape came down to visibility. The bushes closed behind the people passing through them. Also, there was no sight over the surroundings.

The Knights of Lasttown knew these paths. Grint ordered his Knights to divide themselves into different groups, leading smaller groups through the bush.

Hex gestured Althea and Hestia to stick close to him. The moment he heard Rose mention Clannad’s name, he became alert. He kept an eye out on Grump who was assigned to their small group to lead them through the bush.

’Rose didn’t seem to know about the latest developments but Grint should know. He is the mayor. There is no way he wouldn’t keep an eye out on things happening around him. The question is, what does he know and will that affect us?’

Hex had no answers but knew it would be safe to heed caution. He kept the monolith inside him active. His heightened senses helped track the energy fluctuations around him. Suddenly, he started to notice something strange.

’Shouldn’t there be just one Knight in the group before us? There are three now. And there are three behind us and two on each side.’

Hex narrowed his eyes. There were even more Knights around him than they had left the town with.

’Are they being ambushed or are they ambushing us?’

Hex gestured to Althea and Hestia to be ready for battle. He noticed the sources from the sides get close to the Knights behind and before him.

"Ambush!"

Suddenly, the person in front shouted. Hex saw Grump draw his swords. At the same time, he sensed a Knight coming at them from the side. The person was close.

"Hestia!"

He shouted just as the assailant coming from the side jumped out of the grass. His face was covered but his shock was evident when the grass around him came alive, wrapping around his legs.

The sudden obstacle nearly tripped the Knight. Althea struck her spear at the Knight. Despite the grass wrapped around his legs and his ambush failing, the Knight relied on his abundant experience and blocked the spear.

Just as Althea’s spear was blocked, Grump jumped with his axe raised. His eyes radiated killing intent as his axe swung downward. But just before his axe could cleave through Althea, Hex intervened.

He had remained in the back. Even if the ambush was real, he didn’t trust the Knight of Lasttown. And he had been right.

Bearhanded sword - second blessing

Hex combined his technique and the ability of his second blessing to hit Grump’s incoming axe. The precision and burst of energy afterward chipped the axe’s sharp edge.

"Not bad. Strong and in control. No wonder the baron took you in," Grump said sinisterly, as he jumped back.

Hex sensed more Knights coming their way. "Spread out!" He shouted at his companions as he jumped into the grass. Hestia and Althea didn’t hesitate and followed his instructions, jumping in different directions. They ignored their assailant who used the distraction from Grump to break free from the grass around his ankles.

"Bastard!"

Hex heard Grump shout behind him. The old Knight had not expected Hex’s group to flee so decisively. Hex grinned as he waded through the high grass. His first goal was to get away from the Knights. He didn’t worry too much about Hestia or Althea.

Althea was trained in moving through obstructed landscapes. She had told Hex that she was an experienced and excellent tracker. Hestia was perhaps not trained in such things but she was an experienced Knight. And a landscape brimming with natural elements such as this was basically her turf.

Traversing through grass was difficult but Hex still managed. After some time, he left the group of pursuing Knights at a safe distance. He took a quick rest and then drew his sword.

’Time to turn the roles, fuckers.’

Hex didn’t run to keep fleeing. It was just moronic to fight against multiple Knights under conditions they had chosen. Now, as long as he prevented being surrounded, he could pick a few opponents, one by one.

Hex moved cautiously. He kept the monolith active, increasing the range of his senses. Suddenly, he picked up a fluctuation on his right. It was a Knight. And he was alone.

’He is coming toward me.’

As an experienced Crevice Hunter, Hex was used to hide his presence. He hid in the high grass, waiting for the Knight to come closer. Soon, the Knight was close. Hex peeked through the gaps in the grass and recognized the middle-aged Knight.

’Grimjoy, huh. He is moving almost silently but doesn’t seem to have spotted me.’

The distance between them shortened. There were merely two meters between them. Grimjoy took another step. Hex noticed right away the change in the man’s expression. He was discovered.

Frost Dragon Breath!

Hex jumped out of the bush and opened his mouth. At such a close distance, his attack hit Grimjoy right in the face, freezing his mouth shut, and preventing him from shouting. Hex didn’t stop.

Flex Step - Second Step!

Hex stepped in the air, reaching Grimjoy in the following instance. He swung his sword. Grimjoy’s movement was slow but he avoided his neck being cut. Hex’s sword slashed Grimjoy’s shoulder instead. But no blood appeared. Instead, cold air evaporated, numbing Grimjoy’s senses in the arm.

’Frostbite can be applied to through the sword.’ Hex mused as he moved, avoiding Grimjoy’s clumsy attack with ease.

Second Blessing - Sword Burst.

Hex activated his second Blessing and applied burst strength to his following sword. With his active arm affected, Grimjoy tried to block the attack. But the power in Hex’s attack broke through his block.

Hex’s sword cut Grimjoy’s chest squarely. Again, there was no blood. Hex had applied Frostbite again. Grimjoy was panicking and tried to run. And that was his mistake.

Second Blessing - Sword Slash

Hex gathered his Blessing energy at the edge of his sword and slashed out, just as Grimjoy lowered his sword and tried to run away.

Without mercy, Hex swung his sword.

Slash.

Grimjoy’s head flew in the air. There was no splatter. The wounds at the neck and the head were sealed immediately by a layer of ice.

’This combination leaves no trace,’ Hex mused admiringly as Grimjoy’s lifeless body fell to the ground.

’One down. Many more to follow.’

He moved through the grass, silently and sinisterly. The ones hunting didn’t know yet that they were being hunted now!

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