The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 162: Disaster strikes again (2)

Chapter 162: Disaster strikes again (2)

The Disaster-stage Heartless almost looked human if not for the talon-shaped fingers and crouching posture.

Hex lay on his stomach observing the battle raging on. He still was contemplating whether to help or not. Although he considered Tarquin a source of crystals, he wouldn’t put himself at risk for the guy. At most, it would be a lost channel. Those could be rebuilt.

On the other hand, if he helped and they managed to kill the creature, the crystal would end up in his hand. Hex had used a Disaster crystal only once but knew it would be loaded with chaotic energy that was more potent than the one in a Fiend crystal.

He couldn’t decide quickly.

’I will observe first. If it seems like they stand a chance, I will help. If they die before that then I will leave.’

Tarquin’s team consisted of Elsa, Gabriella, Gabe, and two more men Hex had never seen before. They were slightly weaker than the others but still considerably stronger than an average Knight.

The fight differed from the battle Hex had seen in the mountains the first they faced such a creature. It was not as one-sided. The Knights were stronger and had better equipment and Techniques.

From his vantage point and using the knowledge gained from the Knight’s Patha as a reference, Hex formed a basic idea about the powers the Knights and the creature could wield.

The Disaster wielded its body as its weapon. It seemed strong and sturdy, having regenerative abilities beyond anything Hex had seen. Even Hex with his enhancements couldn’t rival that. Hex hadn’t forgotten that the other Disaster survived even when its head was the only part left.

’If the baron didn’t appear and turned it into dust, I would have died.’

Its speed was nothing to scoff at. It jumped all over the place, targeting its opponent at random. The Knights struggled to put up their defenses in time.

The creature jumped and attacked Tarquin who met its attack head-on. The strength of the Disaster pushed Tarquin back a couple of meters. The talons scraped against his gloved fist but failed to break it, leaving only shallow marks on it.

’What grade are those gloves?’ Hex wondered, surprised by their sturdiness. But he was also surprised by Tarquin’s strength and physical powers.

A glove protected the skin and bones of the fingers. But a hit by a Disaster wasn’t simple. An average Knight would lose his arm, breaking every bone in it. It wouldn’t matter how superior their gloves were.

Tarquin seemed to possess the Earth and Fire element in abundance. He molded the floor beneath his feet at will. It had softened to absorb part of the impact.

His glove glowed like a fiery ember, causing a sizzling sound when it hit the Disaster. With a screech, the creature jumped back. Its skin seemed to melt and drip on the floor.

The pain caused the creature to get enraged further. But before it could move, ice appeared around its feet, encasing them within.

’Ice element?’ Hex looked at Elsa who seemed to possess the Ice element. Contrary to him, she only seemed to possess one element, making her attack seem more controlled and pure.

"AH!"

Noticing the creature frozen for a split second, Gabriella leaped into the air. She wielded a massive hammer, swinging it with ease. She smashed her hammer on top of the creature.

At the same time, Gabe moved. He too had the Earth and Fire elements but his Technique differed from Tarquin. Gabe had two massive horns on his head, which were ablaze.

He ran up to the creature and just as Gabriella’s hammer fell on its head, Gabe speared his horns into its abdominal area.

The two others were in charge of healing and debuffing. The healer was at Tarquin’s side, healing the minor injuries suffered by the young lord.

The other used this opportunity to inject something into the creature and retreated quickly.

’Their teamwork is excellent.’

Seeing their action, Hex was impressed by their ability to follow through without any words spoken between them. Hex had not seen them even exchange a glance with each other.

But he still didn’t join the battle. A Disaster wouldn’t get such a name if it could be dealt with so easily.

And indeed. Gabe tried to step back to take his horns out of the creature’s stomach when the creature raised its limbs and wrapped its talon around his neck.

"NOO!!"

Tarquin who remained vigilant roared while rushing toward it. Gabriella, who was right there, also raised her hammer and smashed its face. Blood splashed but the creature didn’t loosen its grip.

Its talon sunk deeper into Gabe’s skin. Tarquin reached it and grabbed one of its limbs while Gabriella grabbed the other. They pulled with all their might.

’Morons,’ Hex cursed.

Rip!

The creature suddenly screeched and pulled hard. Gabe’s head popped off like the head of a doll.

Tarquin and Gabriella watched open-mouthed as their friend’s headless corpse remained in its stance while the creature held the head in the air.

Screech!

The Heartless shriek echoed. It threw both stunned Knights to the ground and jumped away. To Hex’s dismay, it came in his direction.

’Maybe it won’t notice me.’

Hex’s wishful thinking proved wrong. As soon as it landed on the roof he was on, it looked back.

Screech!

It was enraged. Blood spilled over its head. It just killed one and another human appeared.

"WAKE UP, MORONS! AVENGE YOUR BROTHER!"

Hex knew he had no choice but to fight. As soon as the creature saw him, he jumped up in the air, stepping high and toward the other knights, he shouted at the top of his lungs.

His shout worked. The Knights who were grieving and despairing, jolted, becoming aware of their predicament.

They didn’t stop to think how Hex appeared and whether he had ulterior motives. They gathered around and readied themselves to fight.

Only Elsa looked at Hex. And when he returned the gaze, she smiled. Hex noticed her eyes weren’t muddled in grief or uncertainty as the others. Once again he felt wary of her.

Screech!

’She can wait. First, we need to kill this thing.’