The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 178: Toward the center (1)

Chapter 178: Toward the center (1)

"Two teams were wiped out."

"Yes, I heard they encountered Disasters too."

"We were lucky to have Sir Gronke with us."

Two Knights sat near the bonfire and whispered to each other the information they gathered in the camp under the red flag. Despite their efforts to mask their voices, Hex heard each word clearly. He lay on a bed of hay with his eyes shut yet remained aware of everything around him.

Gronke, the Refined Knight with a bushy beard, sat on the other side of the bonfire. He munched on his snacks, seemingly oblivious to the stares directed at him. It didn’t take long for the entire fifth area to know that he singlehandedly took a Disaster down.

While everyone rested, the same stern-faced man who instructed them in the morning arrived at the bonfire. Ignoring the lack of response his arrival received, he walked up to Gronke. The others immediately focused their ears on them. Hex wasn’t an exception.

"Tomorrow your team will move toward the fourth area. The number of Disasters increases the closer you get to the center. You may take the entire team with you or a select few. It’s your choice."

Quite a lot of people’s expressions changed. Very few remained unaffected by the news. Their eyes pleaded to be left in the fifth area, under the red flag. They didn’t fancy their chances against a Disaster.

"Why are you moving us? I thought you would delight in the fact you have someone capable of killing Disasters?"

The stern-faced man turned toward the person asking the question. Esmeralda didn’t flinch under his scrutinizing gaze. She stared back at the man. After a few seconds, the man relented and answered.

"We aren’t here for individual glory. At least, not the older generation. We seek to regain the city we grew up in. The first step in realizing our goal is taking control of the gates. The weaker troops will hold off the Demons and Fiends while the stronger people need to eradicate the Disasters and the Calamity. Once we control the gate, the number of Heartless in the market district won’t matter. We can pick them apart over time."

With that, the man departed. Esmeralda pondered over the words and went up to Gronke. "I will participate and assist."

She was the only one volunteering. Everyone else averted their gazes. Hex didn’t volunteer or shy away. He only listened half-heartedly to the man’s speech. While the others relaxed, he refined.

’Like master said. Others can harvest all they want but they can only refine and cultivate when they return. With a personal monolith, I can refine wherever I wish to.’

Hex harvested more than a hundred Fiend crystals. And he didn’t even have to risk anything during the loot. The heavy rubble trapped them, making them easy prey for a predator like Hex.

Another advantage of looting in such a manner was the possibility of keeping his true elemental strength a secret. No one saw what he did inside the rubble. Hex hid his frost powers as much as he could. The Frost Dragon’s Devil stage crystal was one of his objectives. Chances were that others shared the goal. By minimizing the exposure of his powers he hoped to take them by surprise.

Gronke didn’t speak a word. He continued munching on his snacks and drinking through the entire night. His silence kept most people awake. They didn’t know what the morning would bring.

At the first ray of the sun, Gronke stood up and put his liquor and snacks away. Hex, who finished refining a couple of crystals, stood up, filled with energy. His smile irritated the sleep-deprived Knights. Even Esmeralda, who managed to rest, scowled at him.

"I am moving toward the center. There is no reason to follow or remain here other than your will. Live and death are personal choices."

With a short speech, Gronke picked up his pouch and walked toward the other area. Esmeralda joined immediately.

"Why am I not surprised that you joined?" She smirked at Hex who joined them too.

Hex understood her mockery but ignored it. ’She is not wrong either. Picking up the trash Gronke leaves in his charge, my energy might increase by another thousand drops.’

...

The blue flag fluttered loudly in the wind. Hex stood with Esmeralda and Gronke before it, looking solemnly at the devastation before them.

The buildings were no more. Corpses lay everywhere. Even the temporary barracks were destroyed. The sight before Hex looked opposite from his previous unit, despite being barely fifty meters apart.

The fourth unit was almost eradicated. Only a few tens of Knights stood their ground but their enemies were Disasters. The five Disasters screeched and clashed against the shields and swords of the remaining Knights.

"Let’s go!"

Gronke didn’t stand idle this time. He groaned as his body morphed. Although the situation required urgency, Hex paused to look at the transformation. Two large tusks grew out of the boar-like fellow’s mouth and his skin seemed to harden. It appeared ablaze or maybe it was. Hex noticed the air around Gronke started to heat up and emit steam.

With a growl, Gronke stamped against the ground, shattering it. The kick propelled him forward, slamming into one of the Disasters. Hex moved too.

"Where are you going?" Esmeralda exclaimed when she noticed Hex moving toward one of the Disasters instead of teaming up with the other Knights from the fourth unit.

"Assist me!" Hex shouted in reply.

Teaming up with unfamiliar people would cause many mistakes. He preferred his chances with Esmeralda. He slammed his fist, empowered by the Second Blessing, against the floor. The shattered pieces flew in the air. Hex unleashed another blast, sending the pieces toward Esmeralda, who understood his intention.

She was supposed to provide mid-range cover while he engaged the Disaster in close range. It sounded stupid and suicidal but she followed through. There was no time to argue. After all, Hex already suffered a deep slash from his first clash against the Disaster.