CHAPTER 231: CHAPTER 230: DRAGGED DOWN BY GIANTS

Lumberling felt the ground quake as the largest of them lumbered forward. It was colossal, nearly mammoth-sized, its hulking frame blotting out the light. Its aura slammed into him like a hammer, raw, oppressive, and suffocating. And he could tell, this one had a True Knight’s strength.

And it wasn’t alone. One more followed close behind, smaller but carrying that same dreadful pressure.

Behind them, four Gorehide Bears advanced, their hides scarred and bristling, each exuding power equal to Quasi-Knights. And then came the swarm, dozen Dire Bears and Common Bears, snarling, hungry for blood.

Lumberling exhaled slowly, his lips curling into a dry smile.

"This is getting dangerous."

He knew he could escape if it came to it, his body and skills would allow him to flee. But Grokk couldn’t outrun that many, and Lunira, despite her ferocity, would be overwhelmed holding them off. His companions would die if he chose only survival.

"We really disturbed the hornet’s nest," he muttered with a bitter chuckle. He had underestimated them. He thought the worst he’d find here were Gorehide Bears, maybe a handful at most. Confident, he had barged into their territory without hesitation.

’How could I forget...’ He clenched his jaw. He’d lived in this forest long enough to know better, but familiarity had made him careless.

Regret was useless now, what mattered was how to get them out alive.

Beside him, Lunira lowered her body, hackles raised, lips peeled back to bare fangs longer than daggers.

Grokk’s knuckles whitened around his axe. The gnoll’s breathing grew harsh, but his stance was steady, ready to fight even against impossible odds.

The clearing stilled for a brief moment, just the sound of bears snorting, claws raking earth, and Lunira’s unrelenting growl.

Lumberling narrowed his eyes at the beasts gathering before them. From their restless growls and burning gaze, he knew they wouldn’t let them walk away after slaughtering their kin.

"If I give the signal, you all run towards the second base," Lumberling ordered, eyes fixed on the massive beasts crashing through the trees.

"But, my Lord..." Grokk started.

"Go!" Lumberling barked, stepping forward just as the first behemoth-sized bear roared and charged.

Grokk clenched his jaw, torn between standing beside his Lord in battle or obeying his command. In the end, he swung his boar around and forced it into retreat. He knew staying would only make him a burden. The thought stoked his resolve to grow stronger, to evolve, but for now, he had to obey. If he left, his Lord might still have a chance to retreat as well.

Lunira lingered for a breath, unwilling to leave his side. She huffed low, almost a growl, before finally turning and bounding after Grokk.

...

The ground shook as the two monstrous bears bore down on Lumberling.

Lumberling planted his feet, spear in hand, and met the first strike. The bear’s paw came down like a boulder. He twisted, steel flashing, the spear’s shaft rattling in his grip as he deflected the blow. The impact still jolted his arms numb.

The second bear lunged at his flank. Lumberling spun and rammed the spear butt into its snout. The beast staggered, but the larger one was already on him again. He ducked under its swipe, the wind of its claws grazing his cheek, and drove his weapon up into its shoulder. A roar echoed, but the bear didn’t falter, instead, it pressed forward, forcing him back step by step.

"Tch... strong bastards," he muttered under his breath. These beasts were stronger than ordinary First-Stage True Knights.

His spear tore through thick fur, blood spraying hot across his arms. But before he could even breathe, another beast crashed into him. Their rhythm was merciless, one driving him back, the other darting for his flank, circling like wolves that had done this a hundred times before.

And all around, more hulking shapes prowled, their eyes glinting with hunger, waiting for a single slip. One man, drowning in the shadow of fifty beasts.

His muscles burned as he blocked, dodged, and struck. He was faster, stronger, sharper than them, but even so, his body was being pushed to its limits. Against one, he could end it in minutes. But against them all, they were grinding him down like wolves wearing down prey.

A claw ripped across his chest plate, throwing sparks. Another strike from the smaller bear slammed into his side, sending him crashing into a tree. The trunk splintered, bark raining down. Lumberling gritted his teeth and forced himself upright, spitting blood onto the dirt.

He tightened his grip on the spear, eyes locked on the two circling giants.

"So this is what a boss feels during boss fights," he muttered with a bitter grin. "One against a swarm... even giants get dragged down and eaten."

The larger bear roared and lunged again, its massive frame shaking the ground. Lumberling met it head-on, his spear flashing in the moonlight, the strike glancing off the beast’s thick fur before he twisted and forced it back.

Steel blurred as Lumberling’s spear swept in wide arcs, not only keeping the massive brutes at bay but reaping through the smaller ones that rushed him.

A young bear lunged at his flank, jaws snapping. Lumberling pivoted smoothly, his spearhead flashing once, twice, then the beast collapsed with a wet thud. Another charged in blind rage, but he sidestepped, driving his weapon through its chest before turning back to the towering giant that dwarfed them all.

By the time the clash dragged on, five of the lesser bears already lay scattered across the snow, their deaths barely more than footnotes to his relentless advance.

But the massive ones, bigger, and smarter, were different. They circled him like hunters, eyes glowing with cunning, using their bulkier kin as shields each time he pressed forward.

Lumberling gritted his teeth. Every strike that didn’t land clean only deepened his frustration. "Tch... crafty bastards," he muttered, steadying his breath. He forced the anger down, centering himself the way he always did.

The bears roared as if mocking him, closing in. He could keep killing the smaller ones, but against the giants? Alone, he’d be swallowed whole.

His mind worked quickly. He had two choices if he wanted to win against them. Call for his warriors, or draw these beasts to the second base.

Decision was quickly made, he shifted his stance, spear held loose but ready. Then, slowly, he began to back away. Each step was measured, deliberate, his eyes never leaving the circling predators.

One bear broke ranks, charging with a thunderous snarl. Lumberling spun, blade flashing. The beast’s head split cleanly in two, its body collapsing mid-stride.

(You have devoured the Common Bear’s essence. 150 essence absorbed. Absorbing a portion of the Common Bear’s memories and experiences.)

He didn’t pause. He kept walking backward, spear dripping, as if daring them to come again.

The pack hesitated. His steady retreat mocked them, every casual step a taunt.