Dungeon of Niflheim

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Fighting Red Hawk and Alex

“Koji!” The stronger looking deputy screamed out his companion’s name in grief. Koji was still alive, his eyes filled with fear and confusion as he stared down at the large chunk of ice protruding from his chest. Blood quickly spilled from the point of entry, dying the ice bolt red. The bolt protruded out of his back covered in his internal organs and viscera, a gruesome sight.

‘Eh?’ Koji stared at the ice bolt and his blood covered hands unable to understand, he turned towards his friend for answers only to see his face distraught and covered in tears. As his vision started to darken, he turned to his boss, Redhawk who was sitting with his back to a tree after rolling away. Redhawk had a puzzled look before quickly changing to anger as he turned towards where the spell was cast, no grief could be seen in his eyes only rage.

“Bos.... bleugh.” Koji tried to ask Redhawk for help, but blood gushed out of his mouth painting his hands and arms. He looked down and finally realised his situation. His eyes became dim, and his body drew cold ‘ah I’m dead’ and like that Koji died and the group of four became three.

No longer being supported, Koji’s body slumped down to the ground quickly forming a red puddle of blood that gave off a strong pungent scent. His friend the stronger deputy continued to cry and curse aloud, he dragged his body over towards his dead friend and held the corpse in his arms.

Alex however during this time was very alert, he kept his eyes locked onto the spell’s origin completely ignoring the death of Koji and the wailing of the strong deputy. His brow was frowning, and a sense of unease filled his heart, an unknown variable had appeared.

‘Shit! someone else to deal with but who?’ Thoughts and possibilities filled Alex’s mind. He’d taken precautions against the local adventurers, so he was taken aback by this interruption. The speed and strength of the [ice bolt] spell was also troubling. Alex had already burned the bridges with Redhawk, there’s no way they’d be able to reliably work together.

The moment Koji died Redhawk roared. “You damn cowardly bastard skulking in the shadows get out here and fight like a man!” Redhawk jumped to his feet and picked up his dropped great axe ready to charge into the trees. Alex was more than happy to let this idiot lead the charge and draw out the caster, but his thoughts were unnecessary.

.....

From the top of a nearby tree Frost dropped down, he patted his clothes to remove any leaves and elegantly walked into the opening where Redhawk and Alex were.

His ambush had worked, a single attack allowed him kill one of the bandits and now that he was no longer hidden Frost felt it was unnecessary to remain in the trees. He walked out with a smile holding his iron glaive over his shoulders.

“Huh?” Alex was stunned, not just by Frost’s outstanding beauty but by the fact that he didn’t recognise him. Alex had done mountains of research on all the local adventurers and people of note yet there wasn’t a single one that looked like Frost.

‘A magic user and glaive user who the hell is he?’ The frown on Alex’s face only grew more pronounced.

Revelling in their shock Frost started to speak. “I can’t allow myself to be labelled a coward now can I.” His gaze drifted towards Redhawk as he spoke before briefly stopping on Koji’s body and snorting “so weak.”

Redhawk felt as though he was about to pass out due to immense anger. His face turned from red to white and then to green, the veins on his forehead were about to pop.

“The red ape here must be Redhawk and you,” his gaze turned towards Alex “must be the treasonous knight, Alex.” Frost spoke with contempt, he wanted to enrage his opponent as much as possible.

Before Redhawk could scream and charge at Frost, Alex stepped forward “so you’ve met with Leonardo.” Murderous intent filled his eyes, and he readied some daggers behind his back. He sent a signal with his eyes to Redhawk telling him to hold.

“I have and he’s under my protection.” The atmosphere grew tense; Frost tightened his grip on his glaive and focused on every movement made by the knight.

Alex smiled and lightly laughed before his face drastically turned vicious “then you can die!” He instantly pulled his arms from behind his back and launched four daggers straight at Frost. The moment the daggers were launched Redhawk made his move as well, he charged forth with his great axe raised high.

Frost was more than prepared; he gripped his glaive with both hands and took a defensive stance. The moment the four daggers reached within 3m of him Frost swung. And without any wasted movements he knocked down each and every dagger with the glaive’s blade, knocking them to floor. Alex winced at this sight but didn’t let up, throwing more daggers his way.

By the time Frost knocked the eighth dagger down Redhawk had leaped high into the air aiming to smash down his axe upon Frost’s head. Frost twirled his glaive around and cleaved upwards with his full strength, meeting the axe with the glaive’s blade.

Boom!

Sparks flew with the clash of metal and a loud boom was heard before Redhawk was sent tumbling through the air like a ragdoll whereas Frost slid back a few feet. It was clear who was stronger. However, Alex had great timing and a dagger reached Frost the moment he was caught off balance.

Frost could only move his arm in time to receive a shallow cut above his elbow, he was now dripping ruby red blood staining his white clothes.

“Tsk” Frost clicked his tongue in annoyance, although the wound wasn’t deep, and it wouldn’t affect his battle ability it still pissed him off. He looked over towards Alex, irritation in eyes as if he was looking at an annoying bug.

Alex however was not pleased with his attack drawing blood. ‘Shit! The timing was perfect, yet he only ended up with a slight cut.’ Alex was aiming to slice the tendon on Frost’s forearm making it so he couldn’t wield his glaive. Frost was a much more dangerous opponent than he anticipated, ‘god knows how that brat Leonardo convinced him to help.’

Unfortunately, without Redhawk’s assistance Alex’s sneak attacks wouldn’t be as effective. Alex’s eyes were drawn towards where the bandit boss landed. Redhawk was covered in scuffs and had a bruised rib but other than that was fine, he could still fight. But unlike Alex, Redhawk wanted to flee. That was his strongest attack yet even with the overhead advantage he was sent flying like a child, his hands were still numb from the vibrations.

In fact, this situation was probably quite favourable, with Frost keeping Alex busy there would be no one tying him down. Redhawk wasn’t the brightest or the best at concealing his emotions, so his thoughts were clearly displayed on his face bringing a slight panic to Alex. He couldn’t allow Redhawk to escape, he knew too much.

Filled with anger Alex shouted, “Redhawk you bastard get up and help, he’s no match against us together!” However, his roar was filled with uncertainty, it fell on deaf ears. Redhawk looked nervously between Alex and Frost as well as the still grieving bandit deputy before smirking.

“Sorry Alex looks like this is the end of our partnership, sayonara mother fucker!” He looked at Alex in contempt no longer hiding his disdain. He drew his thumb across his neck in mocking before turning around and leaving with some speed, abandoning his deputy.

No one else mattered as long as he lived, he could easily recreate the red hawk bandits, with his strength it wouldn’t take too long either. Furano was becoming too risky anyway, leaving for new ground could be a positive. Redhawk loudly laughed as he ran, his anger towards Frost vanishing instead turning into gratitude.

Alex’s face quickly shifted between white and red, his attention no longer on Frost he started running in Redhawk’s direction. But he was quickly blocked.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Frost smiled playfully as he spoke, not even caring about the fleeing bandit boss, he already had plans for him.

“Y...you!” Alex clenched his teeth and pointed at Frost in fury. Fighting Frost would take his entire attention, if Frost continued to block his path, he wouldn’t be able to chase down Redhawk.

“I thought you were helping Leonardo, are you sure you want to let him leave?” Seeing that getting angry wasn’t the right approach, Alex tried to reason with him.

“Leave? Oh no he won’t be leaving.” An evil smile adorned Frost’s face once again. Alex was confused but that didn’t last long

“Roarrrrrrr!” Suddenly a loud roar was heard in the direction Redhawk ran in. Alex felt a pit develop in his stomach, that wasn’t a frost wolf. His gaze subconsciously drifted in the roar’s direction.

“A polar bear.” He frowned, that was D-rank monster, not an easy opponent even for him, he underestimated this monster lair’s level. While thoughts of his next moves passed in his mind a large shadow could be seen smashing through the trees before loudly crashing into the ground nearby. The shadow groaned as it hit the floor and spurted blood from its mouth. Redhawk didn’t get very far.

He was sent flying by the polar bear’s paw, even defending with his axe he was still greatly injured. His internal organs felt as though they’d been hit with a sledgehammer and his arms felt numb. His axe which was made of steel had several chips in it and there was a large crack in the handle, another strike and it would shatter completely.

Polar bears had great strength and defence but lacked speed and agility. Under normal circumstances he’d be able to hold his own but was caught unprepared.

Full of arrogance Redhawk didn’t even watch what was ahead of him only wary of being pursued, he ran right into the snout of a polar bear. What ensued was a loud roar and him being sent flying back to where he started.

Shortly after Red hawk managed to get his bearing albeit with much difficulty the polar bear charged through the foliage

“Roaarrrrr!” It ignored the wounded Redhawk instead charging at the uninjured Alex. The polar bear weighed over a ton, its charging power was incredible, one wrong move and even the strongest of humans would be injured. Alex grimaced as the massive bear gained momentum, it would be on him in a couple seconds.

‘Fuck!’ He didn’t have time to think as to why the bear ignored Redhawk or the others and vehemently targeted him who was the furthest away. Jumping sideways he manged to avoid the bear’s frame as well as the outstretched claw all while withdrawing his sword from its sheath and striking. This action was clearly seen by Frost.

‘It’s not a long sword but a short sword, the sheath was deceiving. He’s more of a rogue or an assassin than a knight.’ Frost took in every detail of his opponent’s movements, ‘know your enemy and you will not be defeated, knowledge is key.’ Maya gave him this advice as he was lying in wait. Frost lacked experience and even if his instincts were great, he needed more. Now that he knew Alex’s methods of attack, he was a lot less frightening.

The polar bear roared in pain, there was a deep gash on its paw and two of its nails had been severed. Alex’s strike was true, the sword dripped with blood, and was still razor sharp. His sword was of much higher quality than Redhawk’s axe.

Frost’s gaze drifted towards the sword. ‘Steel and not regular steel either.’ The way it glimmered and cut the polar bears claws in a single motion; no regular weapon could do that. ‘Seems that he’s very important to Leo’s uncle to be equipped with a weapon of such good quality.’ Even Leo’s weapon was of a lower grade, and he was the lord’s son.

‘Shame I use a glaive.’ Frost looked at the iron glaive in his hands he couldn’t help but feel awkward.

The polar bear realising the danger Alex posed roared at him before turning back to attack Redhawk, choosing to fight the weaker enemy.