Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"One of the generals is coming…" Branden said and then began to bite his nails nervously. "Is this a trap, or could this be a good chance for us?"

"Sir, even if it is dangerous, we should accept the risks," Cor suddenly approached and then declared. "Please give me the order to take down that enemy. I shall return with his head before the collision between the armies ends."

Cor was feeling feisty, apparently… Rain saw him fighting a few times, and the white mustache was a powerful fighter, but he didn\'t look strong enough to take down an enemy that could lead one of the enemy tribes. His strength lies in working with his group, after all.

"... If that guy leads the charge, I want you to fight him, but before anything, measure his strength before going for the kill and focus on defense," Branden said. "The morale of both armies will be on the same level if that guy fights, but we will be in a bind if he kills you. Focus on learning about his patterns and skills first."

"Understood," Cor said and then saluted and then nodded.

Someone overly prideful would probably think that Branden wasn\'t putting a lot of faith in them. Still, the members of the organization didn\'t have time to worry about that. Besides, Branden probably selected those who wouldn\'t let those feelings get in the way of situations like that.

In any case, the enemies stopped their approach when they were five hundred meters away. That was a bit more distant than usual, but the people on the walls still began to climb down and assume their positions. Branden decided to use the fresher troops as well, and Cor would lead them… in the meantime, Rain and the others would stay behind.

"Is this fine, sir?" Jori asked. "We aren\'t doubting your judgment, but we can still fight, and we aren\'t even hurt in the slightest."

"It is fine; just be ready to move in case I call you as fast as possible," Branden said, and then he nodded while looking at Rain.

Rain did the same… it seemed that he should try to learn as much as possible from the enemy leader if he joined the battle. All in order to get rid of him as fast as possible. It was annoying that Rain had to wait since the enemies were all hiding their appearances behind cloaks and hoods, after all.

Just before the humans could finish assuming their positions, Rain saw the aura of the enemies changing. Just before, it was a bit of yellow and quickly turned into orange-red… that wasn\'t a good sign. At the same time, they charged toward the humans with extreme speed. Even Rain wouldn\'t be able to keep up with that unless he uses Impulse.

At the same time, Rain realized that their footsteps on the ground left deep marks and made them cross several more meters with each step.

Their general stayed behind, so Rain could almost see the anger that For felt. It was his perfect chance to change the flow of the battle and also affect the war as a whole. Still, the enemy wasn\'t stupid… he didn\'t have to do what his enemies were expecting of him.

The enemies and humans collided, and even though the magic people didn\'t use any magic, they began to push the humans backward, and some of them were even sent flying for several meters in the air.

"That much speed and power is uncommon for them… did they actually use magic when their auras changed?" Rain furrowed his eyebrows.

That was the only explanation… it was probably some support magic that increased their speed and strength. Rain assumed that when he saw the Cor swinging his sword and then slashing the chest of one of the enemies… he was one of the fastest Mercenaries, so that wasn\'t surprising. Still, it looked like the endurance of the enemies didn\'t change… at least for now.

When the humans realized that the enemies weren\'t that resilient, they focused on waiting for an excellent chance to counterattack. When that happened, a bunch of the enemies began to fall, but all of a sudden, the enemies stopped attacking that fast, and when their bodies were hit, the human\'s weapons only scratched their skin and clothes.

Rain looked behind the enemy\'s lines and saw that lone figure… Did that guy intervene somehow? Still, that battalion had around five hundred enemies… could that guy have enough mana and control to affect that many people?

"It is annoying that they hide their appearances since we would be able to get some answers regarding them with that alone…" Rain said. "Still, it looks like they are a tribe that specializes in supporting magic. They changed their approach from strength to speed to strength to endurance."

"You realized that as well, huh?" Branden asked. "What do you suggest we do considering that?"

"It seems that they can\'t use more than two types of support magic at the same time… so I guess we should alternate between magic and physical attacks."

Branden nodded… maybe the enemies could increase their magic resistance just like they can use it to increase their physical resistance, but that wouldn\'t allow them to cause much damage.