With Veronica incapacitated, new assassins appeared.
It seemed we had been surrounded by someone. Sharin shouted towards the enemy.
“Show yourselves, what do you want with us!”
Then, a swarm of small beastmen with dog-like faces emerged. They walked on two legs and had an atmosphere similar to goblins. They were inching towards us, each wielding a variety of weapons like daggers, scythes, and clubs. Seeing their forms, Elana scoffed.
“I see, Kobolds. They’re bothersome, but not that strong. You misjudged your opponents. You should have just quietly gnawed on some bones.”
As a feint, she unleashed a fireball towards them. The kobolds flinched at the sight of the burning pillar of fire. However, instead of fleeing, they charged straight at us. They barked and howled as if to encourage themselves.
First, they leaped at Nina and Sharin, who were at the front. There were only about five opponents, so the two of them should be enough.
“Arisugawa, watch out, behind you! There’s one behind you!”
At Sharin’s voice, I turned around and saw another five charging from behind, with several more attacking from the sides. This meant they weren’t just simple-minded fools. They possessed enough intelligence to communicate with each other. One of them bit my leg. As I grabbed it by the scruff of its neck to shake it off, another one bit my hand.
To think they’d use one as a decoy! They might be a tougher opponent than I thought… A sudden sharp pain shot through my head, my vision swam, and I saw the ground. My clothes were grabbed and I was dragged, then something landed on top of me. For a fleeting moment, I saw a glint of a blade out of the corner of my eye. This is bad, they’re going to kill me like this! No, I won’t be killed by some mangy dog!
I’ve survived near-death situations countless times before. Just this once, I have to manage by myself. I forced my eyes open wide and lunged at the furry creature on top of me. I grabbed the snarling kobold by the snout, its fangs bared, and bit down hard on the hand holding the dagger.
“Yip yip! Grrrraw!”
It yelped and scratched my face, but I didn’t loosen my jaw. The kobold instinctively jumped off me. I released its mouth, grabbed its neck, and rubbed it against the ground.
“You damn dog! Had enough?!”
The kobold writhed, trying to break free with incredible strength, so I tossed it into the bushes. Seeing this, the other kobolds attacked all at once. I stood up and assumed a posture with my dagger. It would be too pathetic to be defeated by these small fry.
Just then, another one went towards Veronica, who had taken refuge under a tree. It seemed she had been recognized as injured.
“Veronica, one’s heading your way!”
My voice didn’t reach her. Perhaps sensing an injured person, several more started heading her way. This is bad, in her current state, she’ll be toyed with and killed. I took a step forward, but a kobold wielding a club stood in my way, as if knowing my intention.
