Souls Online: Mythic Ascension-Chapter 82: A Breath before Battle

Leo knew he had messed up and showed a pathetic side of himself during that last fight. He had landed one blow only to be stunned. If it hadn't been for the quick reactions of his comrades, he may have died there.

"Be on your guard. I highly doubt Rabid Wolves are the only things inside this cave."

Horo cocked an eyebrow as he shot a glance towards the back of Leo's head.

'This dungeon had Kobold in the name...Of course wolves aren't the only monsters here'

'The Cub is flustered....Hilarious~'

Arachne chuckles of amusement echoed in Horo's mind as she too noticed that Leo's attempt to act like a true leader was quietly exposed.

Yet nobody else spoke of it or even acknowledged the verbal flub. Horo had a feeling that if he pointed it out, either Nyx or Luna would attempt to pulverize him..Hell they both might try

So he wisely kept his mouth shut, giving a small shrug and refocusing on the path ahead.

Leo walked at the front, shoulders rigid. It was at times like this that he felt the weight of being the leader. He felt that he had to lead them by example, he couldn't afford to make mistakes..he had to be...perfect.

While his steps forward were steady, he felt his mind was spiraling, dark thoughts encroaching on his mentality, threatening to crush him. He didn't know what he was going to do when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Coming to a stop and turning his head he saw the hand belonged to Horo whose lips were curled up into his signature smirk.

"Don't worry Boss...We are a team. You can rely on us."

Leo's eyes widened in surprise at Horo's words. His throat tightened, and for a moment, his lips parted in disbelief. He opened his mouth again, but the words stuck somewhere deep inside, refusing to leave his lips

'Did he read my mind? How did he..Why did he..."

Yet after a moment of silence, A small smile spread on Leo's face. He nodded his head at Horo who simply grinned back in response. There was no need for any more words between them.

Lily let out a short but obviously fake cough.

"I don't want to break up the bromance here but I really don't like dark caves filled with rabid dogs and kobolds!"

Sonata didn't say anything but nodded her head fervently as well. However Luna had a frown when she noticed a suspicious sparkle in her eyes as she looked at the two boys.

Nyx glared at Horo suspiciously as she let out a soft growl.

"I thought my only competition was Lily. Do I have to fight you too for Cutie's love?!"

Horo and Leo were horrified at Nyx's assumption and hastily denied it before she could elaborate further.

"Why the hell would I be interested in someone like this? Do I look like a priest? I prefer girls, not cute little boys!"

"I prefer girls too! I have no interest in scummy playboys. I am no garbage man, I don't like trash!"

The two boys' eyes widened as they looked back at each other after they simultaneously threw each other under the proverbial bus.

"What was that you prick?! How dare you call me a little boy!"

"That's my line, asshole! How the hell am I trash?!"

Nyx opened her mouth and was about to say something when Horo held up his hand and pointed at her without breaking eye contact with Leo.

"You can shut up."

Luna who had been watching this with quiet amusement finally cracked, a small giggle escaping from her lips as she held her side before breaking out into a loud laugh.

Nyx looked completely unnerved seeing the usually fierce Luna laughing so freely.

"Uhh..Is she broken? Why is she laughing?"

Lily giggled a bit as she scratched her cheek"

"She isn't a robot. She laughs just like the rest of us..."

Horo perked an eyebrow as he shot Lily a suspicious glare.

'I don't think she ever laughed at anything I said before...'

Leo let out a sigh as he understood exactly why his sister was laughing.

"Her sense of humor is a bit...unique. Nyx annoyed her so she was thoroughly amused that someone else told her to shut up before she could speak..Am I right Sis?"

Luna was wiping a tear from the corner of her eyes as she used her other hand to give a thumbs up.

"Well that is just rude.."

Nyx pouted as she crossed her arms, feeling slightly aggrieved.

Leo's ears perked up as he heard something as his party bantered. It was the sound of hearts...multiple...coming their way.

"Shut up. They are coming"

.  

The sudden shift in Leo's tone caught everyone off guard. The lighthearted atmosphere from moments ago evaporated as quickly as it had arrived.

Luna, still wiping a tear from her eye, immediately snapped to attention, her body tensing as she gripped her axe tighter. Nyx's pouting expression disappeared, replaced by a focused, sharp look as she twirled her staff.

Horo's smirk faded into something more calculating, his eyes scanning the cave's narrow passages. He raised a hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down. They could all hear it now—the unmistakable sound of thumping footsteps, growing louder and closer.

"They're coming,"

Leo repeated, his voice even more grim now.

"Prepare yourselves."

A small group of 6 Kobolds burst out of the darkness, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger. At the forefront of the pack was a massive, armored figure. The Kobold was much bigger than the others and wielded a thin metal sword like some sort of samurai.

"Aria, Lily. Stay back and support us however you can"

Lily nodded in acknowledgement of Leo's order while Sonata opened her mouth to sing, giving the party a buff with her Hymn of Strength.

"Nyx. Luna. Take care of the small frys. Horo, we take out the big one"

"Aye Aye Boss."

"Understood"

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

"Let's Go~"

"GRAAAAH"

The kobolds charged towards the group, the kobolds side by side blocked any possibility of anyone sneaking past them while their leader watched unmoving.

Nyx's eyes gleamed with a dark intensity as shadows spiraled around her form. She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the pulse of the shadows strengthening her body.

As she stepped forward, the shadows seemed to twist around her limbs, empowering her strikes and movements, making her faster and more precise.

With a flick of her wrist, the shadows from the ground rose, tendrils wrapping around the nearest Kobolds, pulling them in and momentarily constricting their movements.

Her staff danced through the air, each strike landing with force as she used the shadows to hold her enemies in place, making them easier targets for Luna's powerful swings.

Luna's axe cleaved through the air, landing solid blows on the helpless Kobolds, while Nyx continued to bind and empower herself with the shadows, her every move more fluid and deadly.

Within moments, Leo and Horo found themselves facing off against the armored kobold. As Leo and Horo faced the massive armored kobold, the air in the cave seemed to thicken, charged with an eerie tension.

The kobold's glowing eyes locked onto them, its posture like that of a predator sizing up its prey. The other kobolds, still engaged with Nyx and Luna, seemed to fade into the background as the two sides prepared for the inevitable clash.