Chapter 138: Urgent Situation
The other soldiers had also vaguely guessed the truth.
Now, they understood that their enemies were not some unknown dangers but quite possibly humans.
Before the monstrous test subjects could charge up the wall, Matthew raised his hand and unleashed a fireball spell.
The swirling fireball crashed down, exploding in the midst of the test subjects.
The terrifying blast instantly shredded these grotesque creatures, and their charred remains were scattered across the ground.
"Ding, you killed Test Subject x7, Mana Absorption activated, gaining 12 mana points."
Matthew frowned slightly; the four activations of Mana Absorption gave him similar feedback to that of the berserk fishmen.
This confirmed Matthew's earlier theory!
More and more test subjects surged out of the swamp's shadows, snarling and howling as they recklessly slammed into the ironwood walls.
The heavy thudding sounds added pressure to the soldiers.
They gripped their spears tightly, without hesitation, thrusting downward.
From the very start, the battle entered a fierce, heated phase.
Bowstrings twanged continuously.
The crossbow bolts' devastating power was fully displayed in this moment.
Even with the test subjects' 15-point increase in health, their flesh and blood couldn't withstand the brutal arrowheads.
The speeding bolts pierced through the test subjects emerging from the mist and buried themselves deep into the ground.
More than a dozen of the test subjects charging from the road were taken down in an instant.
This success was due to Adam Smith's analysis of their defense.
Instead of having the cart pushers, who hadn't fully mastered archery, stubbornly shoot a few rounds before exhausting themselves,
He split the existing crossbowmen into teams and had the cart pushers handle the heavy work, leaving the original crossbowmen to focus on aiming and firing.
While this reduced the rate of fire, it allowed them to double the number of active crossbows.
Adam Smith had also gained more insight into the use of clay golems.
The berserk fishmen primarily targeted living humans and flesh; they had little interest in the clay golems.
He concentrated the golems at the front to block the test subjects' charge.
These four-legged test subjects had larger bodies and stronger climbing abilities than the berserk fishmen.
After four or five minutes of concentrated attacks, they began climbing the walls.
Though they were quickly smashed by the heavy blows of the clay golems, this made Adam Smith even more anxious.
These horrifying test subjects were far more dangerous than the berserk fishmen!
More test subjects emerged from the mist, and after a barrage of crossbow bolts, their numbers were reduced by about one-quarter.
The remaining ones trampled over their fallen comrades, swiftly leaping onto the walls and slashing deep gashes into the shields with their claw-like knives.
Sparks flew, and the terrifying strength of their attacks made the defending soldiers' hearts race.
Fortunately, their defense was tight, with spears thrusting through the gaps between the shields.
The shield-bearing soldiers didn't give the test subjects any room to land, stabbing them with sharp spears the moment they jumped.
"Roar…!"
The impaled test subjects thrashed wildly before tumbling down.
The pressure on the defense continued to mount, and the battle grew increasingly intense.
Boom!
Another fireball exploded, shattering the first wave of the test subjects' assault.
The soldiers seized the moment to change positions and re-equip themselves.
Matthew no longer waited for the test subjects to reach the walls before casting his fireball spells.
He began attacking the next wave of test subjects as they advanced.
His goal was to reduce the test subjects' numbers and strength as much as possible.
Maximizing the fireball spell's destructive power and lethality!
This was Matthew's strategy, a direct response to the enemy's war of attrition.
"Care to guess how many more times I can cast this?"
The booming explosions repeatedly lit up the battlefield before the hill.
The fireball spell, a battlefield powerhouse, once again displayed its formidable deterrence.
Uncertain of how many more fireballs Matthew could unleash, the enemy hesitated to launch a full-scale assault.
The soldiers had shown remarkable adaptability.
With the advantageous terrain, superior equipment, desperate determination, generous rewards, and the aid of potions,
They also had the Courage Scrolls cast by Adam Smith to boost their morale.
They managed to hold off the weakened test subjects' relentless attacks.
Boom!
Another fireball exploded!
The spreading flames rained down, scattering embers and illuminating the dark misty swamp with bright light.
Matthew lowered his staff with a slight sense of regret; the mist still obscured the enemy's full numbers.
Silently, he turned and left, speaking calmly to a tense Adam Smith:
"Do it!"
...
A cold breeze blew, carrying the acrid stench of charred flesh and the rotten odor of the swamp, but none of it fazed Bloodhand Kahn.
He gazed at the remaining half of the test subjects, his face hidden under the mask devoid of emotion.
The flickering red light, even from two or three hundred meters away, penetrated the thick mist and revealed faint images.
"The eleventh fireball spell!"
Bloodhand Kahn no longer bothered to wonder why this Arcanist had such extraordinary endurance in battle.
He had only one thought left:
"If the enemy eliminates two-thirds of the test subjects, retreat without hesitation."
He suddenly looked up after silently counting to 200, noticing the absence of any more fireball explosions.
"Finally out of firepower?"
"Or are they setting a trap?"
These thoughts briefly crossed Bloodhand Kahn's mind.
Then, he saw a bright light rise from the distant mist.
The enemy was using alchemical oil again!
This time, Bloodhand Kahn didn't hesitate. He drank a bottle of green potion, his voice shifting into a beastly growl as he roared:
"Attack with all your might!"
His voice grew more and more savage as he spoke, sounding increasingly like an enraged beast!
The last traces of his rational mind burned away in a fury, leaving behind only a fading echo:
"200 barrels of alchemical oil consumed, 80 fireball scrolls used, the soldiers' potion supply at its limit!"
"You… are all doomed!!"
"Roar…!"
Bloodhand Kahn's body, along with his mount, began to distort and mutate.
His body instantly swelled, blood pouring out like a fountain…
Back at the temporary camp, Matthew faintly sensed something. He glanced at the busy kobolds before turning to leave the tent.
The roaring flames engulfed the entire camp perimeter, continuously scorching the advancing test subjects.
These mindless creatures charged into the fire like moths to a flame, only to perish one after another.
The soldiers, fatigued and under heavy pressure, immediately felt relieved.
Especially when they saw Matthew step out of the tent once again, every soldier couldn't help but cheer.
Matthew, his face calm, looked at their excited faces but couldn't help feeling a bit tense.
At first, he had only intended this as a lesson to draw the snake out of its hole.
Everyone here was bait!
Although they were aware of this, almost all of them chose this path and fought desperately to survive.
"That's why we will win!"
"Roar…!"
The deafening roar ripped through the thick mist, echoing throughout the entire camp.
Matthew turned to see the massive figure emerging from the flames, his eyes widening in surprise:
"Bloodhand Kahn, Challenge Level 15+, High-tier Peak!"