CHAPTER 82: SPIRIT CORPSES (3).

Obed’s expression twisted into a grim furrow,

"Did the charms fail?"

Nero frowned and raised a brow, ’Charms?!’

"Who the hell is that?"

He suddenly felt a gaze on him.

He turned his gaze to the man the large man had called Obed.

Nero was about to speak when the large man spoke,

"Calm down. He’s the one that pulled that idiot Lawson off of me." He said gruffly.

Then he turned to Nero,

"My name is Garrick. Fellow Hunter, what is your name?"

’Hunters... So that’s what they call themselves...’

Nero answered quickly, feeling a bit relieved that he could pass as a regular human. Granted, it could have just been the fog doing wonders, but there was no need to think about that for now,

"My name is Nero. What is going on here?"

For now, he didn’t need to correct them on the fact that he was not a Hunter. All that could be resolved in due time.

At the moment, the priority was figuring out the current situation.

Obed’s glare was still cautious and hostile.

A moment later, he clicked his tongue and turned away,

"We’ve lost Lammy and now Lawson. To make things worse, we are now completely surrounded. What the hell is this?" Obed spat through gritted teeth.

Garrick hummed then turned to Nero,

Sensing his gaze, Nero nervously gripped his spear tighter.

"Since the other two are gone, I’m willing to give you their cuts for this mission if you help us out."

’Not like I really have a choice anymore...’ Nero thought to himself.

He paused for a moment then nodded, "Alright. We have a deal."

Garrick nodded,

"Can you fight center?"

Nero raised a brow, ’Center? What the hell is that?’

Obed shot Garrick a dark look,

’This nasty bastard! The kid just got here and he’s already planning to kill him off!’

Nero nodded again. Unsure of his confusion would lead to suspicion, he had unconsciously agreed, only regretting afterwards.

’Damn it. Oracle, what the hell is fighting center?’ Left with no choice, he decided to try and ask the Oracle.

Shockingly, he got a response,

{In the context of the Heretic’s current predicament, fighting center means acting as the forefront of the party, right beside the shield bearer. It is a very dangerous spot and is not easily defensible. However, most warriors who fight center are considered to be the most powerful of the party and can hold their own even when faced with a tide of enemies}.

Nero pursed his lips.

One look at the party was enough for him to know that they were in dire straits.

’If I save them, perhaps they will be indepted to me. Then I can find out all the information I need.’

Nero took a step forward.

Right now, they were surrounded by the pack of smaller Abominations he had now come to identify as Brandors.

They were a species completely native to this corner of Malady’s Garden as he had not seen them anywhere else.

And then, there was also the plethora of evil spirits swimming through the fog, looking for a next victim.

They had not tried to possess any one else yet, so that was good.

In front of them, in a disturbing crouch on all fours, was the member of the hunting party that had become possessed.

He looked inhuman. While his features still held some traces of the man he once was, it was clear that he was a completely lost cause.

Nero sucked in a deep breath.

The Silver Blade gleamed in the dreary fog as he sheathed it.

Since he was fighting center, he had to deal with the greatest threats, which were the possessed human before him, and the swarming ghosts gathering above his body.

Fortunately, he had Gungnir.

The blade tip of the spear glowed with an austere silver light, cutting through the gloomy and grey fog.

He brandished it sharply, then charged forward.

Obed grimaced, ’He’s done for.’

He knew exactly what Garrick’s plan was. He planned to take advantage of the young Hunter to draw the attention of the Abominations while they made their way out of the predicament.

Garrick was simply too selfish and cruel to do anything else.

And he was right for the most part, but not quite...

Garrick’s eyes were dark, but also curious. As the Brandors, having finished feasting upon Lammy’s corpse, charged forward, he made sure to keep an eye on the young Hunter that had just joined them.

Nero saw two Brandors cutting through the fog at him.

Gungnir traced an enigmatic curve through the mist, its tip almost drawing the beasts in.

It stabbed into the head of the first one.

With a sharp tug, Nero tore through the head of Abominations, killing it instantly. The force of the tug didn’t die away as he stabbed into the head of the other one. Kicking its body to the side, he only had time to raise the spear into a guard when the possessed human fling itself at him.

The force of the collision sent him skidding backwards, almost throwing him off balance.

However, the constant practice with Gungnir had taught him a thing or two about balance.

Quickly stabilizing himself, he only had time to block another strike. Then another that followed in rapid succession.

Each blow was heavy, they swift, aimed cruelly at his vital spots.

The strength of a possessed human was nothing to laugh about. Those possessed usually exhibited enhanced physical characteristics due to the removal of any natural limiters and inhibitions.

The downside of this, was that their bodies were more susceptible to harm simply from movement.

Nero grit his teeth as he was pushed back once again.

Then he noticed the swarm of evil spirits rushing down at him, their ethereal, ghostly claws aimed at his neck and chest.

Swinging Gungnir in a wide arc, they shrieked and dispersed into the fog again. They were not dead yet though.

Nero’s yell cut through the fog,

"How do we get rid of these things?!"