Chapter 72: Day Two Of Hellish Training

    Back within the maze...

    The urban war zone within the maze was a scene of narrow streets and crumbling buildings.

    Dust and debris filled the air, choking their vision, but the knights pressed forward.

    Traps weren''t the threat here... No... It was goblins. And, of course, the possibility a wrong turn could lead to a dead end, meaning they would have to return the way they came and choose again.

    The constant clash of steel against crude goblin weapons echoed through the streets, mingling with the harsh breathing of the knights.

    Lionel stood in the center of a narrow alleyway, his breath heavy as he held his sword steady in his grip.

    His eyes were sharp, scanning the rock-strewn streets ahead, every muscle in his body tense and ready.

    Suddenly, a goblin darted from the shadows, its sharp rusty dagger swinging toward him.

    With a swift motion, Lionel''s eyes narrowed. He calmed his breathing and controlled his mana flow, his perception enhanced in that moment as he sidestepped and countered, his blade flashing as it sliced through the goblin''s neck.

    The creature shrieked in its final moments before collapsing to the ground, headless. Lionel''s breath hitched for a second as he watched the goblin fall, but his resolve quickly hardened.

    "Another down," Lionel muttered.

    Behind him, the clash of steel continued. Around the maze-like streets of the war zone, other knights fought just as fiercely.

    Garik was cutting through two goblins with a broad swing of his greatsword, the heavy weapon cleaving through their bodies like a hot knife through butter. His dark, weathered face was set in a stoic expression, the only sound coming from him were grunts of exertion as he shoved one goblin''s carcass aside.

    "Clear!" Garik yelled, shaking his head to clear sweat from his brow as he turned to join another skirmish.

    "Keep moving! We''re not done yet!" he said to Lionel, who was standing momentarily to take a look at him.

    Nearby, Darian clashed with a trio of goblins. Dodging their attacks with ease, his gaze narrowing, his senses sharpened, each movement precise and sharp.

    As the decoy team stepped into view, the goblins lunged, shrieking. Garik and Lionel moved swiftly, their blades cutting through the ambushers from behind. The battle was quick and brutal, the ground littered with goblin corpses by the end.

    "Clear," Garik muttered, wiping his blade clean. "Let''s keep moving."

    ...

    At the main group, Kael received a report from Laris. "Eastern path secured, but it''s a dead end," Laris said, his expression grim. "We''ll regroup with you shortly."

    Kael frowned, his mind racing. "Then the western path might be our only option. Esten, prepare the Flankers to move. We''ll merge formations once we reach the next junction."

    Esten nodded, his shield dripping with goblin blood. "Understood. Flankers, fall back in rotation. Keep your shields up!"

    As the Flankers began their tactical retreat, goblins pressed harder, sensing an opportunity. One knight staggered as a goblin''s blade scraped across his leg, drawing blood.

    "Stay with us!" Esten barked, driving his spear into the goblin that struck his comrade. Another knight pulled the wounded man into the formation, shielding him until he could drink a healing potion.

    ...

    When the groups reunited, the knights paused to regroup. "What''s the status?" Kael demanded.

    "Minimal casualties," Laris reported. "We''ve eliminated most of the goblins on this side, but the exit remains unclear."

    Garik stepped forward, his face grim. "Western path''s crawling with goblins, but it looks like it might lead to an open area."

    Kael nodded, formulating a plan. "Esten, take the Flankers and secure the plaza. Laris, move the Vanguard into the western path and clear it out. Garik, you and Lionel stay with me to protect the wounded. If we''re lucky, we''ll find the exit beyond that path."

    "Yes, sir!" The leaders moved, rallying their forces.

    ...

    As the Vanguard advanced into the western path, the maze seemed to narrow further, forcing the knights into tighter formations.