Chapter 83: Blatant Slacking
Mount Taygetus, southwest of Sparta, was famous for its five interconnected peaks, forming a natural barrier to the south of the city.
However, it was now covered in heavy snow.
Snow was a rare sight on the warm and humid Siris Peninsula, especially since the highest peak of Mount Taygetus was only a little over 2,000 meters. Such heavy snow covering the mountains was even stranger.
Any discerning person could tell that this was the result of a supernatural anomaly.
Before entering the mountains, everyone donned thick fur clothing provided by the Spartans and carefully proceeded forward, led by several young guides.
“Ah, this feels like home,” Sidlipha said with a sigh.
“How much of your potion have you digested?” Asker asked.
“About a quarter left, I think.” Sidlipha’s face darkened at the reminder of her recent brutal training.
A quarter left… Asker was also a bit speechless.
After finalizing their cooperation with Andrea, he had used the excuse of “unclear situation in the mountains, need to scout first” to delay for two days, putting Sidlipha through rigorous training.
It wasn’t until the Iron Cross mercenary group became truly impatient that Asker agreed to let everyone enter the mountains.
Next, naturally, was to have Sidlipha quickly digest “Frost I” in actual combat and then quickly take “Giant I.”
Of course, the two days of preparation weren’t completely wasted, at least they had gathered all the necessary supplies for entering the mountains.
Such as warm fur clothing, high-calorie chocolate bars, and non-slip snow boots.
Even the sword hilts and gun grips were wrapped in thick cloth strips to prevent the metal from becoming too cold and injuring their skin in the low temperatures.
Walking along the snow-covered mountain path, they soon spotted a Snow Monster.
The Snow Monster, resembling a mutated giant ape, was actually a type of troll from the snow lineage, characterized by extremely developed upper arm muscles, using brute force smashing and tearing to kill its prey.
Direct contact with them would also cause frost damage.
Before the Snow Monster could even turn around, it was met with a volley of fire from the Iron Cross gunmen, its chest instantly riddled with bullets.
As a supernatural creature that focused on physical strength, ordinary firearms had limited damage against the Snow Monster. In most cases, they were only used to inflict rigidity. The real damage output still depended on the Transcendental mercenaries.
One of the Transcendental mercenaries rushed out, drawing a greatsword from behind his back with both hands. Flames immediately erupted from the hilt, engulfing the entire blade in fire.
Clearly, this was a physically-oriented Transcendental, using the “Fire I” ability as a weapon enchantment, distinctly different from Medea’s projectile spellcasting.
Under the swing of the flaming greatsword, the Snow Monster fearfully dodged backward, then let out a low growl.
It was a deep growl, so powerful that everyone could feel the ground beneath their feet tremble.
“Quick, finish it!” Hermann said urgently. “It’s calling its companions!”
Everyone hurriedly increased their attack speed, swinging their swords and firing their guns. The Snow Monster, worthy of its troll bloodline, was still alive after being slashed a dozen times and hit by hundreds of bullets, struggling futilely against them.
And at the end of the mountain path in the distance, snow dust billowed as if an army was rushing towards them.
“Hurry up!” Andrea even joined the fight himself, roaring as he charged into the fray. “Tranlo, to the left, block its escape route! Hans, charge forward, Lucas, flank and backstab!”
After all, there was only one enemy. The Iron Cross mercenaries’ siege was also very skillful, and they finally managed to drain the Snow Monster’s blood, killing it on the spot.
Looking again, they saw seven or eight Snow Monsters, alerted by the commotion, charging towards them furiously from the mountain path in the distance.
“Gunmen, prepare, fire!” Andrea raised his hand and then swung it down forcefully, signaling the gunmen to open fire.
The purpose of the shooting wasn’t to kill, but to use the powerful force and rigidity effect of the bullets to stop the Snow Monster’s high-speed charge and prevent them from rushing into the mercenary group and causing damage.
Suddenly, Andrea seemed to hear something and looked back.
Behind the constantly firing gunmen, he saw the girls of Azure Longsword gathered around Sidlipha, who was doing push-ups on the ground with great effort.
Asker squatted beside her, holding Nuo’s mechanical watch, and counting loudly:
“Three hundred and ninety-nine… four hundred!”
Sidlipha collapsed on the ground, so tired that she almost stuck out her tongue. The girls cheered and went to massage her shoulders and aching muscles.
What the fuck?! Andrea was instantly furious.
I’m fighting for my life here, and you’re having a party over there?!
Although according to the rules they had established at the beginning, the two sides couldn’t steal monsters from each other. In all fairness, if Azure Longsword had fired the first shot, Andrea wouldn’t have let his men assist and help them kill monsters and obtain materials for no reason.
But Andrea was still furious! Just looking at Asker’s face made him angry. Distracted by his anger, he was hit in the chest by a Snow Monster and sent flying backwards.
Thanks to several Transcendental mercenaries desperately holding it back, Andrea wasn’t pursued and killed by the Snow Monster.
Hermann helped him up from the side, casually slapping a frost spell on his chest, the cold slightly lessening his pain.
Looking closely, the commander’s chest armor was completely shattered.
Thanks to the broken chest armor, most of the force from the Snow Monster’s blow had been dissipated. As for the fragments piercing his skin, those were minor injuries, they would heal on their own with his physical strength’s self-healing ability.
“Why were you distracted?” Hermann asked.
“Look behind you.” Andrea gritted his teeth.
“That’s normal.” Hermann looked at Azure Longsword and commented, “We can’t expect them to work for us for free.”
Thinking that these transcendental materials would eventually belong to his group, Andrea’s pain subsided a bit.
Sidlipha’s screams came from behind again. Asker was holding down her legs, making her do sit-ups.
The girls were cheering her on, their encouragement incessant.
What the hell are they doing? After his anger subsided, Andrea felt confused.
Mocking? Unlikely. Their people were all engaged in battle, they didn’t have time to watch what they were doing.
Exercising? Even stranger, who would exercise on the battlefield? What if they pulled a muscle and couldn’t fight later?
Slacking off? Had they completely given up on competing for the loot? That didn’t seem right. If they really wanted to give up, why not just retreat and leave the mountains now? Why stay here?
Seeing Asker’s calm face again, he suddenly felt a strong sense of unease.
“Be careful of Azure Longsword,” Andrea said quietly.
“You’re worried they’ll turn on us and attack in the end?” Hermann paused. “That’s unlikely.”
“After all, they are not as strong as us overall. Besides, the honor-bound Spartans are also here.”
“I’m sure that guy has some kind of scheme.” Andrea said firmly. “Even if it’s not a sneak attack, it’s some other ulterior motive.”
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