Chapter 94: Team-annihilation crisis

Until just moments ago, I hadn’t felt a true, bone-deep threat to my life.
But now, this dark elf—who sent Carter reeling with a single blow—hit me with an overwhelming sense of danger.

I’ll die!
I’ll definitely die!

If I don’t escape, these cursed dark elf lunatics will capture me, bind me head to toe, subject me to all sorts of torture, and finally chop off my head to drain my blood—
Others might die and be done with it, but who knows what they’d do to me!

I had a clear sense of my fate.
It would be utterly tragic—no amount of screaming or pleading would bring hope.
I’d be toyed with daily, slaughtered for sport like livestock!

“Dmn it!”
I clenched my teeth, desperate to move my body and escape.

But I! Can’t! Move!!!
The pain had eased slightly, but it still gnawed at my nerves.
The poison left my limbs weak and powerless, with no telling when I’d recover.

Being completely helpless, stripped of all control, was maddeningly awful.
“Fall back!”

Carter, after retreating several steps, kept pulling back, trying to lead us out.
Katherine hoisted me onto her back, ready to flee.

“Escape? Not so easy, my little lambs! You’ll be the perfect sacrifices for Lord Kardli to offer the supreme Blood God!”
The dark elf, Kardli, sneered, licking his scarlet tongue.
He swung his massive blade, unleashing slashes infused with dark energy!

“Hmph—”
Carter raised his shield to block, but with a faint glow from his gear and a muffled grunt, deep gashes appeared on his sturdy shield.
He staggered back, nearly losing his footing and falling.

…This Kardli… he’s strong!
Far stronger than the golden-rank blood clan swordsman we faced before!

This dark elf was a pure killer, relishing the hunt and torment of his prey.
Unlike the blood clan swordsman’s theatrics, Kardli went straight for lethal strikes!

If not for Carter’s family wealth equipping him with gear beyond standard golden-rank standards, that first blow might’ve shattered his shield and cut him in half.
Worse, besides this formidable dark elf, we were surrounded by others brimming with killing intent.

Nico and the others were instantly locked in a desperate struggle.
The dark elves closed in, forming a tight encirclement, clearly intent on neither letting us escape nor killing us quickly.
They wanted to toy with us.

“Dmn it…”
Katherine, carrying me, lost her earlier composure.
Retreating now was impossible—we were surrounded.

Carter could only grit his teeth and take Kardli’s attacks head-on.
No one else in the squad could withstand him, and the squad lost its ability to break through.

“Hahaha! Who’d have thought I’d snag a noble squad on this infiltration mission… I’ll torture you to death, then send your heads back to your families!”
Seeing Carter’s group unable to break out and pinned by the other dark elves, Kardli laughed maniacally, clearly delighted.

In the next moment, he raised his giant blade and slammed it into Carter’s shield again.
This time, Carter had to drop to one knee to barely hold against the blow.

“…Dmn it… Move, body, move!”
I clenched my teeth, willing my limp body to act.

If it weren’t for me, Carter and the others would’ve escaped already.
If Katherine hadn’t spent that critical minute treating my arrow wound, the noble squad might’ve been long gone by the time Kardli arrived.

Now, because of me, the entire squad faced annihilation.
…Should I use the stone giant?

No… it’s not total despair yet—I still have… mental energy!
I still have five or six fireball spells as powerful as flame bursts!

If that guy gets careless, I could create an opening for Carter and the others!
But first… this dmn body needs to MOVE!!!