System Change

Chapter 321: Meatshield

Without looking back, Derek Active Void Shifted directly in front of the army of Thunder Lynx, taking them from surprise. From behind, the group of cat-like creatures were falling one by one at a pretty rapid pace due to Avery and Lyras attack, but they had still made it closer to the middle than any of the other groups of monsters.

When the lynx noticed his appearance, they shifted all their attention to him. They all seemed to have the same idea at once, and collectively, they let out growls, and lightning shot up, then down directly at him. Avery and Lyra were staying high enough in the air to dodge any lightning attack easily, but, being this close, that exact strategy wasnt doable for Derek.

Instead, he leaned on Active Void Shift once again and shifted into the middle of the pack before channeling the void through one of his Sweeping Slashes and striking out. The mass of lightning landed harmlessly on the ground in front of the mob as Harbinger connected with multiple Lynxsplitting them in half. Then, the energy arc reached those cats even further in and bisected them. Finally, the channeled void reached even further, and more lynx fell over deadnot even knowing what hit them.

In a single moment, Derek counted that he had rid the area of at least twenty lynx. Now, however, his Sweeping Slash skill was on cooldown, just as his Multi-Strike had been before the attack even. So, he shifted back to the front of the army and began his one by one slaughter.

While keeping the void channeled through Harbinger, he was still able to take out a couple lynx at a time because of the density of the groupthe lynx were fighting shoulder to shoulder, or paw to paw. He also experimented with Void Lightning Bolt.

It wasnt easy casting it at the same time as he channeled the void through Harbinger, but it got easier as time went on. Soon, he was able to do both simultaneously without thinking about it. I really am going to have to increase my wisdom to keep up with intelligence. He already noted that using the skill in combination with his glaive would have gone much smoother with an increase in the wisdom stat.

After battling at the front line for a bit, his Sweeping Slash and Multi-Strike were off of cooldown. He didnt instantly use his go to combo, though. Instead, he began intensely channeling his void energy into Harbingerhe wanted to release the biggest slash he could once in battle.

Soon, the projection of the overlapping glaive grew clearer and less transparent. After a bit, the image looked completely tangible. Then he pushed his energy into it hard. The overlapping image grew and grew until he felt the strain on both himself and Harbingerhe knew it was finally ready.

A multitude of lightning strikes fell on Derek, but they caused nothing more than the feeling of dozens of wasp stings that went just as fast as they appeared. With the pain and suffering Derek had gone through before, a few wasp stings were nothing. He was, however, thankful that the lightning stopped skin deep and didnt run through his system, causing paralysisthat was his only concern when he decided to tank the attacks so he wouldnt have to disrupt his charging by dodging.

Standing at the front of the army of Thunder Lynx and unleashing his most potent area of effect skill caused massive damage to them. The few lynx that his glaive and the energy arc from Sweeping Slash and Multi-Strike had killed were nothing compared to the devastating effect the void arc caused. The arc was bigger and shot further into the crowd of beasts than ever before.

And because of the compounding effect of Multi-Strike, there was no delay of when the arc hit the beast and when the beast died. This also caused the arc to last longer before going transparent and fading away. When all was said and done, Derek was standing on the battlefield and there wasnt an moving, living lynx within a hundred or more feet from him.

The destructive hit had also caused a lull in the battle. Even the lynx that werent hit by his attack had paused to look at the destruction. The only thing or person in the current battle against the lynx that hadnt slowed was Avery. Lyra was hovering above the army, but otherwise still, looking down on Derek. Avery, with his dragon wings, continued to flutter about, raining arrows on the group from behind.Reêad latest novels at wuxiahere.com

After giving the battle one more look, Derek decided that he had done more than enough to help Avery and Lyra. With well over a hundred lynx to his credit, they wouldnt have a problem picking the remaining ones off.

Thats interesting, Derek said. He then caught a snake that was about to hit his jugular and brought its fangs to his uncovered hand. The snake bit down, but its fangs were barely able to pass through his skin. He felt a slight tug on his brain, but that was it. It wasnt anywhere near close to Alanah actively trying to control him. He nodded, then sent a small Void Lightning Bolt through the snakes brain. That was disappointing, he said. His health had decreased maybe a hundred points before recovering instantly.

Either his pretty high wisdom stat or his extremely high intelligence stat had caused the venom to be ineffective on himthat, or his willpower blocked it just as it had blocked Alanahs skill. Though, I guess this attack may actually be pretty good. My wisdom stat has broken through the 1,000 point threshold since the last time Ive been hit with any mind type skills.

Derek dropped the snake onto the ground, then sighed. This is going to be a pain in the ass.

What is? Shae asked.

Its going to take forever to kill all these things in a reasonable amount of time, Derek said. So, youre going to need to kill them as they attack me.

What?

Well, Im going to stand still. They are going to bite me. When theyre in their physical forms, take them out. Easy peasy, he explained.

But, what about the Shae shook his head and stopped. No, I guess that wont be a problem for you, will it? Your skins almost impervious to their bites, and you didnt even lose yourself for a second.

Exactly, Derek said, then walked forward. Plus, they cant even bite through my armor. But try to keep them off my head if at all possible. I wont be able to move quick enough to do much. Derek activated Greater Meditation as snake after snake launched at him. He covered his face and parts of his neck with his hands and forearms. Youre buying me a drink when we get back, he said, muffled.

Hah, you wish! Derek felt gusts of wind caused by Shaes spear passing by him. Even with as much time thats passed while in this dungeon, Judy wont have forgotten what happened the last time we went for a drink. Why do you think I jumped at the opportunity to go on this raid? She needed some time to cool down.

Fine, Derek said. Drinks are on me. Maybe Roman will have something good cooked up by the time we get back.

Now thats more like it, Shae said, and Derek swore the mans speed increased twofold. He had to have been holding back before. Its a promise!

Derek was really putting his old Achievement to use now. He was back to being a proper meatshield.