Scale of Reality

Prism Swamp: Part 6

Muji POV

"Muji, get the ones behind us!"

"Right."

I dashed to the back of the group and clashed blades with one of the lizard men. I spun around and kicked its face before slitting it's throat.

The next one swung a spear at me as I narrowly dodged it. The speed it swung at me was pretty surprising, I didn't think it could move that fast.

I kicked it's spear out of its hands and dug my daggers into its chest as blood spilled out and got over my face.

I ripped them out and kicked the body to the ground. I turned to my party members, they had finished up as well.

We hadn't run into anything abnormal yet, and I hoped it would stay that way. We had been inside of the swamp for about 3 days now, and I couldn't help but think about certain things.

Ignoring what happened yesterday, I had noticed I got stronger. My ratio used to be 5:5, but now it feels as if it grew a bit.

I could also tell by comparing my Mana and Aura to Adjest's, the difference had decreased. My growth rate seems to have shot up ever since coming to Boken, and I had no idea why.

"Good work team. Everyone take a short break before we head off again."

I took a seat on the ground, letting out a sigh.

"How can you even sit down?"

I looked and seen Vas.

We didn't really speak too much, but we had a mutual companionship toward each other. Plus I was friends with his sister, so we ended up talking a lot.

"I get that the grass is all muddy, but it really isn't that bad. You guys are just soft."

Vas laughed a bit.

"Maybe we are. Doesn't make it any better."

I shrugged.

"Maybe so."

Vas extended his hand as I took it, him pulling me up.

"Let's go, Mari's ready."

"Alright."

We began to walk once everyone was ready. It wasn't good to stay in one place due to the lingering smell of blood.

As we walked I continued to converse with Vas.

He was just like his sister in the sense that he was chill. He seemed a lot more upright and tense than her though.

"And one time when Mari was little, she-

"Shut up dude!"

Mari began to hit him as he laughed and blocked her attacks. After the two calmed down we came to a stop to take another break.

I was talking to Iris about something when I sensed something running towards us.

"Guys, we're being attacked!"

Everyone quickly drew their weapons, Vas slamming the ground with his shield. A dome of earth surrounded us, it was pretty sturdy but nothing the Lizard men couldn't cut down.

"This'll buy us some time to strategize."

I hummed.

"Maybe."

Mari patted the sides of her head.

"Ok! Muji, how many of them is it?"

"I can only sense 5."

Mari nodded.

"Like usual, Adjest and Vas will play front lines. Chris, Iris, and I will stay back and make sure nothing ambushes us. Muji, I want you to stay hidden and watch for openings."

I nodded as the earth dome came down and I vanished. I hid my presence and stood a bit away from the battle as everyone took formation.

The first one attacked head on, shoulder rushing Vas. Vas blocked it and pushed it back, Adjest then swung her sword and cut it in half.

These things were a lot easier to kill than the horned wolves, especially if you didn't hit the scales.

Two more rushed from both sides, the guardians facing them head on. I stood there, ready to move if it was needed.

However it wasn't.

Mari and Vas blocked their attacks, and Chris and Adjest finished them off. I was decently surprised things were flowing this easily.

"Be on guard! There's still two more!"

One jumped and landed on Adjest, she pushed it back and swung her blade. Surprisingly it didn't get cut, or even take damage for that matter.

I could visibly see Adjest become confused.

I rushed in and pulled her back, helping her dodge it's spear. I ran my dagger through its mouth as it collapsed, dying out. The last one had been taken care of by Mari and Chris, no one was severely damaged so everything was fine.

"You alright Adjest?"

Adjest nodded.

"Yes, however, bewildered."

"Yeah same, that thing should've died."

I looked back at the corpse, seeing for some reason it's scales weren't in the same place. Everyone walked over and observed alongside Adjest and I.

Vas rubbed his head.

"The hell? Since when could they do that?"

Chris smirked.

"Who cares? It's fun!"

Mari let out an exaggerated sigh.

"This is getting ridiculous."

Adjest played with her hair whilst observing the corpse.

"That wasn't in the information we got, was it?"

I shook my head.

"No, it wasn't."

Iris rubbed her forehead.

"Not again...why are weird things happening? Just like that one time at Blood Moon Forest."

Mari grabbed her leg, shivering a bit.

"Let's not bring up Blood Moon. Everyone keep a cool head, even if things are starting to get weird we should remain calm and keep going."

I nodded.

"Right."

Chris began to laugh.

"Keep a cool head? That's lame! It'd be more fun if things went wild!"

"Well things won't be so fun when you're dead."

Chris laughed once again before walking off, everyone following after him.

"Everyone stay on your guard! We don't know what'll happen from here on out."

"Yes mam!"