Hendrick looked at Caiden, the leader of the Red Wolf Gang, and noticed that he has a high-quality black leather bag that he's protecting on his chest…

He took note of it as it seems to contain some valuables they got during their exploration here…

​​

Whatever its contents are, that may be their reason for coming to this place.

Nevertheless, Hendrick tried to start a conversation.

"What's your purpose in coming here, Caiden? If you surrender to us, we may not have to hurt you…"

"Hmph! Shut your mouth… Just come!"

Caiden said as he taunted the Knight… Even though he has a small frame, his courage was befitting as the leader of their gang.

The Knight-Captain wanted to have an exchange of words to buy some time, but it seems that this person was aware that their tamed beasts wouldn't last very long…

If that happens, all the busy hunters and arcanists can start focusing on them which may lead to the gang's disadvantage.

"Very well… Bow Formation!"

The Knights quickly acted as they moved in unison…

"Earth Wave…" Lord Castillo cast an Arcane Magic which caused the ground to vibrate a little… It wasn't enough to cause a tremor but the wave was interrupting the tamer's movement… However, the Knights were unaffected as they charged towards the tamers…

It seems that Lord Castillo was adept in using Earth-related magic considering that he's the one who closed the cave as well.

However, the tamers were only surprised for a moment as they quickly acted…

As expected, a few of them were also Arcanists as they cast magic that affected the ground

"Shell Cover!"

One of Caiden's subordinates solemnly said as he cast unfamiliar magic.

It doesn't seem to be an Arcane Magic used to solidify the ground but the Earth Wave stopped as they launched their counterattack.

The noble arcanist wasn't flustered and decided to cast another magic to support the Knights…

"Energy Blast!"

That's right, the cooldown for the spell has already ended and he quickly used it to allow the Knights to utilize their Chaotic Heart…

Sssh!! Sssh!!

Unfortunately, his Energy Blast seems to have been blocked by another Arcane Magic he's not aware of…

There was only a sound of something evaporating as the Energy Blast didn't destroy their defense.

However, Hendrick still used Chaotic Heart to test their mental defense…

"Chaotic Heart!"

"Haha! We already know your abilities, Sir Knight."

Bang!

Hendrick wasn't sure but it seems like they have sound-based magic that was stopping their Chaotic Heart's abilities. It baffles him a little.

Caiden chuckled as he ordered his men to clash with the Knights… They have short swords with them and Black Crocodiles acting as their shield in front.

Hendrick noticed that these tamers were truly elites as they used a familiar fighting style…

"It's Krima!"

One of the Knights immediately recognized their fighting style.

Krima is one of the most well-rounded and practical fighting techniques that they've ever known. It wasn't taught in their knightage but they have studied about it for the sake of learning the other practices of the sword.

As far as they know, Krima is a fighting style that can be used with or without a sword in hand, as the sword would only act as an extension of one's hand.

It is so well-rounded since the style covers all distance in which combat takes place.

Whether it is kicking, boxing, elbowing, kneeing, or perhaps even grabbing, poking, biting, and grappling… the fighting style can be used in all of these situations.

The style doesn't focus on fancy or complicated movements as it aims to bring down their opponents as swiftly as possible.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The short swords were banging on their armors as the tamers were moving rapidly…

Luckily, they have abundant Spiritual Energy with them so they can still handle the sword exchange…

Haa!

A sudden explosive punch struck one of the knights…

Bang!

The Knight was hit on his stomach and even with the enhancements of their armors, the punch still managed to deal serious injury. He was thrown away as he smashed on the walls of the cave…

The large vipers and hunters fighting on that side were interrupted…

Blegh!

The knight threw a mouthful of blood before he lost his consciousness.

The battle didn't end with that as all the Tamers suddenly showed their explosive powers. Their every single strike was packed with incredible power…

The Knights were surprised and confused about the sudden surge of the tamer's strength… Their powers don't make sense…

"W-what's going on?!"

"Tsk…"

"It might a be a drug or something…"

"But they didn't consume or inject any."

"Urgh… I'm not sure."

The Knights were barely hanging on and if not for Lord Castillo's constant support from the back, they would have to deal with the Tamer's strength head-on.

It would be very disadvantageous for them if that happens.

"Calm down… This must be their Beast Arts: Beast Symbiosis…"

Lord Castillo gravely said as he looked at the Tamers… It seems that he was very wary of this ability…

However, the Knights had never heard of this until today…

The Arcanists noticed their confused faces as he explained a bit more.

"They'll be able to borrow the strength of their beasts for a short period… Just hold on in the meantime, once their burst of power ended, they'll be in a weakened state."

After they heard this, the Knights regained their vigor as they did their best to hold on.

However, the tamers were truly strong as they struck the Knights with an intent to kill.

Their formation was slowly broken as the Knights started to collapse.

"We can't win like this… We'll die before they exhausted their strength!"

"Then what should we do?"

Hendrick clenched his teeth as he tried to hit the vital parts of the tamers…

Clang!

The strike was blocked by the tamer's skin-tight clothes.

The clothes appear to be made of Evil Beast's snakeskin.

'Tsk…'

"There's no other choice… Everyone who hasn't used your Chaotic Hearts… Use it now!"

The Knights were confused as that particular skill wouldn't be effective against these berserk Tamers…

They were shrouded by an incredible source of energy and it would only be a waste of their Skill…

After all, they can't use Chaotic Heart repeatedly so they had to time it when the enemies were vulnerable…

And looking at the people in front of them, they don't look vulnerable at all!

"Aaarghh!! Just follow the captain! We'll survive through here!"

Ulysses said as he prepared not just his Chaotic Heart Skill but also the only large-scale skill of his Arcana…

"Area Stagnation!!"

This is his only Arcane Magic that can affect a large area.

Finally, the relentless assault of the Tamers suddenly slowed down… However, this is only for a short amount of time.

The Knights saw it as a chance as they tried hitting them with their full force to at least release some of their frustrations…

Bang! Bang! It wasn't that effective but still quite fulfilling.

After that, they quickly backed away as they cast their Chaotic Hearts one by one.

***

'Stella, you might want to finish this wolf as quickly as possible…' Reiji suddenly said to his student.

'What's going on, Master?'

'Well, it might be a bigger problem if the Knights started dying…'

That's a huge deal!

'Eh?! What should I do?'

Everyone would be in big trouble if the Knights suddenly died while they are still fighting the tamed beasts.

'Just hit the wolf's eye… This time, focus on a single technique… Think of it as Tsuki…'

'Alright, Master…'

Stella replied as she acknowledged her master's words. Although she was still unsure how she would deal with the Red Wolf Gang, she had to kill this Phantom Wolf first…

Bang!

Misha bashed the wolf again but it seems to be weaker as the wolf only stepped back a couple of times… She even tried slicing the wolf with her sword but its thick fur was like steel and she couldn't do any significant damage.

Stella took a deep breath as she changed her stance to Enkyoku no Kamae and gave instruction to the lady knight…

"Misha… Please ensure that no one will interrupt our battle… I'll deal with this wolf alone for now."

Misha looked at Stella with a frown on her face but she didn't question her decision.

"Alright… Please do what you think is necessary."

She's actually worried about her Captain's situation right now but if this Phantom Wolf wasn't defeated and attacked the Knights at this time. it would be a disaster.

'Hmm?'

She then noticed that Stella's aura had suddenly changed… Her breathing was steady and her body was unmoving…

Her posture was the same but her quietness seems to radiate a dangerous air…

The Phantom Wolf perhaps felt the same as instead of pouncing on her, it decided to use its speed to target Stella blindspot…

Misha wanted to warn Stella but she felt that the young lady was in full control of the situation…

Sssakk!

She suddenly witnessed an incredible sword thrust from Stella!

Stella didn't look at the wolf when it tried attacking her from behind… However, she managed to accurately grasp the timing as she turned around using a swift foot technique and thrusts her sword with extreme preciseness…

The wolf's eye was pierced!

It didn't end there as her other sword stabbed its stomach!

"Aaawwooo---"

The wolf's cry didn't last long before it died without getting revenge for the death of his son.