Arthur's POV
I wasn't surprised at all. As the gigantic Fiend that looked identical to a crab, except it was standing with its bulky legs and its body is made of steel and rotten flesh, appeared in the scene, I was unfazed.
However, I couldn't say the same to my group.
This is their first time meeting a Fiend that is almost close to being a full pledged member of the Black Hole. So, it is natural for them to feel fear as they face a powerful being beyond their level.
However, the thing that bothered me the most was the Anti-Energy Array. I read about these arrays in the book from the library. If you know how to handle Runes, then you can also use them not just to give buff to your Force Core, but as a weapon against your enemies.
Using Runes as a weapon is known as Arrays.
"I am bothered." I said after taking a deep breath and after deliberating my next course of action now that the Anti-Energy Array was blocking the energy in the area. However, everything has a weakness, including this array.
"How come?" The Fiend asked while he circled around us.
"Arrays are only used in a compacted space." I replied as I walked around my group, shielding them in case he or the horde of Fiends surrounding us jumped at us any moment.
"Oh, I know. If you think you can run far to get away from the array, your friends will be dead." He snickered while his eyes scanned me. Alas, I didn't give him any opening at all. "You are a tough one. Instead of cowering like your friends, you are here moving normally. Who are you?" He asked.
"You're not worth knowing who I am." I said.
I bolted against the gigantic Fiend, unleashing a barrage of martial arts which he parried and blocked in exchange. Despite his size, he was moving swiftly like he was a light weight. But that didn't stop me from moving forward.
Meanwhile, the Fiends began to advance at me, giving my group an opening.
"Go!" I roared and they quickly scattered as far as they could until they got out of the array.
The giant Crab-Fiend noticed my group escaping, but it was too late.
"Damn it! Chase them!" He roared and the horde of Fiends obeyed. They began to chase my group, but as soon as Silvera got out of the array, she conjured Fire Balls which she hurled against the incoming horde of enemies.
'Nice! I'll leave it up to her then.'
I averted my attention to the Crab-Fiend. Before he could react, I leaped up and threw an uppercut to his chin, making him stumble back. I don't need energy. My physical body isn't for display. Everything I have, including my teeth, are my weapons.
"Damn you, little brat! I'll start with you first and then to your friends after!' He roared as he charged at me.
While we were busy fighting against each other, the rest of the group finally got out of the Anti-Energy Array and began to fight back against the horde of Fiends.
"We need to help Arthur! He is the only one that doesn't have Force." Watson said as she used Wind Blast to push the Fiends away from her. Then, Teresia hurled Lightning Lances at the Fiends that was pushed back, killing them on the spot.
"How? Those two are fighting with great speed, I can't even keep up with them!" Silvera said as she activated her Flaming Aura once more while bolting her way towards the swarm of Fiends. As the flames spread out around her, those that tried to approach her quickly got incinerated within a blink of an eye.
"I have a plan." Rain said.
While Rain was explaining to the rest of the group of his strategy, I wasn't faring any better as fatigue was slowly overtaking me. Despite my controlled breathing, I was running out of gas from the fight. As we exchanged blows, I was getting slower while the Crab-Fiend was getting faster.
'Damn it! I am so used to restoring my strength by accumulating energy, that I completely ignored training my lungs!'
"Come on! Don't tell me you're feeling tired now? We haven't even gotten to the fun part yet!" He said while pushing me back until my back hit the tree. "This is the end!" He said as he swung his fist towards me. I quickly got out of the way before it could hit me.
The fist hit the tree instead, snapping the tree in half. I used to opportunity to get away from him as fast as possible and he began to chase after me. Alas, due to my fatigue, he quickly caught up to me.