LEVEL EVERYTHING UP in my Eldritch Tribe

Chapter 379: Strange attacks

As the soldiers made their way back to the tribe, their collective mood was one of jubilant relief and triumph. The oppressive tension that had gripped them over the past days and weeks seemed to melt away, replaced by laughter and animated chatter that echoed through the forest. They moved in a loose formation, the massive carcass of the beast they had finally defeated secured and being dragged along by the strongest among them. Though their bodies ached and their wounds throbbed, their spirits soared higher than they had in months.

“Can you believe we actually did it?” one soldier exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief as he glanced back at the lifeless beast. “After all that effort, all the failed attempts… we finally brought it down.”

“I still can’t get over how it fell,” another chimed in, grinning despite the dried blood smeared across his face. “It was thrashing so hard, I thought it would take at least three more attacks to drop. But then, bam! Down it went, like a tree finally giving way to the axe.”

Donovan, walking at the head of the group, allowed himself a rare smile as he listened to their conversations. “It wasn’t just luck,” he said, his tone firm yet filled with pride. “We worked for this. Every scar, every sleepless night, every failure—it all led to this moment. Don’t forget that.”

The others nodded in agreement, their expressions solemn for a moment before the excitement took over again. They began recounting specific moments from the battle, each soldier eager to share their perspective.

“Do you remember when it nearly got me with its tail?” one of the younger soldiers asked, gesturing animatedly as he spoke. “I swear, if I had been just a second slower, I wouldn’t be here right now.”

“Or when it almost broke through the net,” another added, shaking his head. “I thought for sure it was going to tear right out and come for us. That thing had strength unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

“I thought Lyerin’s advice about the traps was overkill,” one of the veterans admitted, his voice quieter than the others. “But now I see it was the only way we could have stood a chance. We owe him for this victory, whether we want to admit it or not.”

This comment sparked a wave of murmured agreement, the soldiers exchanging glances as they considered how much of their success was owed to the enigmatic figure who had, in his own cryptic way, guided them to this moment. Yet, as grateful as they were, the topic soon shifted back to lighter subjects, their relief too immense to linger on anything heavy for long.

“You know what this calls for when we get back?” one soldier declared, his grin wide enough to rival the moonlight filtering through the trees. “A feast. No— the feast. Something that will go down in the history of this tribe. I don’t care what it takes; I’m eating until I can’t stand.”

“Better make it quick, though,” another teased. “You’ll want to savor it before Lyerin comes up with some new impossible task for us to tackle.”

Laughter rippled through the group at this, even Donovan cracking a faint smile at the remark. They began to joke about what challenges might come next, each suggestion more outlandish than the last.

“What if the next beast is twice as big as this one?” someone suggested, feigning a look of mock horror. “And it can fly?”

“Or what if it’s invisible?” another countered, his tone equally dramatic. “And we have to hunt it blindfolded just to make it fair?”

Their laughter grew louder, their voices carrying through the night as they reveled in their shared camaraderie. The bonds forged through countless trials were evident in every teasing remark and every hearty chuckle. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, they allowed themselves to feel like more than just soldiers—they were people, bound by shared struggle and triumph, leaning on one another in a way only they could understand.

As the trail wound on and the forest grew denser, the conversation took a quieter, more reflective turn. Some began to speak of home—their families, their loved ones, the lives they had left behind on Earth. Though their voices softened, the longing in their words was palpable.

“I wonder if we’ll ever get back,” one of them mused aloud, his eyes fixed on the stars above. “If this portal Lyerin talks about will really work.”

“It has to,” another replied, his tone firm despite the uncertainty etched on his face. “After everything we’ve been through, after everything we’ve done… there has to be a way.”

Donovan, walking slightly ahead, listened in silence. Though he didn’t voice it, he shared their hopes and their doubts, the weight of their collective yearning heavy on his shoulders. He glanced back at the group, his gaze lingering on each face. These were his comrades, his brothers-in-arms, and he would do whatever it took to see them through this.

However, he is a Borgias.

He will take them all to their grave one day and it’s sad.

But before anyone could speak further, a sudden stillness settled over the group. The laughter and chatter ceased as if a switch had been flipped. One by one, they slowed their steps until they came to a complete stop. A palpable tension filled the air, their instincts honed from countless battles screaming that something was wrong.

“What’s going on?” one soldier whispered, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his own heart.

No one answered, their eyes scanning the darkened forest around them. The shadows seemed deeper, the silence heavier, as if the very air had turned against them. And then, almost in unison, they realized—they had frozen, not out of fear, but because something far more primal demanded it. Something was watching them.

The silence was shattered by the sudden rustling of bushes, a sound so sharp and abrupt that every soldier instinctively drew their weapons. The tension that had weighed on them moments before now erupted into full-blown alarm. The shadows in the forest shifted, and faint, glowing eyes began to appear, one by one, among the dense foliage. They were surrounded.

“What are those?” a soldier whispered, his voice trembling as he gripped his sword tightly.

“Stay together,” Donovan commanded, his voice low but firm, his hand signaling for the group to form a defensive circle. “Don’t let them separate us.”

The glowing eyes grew closer, and then, with an ear-piercing screech, the creatures emerged from the shadows. They were small but vicious-looking beasts, their wiry bodies covered in dark, matted fur that seemed to absorb the moonlight. Their razor-sharp claws glinted as they moved on all fours, and their fanged maws dripped with saliva as if they had been stalking the group for hours, waiting for this moment to strike.

“They’re fast!” someone shouted as one of the creatures darted forward, its movements a blur. The soldier barely had time to raise his shield before the beast collided with it, snarling and clawing.

Another lunged from the opposite side, and a spear was quickly thrust into its side, sending it screeching back into the undergrowth. But for every beast they fended off, two more seemed to take its place, their snarls and growls creating a cacophony of chaos around the soldiers.

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“Hold the line!” Donovan barked, slashing at one of the beasts that leaped toward him. His sword bit deep into its flesh, but even as it fell, its companions showed no hesitation, their glowing eyes fixed hungrily on the group.

“They’re not giving up!” another soldier shouted, swinging his axe wildly as a pair of the creatures tried to flank him. “What do we do? They just keep coming!”

The group fought fiercely, but it was clear these beasts weren’t like the massive ones they had faced before. Their small size and incredible speed made them hard to hit, and their sheer numbers overwhelmed the soldiers. One by one, minor injuries began to accumulate—scratches, bites, and bruises as the creatures darted in and out of reach with uncanny agility.

“They’re testing us,” Donovan muttered under his breath as he blocked another attack. He could see it in their movements—these creatures weren’t mindlessly attacking. They were coordinated, probing the group’s defenses, searching for weaknesses.

One soldier, in the heat of panic, broke formation, charging forward in an attempt to scatter the beasts. “Get back!” Donovan roared, but it was too late. The lone soldier was immediately swarmed, the creatures pouncing on him with brutal efficiency. Screams rang out as the others rushed to his aid, hacking and slashing to drive the beasts away. When they finally pulled him free, he was alive but severely injured, his armor torn to shreds and blood seeping from multiple wounds.

“We can’t keep this up,” another soldier gasped, his chest heaving as he fended off another attack. “There are too many of them!”

Donovan’s mind raced. They couldn’t afford to lose anyone else, but retreating wasn’t an option either—not with these creatures so eager to chase them down. He glanced around, his eyes scanning the darkened forest for any sign of an advantage.

Suddenly, one of the older soldiers shouted, “The traps! Use the traps we set for the big beast!”

Donovan’s eyes lit up with realization. “Fall back! Lure them toward the clearing!” he ordered. The group began a slow, cautious retreat, keeping their formation tight as they backed away toward the area where their unused traps still lay waiting.

The beasts followed, their glowing eyes filled with predatory intent, but they seemed almost too confident, as if sensing the soldiers’ desperation. As the group neared the clearing, Donovan gave the signal. “Now!”

The soldiers scattered in practiced precision, leading the creatures directly into the hidden snares and tripwires. The beasts’ speed worked against them as they triggered the traps one after another—nets flew up, spikes sprung forward, and weighted stones came crashing down. Screeches filled the air as several of the creatures were caught or killed, their ferocity finally turning to confusion and panic.

“Don’t let up!” Donovan shouted, his sword flashing as he struck down one of the remaining beasts. The others followed his lead, their earlier panic replaced by a renewed sense of determination. They pressed the attack, exploiting the creatures’ disarray to turn the tide of the battle.

By the time the last of the beasts either lay dead or fled back into the forest, the clearing was silent once more. The soldiers stood amidst the carnage, their breaths heavy and their bodies aching, but they were alive.

“Is everyone okay?” Donovan asked, his voice steady despite the exhaustion etched into his features.

A few murmurs of agreement followed, though several soldiers were nursing wounds. One of them limped forward, clutching his arm. “That… was insane,” he muttered. “They just kept coming, like they were trying to wear us down.”

“But we made it,” another said, a faint smile breaking through the fatigue. “We actually made it.”

The group exchanged weary but triumphant glances, the bond between them stronger than ever. Yet, as they prepared to move again, their earlier celebration seemed distant. This fight had been a stark reminder that even the smallest creatures in this world could pose a deadly threat.