My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 205: Change Of Plans

Casualties were mounting on both sides. Kace looked around to better judge the situation. They were outnumbered and fighting on two fronts. The initial strike of the monsters had lost its momentum on this side of the mountain path. Some of the heroes specialising in defence had retreated to the mages, protecting them from his tribe's assassinations. 

As more Orcs fell gloriously on the battlefield, the heroes were becoming free to deal with the smaller goblin pests. The situation was beginning to look bleak, but they had to reach the gate to have a chance of escaping. The only thing that he could think of was annihilating the forces on this side so that they focus their assault on Phillip and the other heroes on that side of the mountain. 

Kace grinned as he knew one way that he could achieve this. 'It was a mistake to send me over here!' With that thought in mind, as soon as his feet touched the ground, he sped up the mountain. Providing some much-needed support to the failing monsters. Heroes groaned at his approach as they recognised a new danger. 

"KILL HIM!" A mage in the rear shouted, sensing the danger more clearly than the others.

As one they diverted all their firepower on the solitary figure of Kace as he ran between the walls that Grugda had created. Not even stopping to take cover. The Orcs were thrilled to see such courage! Raising their morale by quite a bit. When the spells were about to strike, he used Stampede to avoid taking damage. The Orcs and Goblins roared excitedly, ready to follow him into battle.

"DON'T MOVE! WAIT FOR MY ORDER!" Kace roared over his shoulder, making them all pause in confusion.

'If they follow me now, then quite a few will die from the stray spells. They need to wait until I weaken them!' Kace grinned as he watched the heroes beginning to converge together in the hopes of holding him off together. The mages had given up on their spells, realising that they were wasting their mana for nothing. It was more practical to save it to protect themselves.

Kace admired the fact that none of them broke their formation in their bloodlust. Clearly, they were not going to underestimate him. It was all a matter of time now. Either they broke the forces on this side before Sophia and Dao lost their lives. Or it would all be over. Whoever could seize the initiative at this point would clearly be the victor.

Soon, all the heroes were gathered before him, every one of them was within his range. Empower! He felt the sudden rush of power spread throughout his body, strengthening him in every possible way. Most of the heroes went pale at the sudden loss of a chunk of their own strength, their faces became indescribably grim.

"ATTACK!" Kace yelled, his throat became sore from the exertion.

The monsters surged up the mountain one more time, Vaskra and Grugda were amongst their ranks. The heroes grit their teeth in determination. It was going to be a bloody last stand as they tried to buy enough time for their comrades to rescue them. Kace wasted no time and directly used Stampede. Crashing into their front lines of defence.

His increase to speed and strength sent those who tried to oppose him flying. Creating a clear line directly into the centre of their formation. Sylvan's purple vines erupted in all directions. Striking against the nearby heroes blows to defend Kace while his throat began to glow red hot. The mages, who had been in the centre to better be protected, were the first to try and escape.

Their attempt to escape the safest spot threw the rest of them into confusion and chaos. They knew that situation could not be a simple one if even the mages were not confident of stopping whatever Kace was up to. As the first mage stepped out into the open, one of the dark goblins quickly cut him into ribbons after jumping out of a nearby shadow.

The rest of the mages instantly stopped as they saw this horror unfold. They had forgotten all about the strange goblins since they had been focused on the most immediate threat. Twisted grimaces crawled across their faces as each one of them had to make a personal choice. Stay within the encirclement and be killed by Kace. Or leave and have no defence against those creatures and the monsters getting closer by the second.

Sylvan retracted his whipping vines just as Kace unleashed the liquid fire that he had built up. Several heroes had encased him in Earth Walls to mitigate the damage. However, the rock began to glow with deep red colour as Kace's Fire Spit crashed against it. The heroes on the other side tried to back off, but it was too late. 

The stream of liquid fire burst through the rock and splashed off of those closest to it. Kace turned in a full circle to melt away the walls and catch those hiding behind them with his ability. As the walls came crashing down, Kace stood within the dust cloud and examined the damage he had caused. Many heroes had been killed outright, these were the ones that took the full blow. 

Others were screaming as their skin and armour melted into a single liquid that burned through their skin and bones. Several limbs had already been completely lost. These were the ones that had caught up in the splash effect. Seeing the miserable state of their comrades, the heroes finally broke. Rushing off in different directions to get as far away from Kace as they could. 

The consequences of this action showed themselves immediately. All of the mages found their feet had suddenly gone missing whenever they passed too close to a shadow. Most of them had been too fixed on their own shadows, concerned that it was the most likely one the goblins would use. Those that focused on melee combat were not targeted at all. Instead, they were left for the monsters that had just arrived.

They fought desperately, but their companions had abandoned them. Everyone was focused on only their own survival. Grugda created his own walls to prevent the melee heroes from getting too far before they caught up. Heroes head were ripped from their bodies, Orcs bathed in the blood that flowed. Goblins screeched in delight as they traded their weapons for better ones. Kace smiled as he glanced at the battle on the other side. Sophia and Dao were still holding on