The moment I killed one of them, I didn't stop for even a second.
I drove my sword straight into the side of another lizardman—
piercing through its heart and cutting upward toward the neck.
Before I could finish the strike—
the remaining spear users attacked together.
One thrust aimed directly for my head.
The second aimed lower, trying to close off my dodge path completely.
A coordinated attack.
I deflected the spear aimed at my face and rushed forward aggressively instead of retreating.
The second spear user immediately shifted his stance and redirected the spear toward my shoulder.
Fast.
I planted my right foot firmly into the mud.
Twisted my body.
Raised my shoulder slightly to reduce the impact—
while slashing low at arm level.
My blade cut deep into the spear lizardman's wrist.
The spear slipped from his hand instantly.
But the attack still struck my shoulder hard enough to throw me sideways.
I rolled through the muddy ground before quickly forcing myself back up.
The moment I looked ahead—
I saw Rusty still fighting the massive lizardman.
The creature had already retreated several steps while protecting the remaining spear user behind it.
They were adapting quickly.
Working together.
That wasn't good.
Using Beast Footwork, I suddenly changed direction and dashed away from the spear user instead.
A false opening.
Exactly what I wanted.
My target was the massive lizardman.
At first, I planned to slash directly across its back while it focused on Rusty.
But the moment I entered range—
every instinct inside me screamed.
Danger.
Without hesitation, I bent low instantly.
Something sliced through the air above my head.
Fast.
Too fast.
At the same time, I changed my attack completely and slashed across the back of the massive lizardman's legs instead.
The blade carved deeply into the muscles behind its knees.
The creature roared violently and stumbled forward.
I rolled sideways beneath the unseen attack while grabbing Rusty's horn for balance—
but the sudden movement tore my grip loose.
I slid through the mud and landed on one knee beside Rusty.
Then—
I finally saw him.
A new lizardman had appeared from the camp.
Unlike the others—
this one wore actual armor.
And in his hand was a rapier.
A thin stabbing sword.
Different from normal blades.
Not built for heavy clashes or wide slashes—
but for speed.
Precision.
And killing through a single accurate strike.
I never expected to see one in a lizardman's hands.
The rapier's blade was stained dark with dried blood.
Even flies buzzed around it.
Monster blood.
Human blood.
Maybe both.
The armored lizardman stood calmly beside the battlefield with the rapier pointed toward me.
Silent.
Watching.
Calculating.
I quickly assessed the situation.
The massive lizardman was injured.
One spear lizardman was injured after losing the use of his hand.
One healthy spear user still remained.
And now—
this rapier wielder.
A dart suddenly flew toward me.
I blocked it instantly with my sword.
The injured spear lizardman had grabbed a dead blow dart user's weapon and started attacking from the rear instead.
Annoying.
For a brief moment, I considered releasing more misam directly.
But stopped myself.
No.
Not yet.
I wanted to know my current limits first.
I exhaled slowly.
Then locked my eyes onto the rapier user.
I lightly patted Rusty's neck.
Rusty immediately understood and bolted away from the group in the opposite direction.
Good.
Now I could fight properly without worrying about him getting surrounded.
Using Beast Footwork, I accelerated instantly toward the enemies.
My goal was simple.
One clean slash.
End it immediately.
But the massive lizardman moved again.
Even with its injured legs, it stepped directly between me and the rapier user.
Then—
it raised both arms to shield its face.
I swung anyway.
The impact traveled violently through my arms.
For a split second, my hands went numb.
It felt like striking hardened rock instead of flesh.
My blade cut deep into the creature's arm—
but the bone stopped the strike before it could sever completely.
At that exact moment—
another dart flew toward my face.
And the rapier user moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
I yanked my sword free while twisting sideways to avoid the dart.
The rapier still grazed across my shoulder.
Not deep.
But precise.
The armored lizardman landed lightly behind the massive one again.
Using him as cover.
My eyes narrowed.
So that was his fighting style.
Using allies as shields while searching for fatal openings.
A dangerous opponent.
I bent low again.
Beast Footwork activated beneath my feet—
And this time—
I didn't charge where they expected.