With the help of the light from the Gas Lantern, Durin saw three large humanoid rats emerge from the depths of the sewer. Some held wrenches, some held hammers, and one even held a rusty dagger.
These were the Bell Rats living in the Undercity.
Most importantly, their eyes were currently flickering with a terrifying red light. Their crimson eyes stared straight at Durin, filled with a crazed and bestial hatred and rage.
Squeaking and screeching, they rushed toward Durin.
When the number of Bell Rats reaches two or more, the danger increases geometrically with their numbers. These fellows knew how to use mechanical tools, and heaven knows what kind of strange little gadgets they might have hidden on them.
Durin felt a sudden wave of panic because normal Bell Rats' eyes don't glow red, and they don't have such a strong desire to attack humans.
These Bell Rats were clearly not normal.
"I... fuck you!"
Looking at the first Bell Rat to rush forward, Durin felt a mix of disgust and panic, with a surge of anger mingled in between.
With a low roar, Durin took a slight step back with his right leg and twisted his waist. After a brief buildup of power, he swung the Flanged Mace desperately at the charging Bell Rat in a motion similar to a baseball swing. The force was so great that the flanges made a "shoo-shoo" sound as they cut through the air.
After a tooth-grinding impact sound...
The first thing to shatter on the Bell Rat hit by this strike was the Respiratory Filter it wore on its face, followed by its entire upper jawbone.
The Bell Rat was instantly sent flying. The thick blood splattered from its wound onto the walls on both sides of the sewer, creating a strangely artistic painting.
Just as the strike ended, Durin took another step forward with a fierce momentum, intending to Draw a Bead on another Bell Rat's crown and smash it.
However, that Bell Rat unexpectedly dodged with agile movements. Fortunately, Durin was quick-handed and immediately followed up with more attacks, smashing several more times until red, white, and grey matter began to flow out.
Crack!
[One-handed Weapon Proficiency +3, Current Proficiency: 61/75]
[Running Proficiency +1, Current Proficiency: 41/50]
The Bell Rat lying on the ground finally stopped moving.
"Whew..."
Before Durin could catch his breath, the remaining Bell Rat let out a roar and rushed up as well. Durin felt that his stamina was still mostly intact, so he tightened his grip on the Flanged Mace once more to prepare for the fight!
Durin again dodged the opponent's attack and then used the Flanged Mace to smash it several times, the kind of smashing that turned the Bell Rat's head into a bloody pulp.
Patter patter!
Rapid footsteps came from the other end of the sewer. It seemed the other Bell Rats were attracted by the noise. Durin shook his somewhat aching hand, realizing he couldn't stay here much longer and should finish his business and leave quickly.
So, he hurried toward the depths of the sewer, deliberately sprinkling Rat-Repelling Powder along the way.
But soon, Durin regretted it.
Because he discovered that more and more red-eyed Bell Rats were emerging from the shadows of the sewer. They were in packs, chasing Durin. It was already impossible for him to return the way he came; he could only flee in the direction where there were no Bell Rats.
"Squeak squeak squeak!"
The Bell Rats shrieked, some Running on all fours and others chasing upright. There were at least twenty or thirty of them, and Durin had no chance of fighting them off. But after fleeing for seven or eight minutes, Durin sensed something was wrong.
Although these Bell Rats were aggressive, they didn't seem to want to harm him; they followed behind him as if they were herding him in one direction.
Uh, herding?
Durin felt a bit dazed. He was clearly commissioned to come down and drive away the Bell Rats, so how did it turn into him being driven away by the Bell Rats?!
But in this situation, Durin could only suffer in silence. If he didn't want to be torn apart by the Bell Rats, he could only continue Running into the unknown depths of the sewer.
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