Chapter 22 – Follow Me!

The trio arrived close to the swamp and stopped just as Maximus began explaining the plan. “We will make a trap; I know just the place. After we bait the beast there, you need to watch yourselves; as long as we don’t kill it, it should be fine. I can heal it later.” Maximus warned.

“We are actually doing this? God help us.” Oscar wiped the sweat off his bald head.

“I thank you once more,” Maximus said seriously.

“It’ll help us in the future battles, and leaving you alone here leaves a bad taste in my mouth,” Felix said simply.

“Aye, exactly. Can’t have you kicking the bucket the second we’re gone, can we? Come on then, let’s ‘ave at it!” Oscar tightened his grip on his spear and strode into the swampland, boots sinking slightly into the damp earth.

“Wait for me! You don’t know where to go…” Maximus sighed as he hurried after him, leaving Felix behind for a moment.

Felix watched the two, a faint smile tugging at his lips before he followed them into the misty swamp, the air thick and heavy with the scent of stagnant water.

***

Maximus led them to the circular area where he had fought the Devourer plant. The ground was still scorched and torn from the battle, making Felix and Oscar realize just how tough the creature had been.

“Felix, plant the traps there, there, and around here.” Maximus pointed as he started planting edited Cinder-Seeds in a careful pattern.

“Here, take these. Eat one once we start fighting; it should restore your mana for five minutes.” Maximus handed each of them a handful of seeds.

“Would eating more stack?” Felix asked.

“It won’t, I’ve tested it. But you can eat as many as you want; there are no side effects.” Maximus explained calmly.

“Once the beast is trapped, I need you two to run and deal with the smaller ones. I don’t want you inside the circle with me.” Maximus suddenly announced.

“Are you proper mad? There’s no way I’m leaving you alone with that thing!” Oscar shouted.

“Calm down, you will awaken every monster in the region. I have my plans, don’t worry,” Maximus said seriously as he adjusted the last seed into place.

“If anything goes wrong, we jump in. Alright?” Felix added.

“Alright, if needed, I will call for your assistance.” Maximus finally agreed.

***

Maximus led them deeper into the swamp, Sprout rooted on his vestment, observing the area and guiding them toward a few interesting finds.

Maximus managed to gather a dozen Madcaps, mushrooms that could be used in more harmful decoctions, and they even found Luminous Moss and pitch-black flowers named Creeping Death.

This area is indeed interesting. If all of this is influenced by the waters coming from the Wildlands, I’m getting quite eager to explore them. Maximus thought as they finally found traces of large claw marks carved into the nearby ground.

“Boys, be ready. We are within its territory!” Maximus warned as the waters rippled and a group of dark green alligators emerged from the murky depths around them, snapping their maws.

“Bloody hell, these are some ugly buggers.” Oscar frowned as he ignited his spear.

Felix slashed at the two approaching from the left, sending a sharp arc of freezing mana that cut into the monsters’ bodies and froze the water around their feet.

Oscar released a flurry of stabs at the closest one to him, piercing the beast’s scaly hide and setting it ablaze.

The alligator thrashed as it tried to flee, but Maximus was faster and shot a Wind Spear into its back, making it collapse lifelessly as the spell released sharp winds that minced its insides.

You have defeated: [Marsh Alligator Lv. 12]

Oscar acted swiftly and joined Felix, helping him finish off the two whose feet were trapped within the ice.

The remaining three, seeing this, swam away quickly without even turning back.

Then, just as Felix and Oscar finished their prey, the swamp trembled, and the massive white crocodile emerged, snapping its maw with a thunderous crack.

“We are proper fucked.” Oscar gulped.

“Run back toward the trap, I’ll lure it after us!” Maximus ordered, and the two nodded with sharp exhales as they sprinted back.

***

As the crocodile charged toward him, Maximus shifted his legs into lupine form and summoned his Thorn Whip, enhancing it with poison as he lashed at the charging beast.

The thorns barely pierced its hide, and the poison failed to seep into its bloodstream, but it was enough to keep it enraged long enough to chase him.

As it realized Maximus was faster, it halted for a brief moment and roared. The waters rippled violently, and moments later, dozens of smaller alligators emerged, responding to its call.

Then, with another roar, the swamp water surged around it as if commanded, and with a violent burst of muddy waves, the crocodile and its subordinates were propelled forward toward Maximus.

“What an intriguing turn of events. Now I want you even more.” Maximus muttered as he transformed into his Cat Form, his speed surging as he dashed forward at full pace.

***

Maximus moved at his fastest speed, lunging from one patch of land to another, as running through the swamp waters made movement far more difficult, so he avoided it whenever possible.

As he bounced from one patch to the next, he finally saw Felix and Oscar lying in ambush.

Maximus lunged once more before morphing back to his human form with lupine legs. “Felix, be ready!” Maximus shouted as he entered the circular area full of traps.

The crocodile abruptly halted the surging waters, digging its claws deep into the mud to forcefully redirect its charge and follow behind Maximus.

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As it turned and dove into the naturally enclosed area, Felix emerged from his hiding spot and stabbed his blade into the rushing waters, detonating traps and raising a thick wall of ice that sealed the entrance behind it.

Behind Felix, dozens of smaller alligators emerged, snapping wildly, while Oscar charged forward, shouting to draw their attention, “Time to make some lizard shish kebab!”

Meanwhile, Maximus activated Grow, forcing the Scorching Lilies to sprout almost instantly, fueled by the abundant spirit energy in the region.

As the crocodile lunged toward him, the plants triggered on contact, detonating in bursts of flame and heat, tossing the massive beast upward.

Maximus followed instantly, activating Static Vine.