As Josh and his group embarked on their journey to save Kieth, they chose to ride horses instead of using Kieth's summoned military jeep. The jeep, while powerful and fast, would attract unwanted attention with its loud engine, potentially alerting enemies to their presence.
The horses, on the other hand, were quieter and allowed them to move stealthily through the dense forest. Each member of the group had a bond with their steed, feeling the rhythm of the horse's gallop beneath them as they navigated the winding trails. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the landscape, and the air was filled with the earthy scent of pine and damp soil.
As they rode, Josh couldn't help but feel a mix of determination and anxiety. Kieth was counting on them, and every moment wasted could mean the difference between rescue and disaster. The group communicated in hushed tones, discussing their plan and keeping an eye out for any signs of danger.
"Alright, let's camp here, we cant continue when the dark comes, grath help me catch foods, sir aleric lariel guard the princess. Keriel prepare the camp." He ordered as he looked to their surroundings and think of his friend. Just wait for me brother."
When a Filipino got Isekai'd with a twist!
"Only I can summon those!
Chapter 30: that's what Heroes do!
Meanwhile at the boundary of the dwarven kingdom, Kieth and Mochi made their way back through the forest, the weight of their decision pressing heavily on his mind. Each step felt like a reminder of the urgency of their mission. The image of the dwarves in chains haunted him, but he knew that rushing in without a plan would only lead to more suffering.
As they emerged from the trees, the path opened up to a rocky outcrop overlooking the valley below. Kieth paused, taking a moment to catch his breath and gather his thoughts. The kingdom of Dwarven lay in the distance, a stark reminder of the danger that lurked there.
As Kieth climbed the hill, he heard a cry for help. When he turned his head, he saw one family getting dragged by a group of demons. His heart raced as he instinctively crouched behind a boulder, pulling Mochi down with him. The sight was horrifying: a mother desperately clinging to her child, while two hulking demons, their skin a sickly shade of green, dragged them toward the treeline. The father, a stout figure with a wild beard, struggled against the grip of another demon, his face twisted in a mix of rage and fear.
"Damn it, and he pulled his M16 (enhanced) and attached a scope and aimed at one of the demons heads that was holding the kid. Tsk, here goes nothing." He whispered to himself, feeling the adrenaline surge through his veins. He adjusted the scope, narrowing his vision to the target. The world around him faded, leaving only the sight of the demon and the family in peril. He could hear the muffled cries of the mother, the desperate pleas that echoed in his mind.
With a steady hand, Kieth squeezed the trigger. The rifle barked, the sound echoing through the valley like thunder. The bullet flew true, striking the demon squarely in the forehead. It crumpled to the ground, releasing its grip on the child, who fell to the ground in a heap. And aim at the next demon that got shaken by the sudden death of his comrade.
Kieth's heart raced as he quickly shifted his aim to the second demon, who was momentarily stunned by the sudden loss of its companion. The creature's eyes widened in shock, and it turned its head toward the source of the gunfire, its grip on the father loosening just enough for him to break free. The father stumbled back, his face a mask of disbelief and relief, but Kieth knew they had little time and shot again. A loud bang reverberated, and the head of the demon exploded before he could even react. But the third demon locates his position and dashes towards him. "Fuck," he cursed to himself.
Keith's instincts kicked in as he quickly reloaded, his heart pounding in his chest. The third demon, a hulking beast with jagged teeth and glowing red eyes, charged toward him with a primal roar that sent chills down his spine. There was no time to think; he had to act. And the demon jumped and landed in front of him. And swung its great sword, and Keith managed to quickly duck down and pull his M1 pistol and shoot at the demon's legs.
The bullets ricocheted off the demon's thick, scaly hide, but Kieth's aim was true enough to catch the creature off guard. One shot struck its knee, causing the demon to stumble and roar in pain. It fell forward, its massive frame crashing to the ground just inches from Kieth, sending a shockwave of dirt and debris into the air.
Kieth seized the moment, scrambling to his feet and moving to the side as the demon struggled to regain its footing. He could hear the frantic cries of the family behind him, their fear palpable, but he couldn't afford to lose focus. The demon was still a threat, and he needed to finish it off before it could recover.
"Mochi, protect them," he ordered to his bond (Mochi) as the little cub meowed back at him.
With a swift motion, Kieth turned his attention back to the fallen demon, which was now trying to push itself up with one arm while the other clutched its wounded knee. Kieth could see the rage in its eyes, a primal fury that only fueled his determination. He took a deep breath, steadying his aim as he prepared to fire again.
But before he could pull the trigger, he heard a low growl from Mochi. The little cub had positioned itself protectively in front of the family, its fur bristling as it faced the remaining threat. Kieth felt a surge of pride for his companion, knowing that Mochi was more than just a pet; he was a fierce ally.
The demon, now fully aware of Kieth's presence, let out a guttural roar and lunged forward, its sword swinging wildly. Kieth ducked just in time, the blade slicing through the air where he had stood only moments before. He could feel the rush of wind as the sword passed, and he quickly rolled to the side, regaining his footing.
"If I got hit with that, I'd surely be a goner, so I need to focus while Mochi is protecting those people." He thinks to himself while dodging all of the relentless attacks from the demon. "I need to conserve my bullets; without my system, I can't summon more."
Keith's mind raced as he calculated his next move. The demon was relentless, its swings becoming more erratic as it grew frustrated with its inability to land a hit. Kieth could see the family huddled behind Mochi, their eyes wide with fear, and he knew he had to end this quickly. Because the longer the fight drags on, the more demons will hear my gunshots.
With a surge of determination, Kieth decided to change his approach. He couldn't rely solely on his firearms; he needed to outsmart the demon. As the creature swung its sword again, Kieth ducked low and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly arc of the blade. He could feel the heat radiating from the demon's body, a reminder of the danger he was in.
"Think, Kieth, think!" he muttered under his breath, scanning the rocky terrain for anything he could use to his advantage. His eyes landed on a large boulder a few feet away. If he could lure the demon into a more confined space, he might be able to gain the upper hand.
"Hey, ugly!" Kieth shouted, his voice echoing off the rocks. The demon turned its attention toward him, its eyes narrowing with rage. "Over here, how about you kiss my buttcheeks!"
With a burst of speed, Kieth sprinted toward the boulder, hoping to draw the demon in. The creature roared in fury and charged after him, its massive feet pounding the ground. Kieth reached the boulder and quickly ducked behind it, using it as cover.
The demon barreled toward the boulder, its sword raised high, ready to cleave Kieth in two. But Kieth had anticipated this moment. As the demon approached, he quickly rolled to the side, using the boulder as a shield. The demon's sword struck the rock with a deafening clang, sending shards of stone flying in all directions.
Keith seized the opportunity. He scrambled to his feet and darted around the boulder, positioning himself behind the demon. The creature, momentarily disoriented from its failed attack, turned slowly, its eyes scanning for Kieth. But Kieth was already moving, his instincts guiding him as he aimed his M1 pistol at the demon's exposed back.
"Astalavista, baby!" he shouted, pulling the trigger. The bullet struck true, hitting the demon squarely in the back. It let out a howl of pain, stumbling forward as Kieth quickly reloaded, adrenaline coursing through his veins.
The demon turned, its rage now directed at Kieth. It charged again, but this time, Kieth was ready. He ducked low, allowing the demon to pass over him, and then sprang up, aiming for the creature's neck. He fired again, the bullet finding its mark. The demon staggered, its eyes wide with shock as it clutched its throat, blood oozing between its fingers.
Kieth could see the life draining from the demon's eyes, and he felt a mix of triumph and urgency. He couldn't let his guard down; there could be more demons lurking nearby, drawn by the sounds of battle. The family behind him was still vulnerable, and he needed to ensure their safety before he could think about his next move.
As the demon fell to its knees, Kieth took a step back, keeping his weapon trained on the creature. It let out a final, guttural growl before collapsing to the ground, its massive body thudding against the earth. Kieth felt a wave of relief wash over him, but he knew it was short-lived. Because the demon called his comrades by that last growl.
"Mochi, we need to move; his friends will soon come here! Kieth quickly turned to the family, who were still huddled behind Mochi, their faces pale with fear. "You all right?" he asked, his voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through him.
The father nodded, his eyes wide with gratitude. "We... we are now. Thank you! But we need to get out of here!"
Kieth glanced back at the fallen demon, its body already beginning to attract the attention of the forest. He could hear distant growls echoing through the trees, a sure sign that more demons were on their way. "We need to move, now!" he urged, gesturing for them to follow him. "Sir, are you one of the heroes? If you are, please, sir, save my daughter. She was held captive by the demon lieutenant inside the dwarven castle. I'm begging you, sir hero, save her!"
Keith's heart sank at the father's desperate plea. The weight of the world seemed to press down on him even more. He had come to the forest to rescue the dwarves, but now he was faced with the heartbreaking reality of a family torn apart by the very demons he had just fought.
"Alright…I'll do everything I can," Kieth promised, his voice firm despite the turmoil inside him. "But you guys need to go to the capital first. I'll try to save your daughter and the others, so rest easy because the demons will be here any moment."
Mochi, sensing the urgency, let out a low growl, his fur bristling as he stood protectively in front of the family. Kieth felt a surge of gratitude for his companion. Together, they could face whatever came next.
"Ye...yes, sir, "the father said and turned and grabbed his wife and kid and ran. As he turned his back to the family, he murmured to himself,Man, this is going to be tough for me. But whatever, this is what heroes do!" As he said that, he started to go back to the dwarven kingdom to save the captives without the help of his system.
System rebooting progress….
15% of the system will be back online when the progress bar reaches 50%.
"Man, 24 hours my ass; this rebooting might take long." He said and entered the dense forest.
Kieth pressed deeper into the forest, the shadows growing thicker around him as he navigated the underbrush. The sounds of the family's hurried footsteps faded into the distance, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant growls of demons. He could feel the weight of their plight on his shoulders, a burden he was determined to carry.
As he moved, Kieth's mind raced with thoughts of the dwarven kingdom. Now that only demon lieutenant was there, Kieth's confidence grew because he thought he could handle it, but it's different if it's a demon general, so he decided to help and not run away. The father said he managed to get out because of his daughter, and the underground cells are filled with captives and suffering. The image of the dwarves in chains haunted him, fueling his resolve. He had to act quickly; every moment wasted could mean more lives lost.
Kieth pressed on, his senses heightened as he navigated the dense foliage. The forest felt alive, the air thick with tension and the distant sounds of demons echoing through the trees. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, sharpening his focus. Each snap of a twig underfoot reminded him of the urgency of his mission.
Meanwhile, back at Josh's rescue party
As their horse ran past a valley, they could see thick smoke coming from a small village, and this village was being attacked by lower-ranking demons, so Josh decided to attack the demons and save the villagers.
System notification!
Emergency quest alert!
Defeat low-ranking demons and save villagers of the hilltop.
Demons level 40: 0/30
"Alright team, Keriel, use your dragon form; the sky is yours. Lariel and Princess Lyra, provide buff and support to us. And Grath and Air, Alaric, on me!" He ordered as they charged into battle.
The air crackled with tension as Josh and his party charged toward the village, the acrid scent of smoke filling their lungs. The sight of the lower-ranking demons wreaking havoc sent a surge of anger through him. These creatures were nothing more than pests, but they were causing real harm to innocent lives.
"Stay close!" Josh shouted, rallying his team as they approached the outskirts of the village. The demons, small but vicious, were tearing through homes, their cackling laughter mingling with the terrified screams of the villagers.
Keriel, the dragon shifter, took to the skies, his massive wings casting a shadow over the battlefield. "I'll keep an eye on the bigger threats from above!" he called down, his voice booming. As she aimed her bow at one of the demons.
Lariel, the mermaid wizard, prepares a spell.
With a flick of her wrist, Lariel summoned a shimmering wave of water that surged forward, crashing into a group of demons and knocking them off their feet. "Now, Grath! Strike while they're down!" she shouted, her voice filled with urgency.
Grath, the burly warrior, charged forward with a battle cry, his massive axe raised high. He swung it down with all his might, cleaving through the nearest demon with a sickening crunch. The creature let out a shriek before collapsing to the ground, its body lifeless. "One down, twenty-nine to go!" Grath bellowed, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of battle.
Alaric, the agile royal knight, darted between the chaos, his great sword flashing in the sunlight as he struck at the demons with precision. "Keep moving! We can't let them regroup!" he urged, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Princess Lyra, the elf noble healer, moved among the villagers, her hands glowing with a soft light as she tended to the injured. "Stay strong! We will drive them away!" she called out, her voice a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil.
The battle raged on as Josh and his party fought valiantly against the onslaught of low-ranking demons. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and blood, and the cries of the villagers echoed in the background, urging them on.
"Keriel, watch out for the larger ones!" Josh shouted, spotting a few bigger demons emerging from the shadows, their eyes glinting with malice. The dragon shifter swooped low, unleashing a torrent of fire that engulfed a group of smaller demons, turning them to ash in an instant.
"Got it! I'll keep the skies clear!" Keriel responded, his voice booming as he circled above, ready to dive back into the fray at a moment's notice.
Meanwhile, Lariel continued to unleash her magic, weaving spells that sent waves of water crashing into the demons, creating a slippery battlefield that hindered their movements. "They won't know what hit them!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with determination.
Grath, fueled by adrenaline, charged into the thick of the fight, his axe swinging with deadly precision. "Come on, you ugly bastards! Is that all you've got?" he taunted, cleaving through another demon with a powerful swing. The thrill of battle coursed through him, and he relished every moment.
Alaric, ever the strategist, called out to his teammates. "We need to form a line! If we can funnel them into a narrow space, we can take them out more efficiently!" He moved to position himself at the front, his sword gleaming in the sunlight as he prepared to defend against the incoming wave of demons.
Princess Lyra, her hands still glowing with healing magic, glanced at the villagers. "Stay behind us! We'll protect you!" she urged, her voice calm and reassuring. She could see the fear in their eyes, but she also saw hope as they rallied behind the heroes.
As the demons pressed forward, Josh felt a surge of determination. "Let's show them what we're made of! On my mark!" He raised his sword high, signaling his team to prepare for a coordinated attack. "Three… two… one… now!"
With a unified battle cry, the party surged forward, striking down the demons with a combination of brute force and magic. The ground shook beneath their feet as they fought, the clash of steel and the crackle of spells filling the air.
In the midst of the chaos, Josh spotted a group of villagers trapped in a burning building. "We need to save them!" he shouted, pointing toward the flames. "Keriel, can you create a barrier to protect them while we get them out?"
"On it!" Keriel swooped down, unleashing a wave of water that doused the flames, creating a safe path for the villagers to escape.
"Grath, help me with the door!" Josh called, rushing toward the building. Together, they heaved against the door, forcing it open just as a demon lunged at them from the shadows.
"Not today!" Grath roared, swinging his axe and cleaving the demon in two before it could reach them.
With the path clear, Josh and Grath rushed inside, their hearts pounding as they searched for the trapped villagers. "This way!" Josh shouted, spotting a family huddled in a corner, fear etched on their faces. "We're here to help!" As they finished the last demons and put out the fire.
"Hahaha, that was fun, Sir Hero! Grath shouted.
"Shut up, Grath; don't you see people are hurt, and you are having fun fighting?" Keriel scolded him. Grath shrugged, a sheepish grin on his face. "What can I say? I thrive in chaos! But you're right; we need to focus on helping these people."
Josh nodded, his expression serious as he surveyed the scene. The villagers were emerging from the building, their faces a mix of relief and lingering fear. "We need to make sure everyone is accounted for," he said, turning to Princess Lyra, who was already tending to the injured with her healing magic.
"Just a few more moments," she said, her voice calm and soothing as she worked. "I can help them, but we need to be quick. There may be more demons lurking nearby."
"Alright, Grath, Keriel, go scout the surroundings and look for stragglers. Do not engage if there are more demons. Princess Lyra and Lariel heal the wounded while I'll fix the houses with my alchemy skill." As he said that, his system notification pops up.
System notification: Congratulations!
You complete the emergency quest!
You will receive your reward!
You have leveled up!
You are now level 78!
Free stat available x2
"Open Kieth location!" He said, and another notification popped up.
Revealing a map where Kieth is currently located.
"Found you, brother; wait for me," he said with a smile.
To be continued...