The Bard’s Melody and Forest Combat

A five-person squad ventured into the forest. They arrived one after another in the same woods Anto and the others had left yesterday, sensing the lingering atmosphere.

“Wow, there are clear signs of battle here,” Tikka observed, his voice tinged with experience. Leading the way, he surveyed the trees snapped in half and the numerous craters scarring the ground, making his assessment. “A fierce battle must have erupted here yesterday.”

“After that person rescued you yesterday, they fought a truly brutal battle here,” he continued. “If she wasn’t killed by monsters after that fight, then she must have made a complete escape.”

“Indeed, she is a very powerful Holy Light wielder, a combat type,” Ilivy affirmed at that moment. From behind Tikka, Mula then spoke.

“Is she even more formidable than young Anto?”

“She’s a battle nun,” Ilivy explained. “A battle nun truly adept at imbuing her weapons with Holy Light, possessing vast combat experience. Though she is quite young, her individual combat prowess is already immense. I doubt many here could fight as she does.”

“That’s certainly true. If such a large-scale engagement was the work of a single person, it would truly be considered heroic,” Randall, the bard, interjected. Mula glanced at him, then retorted with a hint of exasperation.

“Why are you carrying your lute instead of a magic staff? Shouldn’t you be acting as a mage right now? What are you doing constantly plucking strings?”

“My lute *is* my magic staff. I am a bard,” Randall replied with a smile. “My music brings forth my strength. Rest assured, am I not using my abilities right now?”

With another smile, Randall plucked the strings once more. As the sound resonated, he announced, “There’s something to the east, many individuals. They’re singular entities, likely standing ghouls. I sense them.”

“So this is how you scout?” Anto looked over. The bard stood there, then chuckled.

“It’s merely one of my abilities, and such abilities do come with side effects.”

“Side effects?” Before Anto could fully grasp what he meant, a mournful wail echoed through the air, followed by the shuffling footsteps of the undead.

“My music can indeed be used as a scouting method, and a very convenient one at that. The only problem is, when these sounds ring out, the enemy notices them too,” Randall finished. Mula was the first to raise her bow and arrow.

“The worst environment is a forest. My long-range shots are useless here. I’m heading up a tree, everyone.”

“Mula, just focus on scouting and shooting,” Tikka instructed, positioning himself and Ilivy to cover both flanks. “We’ll handle close combat. Anto, provide your blessings.”

“No problem.” Anto watched the approaching figures and began channeling Holy Light. A radiant glow enveloped both Tikka and Ilivy, filling the knights with renewed strength.

“I’ll provide a blessing here as well,” Randall said, plucking his lute strings. A stirring melody erupted from his instrument, and in an instant, Tikka and Ilivy both felt a surge of invigorating energy.

“Is this… blessing magic?”

“Because I am a bard, not a conventional mage,” Randall explained, placing his lute on his back. He then drew a uniquely shaped longsword. “At crucial moments, I can also serve as a rear guard to protect you, Sister Anto.”

‘A bard…’ Anto thought, looking at the figure before them. Undeniably, a bard was a peculiar profession, capable of bestowing various blessings and combat abilities through songs and stories, along with other mystical powers. Among the most powerful and legendary figures in this profession, none was more renowned than…

“Incidentally, King Rajes, the King of Heroes, was once a bard,” Randall revealed with a faint smile. He continued to play the longsword, which resembled a flute. Perhaps to him, it was merely a flute with the function of a longsword. The moment the music began, the movements of the clawing, snarling creatures around them all slowed.

“Sound of Slowness!” As the sound resonated, Tikka and Ilivy, empowered by dual blessings, sprang into action. They charged forward. Tikka, relying on his agile movements and the longsword in his hand, inflicted unavoidable damage upon the enemies. Knight Ilivy, meanwhile, swung her heavy sword, infused with Holy Light, directly at her foes. Each powerful strike signaled the fall of another enemy.

Their coordination was impeccable. As one enemy after another fell, any creature attempting a sneak attack was perfectly targeted by the skilled archer in the trees, struck in the head or critical joints. The group’s synergy was immediately apparent.

Anto continuously applied Holy Light blessings, and he also noticed a crucial difference. Compared to blessing regular military units, blessing an adventurer squad was relatively easier. Each member’s role defined their division of labor, allowing such a squad to maximize their abilities in combat, especially in a forest. It was no wonder they only brought thirty people; a mercenary group of thirty adventurers here was already an unstoppable force.

Through these battles, Anto steadily accumulated experience. His reliable teammates proved formidable, and soon, the surrounding Legion of the Undead was completely eradicated.

“They only possess this much strength, but the deeper we go, the stronger the enemies will become. It likely won’t be this simple going forward,” Tikka remarked, sheathing his sword after confirming no more enemies were active. Mula leaped down from the tree.

“That was really good! It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this kind of team combat. Back when we used to clear dungeons and such, our team always worked together to accomplish so many things, hahaha!” Mula exclaimed. Tikka turned to Anto again.

“Continue leading the way. Don’t worry about us; we can generally handle things here. After all, these three Otherworld Travelers beside you are hardly weak or ordinary individuals within the Council.”

“How can you say that? I’m just a weak and ordinary person!” Randall laughed in response. Tikka didn’t even bother to glance at him. After all, though Randall claimed to be a bard, someone capable of overseeing Draynes could not possibly be *just* a bard. It was the simplest logical deduction.