Chapter 98: Don’t Die Dumb
All the disciples burst forward, rushing toward the Demonic Boars.
Dahlia stayed behind for a moment, watching how chaotic it looked.
Half of them were charging without rhythm, shouting, flailing, and kicking up dust.
Dahluia could only twitch her brows, pinching teh bridge of her nose.
"Idiots. They’re all muscle and no brain. Although I indeed told them not to think and just move. At least, think a little..."
Beside her, Arden stood stiff, watching the scene with wide eyes.
His hands were shaking slightly, but he clenched them to stop.
Dahlia turned to him suddenly.
"Arden."
He looked up.
"Yes, Sister Dahlia?"
She pointed toward the others.
"I know you’re smart. Smarter than all of them combined. Why don’t you take over and tell them how to fight?"
Arden blinked.
"You mean... like give orders? Formations? Movements? Like a general?"
She nodded, crossing her arms.
"Exactly that. They’re strong, but they’re not that smart. You’ve got a good brain, so use it. Show me why Master chose you as his second direct disciple."
Her words hit him hard. Arden’s stomach quickly tightened up.
Dahlia then quickly smacked his back, yelling.
"Don’t just stand there shaking. This is your chance to show your worth."
Arden swallowed hard as the sound of the battle echoed ahead.
Rynar and Rynor, the red and yellow-haired twins, were alead shtoig at each other while punching the same boar.
"I said left side, Rynar!"
"I am on the left side, you idiot!"
"You’re my reflection!"
"You’re confusing me!"
The boar snorted and slammed its tusk into the ground, sending both brothers flying backwards.
They hit the dirt hard, coughing.
Dahlia groaned quietly.
"See? That’s why I told you to command them. They got the strength but not really the mind to use it."
Arden took a breath, then another. His legs felt heavy, but he forced himself to move.
He walked a few steps ahead and cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Everyone, listen up!" he shouted, his voice cracking a little.
No one turned. They were too busy yelling and fighting the demonic boars.
Dahlia sighed behind him.
"Louder!"
Arden clenched his jaw and yelled again, louder than before.
"Stop swinging your fists around like headless chickens!"
That quickly got the others’ attention. All of them stopped mid-fight, surprised.
Eliza tilted her head.
"Huh? Arden’s shouting?"
Clara smirked.
"Didn’t know he could do that?"
Arden pointed toward the boars.
"Listen! They’re big, slow and quite predictable. Don’t fight head-on!"
Arrden spread his hands wide, then raised two fingers.
"Split them up and fight them with a pair of two! Move around, flank from the sides, and strike their legs first!"
The disciples exchanged quick glances.
Dahlua raised a brow, arms crossed, watching quietly as his junior brother handled all the outer disciples.
"Rynar, Rynor!" Arden called out.
"You two take the right flank. One distracts, the other attacks the back legs!"
Rynar grinned.
"Now we’re talking!"
Rynor smirked.
"Don’t slow me down this time."
Eliza and Clara stepped forward next.
"What about us?
"Take the left. Clara, you kick high. Eliza, sweep the front legs. You’re faster, so use that speed," Arden answered.
Eliza cracked her knuckles.
"Finally, some strategy."
Clara rolled her shoulders.
"Got it."
Arden pointed to the rest.
"The rest of you, push them from the centre! Keep the pressure! Don’t get hit!"
Everyone nodded, moving to their positions, and all of the messy fights began to become coordinated ones.
The next moment, the twins charged from the right side.
Rynar jumped and slammed his knee into the boar’s shoulder while Rynor swept in low, landing a kick behind its hind leg.
The boar stumbled with a loud snort.
Eliza dashed to the left as she ducked under a tusk, sweeping its front legs.
Clara followed up with a sharp kick to its jaw, making the boar collapse sideways.
The other disciples also moved like a perfect pair, attacking in sync.
Arden stood at the centre, breathing heavily, eyes darting to each pair.
"Keep moving! Don’t stop! Rotate!"
Dahlia watched from behind, her smirk growing.
"Not bad at all."
Then suddenly, a boar tried to rush her side, but she stepped forward and slammed her palm into its snout, sending it tumbling away.
She didn’t even look at it as his focus stayed on Arden.
The battle raged on for several minutes, but now the disciples were in full control.
Finally, the last boar fell with a thud.
Everyone stood still for a moment, panting, covered in dirt and sweat.
The twins gave each other a tired high-five. Eliza wiped blood off her cheek, and Clara stretched her sore arms.
Arden exhaled deeply, hands on his knees, face red but smiling,
"We... did it."
Dahlia walked to him and patted his shoulder.
"Not bad strategist," she said, a faint grin on her face.
"Looks like you finally show them what you’re made of."
Arden looked up, still catching his breath.
"Thanks... I just... tried to think clearly."
Behind them, the disciples cheered, starting to drag the fallen boars back.
The twins also started to argue again.
"I kick harder."
"No, I kick harder!"
"Shut up," Eliza said, smirking.
"You both smell like burnt pork."
Dahlia chuckled, then looked back at Arden, who was smiling quietly to himself.
"Good job, little general," she said.
"Next time, you’re leading the charge from the start."
Arden blinked, then smiled shyly.
"Yes... Sister Dahlia."
The group began to move again, dragging the heavy Demonic Boars back to the God Gym.
But suddenly...
"AAARRRGGGHH!"
A scream quickly alerted Dahlia and the others. Dahlia has snapped back instantly to see just what happened.
And then she saw them, four figures, cloaked in dark clothes.
Their faces were hidden, and their movements were silent but fast.
Two disciples were already down, clutching their bloody arms.
Dahlia’s eyes narrowed, her fists tightened.
"What the hell...? Who are they?"
Clara helped pull one injured disciple back while Eliza readied her stance beside Dahlia.
"This island’s supposed to be forbidden to outsiders? How can they get here?"