Chapter 106: Rescue

Su Lun’s territory extended twenty kilometers. For early warning, he set up some Beacon Towers around his territory and arranged for people to guard them. Every day, the Soldiers patrolled and passed by the Beacon Towers. If any enemy was spotted, they would light the beacon fires immediately.

“There’s a situation!” The Wilderness was wide and open with no obstructions. Standing on the Beacon Tower, they could clearly see three columns of smoke rising in the distance.

“That direction… It must be the Caravan calling for help!”

“Light the beacon!”

Soon, the Beacon Tower was lit. The Barbarian Guard patrolling the territory quickly gathered at the Beacon Tower. Su Lun, who was inspecting his territory, hurried over as well. He soon met the Barbarian Warriors on patrol at the Beacon Tower.

“Boss, it looks like the Caravan is in danger. They lit the beacon to ask for our help,” said Johnson, who had arrived earlier.

“Take some men and go rescue them,” Su Lun ordered, glancing at the distant smoke. “Be careful on the way—watch out for ambushes.”

“Don’t worry, boss,” Johnson grinned, then led over twenty Barbarian Warriors to provide support.

The lowest-ranked among these Barbarian Warriors were Barbarian Champions, and the strongest were already Barbarian Great Axe Berserkers. Along with Johnson, although there were only around twenty of them, they were more than enough to handle an army of a thousand.

Although the native tribes in the Wilderness had large numbers, their discipline and equipment were far inferior to human armies. A few Charges would likely break them.

Unless they encountered an Ogre Tribe like last time. However, after Su Lun wiped out that Warhammer Ogre Tribe and stacked the Ogres’ heads into a pyramid, no Ogres had come here since.

…

The Caravan had over twenty four-wheeled wagons. These cargo wagons formed a large circular formation, connected by ropes or chains. The wagons were also reinforced with wooden planks, making the defense look solid. Behind the wagon formation, Refugees held spears, while Caravan guards and Mercenaries stood nearby.

With a roar, hundreds of Gnolls began their attack, accompanied by a large number of Goblins and Kobolds. The monsters rushed chaotically toward the wagon formation. Arrows rained down from inside the formation, killing over a dozen of the lightly armored monsters. But compared to the monster army, this was only a small loss.

The Mercenaries relied on the wagon formation to resist. They cooperated well with each other, and Kobolds and Goblins were repeatedly stabbed to death in front of the wagons. Arrows continued to rain down from the formation, and soon, the area before the wagons was piled with monster corpses.

Despite the casualties, the monsters showed no signs of retreating. The tall Gnolls charged forward. These Gnolls looked ragged, but each had a decent metal weapon. Though the weapons were clearly crudely made, they still had good killing power.

A rough Spiked Club struck a wooden barrier, making creaking sounds and leaving large cracks. It was clear the barrier wouldn’t last much longer. A human Mercenary holding a spear held his breath and, the moment the Gnoll attacked again, thrust his spear like a dragon, piercing the Gnoll’s heart instantly.

Although they killed one Gnoll, more Gnolls surrounded them. Under the heavy blows of Spiked Clubs, wooden barriers splintered and finally shattered into pieces with a loud crash.

The Archers in the back repeatedly drew their bows until their arms grew sore and weak, unable to shoot any longer. Without arrow support, the wagon formation became even more precarious. A Refugee’s spear had just pierced a Gnoll’s chest when his own head was smashed by a Spiked Club. Before his body hit the ground, it was torn to pieces by the Gnolls.

The Gnolls devoured human flesh, crimson blood dripping from their sharp teeth, making them look even more ferocious and terrifying. Some of the more timid humans trembled in fear, barely able to hold their weapons. The wagon formation was on the verge of collapse.

Just then, over a dozen agile figures dashed out from the wagon formation. These people wore armor and wielded sharp swords. As soon as they appeared, they charged at the Gnolls, aiming for vital spots. Their swords moved swiftly, slicing throats and piercing hearts, and they retreated immediately after striking without lingering.

Their sudden attack caught the Gnolls off guard. In just a few breaths, over a dozen Gnolls fell, clutching their throats or hearts. After the assault, these fighters didn’t stay to fight but retreated back into the wagon formation. Sword-and-shield fighters and spearmen stepped forward again, using the wagon formation to keep the surrounding monsters at bay.

After resting briefly inside the wagon formation, a few Archers began shooting again. However, compared to the earlier arrow volleys, only a few arrows flew out, and their force was much weaker. Several Gnolls continued their frenzied attacks even with arrows stuck in them. Soon, even these arrows stopped again.

More Gnolls charged forward. Their eyes were red, and they fought with wild, reckless abandon, ignoring attacks and fighting as if they had no regard for their lives. Their ferocity overwhelmed the humans.

Seeing the wagon formation in danger again, the guard captain led over a dozen Warriors out from the formation. Their attacks were still sharp and deadly, but this time the Gnolls were prepared. Though the results were still significant, some Warriors who failed to dodge in time were struck hard by Spiked Clubs.

Their chests caved in, and they vomited blood mixed with pieces of internal organs. It was clear they wouldn’t survive. Despite the losses, the wagon formation stabilized again. The spearmen and sword-and-shield fighters coordinated more seamlessly, with the latter blocking the Gnolls’ attacks while the former seized the chance to strike vital spots.

Faced with the endless waves of Gnolls, human casualties kept rising. Many sword-and-shield fighters faced repeated attacks, their shields breaking and their bodies crushed, bones shattered. Some Gnolls even discarded their weapons, climbed over the wagons, and leaped into the formation, trying to bite their enemies.

Most of these Gnolls were killed by the Warriors inside the formation, their chests pierced and heads severed. Under the Gnolls’ relentless attacks, the humans were completely overpowered. Even when the guard captain led the Warriors in another counter-charge, the effect was limited.

Although they killed some Gnolls, several more Warriors were slain regardless of the Gnolls’ own casualties. The barriers on the wagons were completely shattered, the chains linking the wagons were forcibly cut, and the wooden stakes securing the wagons were broken.

Seeing victory within reach, the Gnolls’ morale soared. The humans inside the wagon formation were filled with despair.