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LOTR: TMCP Ch. 164
🕑 Added 2025-08-07 00:53:15 +0000 UTCNot only was Alatar shocked, but the creature staring at him was even more shocked.
"I... pulled that out?"
The war-beast's eyes widened, and it quickly turned around.
Only then did the three realize that the "wall" Alatar had been leaning on just now was actually a crouching giant creature.
"Three giant parasites!"
Thud thud thud...
The war-beast fled in panic, letting out a terrified cry.
With bugs that big, if they got back inside, its belly would probably be eaten clean!
In front of the city wall, the massive creature ran off in terror, quickly drawing the attention of the guards on the ramparts.
"What's it doing?"
"Just a crazed, dumb beast. Ignore it."
Under the mocking stares of the soldiers, the beast gradually slowed its pace. When it finally couldn't run anymore, it mustered the courage to glance back.
The three "parasites" that had been crouching there earlier had vanished.
Were those really parasites?
The war-beast scratched its massive head. Its tiny brain rattled around in its huge skull, unable to figure out when those things had even appeared.
"Why are you running around like that?"
The commotion was loud enough that it couldn't escape the notice of the Uruk squad leader. He marched up and questioned the beast directly.
"There were big parasites over there," the not-so-bright beast replied.
"Then just crush them!"
The Uruk squad leader looked in the direction the beast had pointed.
There was... nothing?
"Lift me up."
"Okay."
The beast grabbed the squad leader and lifted him over its head. The leader's view rose accordingly.
"I see them. There are three people..."
"Wait."
"Blue robes?"
"It's that cursed wizard! After them! Those aren't parasites!!"
"What!?"
The beast was both frightened and furious. Without thinking, it threw the squad leader down and charged off, teeth bared and claws flailing.
"How could you pretend to be bugs and scare me!"
Thump.
The Uruk squad leader lay on the ground coughing violently.
"Idiot!"
But he only had time to curse once before running back to the army.
"We've found the wizard, follow me!"
A group of Uruks responded immediately and charged off in pursuit. One of the more cunning orcs saw how far away the enemies were and immediately activated a catapult, and climbed onto it himself.
"Aaaahhhh!"
Moments later, a long, drawn-out scream soared through the air.
Smack.
"What was that?"
Garrett turned to glance back. But the man in blue robes seemed completely unfazed.
"Ignore it. Keep running."
Thud thud thud...
The rumble of heavy steps came from behind. The blue-robed wizard glanced back, gripping his wooden staff tightly.
"If it's only one, let me try something..."
He stopped, raised his staff high, and began chanting a mystical incantation.
Whoosh.
A flash of white light stunned the war-beast in its tracks. Alatar swiftly drew the longbow from his back and easily pulled it taut, whoosh!
An arrow pierced the beast's eye socket.
Roar!
The beast howled in fury, snapping out of the daze. Dropping to all fours, it charged at them, crashing forward in a wild, stumbling sprint.
At that moment, another arrow shot from behind. Though it pierced the beast's hide, it drew no blood, clearly, it had only barely broken through the skin and hadn't even reached the fat underneath.
But it was enough.
A pillar of fire erupted, and a dark figure rushed toward the beast, drawing a gleaming sword.
"Watch out!"
Seeing the panicked beast raise its fists to smash down, the blue-robed wizard shouted a warning. He didn't hesitate and began chanting a spell, raising his staff.
But that unpredictable lord charged forward on his own.
Brilliant runic light flared to life across his body, enveloping him completely. On his hand, a rune-inscribed ring shimmered like captured starlight.
The blue-robed wizard's incantation faltered, his eyes narrowing.
A ring of power?
Regardless of whether he helped or not, the beast's strike did no damage. Thanks to the protective power of the runic ring, Garrett took the full blow without even stepping back.
And with that moment, Armor Break finished charging, his longsword sliced through hide and fat, cutting deep into the flesh and even striking bone with a thunderous impact.
Even a dull-witted beast couldn't ignore that kind of pain, it collapsed to its knees, its body crackling as burning fat sizzled on its skin.
Seven or eight more strikes later, it stopped moving entirely.
Using a bow to keep it at distance might have been safer and simpler, but how could that compare to the raw thrill of clashing steel and strength?
"The beast's down?"
The pursuing Uruk troops came to an abrupt halt.
The power of such beasts was well-known.
Back in the battles of Ithilien, it took at least several dozen well-trained, tightly coordinated soldiers just to bring down one.
Something was wrong. Seriously wrong.
These three were far from ordinary, each one might need to be treated as a threat on par with a war-beast.
No direct assault.
The Uruk squad leader's mind raced at lightning speed.
But the orcs weren't thinkers, while he was still analyzing, a vanguard of orcs had already charged ahead.
Moments later, they flew back like falling stars.
"Stop! Hold!"
The squad leader quickly signaled the rest of the team to halt.
"Wait for the Olog-hai. Let them take the lead. The orcs will surround from behind, no matter how strong those three are, they won't escape."
In theory, if those iron-tough, ultra-strong Olog-hai took the front lines, the three really wouldn't stand much of a chance.
Olog-hai were among the rare few who could fight several iron golems at once, break enchanted armor, and still retain a measure of intelligence.
"Olog-hai," Garrett muttered, watching the heavily armored giants drawing near. "In my view, they're even more dangerous than the larger beasts."
He noticed the orc squads splitting off and circling around.
He pulled out two ender pearls and handed them to the others.
"Throw these. They'll teleport you to wherever they land."
"Got it!" Halbarad carefully took his.
"Oh, and before you throw it, eat this." Garrett handed him a golden apple.
"Teleporting with a pearl causes some damage. This will protect you."
"What about me?" The blue-robed wizard stared at the apple, unable to resist asking.
"You'll be fine."
By now, the Olog-hai were closing in, and the orcs had nearly completed their encirclement. The field was growing darker with their looming presence.
Suddenly, three pearls arced over the battlefield and landed in an open space beyond the trap.
Whoosh.
A cloud of purple particles rose from the ground.
The Uruk squad leader rubbed his eyes and rushed forward.
"Where did they go?"
---
Plop.
Three figures appeared on the open ground.
Halbarad's golden shield effect was nearly depleted. As for Garrett, he had built-in Feather Falling IV, plus the runic ring, this kind of fall damage didn't even register. He'd probably need to toss dozens of pearls before he'd lose any health.
"Ow, my foot—"
Alatar appeared right after, wincing and stumbling a few steps.
Before the enemy could react, the three of them began moving again without hesitation.
"Say, can I have one of those apples too?" The wizard asked while running.
Garrett glanced at the health bar above his head.
Not even half a heart missing.
"You think golden apples grow on trees? Save it for when you actually need it."
