Deep in the forest, it was as though an animal convention had been called—the place instantly erupted into chaos!
"Awwooo!"
"Oink! Oink oink—!"
"Hisss... hiss!"
"Caw! Caw—!"
All kinds of clamor mingled together, bursting through the already oppressive fog and surging out from the depths of the forest like a tidal wave.
What left everyone even more dumbfounded was that these wild Demonic Beasts seemed to be fleeing from something within the forest, as though some presence there had driven them out.
The savage grins on the Corrupted Lizardfolk's faces instantly froze, replaced by panic and terror.
"What is that?!"
"Move! Get out of the way—!"
"No! It's a beast stampede! They've gone mad!"
"Argh—!"
The terrified cries came to an abrupt stop as a violent force brutally blasted apart the fog. The first to charge out was a Swamp Boar as large as a calf.
Panic filled its eyes, white vapor billowing from its nostrils. It lowered its head and charged ahead without a care, like an out-of-control battering ram, sending every Corrupted Lizardfolk in its path flying.
Then came wolves, venomous snakes, swamp birds with disheveled feathers, Hard-shelled Water Lizards fleeing in blind panic, disciplined Stinger Bees... the entire swamp became a complete mess.
The encirclement so carefully arranged by the Corrupted Lizardfolk instantly collapsed beneath the beast tide's assault.
"It's the boss! The boss is here!"
"This one's really huge!"
Yano's heart pounded wildly, delight flooding his chest. He abruptly raised his bloodstained Knight Sword toward the sky, his voice like a blade leaving its sheath as it instantly drowned out the chaotic roars and screams.
"Brothers, our reinforcements are here! Now's the time—"
"Everyone, follow me and butcher these Gnolls! Tear open a gap!"
His roar jolted the adventurers awake as though from a dream. Fire