By the time they reached Rude Village after sprinting all the way, the monsters pouring out of the wave had already invaded the village and begun wreaking havoc.
Two legs really were no match for monsters with four legs, countless legs, or even wings that let them fly.
Although the handful of adventurers who had come to Rude Village were fighting the monster army, they were hopelessly outnumbered. The village's defensive line might as well not have existed. Countless monsters slipped past them to ravage the village, and the villagers' terrified cries rang out everywhere.
"Everyone, calm down! Don't panic! Don't run around blindly! Head for the mine and take shelter there!"
Chuan Wenwu charged into the crowd, pushing against the stream of fleeing people to meet the army of locust-like monsters. Light flashed across his shield, and two enormous, earthen-yellow Aura Shields materialized, blocking the monsters trying to attack the villagers. Only a narrow gap remained; they would have to squeeze through one at a time or go around.
"Haaah!"
Chuan Wenwu swung the Cross Shield and slammed it into a locust monster that seemed eager to die. The heavy shield crushed it into the ground like a swatted fly. Every monster that charged in after it was dispatched in turn.
"Boss, I'm here to help!"
Bruce bellowed in a deep voice and swept his broad palm over his sword's blade. Roaring flames immediately rose from it. He then charged into the locust army, swinging the burning greatsword and becoming a vortex of fire as he exterminated the monsters trying to flank them-the flaming greatsword was extraordinarily effective at dealing with these numerous but individually weak insects.
"Spirits dwelling in the wind, heed my call and grant swift feet to those before me-everyone, run this way!"
Raphtalia chanted an