The Swamp.
One of the maps inside the Examination Grounds, and it is located just at the east of the Blood Valley, where Zypher killed the Blood Cerberus.
Damp, musky, thick.
The smell of ammonia permeated the air, thick cloud of gases formed.
As the march got longer and longer, fatigue started to consume sanity and stamina from everyone.
"Wind Spirit: Cleanse!"
Dancel shouted, creating a second barrier for the team.
Including Sir Erwin, there are thirteen more people who shares the barrier with them.
"Knights, formation!"
A shout rang out, straightening the backs of all the examinees on the swamp.
The thick miasma started to seep into their skins, and many had experienced diarrhea and nausea on the way.
Randolph, the one in front is taking a look at his map.
There, he saw the squads and what they are doing.
The formation they did is a triangle, and when they change directions, they all face the corner of the triangle, and walk towards that direction they are facing.
Squad Alpha, Theta and Gamma were the ones on the corners, making them the leaders as soon as they change directions.
Squad Alpha has Risha, who is now, having the time of her life.
Her armor, Blood Phaser, let's her phase through the miasma, poison and odor, and she has a special item that she bought from Zypher.
Squad Gamma has another captain, Risha's left hand, and the direct competitor of Randolph if Risha ever gets a promotion.
His name is Kalem, class is a Mage.
This three way position is a move made by Kalem when they saw the information about the Swamp.
And although they are prepared, they still lost some men to the miasma.
Squad Beta is where most of the casualties lie.
In the beginning, they marched with forty people, and now, only fifteen are left, including Dancel and Erwin.
"Tsk."
Randolph clicked his tongue.
This is a lost cause already. When he saw how much distance they have to go inside the swamp, and factoring the loss of people, panic washed over him.
"Jian, relay an order."
A person went over his side and leaned forward.
He rambled a few seconds, before Jian ran towards the side of Kalem.
As Jian arrived, the information was also passed to Kalem, and he smiled.
"Tell the sword bastard to forget what he wants to do."
Kalem said, his staff casted another barrier for his Squad, stacking the buff of their armors.
Jian then went back to Randolph, but this time, Randolph sent her to Risha.
"Enemy!"
Before Jian can go to Squad Alpha, a shout rang out from the middle of the triangle.
The middle, is the mage squad.
They are the ones who casts skills such as detect, shield and heal to the players who were affected by miasma.
A green flare signal was sent to the air, making everyone face the same direction.
The direction of the enemy: Squad Beta.
"Squad Beta, Formation!"
Randolph shouted, yet because of their lack of armor some of them were sluggish, and only Erwin, and Dancel, made a move.
"Toxic Ape!"
Someone shouted as soon as they saw the silhouette of the ones running towards them.
"Prepare for retaliation."
Kalem barked an order, and as soon as he did, Squad Eta, proceeeded to support Squad Beta.
Light footsteps rustled as the leaves began to be disturbed.
"KYAAAA!"
A shrill voice came, and a body dropped to the ground.
"Toxic Chimp!"
"Get into formation!"
"HANNAH!"
Different shouts were made, and chaos ensued into the midst of them.
Shrill laughter echoed, and the Toxic Chimp?
Gone.
Without a trace.
As the chaos continued, more shrill shouts started to echo through the swamp.
"URGH!"
"Behind you!"
"HELP!"
Simultaneous groans of pain, and shouts rang again, but this time, they felt fear.
"KYAAAAA!"
As they vanish through the dark, Chrysanthemum started to fall back to formation.
Yet as soon as they did, the shrill voices targeted them.
These back and forth created a pendulum.
And they were led by their noses.
That everytime they hear a shrill shout, an attack will be commenced, and another formation will be destroyed.
"Sir Randolph!"
Jian, who was going to send a message to Risha, was not able to deliver it because of the commotion.
"KYAAAAA!"
Another shrill shout came, and this time, another three people fell down.
"Tsk."
Randolphed clicked his tongue and took his sword.
Jian, who watched him brandish his sword was taken aback.
Randolph ran towards the middle, and barked orders.
"Squad Beta, create three men formation. Each one will go to the middle."
"Squad Delta, protect the middle, and make a two-man team, and try to deal with the Chimps!"
KYAAAAA!
The shrill laughter brought fear to the spines of everyone.
CLANG!
A deafening sound echoed through the swamp.
"Got you!"
A slender, long sword blocked an incoming attack.
"KALEM!"
Randolph's fury rose to a boiling point, his face turning red.
Yet, he can't reprimand Kalem, for he knew that without him, casualties will just go up.
He clicken his tongue in annoyance, but all he can do now is endure.
"Squad Eta, go to the middle too!"
KYAAA!
CLANG!!
Kalem got another one again, but then, two bodies fell down the ground.
"These idiots."
Randolph cursed under his breath.
The Chimps vanished the same way they entered the fray.
The sight of them being lost the moment they try to attack them demoralizes them big time.
"RANDOLPH!"
Kalem shouted, and when Randolph looked over, they saw that their way out.
Randolph nodded, then ran towards the sign Kalem told him.
KYAAAAAA!
Sparks flew, striking the fast and nimble chimps. Randolph, who was using his sword and Kalem, using his staff, exploded.
Two chimps then fell down the floor.
"Earthen Barrier!"
As soon as they attacked, the groups had already gathered at the middle.
What Randolph and Kalem did was give them time to reorganize themselves, and they did in the time the duo blocked the attacks.
Sighs of relief sounded as the earthen dome covered them.
Another shrill voice rang out, and it's different this time.
Small, yet many. A rain of chimps fell down the swamp.