The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Mercenary Guild members froze for a moment, then with a start, they burst into curses, hurriedly grabbing their weapons.

Alavin was the first to dash into the valley, scooping up Ogmundr to the deepest part, and flashed a wicked grin at the mercenaries, "Lads, enjoy the feast of poison spiders."

"I'm gonna cleave you in twain," bellowed the burly man, swinging his blade toward Alavin.

"Forget him! We must fight our way out. Fight out!" The other mercenaries shouted in panic as the Vermilion Spiders began their assault.

"Lad, I'll remember your face!" The burly man glared at Alavin with venomous eyes. Sword in hand, he charged at the swarm of Vermilion Spiders, barking orders to the others, "Take the lass with you, and break free!"

One mercenary hoisted Nysah onto his shoulders, blending into the ranks.

"Alavin! Save me! I swear, if I die, I'll haunt you as a ghost," Nysah screamed as she struggled.

"Silence!" A mercenary struck her, and she fell unconscious.

"Strike!" The eight mercenaries yelled, collectively launching an attack on the Vermilion Spider.

"Alavin, you..." Ogmundr couldn't believe that Alavin had saved him.

There were too many Vermilion Spiders. They were comparably large with their striking three-meter-long pointed legs. Suddenly, they all swarmed into the valley, taking up half of the space. Seeing so much food in the valley, they became fiercely aggressive, spewing poisonous gas, waving their sharp legs, and pouncing on the mercenaries.

The strong man was the first to lead the charge, slashing crazily with his sword. With a sound, he split a spider head-on. The other seven followed closely, forming a spearhead formation, bravely colliding with the spider swarm. They had fought together so many times that their cooperation was incredibly seamless.

"Don't die just yet," Alavin dropped Ogmundr and charged into the fray, racing to engage before the spiders fully encircled the mercenaries.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh. Three throwing daggers flew in quick succession, aimed at the mercenaries at the rear.

"You whelps!" They roared in anger, dodging the blades. But the daggers curved wickedly, striking from the sides, thunk, thunk, thunk, piercing their leather armor and sinking into flesh. The force staggered them, eliciting cries of agony.

Alavin met them head-on, his Dawnedge Blade casting a fierce light, driving the three back. These mercenaries were strong and wild; Alavin had no desire for a head-on clash. After repelling them, he plunged into their circle.

The mercenary carrying Nysah hid in the rear, but sensing the disarray, he turned just in time to see Alavin burst through.

Alavin collided with him like a wild tiger, delivering a Mountain Mover punch with the force of two thousand pounds.

Crack! The mercenary's body shattered on one side, tumbling through the air, Nysah flung from his shoulders, landing securely in Alavin's arms.

The burly man was fiercely engaging the spiders when the collision sent him staggering, nearly falling. A Vermilion Spider bit into his shoulder, and others lunged, their claws and fangs showing no mercy. "No!" The mercenaries' formation crumbled, and the surrounding spiders quickly overwhelmed them.

Alavin, carrying Nysah, broke through. The three injured mercenaries charged at him frantically. "Where do you think you're going!"

Fearless, Alavin surged ahead, dodging narrowly, barely escaping their encirclement.

"You runt, this isn't over," the three mercenaries bellowed, but they were now too preoccupied with spiders to pursue Alavin.

Alavin, with Nysah in tow, swung his sword, its blade casting vicious arcs of light. As they neared their escape, suddenly, a Vermilion Spider lunged, its spear-like leg tearing through Alavin's back, blood gushing, nearly impaling him. Alavin grunted, almost dropping Nysah. Then, five more spiders surrounded them.

The valley was in utter chaos; the burly man and the other mercenaries were swamped by the Vermilion Spiders. Yet they were no ordinary fighters; they withstood the initial onslaught, regrouping bloodied but unyielding, even managing to counterattack.

After a fierce struggle, Alavin managed to break free and looked for Ogmundr, only to find him gone. "Fled on his own?" Alavin scoffed, escaping the valley with Nysah.

While three Vermilion Spiders chased them out of the valley, the rest continued their deadly dance with the mercenaries.

Not long into the dense forest, Alavin spotted Ogmundr fleeing, still clutching his Gold-Veined Bronzesword.