The Koboldts sensed their enemy casting a spell for the first time, alarming them; this spell was… different.
The patterns were almost alien to them, unable to correctly interpret the mana lines.
The spell's level was far inferior to anything they had previously demonstrated, but the unknown factor was worrying; there was no way to know what would happen, what their enemy would do.
Therefore, they mutually decided to intensify their attacks.
Each prepared to attack, desperately forming mana patterns to create reinforcing spells, enhancing their capabilities.
But what none of them realized was Dragomir's real plan to turn the tables.
In an instant, Dragomir was enveloped in a bluish spell; the mana pattern surrounded his body, granting its magical properties to the gray-haired man.
In a swift movement that impressed all his enemies, Dragomir leaped towards his target, the Koboldt armed with a crossbow. The "archer" was completely surprised by the advance towards him; it seemed unusual even to him.
But he couldn't miss this chance.
After waiting so long, he could finally attack.
Patience is the hallmark of his fighting style, a very rare thing in a race with "simple thoughts." Koboldts are instinctive and violent; he was an exception in his race.
But he was still a Koboldt.
Seeing his enemy running towards him, he immediately adjusted his aim, his weak eyes fixating on possible vital points as he closed the mana pattern.
It took time for his spell to be completed; he first needed to stop the constant flow that fed the bosses, then completely close it to finalize the spell, and only then did he shoot the arrow.
A lengthy process, optimized by experience and constant use, making it much faster than expected. Dragomir was impressed by the speed at which his enemy performed each step, something that would be problematic under other circumstances…
But not this one in particular.
The crossbow, charged with an intense mass of energy, began to form a projection in the shape of a Koboldt skull around the long-range weapon. The arrow was illuminated by an intense purple light, making the ammunition appear to be made of pure light.
A powerful shot, which took long minutes to complete. The projected skull began to open its jaw, the energy surrounding the arrow growing.
The skull roared loudly, the very air seemed to vibrate with this attack, the arrow was powerfully fired towards Dragomir. The projectile followed its path carrying an aggressive energy, a shimmering trail forming where the arrow had passed.
Dragomir found himself in the collision course, but instead of dodging as he had done until then, he stood still, waiting for the attack. His sword in hand, eyes locked, the light from the spell he cast on himself grew stronger, as if the spell's patterns were closing in.
Now, what was once only light began to take on a hazy appearance, as if a thin mist covered the gray-haired man's body. His eyes seemed to exude this smoke, in such a way that it was impossible to see them; only the smoke and a glow, probably coming from his irises, were visible.
Suddenly, Dragomir seemed more dangerous than before. His sword gained a bluish glow, his image distorting with each movement. When he moved, he created blurry, temporary afterimages.
Even the Koboldt "archer" was impressed by this change; in a few seconds, Dragomir was only a meter away from the arrow.
It was impressive; one instant he was motionless in his place, and just a second after his transformation, he appeared so close to the arrow.
With a fluid, almost rhythmic movement, Dragomir strikes his blade against the arrowhead.
The connection was smooth, with almost no interaction. But the most curious thing about the connection of the strike was the effect of Dragomir's spell.
The bluish energy in the sword expands beyond it, creating a projection of the blade itself centimeters from the original.
With this energy blade, Dragomir completely changes the arrow's trajectory.
It wasn't a simple diversion, it was a complete redirection; it seemed as if Dragomir took control of the arrow and changed its course.
The arrow now had a new target, or rather… two new targets.
The projectile continued its trajectory, heading towards the small Koboldt who moments before had escaped Dragomir's radar and was almost responsible for his defeat.
All the reptilians were caught off guard by the sudden change of trajectory. They didn't even have time to react. When the small Koboldt realized the arrow was flying towards him, he tried to escape his tragic fate, hiding with a concealment spell, but he could only try.
The arrow pierced his stomach, organs studded with crystals scattered across the battlefield. He didn't even realize he was dead, his body still motionless, processing the blow. But the arrow didn't stop there. It continued its path, dismembering the Koboldt with the staff, which now had only one arm.
It continued its trajectory ignoring everything in its way, destroying skulls, piercing bodies without any difficulty. In total, 7 Koboldts were killed by friendly fire, and 3 suffered more serious injuries.
After this mini-massacre, the arrow had lost its power, but it was still deadly and didn't stop its trajectory.
Its end came at the hands of a Koboldt who stood out from the others. He was slightly larger than the average reptilian and significantly more muscular and robust. His muscles were out of sync with the lean build of his peers, his body covered in numerous tribal tattoos.
He wore shoulder pads lined with animal skin. His face was hidden by an iron mask, and in his hands he held a crystal trident, which he used to destroy the arrow, driving the weapon's points into the ground.
Dragomir admired his opponent's performance. After a quick analysis, he logically concluded, "So this is the leader?" A new objective had become clear: on this side of the bridge, this was the strongest Koboldt.