22 Flame Claws

After making sure everyone was on the same page, the party rushed out into the open, catching the red Lizardmen by surprise. The enemy Lizardmen recover quickly however, bearing their sharp teeth and claws while hissing out.

Their red claws glow in the dark, already heated up as they lunge at the intruders. Unfortunately for them, they are wholly outnumbered, numbering only half a dozen.

The Fire Mage casts a fireball at the approaching Lizardmen, knocking one down in the process. The remaining Lizardmen advanced, unfazed by the bright, burning flames.

Michael's Lizardmen didn't stand and watch them advance like dumb idiots either. Their serrated tongues surged forward, covered in a shiny purple sheen of poison. This caught the red Lizardmen off guard, downing another one, but the remaining were able to dodge in time. The moment they got close enough, their hot claws lashed at the Yellow Scaled Lizardmen, trying to burn through their scales.

The yellow Lizardmen also lashed out with their claws and tails, putting what Michael had taught them during hunting to good use. They wrestled the opposing Lizardmen to the ground, writhing and thrashing all around in a struggle for supremacy. Unfortunately for the red Lizardmen, they were sorely lacking numbers which led to them being ganged up on and beaten.

This exchange wasn't without any injuries though. The Lizardmen that had met the enemies in the initial clash were left with deep burn wounds. The wounds were cauterized due to the intense heat that was released by the claws, but even still, it wasn't pretty.

The healer of the party move forward, taking the initiative to cast healing spells on the wounds of the Lizardmen. The Lizardmen in question looked at him with a complicated look, which he simply ignored. Although they had their differences, there was no need to stab each other in the back when there was a single chance for them to work together despite their numerous differences.

"Thank you." Michael nodded at him, receiving one in return. He hadn't joined in the scuffle when the Lizardmen were fighting. It would have been a pointless waste of energy when he had the manpower to do it instead.

'I need to start taking on more of the roles of a leader. I don't have to do it when there are people to do it in my stead.'

"The other Lizardmen deeper inside probably heard all the commotion we caused when we were subduing these ones. I think this is where we need to drop all pretenses of stealth and go all out." Michael brought up his suggestion.

"How are you sure that they heard us?" Of course, his words weren't met without any form of resistance. Although he wasn't as rude as before, the snide in Brutus' tone was still ever present.

"...I'm a Lizardman, remember? I know how good my hearing is." Michael replied flatly.

"I would appreciate it if you did not speak to our Leader the way you do, human." Milizaus suddenly spoke up, his feet carrying him to stand before Michael. Aiden also moved with him, the two of them standing side by side. Their action surprised Michael, and he was sure that if he were a typical Lizardman leader, he would take it as an insult, but seeing as he wasn't he decided to brush this aside.

'I'll have a word with them later, after all this is over.'

Brutus took a step back the moment the two Lizardmen got up close and personal with him. Their sharp tongues and unfriendly reptilian gazes were incredibly unsettling to him. He already had a taste of their poison once, and it was definitely not nice. He wasn't looking forward to being subjected to such a feeling again.

"Please, ignore Brutus. He's a hard headed man and doesn't know when to mind his words." Eudora hurriedly tried to stop the confrontation, but the two angry Lizardmen didn't back down. In fact, it wasn't only the two of them that were angry, but the entire group of Lizardmen. They only withheld their desire to act up because their two more influential people, aside their leader had already stepped up.

"Please, call your men back. We can't be fighting here." Eudora turned to Michael to plead.

"Hmm, you're right." He nodded. "Milizaus, Aiden, stand down. There is no need for us to start fighting in the middle of enemy territory. We can settle this when we return home." He spoke to the two agitated Lizardmen in their tongue, making them back down. With a final hiss to the frightened human, the two of them backed down and returned to their positions behind Michael.

"For your own good, I will advice you to watch your tongue when you speak to me. I have told you this before, but you do not want to listen. If I don't take action, then my men surely will." Michael spoke in an unbothered manner before turning and walking away. He and his people didn't bother trying to make their movements less noticeable, knowing that their foes were already aware of their presence.

The adventurer party just casted an annoyed glance at Brutus, walking past him and sticking behind the Lizardmen. As far as they were concerned, although Brutus' worries were valid, they were in the absolute disadvantage in terms on numbers and strength. Even if they wanted to ask for the validity of some statements and claims, it would be best to do it in a reserved manner that wouldn't draw animosity from the Lizardmen.

"Learn to mind your mouth, Brutus. That Lizardman leading them isn't ordinary. Even you should be able to tell that." The Fire Mage whacked Brutus' head with his staff as he walked by, leaving the Martial Artist rubbing his sore head.

'I know, but I have my reasons...' Brutus thought to himself as he moved to follow the party.

"The next area we get to will most probably be the actual settlement of the enemy Lizardmen. It would be best if you all kept that in mind." Michael gave a final warning to them when they all came to a stop.