[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage":3,"chapter-re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-533":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},148246,246,"Chapter 532: Foiled Ambush","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-533",533,"\u003Cp>CH532 Foiled Ambush\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gnoll Shaman ordered a full assault the moment the Ice Wall came down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gnolls obeyed, charging the Rock Monkeys in a frenzy. Though they had lost most of their element of surprise, they were not deterred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rock Monkeys were still reeling from the sudden turn of events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ROAAR!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The largest goril—no, Rock Monkey—roared, trying to seize back control of the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It ordered the weaker, younger, and elderly members of the tribe to retreat toward the gorge’s rocky walls while it led the remaining combat-capable warriors to hold the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader of the Rock Monkeys—silently nicknamed Kong by Alex—charged forward to meet the gnolls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong moved like a massive silverback. It raised both arms and smashed them down upon a group of gnolls, crushing their skulls like a sledgehammer against watermelons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ROAR!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It followed with an intimidating bellow that caused the charging gnolls to freeze—if only for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That moment was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Rock Monkeys regrouped and slammed into the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They fought bravely, even though they were outnumbered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, unlike the Rock Monkeys who were capped at peak Class 2, the gnolls had several Class 3 fighters... and, behind them, the Class 4 Gnoll Shaman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing more resistance than expected, the shaman gestured with its staff, signalling the Class 3 gnolls to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ferocious monsters surged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They struck with ruthless precision, nearly killing the strongest Rock Monkeys in a single exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Iron Body]! [Defence Boost]!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buffs descended one after another, fortifying the Rock Monkeys just enough to keep them alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Bull Power]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong had not noticed the earlier defensive enhancements, but it absolutely felt the sudden surge of strength flooding its limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its mind couldn’t comprehend what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All it knew was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Protect the clan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it shoved the strange sensation aside and focused on the enemies in front of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Rock Monkeys did the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While they hammered the lower-ranked gnolls—sending bodies flying and turning others into pulp—the expedition party concentrated their fire on the Class 3 threats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrows and spells rained down with precision, pinning the stronger gnolls in place and preventing them from wreaking havoc among the Rock Monkey defenders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gnoll Shaman finally noticed the pesky humans positioned high above on the cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"!@#$%^&*(!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It jumped and screeched incomprehensible words at them, but no one in the party understood a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think it’s saying?\" Kavakan grinned, clearly amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s probably telling us not to interfere in their battle,\" Mogal replied seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, it’s probably saying how unchivalrous we are, shooting from above,\" Lopota added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Do you want to go down there and fight an honourable duel?\" Havel teased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lopota glanced toward the Gnoll Shaman, sensing its Class 4—Veteran or Great Mage level—pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He subtly swallowed before turning back to the ronin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is war. There is no place for chivalry in the forge of battle and flames of war,\" he declared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Havel blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait... did you just make a subtle joke?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orcs and barbarians had already crossed the cliffside and re-entered the subterranean path that would lead them to the other end of the gorge, leaving Alex and his core team on overwatch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex almost rolled his eyes at the casual banter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, there wasn’t much the melee fighters could do from this distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver and the crossbowmen, however, maintained relentless pressure on the gnolls. Their shots forced the Class 3 fighters to stay under cover or waste effort deflecting arrows and bolts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every now and then, a careless gnoll that exposed itself was promptly executed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex had no complaints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted his gaze back to the Gnoll Shaman, who was still shrieking furiously at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zora began forming a powerful spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex reached out and held her hand, stopping her with a small shake of his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet. Save it for later,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Later?\" Zora shot him a sideways look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex only smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Eleanore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Buff me for a fire spell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" she replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Spell Enhancement]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The amplification settled over Alex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Delayed Spell: Quadruple Fireball]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Eleanore’s boost and OmniRune’s support, Alex expanded the delayed cast into four simultaneous spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four fireballs streaked toward the Gnoll Shaman in a crossing formation, intent on trapping it at the centre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alas, the shaman was cunning in its own right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It grabbed an unfortunate kin and hurled the screaming gnoll into the incoming spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Rock Ball]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For good measure, it followed up with its own magic, conjuring a massive boulder that slammed into the converging fireballs and triggered a premature detonation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosion thundered through the gorge, shaking the walls and threatening a collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the sun-baked rock—dry and stripped of moisture—held firm against the blast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, that was terrible news for everything inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sturdy stone trapped the heat within, turning the gorge into a kiln that threatened to roast them alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rock monkeys reacted first. They retreated into the mountain walls, escaping the worst of the scorching air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gnolls, on the other hand, threw themselves to the ground and scrambled for the nearest exits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most fled back toward the Wildlands’ core. A few, however, bolted toward the Dragonstone side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex watched them run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He considered intervening... but ultimately did nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss, should I order the barbarians and orcs to chase the escaping gnolls?\" Kavakan asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? Why would you do that?\" Alex replied calmly. \"You’d only make the prey scatter. Instead, we let them gather up nicely... then reel them in with one sweep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss, you mean...\" Kavakan’s eyes lit with savage understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex turned to Silver with a small smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll handle it,\" she said before he even spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skree!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High above, Senu cried out, confirming receipt of the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The party cleared the path and emerged on the far side of the gorge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alex gave Silver and the scout team a nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They immediately peeled away, racing ahead of the main force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>",1003,"2026-05-29T03:49:35.273Z","2026-06-01T04:29:07.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","9844619fe10cc36f8cc42f13c58fea7ee5057fe9e2cc6a9b54f6d7e7d4e2ea9d","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-534","re-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-chapter-532",692,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fre-tales-of-the-rune-tech-sage-cover.jpg"]