Chapter 26: Crisis in Starter Village (2/2)

Nevertheless, Angora had an indescribable nervousness once he left the safety of his lodgings.

***

Truth be told, the revenant assault was not actually too powerful. Compared to the wars between humans, fighting against revenants was much more leisurely: the townsfolk could sit down behind their simple perimeter of wooden crates, even affording the time to have a steaming bowl of oatmeal. For their part, the revenants looked like they were just roaming everywhere outside, only attacking when they detect the scent of the living.

Nevertheless, that was also the reason why anyone who tried to make their way past surrounding revenants would only attract the attention of more revenants. And once they were surrounded by too many, even Krum, the town’s best hunter would not be able to escape.

Angora was also distinctly aware that while their defenses appeared easy to the point that ordinary townsfolk could make a stand, the revenants had the edge—they neither tire nor needed sleep, and would spend almost every hour of the day to rush their perimeter. Even if they were not too strong, their continuous attack would not stop wearing away the defending side’s spirit and will, finally leaving them exhausted and about to fall apart…

That said, with the lack of a better option, Angora and the others could only keep stopping the assault of the revenants.

“We’re fooled by a noble again!” As another day passed, a young hunter finally lost his rational. His eyes were red without rest, and he was pointing his chipped blade at Angora. “There’s no reinforcements! We’ll die here! It’s all over!”

With those words, he swung the machete he once used to cut jungle creepers in despair and madness, cutting down at Angora.

Half-collapsing just after defeating a skeleton warrior, Angora could not escape the sudden strike at all.

It was over!

‘Never thought that I’d die to an ally instead of a revenant,’ Angora thought, feeling the irony.

But in that split second, Vela got on her feet despite being equally exhausted and parried the blow, even kicking the young hunter to the dirt.

“Save your strength for the revenants. If not, leave this place and die!”

“But, Vela… the skeletons are everywhere… even reinforcements won’t make it past them to save us!” The young hunter’s face was contorted, and he was crying in utter despair. “It must be that noble! He must have led the revenants here!”

“Fool. Why would I do that? Do I have a death wish?” Angora mumbled just loud enough for them to hear.

Vela glared at him, before turning to the hunter. “Right now, all we can do is believe in our reinforcements.”

That was when someone guarding another side of the perimeter shouted, “Skeleton knight! It’s a skeleton knight!”

Both Angora and Vela reacted at once and ran towards that direction.

They found the skeleton knight nearby. It was armed to the teeth, riding a huge, bony and armored horse, burning with blue flames where its mane and eyes had been.

And just like a road roller, it easily mowed through the old buildings of the town, and was dashing swiftly towards the houses at the center of town.

Angora instantly broke out in cold sweat—with the present durability of the house, it would fall apart once that thing hits!

He could not help cursing inwardly.

This time, they were really finished…