The Gods are in a bit of panic now...that's an understatement. A few days ago one of the main pieces one of the Gods who had the Resurrected Demon Lord was...Taken not in their control anymore and it was right under their noses. Right now the Demon Lord piece looked different, it was all cover in black with its eyes were glowing white and to make it frightening for them, the land' where the demon lord is residing the Badlands where covered in a black goo of some sort corrupting it. Demon Pieces who were near it were unfortunately consumed by it and becoming the same as the Demon Lord.
At first when they noticed the strange appearance of the Demon Lord Piece the other Gods all thought the God who owned it did a high Dark Magic dice roll to get it a new upgrade without them noticing but they were so wrong when they found out that,that God did not do any dice rolls for such sort
The Gods were shocked to hear this they didn't understand it, they all know it's impossible for Pieces of their 'game' to do anything without their control well other than a certain duo that isn't really harming their game mostly going after the little green minion and sometimes those who were leading them
But this is getting out of hand for them and they had to do something about this so they did. The God who owned the Demon Lord Piece and the others who were on allied with him did everything they could to get the main piece of their game back by sending it's toughest pieces after first they were doing well getting high dice rolls to' knock down' a few of the Dark pieces who was formerly theirs
But it didn't matter. No matter how many times they knocked down more and more Dark Pieces keep popping up and slowly one by one their numbers continue to grow and while there's began to dwindle with every attempt the Gods did and before they know it this unknown Darkness has already accumulated an army of its own.
They all thought, can it be stopped? Maybe the Hero pieces can do it but they were unsure about it because the Demon Lord was Taken without any trouble and fear it will be the same for it as well. They don't know what to do as it's Dark Forces slowly heads west of the Frontier towards a certain city
After that whole event back at the fortress with Goblin Slayers Party and Guardian, there have been multiple reports from East of the Frontier of these Shadow Monsters (Aka Taken) popping up consuming whatever thing they can get their hands on. Animals,monsters and even worse…. people
At first the many Kingdoms and Tribes thought it was the work of the Demon Lord but they were wrong. They've been getting reports that It was even attacking and consuming demons wiping them out in minutes and to make it more frightening there is rumors going around that the Resurrected Demon Lord has been already consumed by them within a single night.
Whatever the case is this is a major problem for them an unknown force that isn't allegiance to the Demon Lord is attacking and consuming whatever gets in its path. The Kingdoms and Tribes sent a portion of their army to the East to stave off it but how long will that work?
...
A few days have passed and in Frontier City things are well relative normal. Citizens going about their lives unaware of these Shadow Monster (Aka Taken) are starting to become a problem to their world or they just tossed it aside thinking the Army and the hero will deal with it no problem. Adventurers of the Guild didn't think much of them given they are way East of the Frontier away from them with little to no chance of encountering one
As for our Guardian, he's sitting in an alley near the Guild building trying to take it all in the Taken are here on this planet and don't know why though. It was very difficult to explain to Goblin Slayers Party what they just encountered. It was obviously hard for them to believe and well...take in.
After they returned to the City Guardian and Ghost asked around gathering much intel they can acquire and it wasn't much given there was not much interest in the Taken. But they did found out Kingdoms and Tribes were aware of them sending their armies to prevent them from gathering more of the Frontier which is kinda good but the Taken are an astute type even they are leaderless some will eventually find a way around or through them
"Guardian" Ghost calling him "After doing some analysis of Taken activity from the fortress I have some…..bad news."
"And it is? Guardian preparing for the worse
"The Taken are coming to this city"
!
Guardian almost jumped at what he just heard "How long till?"
"3 days"
"Numbers?"
"Substantial"
Guardian clenched his fist this is bad, very bad this City is endangered. He knows what he has to do and He knows he can't ask for help from the Guild for it being too dangerous for them to handle but Goblin Slayer party did manage to take out a few but they got lucky,real lucky with them. And there's also a fact even if he did ask help from the Guild the Adventurers there will want a reward for their efforts which he doesn't have anything to give. The thought of that really annoyed him.
"Do you know where they're coming from?"
"I do and I have a predicted path" Ghost projected a map to him of a massive wide-open field. The predicted path shows the Taken are going through there and it's way out in the sticks, no villages or anything near it. That is good, Guardian doesn't need to worry for any civilians to be in danger.
Carefully observing the map he knows fighting in a wide-open field alone I might add with little to no cover will be a challenge or downright suicided for him. He doesn't know what kind of Taken will be out there without doing a little more intel gathering even though he's a Hunter best known to be risk-takers types the odds of him succeeding is very slim but there's one advantage he has...they're coming to him
Two days have passed and in the Guild is well normal. Adventurers doing their thing, as usual, taking quest or having a drink they heard Goblin Slayer party alongside Guardian encounter 'Shadow Monster' on their quest which was very impressive to them
But for Goblin Slayers party they don't know what to make of it. Guardian explained to them that the Shadow Monsters are actually called Taken an enemy from his world and shortly after that encounter with them at the fortress they noticed their friend has been acting differently. He hasn't been taking any quest lately and he's been going out a lot only returning after hours to buy materials from the Smith and go out again but he would not get his usual order from him. He would ask for copper ingots instead which are cheap. For 1 ingot is 2 silver coins and he's been buying loads of copper because of it heck even the Smith thought it was odd for him to buy so much it.
Right now in the Guild High Elf Archer,Dwarf Shaman, Lizard Priest, and surprisingly Goblin Slayer were seating at a table together on the second floor of the building
"Haven't seen Guardian around lately." High Elf Archer said looking around the guild
"Ah what's the matter Long Ears worried for the Lad?" Dwarf Shaman asks with Grin
"S-Shut up Dwarf!" High Elf Archer shouted blushing red a little
"Calm down you both." Lizard Preist speaking up "Sir Guardian is a skillful individual I am certain what he does he will be fine"
"Still, I wonder what he's been doing"
"I'm coming too!
Suddenly down below getting their attention they heard their Preistress friend shouting trying to catch up to Guardian who just enters the building
"No, you are not it's too dangerous" Guardian walking ahead heading towards the Smith Shop
"That's not fair! I can't let you do it alone!"
"By the Traveler you're persistent I give you that"
"Hey what's going on"
"An argument between the Priestess the GUardian?"
Guardian suddenly stopped as he noticed all the stares from every Adventurer and Receptionist at him. He stood there before he lets out an audible sigh What happen was Priestess found out what he was going to do and wanted to help but he said no because it's too dangerous for her or anyone to handle. but he should at least warn them about the issue at hand if he fails
"Everyone I have something to say you all wanna hear and well...it's not good."
"Oh The Guardian has something to say haha"
"And it's not good haha"
A few cracked a joke at him but Guardian brushed it off he took a deep breath and looks at everyone
"The Taken are coming to this city."
"Taken? What is that?"
"I don't know?"
"Shadow Monsters is what you've all been calling it but they're actually called Taken and they are a dangerous entity from my world." Guardian explains" They are able to control their captives with Darkness using them as an army and they're coming to this city a day away from here. I don't have an exact number but what I can assume 150 maybe more."
"Wait!? 150!?"
"That many coming here?!"
"The City Guards can handle them, right?"
Everyone's reaction was mixed shock at the high number and they're coming to the City and others thought it wouldn't be a problem given they don't know much about Taken a natural reaction from them. Guardian just waved his head at this
"That's all I have to say." Guardian turns around and walks off
"Whoa,whoa" Spearman spoke up from his seat stopping him "Is that it? You're not gonna request for help or anything?
"Nope….even if I did you all probably want a reward."
"Yeah we're Adventurers!" Spearman shouted as a few agreeing with him "We don't risk our lives for free you know!"
Guardian growled underneath his helmet the fact Spearman and everyone else wants a damn reward in this situation but he maintains his composure in front of them
"You are correct we are Adventurers ...but I'm a Guardian 'first." Everyone's mood quickly changed Guardian tone was serious. "I have a duty to protect and save those from any threat and this threat now….is something bigger than any of you all faced."
"I have no reward to give so I'm not requesting help or even telling you to help because it's too dangerous...I'm just saying it. I'm doing this alone, you all can just go about your daily lives and pretend you didn't hear I word I said but know this from me when you become an Advententer at least have some compassion in this line of work,to know what needs to be done whenever that could save many lives even if there's no damn reward. Don't mistake it, me trying to act like a hero or anything. I'm doing the right thing because it needs doing"
Everyone in the guild went completely silent staring at Guardian. He was dead serious of doing it all alone but the words he said did a get a few to think about it.
"You're serious, are you?" Spearman asks
"I am" Guardian nodded "I always take my work seriously I'll do whatever it takes to keep this City and it's people safe even if I'm the only one then so be it.
"If you are the only one? Spearman scratched the back of his head before letting out a chuckle " Man you are a weird son of a bitch. You know what I'm coming whether you like it or not!"
"…..What?"Guardian thought he misheard him
"You heard me!" Spearman bumping Guardians chest "You got a Silver rank to help you protect this city from these….Taken'"
"But I have nothing to give."
Spearman smirked "Well there's' one thing you can give me and it's that rematch I want"
"Are you seriously still about that?"
"I'm coming too!" Suddenly jumping down from the second-floor balcony was the High Elf Archer getting everyone's attention. "I'll help you, Guardian, to defend this City!"
"Well Lad aren't you the brave one. What you said is true then I too will come. Can't have Long Ears here being all pouty you doing something courageous without bringing us along." Dwarf Shaman tease as he Lizard Preist and Goblin Slayer walks downstair
"After seeing what these...Taken are Sir Guardian. I cannot let you do this alone "Lizard Preist also joining
"Does it involve goblins?" Goblin Slayer suddenly asks surprising everyone in the room
"Wait Goblin Slayers gonna join?"
"I... think so?"
Everyone looked at Guardian who also surprised at this
"From the intel Ghost and I gathered…..yes but they are Takenfied now so they are more dan-"
"I'm in." Goblin Slayer quickly answers "Show me where they are. Why kind of goblins will be there?"
"MotherF…."Guardian can't just believe what just happen
"Hehe...Things have gotten….exciting...yes?" Witch said walking up from behind Spearman
"You coming too?"
Witch smiled "Of...course. She glanced at the Adventurers ...and perhaps... more will?
Most of the Adventurers were talking amongst themselves unsure if they wanted to help. A few understand if what Guardian said is true they would something about it but the issue with most of them is of course payment
"Are you gonna join? "One asks to another
"Yeah...but…There's no reward."
"Everyone!" Suddenly Guild Girl came shouting holding a stack of paper in her hands. "The Guild is having a special reward! A bounty of 3 gold coins for every of these...Taken killed!
"Wait Really?"
"For Every….Taken?!"
Every Adventurer couldn't believe what they just heard a bounty worth 3 gold coins for every kill they made something like that doesn't come often
"Is this okay for us to do?" One of the Receptionists asks the Guild Manager
"Of course. A very important someone from Water Town had a feeling this would happen and thought that someone would need the help"
"Hmm things gotten interesting. Heavy Warrior rose from his seat
"Oh you're going to? Female Knight asks in surprised at her partner
"Guardian said these..'Taken' are dangerous. " He gripped tight on his broadsword "I'm always up for a challenge."
"Oh don't lie you taking a liking to him"
Heavy Warrior smirked a little "Yeah that and the gold is a bonus"
Female Knight laughed, she rose from her seat as well." As a would-be paladin, Guardians words are has a point, I can't ignore this situation."
Slowly one by one Adventurers old and young, Veteran and Rookie alike were joining to fight alongside Guardian against these Taken. Whether what he said was to be true or not to them or they're in it to get some serious coin whatever their reason is they are coming to help.
"You know He may not have been here long in this but I'll kinda miss him not seeing in that weird armor of his anymore and his little floating friend." One said
"Yeah, they're sorta like the hidden gem at our Guild!"
"He said these..Taken are a threat to our city"
"I've always been curious how he fights with those weird weapons he has and this Light I've heard about in actual combat"
Guardian couldn't believe what just happened now he didn't expect it would turn out like this! He watched everyone get a quest forum from the Guild Girlhe didn't know whether to be mad at her or not but being honest he's a little relieved inside to have some form of backup thanks to her and the odds seem better now than before. He looks back at Priestess who's looking at him
"You're still coming are you?" Guardian asks
"Of course, I am." She answers determine to help
Guardian sighed, waving his head, she wasn't backing away even when she knows the risk. He couldn't help but smile underneath his helmet the girl has heart. "Very well, I have a plan already in the works"
(Author Note)
And Done!
I'll be honest this short chapter for me to work on was...meh but as you can tell by the build-up of this is somewhat similar to the goblin horde problem with Goblin Slayer in the Light Novel/Manga/Anime but it will be different that's all I'm gonna say.
Hope you enjoy this chapter and See you on the next! Also who is hype for Season of the Worthy and Trails of Osiris?
