Chapter 13 "Second Wave of Calamity"
The city once again become deserted, just like the first time.'This must mean the Second Wave of Calamity is coming. I wonder what will be thrown at this shit country this time. I hope it wil be enough to wipe it form the face of Earth.' I thought coldly as I made a quick run through my current equipment.
'Everything's here. From the Bone Charms attached to the backside of the belt, to the forearm covering gloves to the Legendary Shield.' I thought 'I may or may not neglected the Shield's Growth after I recieved the Mark, but it's of no use to dwell on it now.' I thought standing up and leaving my room.
"Naofumi." Daud's voice called out to me as soon as I arrived in the mess hall."Here is the promised Bone Charm. I know for a fact that it'll be helpful to you." He added and handed over me the familliar looking Charm. This one had a small socket from metal in the center.
"Before you ask, you can place the Dragon's Nucleus in it. It'll boost the effect of it by a substatial margin." He advised to what I just nodded and did just that. I retrived the Nucleus from my pouch and placed it inside. The Charm seemed to glow a bit of blue, but it quickly faded.
"Hmm. Thanks for this." I said and added. "If you can, could you tell me the effect of it?"
"It is called Undying Swarm. It allows rats summoned by you to repopulate over time." He answered.
"Well, it's more than useful for me in that case." I replied "Thanks again." After I said it I attached the Bone Chram to the Back of my belt.
"You best prepare for the upcoming Wave." Daud said after I was done."And if you want to know, the Queen herself will participate in the defense. I guess she wants to have an eye on the Heroes. The rumors about them are nasty to say the least." He added as he sit down on the nearest chair overlooking the mess hall.
"You don't need to tell me, I can imagine." I replied, sitting down in front of him. "Any unusual activites I should know?" He thought for a second and replied:
"Something's big is coming." He started. "And it's not looking pretty. Be on the lookout for any suspicous spells when fighting. In fact, the Pope may be planning something." He ended, and took a sip of water from the cup.
"And as I know for a fact, it will not be good either." I said after he was done. "I heard what he has done."
"That's all for now." He ended. "When you'll be teleported on the spot, use Summon Assasin. I'll answer it and we will see what to do from there."
I answered, nodding "Okay." After that I stood up and decided to not bother anyone as of yet.
Five minute have passed, and it finally started. I got teleported in golden light to the place where the Wave took place. This time I got transpoted onto the plains, and I immidedly noticed strange ship sailing- no, flying through the air. I casted the Blink aiming at the nearest forested area. After making sure no one saw me, I casted the Summon Assasin. The place I chose Daud appeared from the cloud of black mist.
"So, it's happening huh?" He stated, with armos crossed on his chest. "Well, we can go directly on the ship and end this wave as soon as it started... But I think your 'friends' are headed there as we speak. And given your status as a wanted criminal, they will probably focus on you rather than deal with the wave."
"It's possible." I replied."But I heavily doubt that they will defeat the wave by themselves. At best, it will take them hours, maybe even weeks... At worst, they will be unable to handle it. And I'll have to intervene." I ended and thought for a minute.
"Let's stick to the basics. Save the civillians that are unfortuante enough to even be here, and wait it out... Unless their incompetence proves right."
"Very well." He replied. "Personally, I'd have wanted to show them who's boss, but saving the civillans will us gain favourable impression from them."
And with that, we proceeded to evacuate the town, not all of them. We're not some guardsmen. But while guiding one civillian, I noticed a familiar person. I'd recognise that armor and chestnut hair anywhere.
Raphtalia.
'What she's doing here?' I thought while avoiding being spotted by her.'She is no longer my companion. She's probably here to prevent children from losing their parents.'
"You, go to that person." I commanded the escorted villager, pointing to my former companion."And if you dare to mention that you saw me, or any of us, I'll make sure you'll be killed." I ended in a cold tone, which scared him. He nodded nonetheless, and proceeded to make his way.
'Great, now to deal with the rest of the problems.' I thought as I turned around and Blinked on top of nearby roof, one that somehow remained standing.
The Village was in ruins, as per usual. Amongst the ruins, I could just see the Whalers fighting the monsters using their blades. 'I have to say, the level of their swordship is impressive.' I thought as I looked at the Noivce Assasin killing an Undead Soldier with just a handful of strikes.
"My lordship." I heard something from behind me, and as I turned around I saw yet another Novice Whaler."This Village is a dead case, the Villagers have been already evacuated... And the Knight Guard is on it's way as we speak. It's best we pull out from here right now."
"Very well." I replied."Let's move. Lead the way for the next objective." I commanded, to what he nodded. I followed his Blinks, Blinking myself. The only village that we evacuated took us one hour to accomplish fully.
After a minute of repostioning, We were on the next objective. The Wave still wasn't defeated by the Three Bastards and their companions.
'Tsk. If I had known it'd take them so long, I'd do it myself. But I don't want to attract unwanted attention to me. And worse yet, if we get spotted, they will focus on capturing Daud's men instead of defeating the Wave.' I thought while casting Blink again and again.
"Naofumi." Daud's voice called out."I see that the Village was evacuated."
"Yes it was." I said."Tell me, did you know that my former companion, Raphtalia, is here too?" I asked, crossing my arms on my chest.
"I had no idea." He replied, face emotionless."After all, there are more pressing matter to attend to, and keep an eye out." He ended and gestured with his hand onto the sky, pointing at the flying vessel.
"Such as this." He started."I think you're more than aware that Three Heroes will not handle it. If you want to take care of it, I suggest you start now. The Knight Guard along with the Queen is almost here, and when she arrives it'll be only a matter of time before we're spotted. And when it happens, it's a death sentence for my men... And you too." He ended and looked at me.
'He's right.' I thought after he ended.'When she arrives, we will have a much harder time afterwards with our operations. But looking at the three Bastards, they are blinded by lust for glory, lust itself, and pride.' As I ended this train of thought, I sighed loudly.
"Fine." I said "Let's put them to shame with their incompetence."
Daud didn't answer, only nodded and made a small circle with his hand. As he did that, the entire Whalers' force gathered in a gist of black mist around us.
"We have new orders." He started."We have to end the Wave before Queen arrives. Be advised of presence of Three Legendary Heroes where we're headed. Do not engage them. Let's go."
"As you command Master." The force answered in unison.
We made our way by Blinking multiple times to the nearby hill. Once on it, the Assassins started to run up on it and jump off it. Because of the Agility passive power possessed by them, it allowed them to jump approximately 4 meters into the air. At the peak of the jump, each and all of them casted Blink straight into the side of the ship. From that point, they waited, attached to the side with their blades. Daud did the same, and now I was the only one left on the ground.
I sighed, and repilicated the same steps done by the rest. It worked out like a charm, and now I was among the Whalers on the side of the ship, gripping the stray wood tightly. Something on the surface caught my attention. It was a large projectile, about a human's height. Behind it were a couple of people: a Magician, a Heavy Armored Knight, a Spear-weilding Lancer and... A Green caped Bowman. Itsuki. One of the Three Bastards. It must mean...
No.
No, NO, NO!
"Brace for impact!" I yelled, my voice somewhat muffled by the monsters' screeches."Front Whalers, scatter! NOW!" I commanded the group that attached themselves to the front side of the ship. They immidedly complied.
About a second later the ship was hit by the same projectile I've just seen. The ship rumbled and shook. I almost lost my grip on it, but the nearby Whaler helped me by grabbing me by the arm.
"Thanks." I thanked him.
"You're our crucial element. To have you fall off the ship would mean a collosal waste of time." He replied shortly. This is when Daud decided to speak.
"Judging from the source, The Bow Hero is on the Surface. That means there are only two up there: The Sword and The Spear. You know your orders." The force nodded. He then turned his face to me.
"Terror of Melromarc, you'll appear last." He said to me."And I'll call you that from now on. Your survival is our mystery."
"I get it." I replied."Also no using the Shield while we're up there." I added.
"Good." He replied and spoke up again, this time shouting.
"Let's go!" Everyone heard him, and our boarding began. The Whalers jumped onto the deck in waves. After all the waves before me were done, it was time for me. I pulled my body downwards, but then I straightened it rapidly, jumping off. While in air, I clenched my left fist to cast a Precise Blink. I aimed and released it.
I appeared straight behind the last wave of Whalers. I wasted not time and casted Void Gaze. My sight gained a blue haze, but yellow enteties were present. When I looked around while having it active, I found the Boss of this wave pretty quickly.
"Daud, aim your wristbow for the shadows." I said to him, who was standing next to me."The Boss is there, hiding in the plain sight." He nodded and replied.
"As you say. It explains why these fools didn't found him yet."
Speaking of which, they finally noticed our presence.
"Look!" One of their Companions yelled, pointing her finger at us."It's them! The Whalers!"
"WHAT!?" Two of the Bastard Heroes shouted.
"Perfect. I will gladly take my prize after I'm done with this wave!" Motoyasu shouted.
This exact moment Daud chose to fire his wristbow into the nearest shadow. It shrieked for a second. Whalers did the same thing, aiming their ranged weapons into other shadows and fired.
"Hey, what's going on here?" A voice belongiing to Itsuki called out as he climbed aboard the vessel. But before he could say more, the Boss has become one.
The Boss, Soul Eater, was drawn out because of their actions. It looked like a giant white flying fish. The mouth was larger, and it had large teeth inside, eyes were black but with a glowing white pupil inside.
"SO IT'S HIM!" Ren shouted, and prepared himself to attack.
But before anything could happen their motions froze in place, simillary to the effect of the Redirective Blink. The enitre world seemed to be frozen in time. The only thing that glowed was the Outsider's Mark... Belonging to Daud.
"Do it!" Daud commanded."Take down that Boss and we're out of here!"
"Okay!" I shouted in response and brought up my Shield to forearm. Firstly, I casted Devouring Swarm right under the Boss, and used the 'Air Strike Shield' to create a stepping point for the rats to use. The Swarm jumped on top of it and lunged straight into the Soul Eater.
"Whalers!" I commanded."Attack that monster!"
"It will be done." I heard a short reply from one of them. After that, they used every and all skills avabile to them to turn that frozen boss into a bloody mess. I have to say, they were more than succesful. The health bar that appeared when the boss showed up was depleted fully.
"We're done here." I said, turning to Daud."You can stop extending the Stop Time." He sighed and ceased the power. With that, the time started moving again.
"Good." He replied, stretching his hand."Then we're out of here."
"Wait, what just happened!?" Motoyasu shouted confused."The Boss was alive, but it somehow... Died."
"That's right." Ren continued."I was ready to use one of my skills on it, but it just died in fron tof me."
"I think it's one of Whaler's schemes." Itsuki said, and pointed his weapon at Daud."I tolerated your presence when Boss was here. But now, you're just a target."
The other heroes and their companions caught up with his words and turned to face us too. Ren held his sword high, and Spear Hero got ready to throw a javelin at us.
"Well, Daud." I spoke up."It seems like we have to go. The Queen is probably here, and now it's not our problem anymore." I ended, shrugging and turning around.
"You are right..." He said, but then added something I'd never expect."Terror of Melromarc." And with that he turned around and gestured something to his associates.
"Wait,Terror of Melromarc?" Itsuki spoke. "The one responsible for Shield Hero's Death?"
"Oh no!" The voice that made my blood boil spoke."They must be here to kill me, Princess Malty! Please save me, oh mighty Heroes!" The Bitch said, with a false distressed voice.
"Don't Worry Mein!" The fucking skirt-chaser immidedly replied."I will protect you!" and stood in front of her, shielding her for a possible blow.
"I despise Assassins" Itsuki said."Killing only for coin and without honor." He added pulling the string of the bow back.
But before Ren could add something from himself, I spoke up turning to face them. The Mask's eyes were seemingly focused on the horizon.
"If it were up to me..."I started."I would have you thrown to rats to feast upon you. But I guess trash isn't tasty, so you got lucky today." I ended and turned around to leave as the rest of the Whalers but I heard a whizz past my ear.
"Not one step more." Itsuki commanded, readying his bow again."You are responsible for the inpending war. You're coming with us."
"You can keep dreaming." I replied, voice ice-cold."I don't really care what happens to this Country. If it burns to the ground, then so be it." I ended and dived straight out t into the air, hearing a whizzle past my head once again.
"Why are you standing about!?" Itsuki yelled at the other heroes."We have to capture him as soon as possible." He commanded the heroes as I left. After that I heard a strange voice, albeit very faintly
"So a Group of Assassins are stronger than Heroes?" The voice, which was feminine in question."There are no heroes her..." The rest of the sentence was unheard by me.
'Well, time to regroup with Daud's men.' I thought as I fell. Just above ground, I clenched my left fist. The time stopped, and I were frozen mid air. I aimed the Blink maybe a meter above ground and released it. The act negated the fall damage that I'd otherwise sustain.
'Now that I'm back on the surface, let's regroup with Daud.' I thought as I made my way towards nearby forest. When I arrived at the edge of it, a man appeared in front of me, frozing time. It wasn't a Whaler this time, but it was the man that granted me my powers. The Outsider.
"Well Naofumi, the Second Wave of Calamity is over. The Heroes got their taste of defeat, and War is hanging above this country... Not only with Neighbouring countries. Time to chose, Naofumi. Will you save this country, or will you let it die? I cannot make this decision for you. But I can watch it."
And with that said, he dissapeared as abruptly as he showed. I could only sigh, and went further into the woods. After a second, A Blue-clothed Whaler appeared near me.
"It is good that you're here, Terror of Melromarc." He started."The Daud said to bring you as fast as possible. It may interest you to see it."
"Very well."I replied shortly."Lead the way."
And after that, he started Blinking somewhere. All I could did was to follow him.
A.N: And that's the second Wave of Calamity all wraped up. I hope I did well wit this one too.