Chapter 9: Beast Wave
Before long, Runeth returned with two leather-bound notebooks and handed them to Athena and Shirley.
"Sis," he said calmly, "the one in your hands is called Shadowstep Dance. My teacher told me it contains sword knowledge far deeper than ordinary techniques. He even said it could help you unlock advanced sword skills. Once you reach 'Basic Swordsmanship,' you might be able to fight a Radiant Knight on your own."
He then turned to Shirley and offered her the second book.
"Aunt, this one's called Inferno Blade Arts. It's a technique focused on pure destruction. According to my teacher, it aligns closely with your Knight-based combat style and natural aptitude. That's all he said about it."
Once his words settled, a long silence followed.
Athena and Shirley slowly flipped through the pages of their respective manuals. Every line seemed to radiate a strange, magnetic force, as though the books themselves were alive with ancient wisdom. After a while, Shirley closed her book and turned toward Raven.
Though he still looked like the same child she had helped raise, something had changed. A weight sat behind his eyes. Maturity.
What am I even thinking? she chided herself, shaking her head.
"Raven," she said softly, "go back to your room and finish your homework. I'll call you when dinner's ready."
Without a word, Raven gave a small nod and left the room.
As his footsteps faded, both women exchanged looks and sighed.
"This is... a lot," Athena said, her voice low. "And... isn't he growing up too fast?"
"He was always different, even from birth," Shirley murmured. Her gaze drifted to the glowing red cover of the Inferno Blade Arts. "But this gift came at the right time."
She stood and walked toward the window. Beyond the glass, the sky had begun to darken.
"The Wave might begin by the end of this month," she continued, voice tinged with worry, "or the next. We've done our best to clear the smaller beasts in the outer regions... but our scouts discovered a large settlement just thirty kilometers from the town."
Athena's expression stiffened. "Beast wave?"
Shirley nodded grimly.
"How big do you think it'll be this time?" Athena asked.
Shirley shook her head. "I don't know. But we're expecting high-rank monsters like Orcs. Maybe worse."
Athena furrowed her brows. "And there will be a leader among them... won't there? You said over a year ago this might happen. But now it seems more like a slow, grinding tactic. An Attrition Assault, right? They're wearing us down little by little. And... haven't we been losing Apprentice and Official Walkers during scout missions?"
A glint of pride crossed Shirley's face. "Smart girl. You're spot on."
She took a deep breath before continuing. "We've lost over 80 Apprentice Walkers and 20 Official Walkers in the last two years."
Athena's eyes widened. "That's... that's one-tenth of our battle force!"
"Exactly why this sword technique from Raven's master might be our salvation." Shirley's voice firmed. "Maybe his master foresaw this and wanted to help."
She clenched her fist. "I've decided. No more scouting missions. From now until the Wave hits, I'm focusing on training. Swordsmanship, day and night."
"You think I should do the same?" Athena asked.
"You must," Shirley said with resolve. "Take a temporary leave. Submit a report to the Baron stating you're preparing for the coming wave. Your police department will be front and center in this battle. More than the army, your forces are the true front line."
She placed a hand on Athena's shoulder. "If you can awaken that invisible aura, your strength may reach that of a Radiant Knight. And if a Magical Beast leads the Wave... we'll need every ounce of power we can muster."
Athena bit her lip. "Won't the Baron bring reinforcements from other towns or his city?"
Shirley's expression darkened. "It's politics, child. If he brought in his Knight Walkers, they could wipe out the beast wave in minutes. But they won't. Not him. Not the nobles."
"Why not? That makes no sense!"
"Because it's all about profit," Shirley said bitterly. "A beast wave is considered a natural disaster. The greater the damage, the higher the compensation from the Royal Family. Last time, the Royal Family awarded forty thousand gold coins to Baroness Thalia Wyrmguard after her town suffered a major wave. The Whitbard family knows this. They're deliberately stopping the Baron from requesting help."
"That's... That's insane!" Athena exclaimed. "They're playing politics while lives are at stake?"
"Exactly. They profit from death. From the damage. From selling monster materials. I'll tell you another secret. It's rumored the Baron himself is a Radiant Rank Walker... but he hides his strength."
Athena scowled. "Tch. Nobles are all the same."
She made up her mind right then and there.
…
The following morning, Athena and Shirley filed official leave from their respective positions. Their decision caused a ripple of whispers throughout the town, but neither woman paid it any mind.
Next, they visited IronFort, a blacksmith shop nestled on Merchant's Street, and ordered new gear — armor and weapons — spending over 30 gold coins in one sitting. When they returned to their modest home at 15A Alm Street, only ten coins remained between them.
Then began their true preparation. Day and night, they secluded themselves in their home, practicing the sword techniques detailed in the ancient manuals.
Time passed.
The calendar turned.
September 2nd arrived — and with it, chaos.
Alarming news spread through the town like wildfire. Scout reports indicated a massive beast migration just a few kilometers from the Mirage Woodlands. The wave was coming.
Summons from Baron Alexander reached both Athena and Shirley, calling them to join the Wave Assault Team. Emergency decrees closed the railway stations, cotton mills, coal depots, and most shops.
"They're just outside the forest," Shirley muttered over breakfast, scanning the letter. "This is it. It's happening."
Athena's face turned pale. "What if the wall falls? What if the monsters get inside? What about Raven?"
Raven, who had been listening quietly, raised his head. "My teacher said he'd protect me."
"You're overthinking," Shirley added. "We're not the only powerful ones here. The town has many hidden experts. Even wizards."
Athena finally exhaled and nodded. She finished her meal in silence, then turned to Raven.
"Don't leave the house. No matter what."
"I won't."
—
Later that day, Shirley and Athena took a carriage from Alm Street, leaving the commoners' district and entering the well-guarded Noble's Quarter.
Their destination: the Town Administrative Building.
A three-story stone fortress, the building loomed at the end of a cobbled square. Its courtyard teemed with movement. Uniformed officers—police, scouts, soldiers—rushed from door to door, delivering messages and receiving orders.
Athena and Shirley passed familiar faces — sub-inspectors, lieutenants, sergeants — until they reached the Baron's office.
Inside, tension choked the air.
Baron Alexander looked up from his desk. A middle-aged man with a stern face and thinning brown hair, he had cold blue eyes and a body hardened by war. His armor gleamed silver — breastplate, gorget, mail, and boots — polished but worn from real use.
Other figures stood nearby: Superintendent Henry, Crime Inspector Elijah, two of the Baron's personal Knights, and a young man in his twenties with sharp features and brown hair. All wore the same dark green uniform. Some held long rifles at the ready.
Athena took in the scene, her heart steady, but her grip tightened on the hilt of her sword.
The presence of the young man immediately drew Athena's attention.
He returned her gaze with a curt nod, acknowledging her arrival.
After a brief pause, Athena and Shirley stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, my lord."
Baron Alexander, seated in his high-backed chair, glanced up and offered them a solemn nod.
"Athena. Shirley. Thank you for coming," he said, his voice edged with urgency. "I assume you've received the summons for the Wave Assault Team?"
"Yes, Lord Baron," Shirley replied with a confident nod. "We're ready to fulfill our duties and defend the town."
Baron Alexander turned to Athena. "And you, Athena? This will be no ordinary battle. From what I've heard, you've only hunted goblins under your aunt's guidance—never in mass numbers. This will be a chance to learn what true combat feels like."
Athena met his gaze without hesitation. "I won't let the town fall. We'll face this beast wave head-on."
He studied her face, then nodded approvingly. "Good. The wave is approaching faster than expected. Scouts report a dense concentration of monsters roughly three kilometers from the outer edge of the Mirage Woodlands. They'll be upon us before evening."
Shirley stepped forward. "Do we have an estimate of the numbers and their composition?"
Baron Alexander's expression darkened. "Not exact figures—but the horde likely exceeds a thousand. Among them, our scouts have spotted more than a dozen high-ranked monsters: orcs, leading the charge. Worse, we suspect a leader is among them. This will be a brutal fight."
Athena's lips pressed into a thin line. She nodded.
"Henry and the Town Police will engage the low- and intermediate-ranked monsters," the Baron continued. "The elite squad—my personal guards—will focus on the higher-ranked threats."
"And the leader?" Athena asked.
"I'll join the scouts and lie in ambush five hundred meters north of the gate," Baron Alexander replied, rising from his seat. "When the opportunity strikes, we'll target the leader from behind and finish it swiftly."
He turned to Shirley. "I need you to speak with the private mercenaries. Most of them are only at Apprentice Walker level, but they can still support the main force."
"They'll need incentive," said a brown-haired man nearby—Baron Alexander's son, Nolen.
"With the right reward, they'll join the front lines."
Baron Alexander shook his head. "Nolen, they may crave coin, but they're not fools. They know that joining the main battle means higher casualties. My personal squad may lack experience against monsters, but they've survived countless life-threatening situations and fight as one. Private mercenaries, on the other hand, are skilled but solitary. When they face a tide of monsters, their lack of cohesion makes them easy targets."
He looked back at Shirley. "Don't make it an order. Present it as a request. Let them choose for themselves."
Baron Alexander turned, his voice firm. "You all have until noon. Prepare, rally your men, and be at the northern gate by then. Dismissed."
Athena and Shirley left without another word, moving swiftly through the administrative building. They relayed the orders to their teams. Athena joined Henry and Inspector Elijah to notify the rest of the police force, while Shirley gathered her private soldiers. Soon after, the two women reunited.
They hurried to the blacksmith's shop in the Merchant District, collecting previously ordered equipment—swords, armor, gauntlets, and helmets—before stopping at a nearby inn for a quick meal. Once geared and nourished, they made their way to the northern gate.
Time passed quickly.
By noon, streams of people poured toward the gate—not civilians, but police officers, elite soldiers, and mercenaries dressed in a patchwork of battle gear. Over 1,300 combatants had assembled, weapons glinting under the sun. Rifles, swords, sabers, and spears were all accounted for. What stood out most, however, were their shields and helms—crafted from a unique alloy, thin yet incredibly resilient, capable of withstanding blows from even intermediate-ranked monsters.
"I didn't expect your aunt's words alone to rally 750 private soldiers," Superintendent Henry said, clearly impressed.
Athena stood beside him and Elijah, her gaze and focused.
"Sir," she said. "If any of them fall into danger, please grant me permission to leave formation and assist."
Henry frowned. "You want to act alone?"
She met his eyes. "I do. I won't be reckless, but if the need arises—yes."
"You're strong, Athena. Maybe stronger than me in terms of raw power. But if you go solo, you'll attract too much attention. You might end up surrounded by intermediate-ranked monsters."
"It's been over a year since I last fought," she said. "I can handle it. I won't get myself killed."
He sighed. "Fine. But stay near our squad. If you're overwhelmed, Elijah will cover you."
"I'll do my best, Sir," Elijah replied.
For the next two hours, they stood ready at the gate, scanning the horizon.
Then, a sharp whistle rang out from the distant woods.
Two knights emerged, galloping full speed toward the town. They surged past the waiting soldiers and vanished inside.
Athena unsheathed her longsword, her eyes narrowing toward the treeline.
"Get ready!" she shouted.
The police officers followed suit, drawing weapons and bracing themselves.
The ground rumbled—not with thunder, but the countless feet of death surging toward them.
A massive dust cloud formed as the land itself seemed to move.
Within minutes, they saw the approaching tide: thousands of goblins, followed by hundreds of kobolds and horned wolves. Though low-ranked, their sheer numbers caused a ripple of unease.
"Hold your ground!" Henry called. "Elijah's team—riflemen—step forward!"
Over a hundred men and women dropped to one knee and took aim.
"Aim!"
"Fire!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A thunderous volley exploded from their rifles, cutting into the monstrous wave. Goblins dropped by the dozens, snarling and tumbling over one another. Chaos rippled through their ranks.
Athena gripped her blade, watching the battlefield carefully. Henry and Elijah stood poised, issuing orders and adjusting formations.
The initial volley gave them precious time, but the wave kept coming.
"Kobolds and wolves up front!" Henry bellowed. "Shields up! Aim for the chest when they lunge!"
He raised a hand and signaled Elijah and the two mercenary squads. "Chase's and Bryson's teams, handle the flanks! Stop the fast movers!"
Swords glinted in the sunlight as Elijah led his team forward, joined by the two mercenary groups. Together, they surged into battle, clashing with the front ranks of kobolds and horned wolves.
Henry's eyes then drifted toward the haze of dust still trailing behind the front lines.
And then he saw them.
"Intermediate Elites," he muttered. "And worse."
Rising behind the lower-ranked creatures were twenty hobgoblins, followed by thirty towering wolves, each over two meters tall, and a dozen humanoids with snarling dog faces and glinting claws.
But they weren't the worst of it.
Behind them marched ten monstrous pig-faced Orcs, each between three and four meters tall. They wore crude animal hides and wielded brutal weapons—cleavers, axes, and jagged swords that shimmered with a dark aura.
Henry's voice dropped to a grim tone. "The high-rank Monsters have arrived."