Chapter 46: Nights Reckoning
Night had fully claimed the land.
The moon hung high above the forest like a pale, unblinking eye, its light spilling faintly over the outskirts of the town. The torches along the walls burned low, their flames wavering nervously in the cold wind that crept out from between the trees. Beyond the last wooden houses and the worn dirt road lay the open clearing—scarred earth, broken branches, and trampled grass—the same path the monsters had fled into the previous night.
Zodac stood at the very edge of the town, half of his body swallowed by shadow, the other faintly illuminated by moonlight. Kogestu rested in his right hand, its blade angled downward, the metal humming faintly as if sensing the coming bloodshed. His posture was calm, almost relaxed, yet every muscle in his body was coiled tight beneath his armor, ready to explode into motion at the slightest disturbance.
He did not look back when soft footsteps approached behind him.
"You seem well prepared," Roxy said, stopping at his side.
Zodac didn't spare her a glance. His eyes remained fixed on the dark treeline ahead, on the place where the forest thickened and the shadows grew unnaturally dense.
"Have the townsfolk taken heed to my words?" he asked flatly.
"Yes," Roxy replied. "The streets are clear. Everyone has taken shelter—far from the entrances. The children and elderly are being guarded."
A low grunt escaped Zodac's throat.
"And your teammates?" he asked. "We could use extra hands."
"They're resting," she said after a brief pause. "And watching over the people. If anything breaks through us… they'll be the last line of defense."
"Hm." Zodac's jaw tightened slightly. "I'm surprised they let you come out here alone."
Roxy shifted her grip on her staff, the wooden shaft warm against her palms. "Well," she said, forcing steadiness into her voice, "someone once told me I had to stand up for myself. And I'm not leaving you to face this alone."
For a moment, Zodac said nothing.
Then he turned his head just enough to look at her.
Moonlight brushed over Roxy's face, catching the determination in her eyes. Despite her smaller frame, despite the faint tremor in her hands, she stood firm—unmoving, resolute.
"our chances of survival," Zodac said quietly, "are slim."
"Yes I know that ," Roxy replied without hesitation.
That answer caught him off guard.
He studied her for a second longer, then turned forward again. "You're a brave warrior," he said. "Never forget that."
Roxy blinked, surprised. Then she smiled—a small, genuine smile that cut through the tension like a flicker of light.
Zodac grimaced inwardly. Words like that weren't his nature. They felt awkward, unnecessary—almost embarrassing. But he understood their purpose. Morale mattered. Fear killed faster than blades ever could.
The wind shifted.
Zodac stiffened.
His senses flared outward in an instant, the world sharpening as his spatial awareness surged.
His eyes narrowed.
"Here they come!" he shouted.
Roxy's breath hitched. "They…?" Her eyes widened in shock as she finally understood.
More than one.
She retreated immediately, boots scraping against dirt as she moved into position behind him, staff raised, mana beginning to swirl faintly around its orb.
The plan was simple.
Zodac would hold the front line.
She would support—no matter what.
With a sharp flash of light, the massive war shield materialized around Zodac's left arm, its surface etched with ancient patterns. The green orb at its center pulsed softly, like a living heart.
"Hope this works," he muttered.
"Boost Gear!" he roared.
The orb flared—its green light shifting into a brilliant blue. Energy surged violently through the shield, crawling over its surface like crackling lightning.
A translucent system panel flickered before his eyes.
**(Temporary Power Boost Activated)**
**(10:00)**
**(09:59)**
"Ten minutes," Zodac breathed.
Another panel appeared.
**[Boost Gear Applied to War Crest]**
**
**
No time to analyze further.
The first monster burst from the trees.
It was massive—taller than a horse, muscles bulging beneath gray, stone-like skin. Its skull-like head twisted unnaturally as it lunged forward with terrifying speed.
Zodac's eyes widened.
Too fast.
No time to dodge.
The creature leaped.
Before it could strike, its entire body suddenly froze mid-air—turning a shimmering blue.
Zodac snapped his head to the side.
Roxy stood behind him, staff thrust forward, her teeth clenched.
"Shock Wave!" she shouted.
The orb at her staff's tip flared violently. A compressed turbine of wind erupted forward, slamming into the frozen creature. Its body shattered like brittle glass, fragments exploding outward in a storm of blue shards that clattered uselessly against the ground.
Zodac exhaled sharply. "Thanks!"
"Don't relax!" Roxy yelled. "We're not done yet!"
More shapes emerged from the forest—three… four… no, more.
Zodac's grip tightened around Kogestu.
"No matter what happens," he shouted over the rising growls, "don't let any of them into the town. If I fall—run as far away as you can."
Roxy's heart clenched—but she nodded. "Okay."
Zodac didn't wait.
He charged.
The ground cracked beneath his boots as he sprinted forward, shield raised. Three monsters lunged at once, snarling, claws outstretched.
One leapt high into the air.
"Repel Wave!"
The war shield erupted with a visible green shockwave, blasting forward like a wall of force. The airborne monster roared and swung its fist into the wave, dispersing it—but its momentum died instantly.
That was all Zodac needed.
"Kogestu—Whirlwind!"
He slashed.
A crescent of compressed air screamed forward, slicing cleanly through the creature's neck. Its skull tumbled to the ground, rolling to a stop beside Zodac's foot, while its massive body collapsed with a thunderous crash.
The second monster was already upon him.
Fists like iron hammers rained down.
Zodac raised his shield, bracing himself.
*BOOM!*
The impact sent him skidding backward several meters, dirt spraying beneath his boots.
"Ghh—!" he growled.
The shield vanished in a flash of light.
Zodac shifted stances.
One hand rested lightly on Kogestu's hilt.
The other gripped the sheath.
The monster roared and charged.
Meanwhile—
The third monster broke through, sprinting straight for Roxy.
It leapt, arm raised high.
"Air Shield!"
Roxy slammed her staff into the ground. A nearly invisible, oval barrier formed above her, rippling like frozen wind. The monster's fist crashed into it, releasing a deafening shockwave.
Roxy staggered—but held.
"Zodac is giving everything he has," she thought.
"I won't be the one who fails."
She raised her staff, mana surging wildly.
"Laws of the land—!" she cried. "I summon the element of air!"
The wind screamed.
"Wind Turbine—Improved!"
"Rising Sandstorm!"
A violent tornado engulfed the monster, lifting it off the ground before hurling it forward like a missile. It smashed through a tree, splintering wood, and collapsed in a lifeless heap.
Roxy gasped for breath and turned—
Just in time to see Zodac leap.
"Kogestu—Whirlwind!"
The monster dodged.
Zodac landed, slid backward, then slowly sheathed his blade.
Silence fell.
"What… is he doing?" Roxy whispered.
The monster charged.
The world seemed to freeze.
"Kogestu," Zodac murmured. "Quick Draw."
There was no flash.
No sound.
Only the sudden arc of blood in the air.
The monster's head flew upward, spinning, before crashing to the ground. Its body collapsed moments later.
Zodac exhaled deeply. "It worked…"
Quick draw:
Quick attack, faster than the eyes can see cannot be tracked, speed and range solely depends on the force of the draw.
Roxy stared, speechless.
Then—
Zodac turned sharply.
"Here they come," he said.
From the forest, more shadows moved.
And the night answered with growls.