Master Of Myths

Five days after the failed defense the various guild leaders were gathered outside, this would be the day their supposed allies arrive

"So you're saying those three guilds are not coming?"

"Yes, only the somewhat troublesome two are going to join the defense"

Sofia once more answered the disgruntled leaders, she herself somewhat uncertain whether or not to receive those two groups after hearing their description from Mia

Alas they needed all the help they could get, denying them the privilege of being picky

The wait was not dragged out for long, near the promised time of arrival there was movement in the mist, shrieks and sounds of battle that crept closer and closer, with it the echo of heavy steps

Thum….thum….

The closer it got the more the earth shook, giving rise to anxiety as the leaders felt something off about the whole situation, coupled with the assumptions from before they found themselves doubting the situation to be an ambush

With baited breaths and ready stances, everyone watched as the two black tusks emerged from the mist, the rest of the body following to reveal a story height boar, one beyond the realm of the living

"The wraiths are attacking! Man the front!"

Sofia yelled all of a sudden, panicked and uncertain on the inside

"Hold up, I don't think they are enemies"

Sid suddenly said, and much to Sofia's surprise, everyone else seemed to agree with him

"There are people on that boar, one of whom I recognize"

"Yes, its the woman that cleared the path"

"I wondered where she went off to"

All of them settled their gaze on the great sword wielding armored woman who stood atop the shadow beast with vigilance, it was hard to forget that unique sight of her clearing away the poison with mere presence

Other than her they also noticed two more people, one also seemed to be a woman by the curves of her armor, just as eye catching as the other with trials of flame flying off her now and then

The third companion and the person who stood at the forefront looked normal at a glance, the closer the beast got however the more they felt intimidated by the person under the mask, an unpleasant energy of death radiating off of him

Once out of the forest's premise the boar buckled its hooves and laid down, allowing a few people to come and unload the plethora of items hanging off the small nubs coverings its body

Once done the three jumped off, landing next to the leaders while the boar suddenly got sucked into YuJu's shadow

"Greetings, I am grateful for your intent on cooperating even when the mist causes your friends no harm, it-"

"Cut the chit chat to a minimum, we're here to do our job and go our ways"

Unlike his usual talkative presenter style YuJu took an opposite approach this time, the less he spoke the less information they got the better his chances were at hiding the group's intentions, especially since they now had a little investigator among them

"Well, then mind telling me what all the things you brought are?"

"Explosives, energy explosives to be precise, extracted using unique methods that guaranteed the purity of the energy increasing its damage to wraiths"

"Oh, may I know how we can produce more?"

"Only one person is capable of producing them as of yet"

Without a class like Subrina's it would be hard to make such things, at least ones that would affect the level of wraiths coming

"Then should we discuss our plans?"

He shook his head to the rhetoric question, stopping them in their tracks as they were about to head inside

"I saw the wraith army coming on my way, battle should be starting in a few hours, I would use the time to distribute the items among archers and prepare equipment if I were you"

The news brought out an instant reaction from them as people started rushing toward their stations, screaming for their comrades to spread the message and have everyone ready up

"How big are their forces?"

"Compared to the last wave I saw form, perhaps ten times bigger, not to mention the strength of the wraiths have increased exceptionally, I believe they want to wipe us out in one go"

Sofia paled at the despairing revelation, not to mention an army of this size they weren't even capable of facing the traitors in their land yet

"Fret not, I believe we have a chance at winning"

He assured, though not giving much hope to the woman as she rushed to make her own preparations, lacking as they may be

"Is the incoming army really that big Master?"

Ellis asked, knowing it would indeed pose a challenge even with their addition

YuJu shrugged in response

"No idea, there is no doubt they would be coming in full force though"

The grand entrance moments ago was naturally only for show, calling the shadow out and loading it with the items to hide the existence of spatial storages, in reality he was unsure of what they would face today

Thinking of the danger he looked into the distance, gazing far with an anticipating look

'Since I failed to find the Drath Row guild I'm in need of that guy and his corpses more than ever, else even if we do push back the enemy forces it would be at a great price'

This battle couldn't be lost, and victory must come with ease, else morale would plummet heavily

The three stood there in wait of the expected ally while others busied themselves

The clock ticked quickly in the rush, by the time Sofia and the leaders gathered next to the three the meeting with that person was due an hour already

"Your friend isn't coming?"

"Don't know, not our friend either, haven't met the guy yet"

"Perhaps he won't be helping us"

Soon as Sofia said that YuJu spotted a rider in the distance, spearing a familiar formation

"Here he comes"

'Ahh, I jinxed it'

She complained in her mind, knowing the nature of what was arriving she couldn't help but feel enmity deep inside

"Wheew~ those guys look like a proper army"

"Every one of them is riding a mount as well, I guess they also have a beast tamer"

The leaders praised, which YuJu didn't bother correcting, allowing them to see for themselves once the army came close

"Wh-what the hell are those things?!"

"You sure this guy ain't related to you?"

One guy asked YuJu, seeing as both had none human followers, except the new arrivals' group was entirely made of zombies

Ignoring the comment he watched as the person made his way toward them, pulling the reins once close causing the horse to come to an instant stop, as if momentum existed not in its dictionary

"Explain"

He simply said, not bothering to shed more light onto the question, or order?

"A payment to join battle, one you profit more in fighting"

YuJu answered, meaning the corpses he sent a few days ago

"Reason?"

"Wraiths will attack in full force today"

'Come on, are you two really not related?'

Seeing the short Q&A the watching crowed couldn't believe that this was the first time these two met, if that were then they could only believe they were silence loving twins separated at birth

"Not worth it"

Unexpectedly the rider refused, turning his horse to the side to leave

YuJu opened his mouth to speak when all of a sudden his eyes darted toward the mist

"Looks like the show started"

They could swear the guy was smirking just by hearing the tone of his voice, no one smiled however for this only meant one thing

"Wraiths are coming"

Sure enough, Sofia backed his words seconds later, feeling the evil energy in the wind

"Leaders, I'll bother you to take the front, archers be ready to fire at first sight of the enemy, Faris and his team are to watch out for any vampire attacks, you guys…"

Lastly turning to the two new groups she couldn't bring herself to order them around

"You...do you"

Leaving it at that she headed toward a high platform to dish out orders and have a wider range

"Trust me on this one, stay and fight"

YuJu also gave sparing words to the silent fellow before making way to the front, Elis and Ika in tow

The silent man was, well, as mute as he usually s, looking at the back of YuJu in deep thought

After many seconds he remained undecided, sure there was much benefit from joining this battle, but on the other hand they could betray him at any moment, rendering the little strength he gained meaningless even if he manages to escape with some of his followers

His mind leaned closer and closer toward abandoning battle, and that seemed to be his decision as he fully turned to ride back home

A follower of his pointed at YuJu out of nowhere, demanding he gazed more thoroughly, and so he did

"Hmm?... So that's how it is"

One look at the eyes peering back through the swaying shadow and his mind was changed, riding toward the mist with his army instead