Chapter 8 Summary: "A Deadly Prelude"
I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine as I watched the atmosphere in the room change drastically. It was as if a dark cloud had settled over us, casting a heavy shadow on our once carefree gathering.
Zalazar, Selene, and Lila, my loyal and eccentric companions, now wore expressions of grave concern. Their eyes were fixed on the lizardman before us, their gazes piercing and unrelenting. Questions hung heavy in the air, and I knew we were all thinking the same thing.
"Have you seen any of the heroes?" Zalazar's voice, usually a deep, echoing rumble, held an unusual note of urgency.
The Lizardman, his scales glistening under the dim castle lights, shook his head. "No, my lords and ladies. None of the heroes have been sighted."
Zalazar, the Elder Lich, stroked his bony chin with skeletal fingers, a low, thoughtful hum escaping his withered lips. "Curious," he muttered to himself, "why would they not be at the forefront of this invasion?"
Lila, the succubus with a heart of gold and a knight's sense of honor, wasted no time. "Sound the alarm," she commanded the Lizardman, her tone brooking no argument. "Prepare the army for battle."
The Lizardman nodded, his loyalty to our cause unwavering, and scurried out of the room to carry out her orders.
I couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on my shoulders. As they turned to each other to discuss possible escape routes, I realized the gravity of the situation. I was facing an invasion, and I'm probably about to have my first kill. This was going to be my debut in a morbid way.
I thought to myself, not trusting my voice due to the turmoil within me, "This battle won't be easy."
"With the battle plans already in place, I trust that you three will be leading the charge.
Zalazar, ever the loyal servant, inclined his skeletal head. "Of course, young master."
Lila, her fiery determination burning brighter than ever, clasped her gauntlet-covered hand over her heart and declared, "For you, Prince Nyakura."
Selene, the enigmatic witch with a penchant for mischief, stepped forward. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "I'll set up trap spells across the castle," she offered. "While they're still outside, we have a chance to even the odds."
Lila nodded her approval but added a note of caution. "Be careful, Selene. We can't afford to lose you."
Selene just smirks before handing me a pendant. I can feel a large amount of magic from this item. "I'm guessing this is some sort of lucky charm or something to monitor me."
Selene's voice echoed in my mind, her teasing tone breaking through the tension. "You got it, Nyakura-boi." With a flick of her hair, Selene summoned her magic and, in a swirl of purple smoke, teleported away. Her absence left a void in the room, a reminder of the impending danger that loomed.
I offered my help, eager to contribute to our preparations for the looming battle, but Lila's stern rejection hung heavy in the air. She was quick to remind me of my importance to the demon army, emphasizing that my death would be a catastrophic blow to our kind.
I huffed in annoyance, not one to take such a dismissal lightly. "I'm not suggesting I charge into battle, Lila," I retorted, my tone tinged with frustration. "I have guns; I can offer support fire from a safe distance."
Lila sighed, her fiery determination giving way to reluctant acceptance. "Fine," she conceded, "but you'll have someone guarding you during the fight. I won't risk losing you."
I nodded in agreement, understanding her concern for my safety. "Agreed. Now, let's talk about our battle plans."
Lila gestured towards a detailed map spread out on the table, her finger tracing over various markings. "We've set up traps here, here, and here," she explained, pointing to specific locations on the map. "Ambush points are strategically placed along these routes."
As I examined the map, my eyes caught something that seemed overlooked. "What about this part?" I asked, pointing to an unguarded section.
Zalazar leaned in and peered at the area I'd indicated. "Ah, that's the Forest of Death," he said, his voice a raspy whisper. "No ordinary demon or human can survive within it."
My curiosity piqued, I couldn't help but wonder why it bore such a grim name. "Why's it called that?"
Lila's expression grew solemn as she explained. "The forest is a living organism. It can create an infinite maze that entraps anyone who enters. Even those who can fly aren't safe; it can ensnare them too."
A train of thought raced through my mind as I considered the possibilities. Could we somehow utilize this deadly forest to our advantage? The idea formed slowly, and when I finally voiced it, both Lila and Zalazar were visibly shocked.
I leaned in, ensuring our conversation remained private. "What if we turn the Forest of Death into a weapon? Use it to confound and trap the invaders."
Lila's eyes widened, and Zalazar's skeletal features contorted in an expression of contemplation. The idea was daring, even reckless, but in these dire circumstances, it just might be the key to our survival.
Zalazar's bony fingers tapped thoughtfully on the map, his empty sockets fixated on the forest I had pointed out. "An intriguing notion," he praised, his gravelly voice carrying a note of admiration. "However, we must consider that the enemy is not ignorant of the forest's nature. How would we trick them into falling into such a trap?"
I turned my gaze to Zalazar, my mind racing for a solution. "Selene," I began, my thoughts reaching out to her. "Can your magic change the landscape?"
Her voice echoed in my mind, her amusement evident. "Of course, Nyakura-boi. I am the Witch of Calamity, after all."
I grinned, knowing that Selene's powers were exactly what we needed. "Could you make the forest appear as the Forest of Death?"
A mental chuckle reverberated in my thoughts. "Oh, I like how you think."
With Selene on board, I turned to Lila with renewed determination. "Lila, can you have your best trappers set up sentries around the forest?"
Lila nodded in agreement, her loyalty unwavering. I conjured three automated machine guns, their metal bodies gleaming in the low light. "Place these in strategic spots," I instructed, my tone serious. "They need to remain hidden but have a clear line of sight to spot the invaders. Warn your men about them so they don't get caught."
Lila's eyes widened at the sight of the weapons, but she nodded in understanding. "Consider it done, Prince Nyakura."
As our plans began to take shape, I couldn't help but feel a surge of hope.
***
Perched at the top of the wall, I surveyed the scene before me. The shadow demon, a silent sentinel, stood guard beside me as I donned my power armor. My fingers wrapped around the grip of a McMillan Tac 50 sniper rifle, a formidable weapon designed for long-range precision.
Curiosity getting the better of me, I checked my system status, letting out a sigh of exasperation at my low level and stats.
HP: 600/600 MP: 480/480 EXP: 0/10000 Attributes: Strength: 24 Agility: 36 Vitality: 30 Intelligence: 48 Wisdom: 30 Luck: 24> A slight frown creased my brow as I scrolled through my skills once more. That's when I noticed something new—something that hadn't been there before. I scratched my head, wondering what in the world that could possibly mean. With a shrug, I tried to tap into the skill's details but found nothing more than a vague description. It only seemed to activate when I used a gun, but its effects remained a mystery. "Hmm," I hummed to myself, a puzzled expression on my face. A voice, not audible but resonating within my mind, pulled me from my thoughts. "Are you alright, Nyakura?" I mentally replied, addressing the Elder Lich. "Yeah, just getting ready. Is everyone set?" Zalazar's reassurance echoed in my thoughts. "Indeed, all preparations are complete." Satisfied with his response, I reached out mentally to Lila and Selene. *Ready on your end?* *All set,* Lila's voice came through, accompanied by Selene's amused, *Good to go, Nyakura-boi.* With our plans in place and everyone prepared, I dismissed the magic circle that had been keeping us connected. Taking a deep breath, I adjusted the scope of my rifle, enhancing its range of sight. I peered through the scope, my vision narrowing down to a precise point. The forest lay before me, its dense foliage cloaked in an eerie darkness. As the tension in the air thickened, I focused on the task ahead. I took a deep breath to steady my shaking arms as the scope finally landed on the army. Thanks to my magic, I could see their expressions; all of them didn't look like they were in a war but on a stroll, easily chatting to each other as if the enemy wasn't a threat. They looked like a swarm of ants, marching in perfect sync and covering the ground with their dark uniforms. They carried shields and spears, swords and axes, and bows and arrows. They wore helmets and armor, some with crests and badges, others with scars and medals. They looked confident and proud, ready to face any challenge. They looked like an unstoppable force, a wall of steel and flesh. I felt sorry for what was going to happen next. I mentally apologized for the future orphans and widows once the battle started and hoped that my sins would be forgiven, but I couldn't help laughing at the idea as I wondered if this was how soldiers felt during times of war. I waited for Lila's signal, and once I spotted a shining glint, a reflection of the light from the succubus' shield, I pulled the trigger. I made sure to put on a suppressor so that the sound wouldn't alert the enemy; thus, I witnessed firsthand as the bullet tore through the formation of ranks and reduced the heads of those unfortunate to be in the bullet's path to wet chunks. Not stopping, I continued to gun down each of them, causing massive panic while making sure the shots appeared random. The machine guns that I ordered to be set up were working easily, killing off those who hid from me and causing more chaos. I spotted one of the leaders and aimed the weapon, but when I saw the leader's level, it was twice bigger than mine. He ordered his troop to form a tortoise shield formation, and I knew the bullet wouldn't do much harm due to the level difference, but I decided to pull the trigger anyway. However, to my shock, it easily tore through the formation. But my shock wasn't from how the bullet easily tore through the shields but from how it easily killed the leader, who was a higher level than me. I stared at his lifeless body, his eyes wide open in disbelief and fear, his mouth agape in a silent scream, and his blood staining his armor and the ground. How did this happen? How did I kill him with one shot? How did my bullet pierce through his defenses? How did my level not matter? I didn't have time to think about it as I heard more screams and shouts from below. I looked through my scope again and saw that my allies had joined the fray. They were charging at the enemy with swords and spells, taking advantage of their confusion and fear. They were cutting them down like wheat before a scythe, leaving behind a trail of corpses and blood. I watched them gain ground and push back the enemy. We were winning. I can feel the demon letting out a pleased aura; I almost laughed. A demon was hopeful of our victory. I felt a surge of adrenaline and excitement as I resumed my shooting. I aimed for their officers, their mages, their healers—anyone who could pose a threat or offer support. I shot them one by one, watching them fall like dominoes. I shot them without mercy, without remorse, and without regret. I shot them until there was no one left to shoot.