As disaster had struck the people of Lefra Village, but the head of the village had yet to take action.
Standing by the window in his study, as per usual, Misaf overlooked the village as people should have been drifting to sleep by then. The festivities had certainly taken a toll on many and the people couldn't miss their soft beds any more.
Misaf was dressed in a dark green robe with wide sleeves that covered most of his hands as well as a pair of matching pants. In addition, golden leaves were embroidered on the clothing to look not only official, but also aesthetic to the crowd that watched the ceremonies.
He put his walking stick aside, propping it against the desk and, with both hands, tore the window open in a single heavy motion.
The humid, warm air of outside eagerly poured in and Misaf allowed the fresh air to enter though his nostrils.
Everything changed when the gentle fragrance turned into inexorable clawing inside his nose. When Misaf looked into the distance, he discovered faint traces of smoke rising from between the rows of houses.
'Did they dare to make a move?' His face remained mostly unchanged, hinting only slightly towards his dissatisfaction.
No more than two counts of the clock had passed before he began to channel his qi through his body and scattered strands of energy towards the burning areas of the village.
It was one of the unique ways in which some martial experts could utilize their inner energies to detect the presence of enemies from afar. He was an experienced man and with his age also came one or two tricks of his own.
'Hrm... they have one capable expert among them.' A frown finally formed on his face when he sensed a dense source of energy moving in.
Suddenly, the door to his study flew open with a bang and two young men stepped through.
Misaf had sensed the men's approach long ago, but was neither alarmed nor did he turn around to receive them.
"Chief, the bandits are attacking! They have invaded from the south, no more than twenty men." The one shouting was a round-faced young man with short brown hair and a blue-white headband coiled around his forehead. He wore patched brown pants and a sleeveless linen shirt.
Behind him stood another young man, at least a full head shorter than him. He was muscular with a heavy tan, but, most notably, the guy wasn't wearing anything besides his pants.
"I am aware, Akai. Have the women and children evacuate to the chapel and barricade the doors. Do not dawdle." The village head responded.
Misaf's face looked calm on the outside, but the two young men still couldn't help but feel somewhat fearful.
The air around Misaf had completely changed from what they were used to. Their parents often told them to be polite towards the village head and to never ever get on his bad side. This sensation of danger that the man exuded was enough to prove their teachings right.
With a slight motion of his hand, Misaf signalled for them to leave, which they obediently did. They didn't dare to make a peep as they rushed outside.
Soon after, the tolls of a bell could be heard all across the village, signaling that the village was in danger.
No longer wasting time, Misaf grabbed his walking stick and left his house through the window, leaping skillfully from one rooftop to another in the direction of the enemy presence. His appearance didn't do his masterful maneuvers any justice at all; it was simply unimaginable that an old man could move the way he did.
After arriving at the main square, he descended to the ground and was promptly hindered by a group of four people that stood in his path.
"Obrid." Misaf's brows furrowed.
Misaf held mixed feelings towards this person. To him, Obrid was an outsider; however, he couldn't disregard his skill as a warrior, especially, since it made him one of the capable few who could protect the village right now.
"Old coot, I need a favour." Obrid, with a face beset by fury, hardened his face as he pleaded.
He shoved three people forward and fixed his gaze on Misaf. In order of size, Riaz, Leria and Lissy stood between the two men.
"Keep an eye on these children while I go out to find my wife. There is no time to lose." He ground his teeth, knowing fully well that he was making an unreasonable request.
"Don't be ridiculous! Look around you. Do you think that I can afford to babysit your little ones right now?" Misaf sneered in his heart.
His temper flared and he belatedly noticed Riaz among the three, whereas he had expected little Kyle to be among them instead.
Taking a brief moment to inspect the three, he finally understood that there were hidden circumstances at play here. One look sufficed to tell that the kids were visibly shaken at their limit.
"I beg you. I cannot entrust my children to anyone else!" Obrid lowered himself and knelt in front of Misaf.
Misaf was taken by surprise. For this brick-wall of a man to lower himself and beg him for a favour was something unheard of.
'To go this far...' Misaf's face softened up a little, but this much was not enough. He knew that his responsibility lay with the village first and foremost and, as much as it pained him, he could not prioritize such a selfish request.
Misaf would have been capable enough to protect these children, were it not for that unknown variable among the bandits. That person was kinda strong and he knew that none other than himself would be able to stop that individual, but protecting others at the same time would prove difficult.
Before he could think any further, Akai, the young man with the headband, returned with bad news.
"Chief! There is another group attacking from the north-east. Two of the venerable elders are engaging them as we speak."
North-east, it was the direction that Riaz and the others had arrived from. Obrid lifted his head and got onto his feet in a hurry.
People could only look on helplessly as Obrid rushed out, heading north-east.
"What do you think you're doing? Obrid!" Misaf's voice boomed, clearly enraged by the man's impulsivity.
"I'm leaving the kids to you!" Those were Obrid's last words before he disappeared from their view.
Riaz knew that Obrid had gone to find Boffu, but knowing the danger posed by the beastman, he couldn't help but worry. He feared that Obrid may not be enough.
"Have it your way, you stubborn oaf." Misaf couldn't help but sigh in defeat. "Akai, go with him. Make sure nobody gets hurt."
The young man nodded and chased after Obrid, leaving the old man and the kids behind. Somehow, Misaf ended up taken advantage of.
"I am getting too old for this." Misaf shook his head while the kids stood there like wax figurines.
The young Riaz, now stuck watching the two siblings, tried to console the two, but that was easier said than done.
Misaf realized that the girls had likely developed deep psychological scars. He'd seen it all before, in the orphaned children and the unfortunate souls who had lost their homes.
It was now up to him to make sure that as many of his people as possible would escape such a fate, but what was he to do about these three younglings?
Before Misaf could formulate a plan, he sensed that enemies were closing in on their location.
'Have they broken through?' He closed his eyes and spread out his senses.
A crunching sound rang through the air while a gust of wind blew and scattered many leaves.
Misaf's face hardened and his eyes opened slightly, revealing his piercing green eyes as both his fairly long beard and his mantle fluttered in the blowing wind.
"Trash! This village has nothing but trash!" A man, wearing armour with metal plating, emerged from a lane towards the east side of the village.
He had a massive build with a slim face and big brown eyes. Holstered on his waist was a short sword with an unshapely hilt made of bone. A murky substance seemed to float within the material, glimmering in a red hue. A cross-shaped guard formed out of white steel separated the hilt from the sheath.
Behind the man, five more made an appearance, some of them holding onto the few valuables that they had managed to pillage from this backward village.
From the looks of it, the large man appeared to be the leader whose energy Misaf had sensed previously.
Stomping in a fit of rage and kicking away at a bucket by the edge of the square, he noticed Misaf who stood on the opposite side of the square.
"Hm? What? You looking to die, old fool?" He glared at who, to him, seemed to be a weak old man who needed his walking stick to stand.
"Have you eaten enough?" Misaf answered with a question of his own, then swept his gaze across his three protectees.
Riaz understood and lead the other two towards the side where they wouldn't get in the way.
"Huh? What are you yapping about, geezer?" The bandit clicked his tongue in irritation.
"I am asking just in case." Misaf's killing intent flared as he took a step towards the bandits. "Wouldn't want to send anyone off on an empty stomach, lest people accused my Lefra Village of being bad hosts."
Perceiving Misaf's killing intent, the bandit leader's face twitched once before returning to normal.
"Che, this old man..." He spat on the ground, pointing out two of his cronies. "You two! Take care of him."
As ordered, the two bandits drew their weapons and approached Misaf with bloodthirsty cackles. The features of their faces slid in and out of sight with the light of the moon that was occasionally blocked by clouds.
The cronies couldn't elicit more than a sneer from Misaf, regardless of how menacing they made themselves out to be in their careless approach.
'These lowlives are underestimating me. Then let me make a fine example out of you misguided brats.' Misaf thought.
He unleashed the full brunt of his killing intent, just when the bandits were no more than a few paces away from him.
The feeling of a knife hanging over their heads had taken them by surprise and they subconsciously retreated two steps, albeit too late.
Misaf didn't wait for them to choose their next move and, seizing the opening, firmly raised the staff above his head with both hands. He infused dense qi into both his muscles and staff before swinging downwards with monstrous strength.
The foremost bandit's eyes widened and nearly popped out of their sockets.
All that the henchman could see, was a large shadow that seemed to descend onto him like a falling tree, turning him into meat paste.
The smile on the other bandit's face froze, as terror filled his heart. He had barely managed to register his comrade's fate before the very same staff sent him flying towards a building.
The sound of cracking bones echoed throughout the plaza while the old man stood firmly rooted on the ground, drawing a deep breath. His walking stick had grown in size at some point, appearing like a thick, wooden club, the length of a staff.
One would have difficulty believing this sight. A frail old man just made short work of two grown adults in their prime; however, such a thing was a common occurrence on the path of cultivation.
Sometimes it was best to let sleeping tigers lie, that much was clear and yet this didn't seem to apply to the bandit leader.
The man in charge of the bandit looked unimpressed, but had to re-evaluate this geezer. His smug expression had turned sour and his sight alternated between the mysterious staff and the old man. He had clearly underestimated both.
"Old bastard, you are asking for it. I'll have you die now before you spoil my mood any further." He spoke while the remaining bandits broke out in cheers.
"Arrogant fool, know your place!" Misaf snapped back firmly.
"Easy... watch your frail old heart, old man. Don't go dying from excitement just yet, not before I've had my fun." The bandit leader drew his short sword, which was revealed to have an all-green double edged blade.
The bone hilt hummed from his touch as he proudly yelled, "Remember my name. It's Lorenz of the Twin Talons, second only to Harkon."
"You go, boss! Show them not to mess with us, haha!" The three cronies behind him went wild.
Among the three, one's eyes flashed with an idea. He inconspicuously knocked the other two against the shoulders before pointing towards Riaz's group and whispering.
The other two cronies let out a greasy laugh and licked their lips as they ogled the two girls.
The surroundings of the square grew quiet as the two leaders faced off.
Lorenz made a move first and, perfusing qi through his body, took slow steps towards Misaf.
They were seemingly meek steps, but with each one, the distance that a single step would overcome grew and, within a blink, Lorenz had already arrived beside Misaf, almost brushing against his shoulder.
A cocky expression decorated Lorenz's slim face and his blade sought out Misaf in a fluid strike towards the neck.
'Prancing Demon Technique!' Misaf's eyes shot wide open and he reacted by planting his weapon into the ground, blocking the sword's path.
The blade met the wood, but was unable to leave a mark. It seemed like the entire momentum of the blade had been stopped while in reality the force behind the attack was merely redirected.
Lorenz backed off immediately. He felt a mysterious sensation through the staff and it seemed like it was used as a medium for a strange power. He wasn't willing to take chances.
Misad praised, "Impressive, you have actually mastered the Prancing Demon Technique."
The old man was truly impressed. It was no ordinary technique, but instead one that required a fine body coordination and delicate control of wind-type qi.
It had to be said that not just anyone could cultivate aspected qi.
Misaf thought of Lorenz as a hoodlum, who just happened to be more strong than the others, but this person clearly was a peak stage Master.
However, soon his admiration went up in smoke and vanished, leaving behind a cold realization.
'This man is a peak stage Master.' He frowned. He himself was not inferior to his opponent, but in that moment he came to a realization.
There was something foul about the entire situation. Why would a peak stage Master be involved in the attack and during a time like this? Lefra Village was no rich target; on the contrary, it was famously minimalist and underdeveloped.
There really wasn't much of value here, so they had no reason to come pillaging.
'Unless...' Misaf's eyes widened. 'But how would they know?'
There was a secret that only the elders knew. It was the secret behind the fertile land and the village's longevity.
'This time, I have clearly miscalculated.' His heart filled up with apprehension.
"What? Impressed already? Hmpf, you old bastard. Rather than my technique, just what the hell is that staff of yours?" Lorenz was fairly confident, but, in a battle between two equally skilled masters, unknown factors like the mystery staff posed an enormous risk.
The both of them knew that the one showing his hidden cards first would be at the disadvantage. However, Misaf didn't have the luxury of time anymore.
'Perhaps I'll have to take this more seriously.' Misaf quickly re-examined the situation, but as he pondered his next move, he noticed through the corner of his eyes that Lorenz's cronies had snuck closer to Riaz and his group.
He sprung into action and aimed to quickly eliminate them, but Lorenz waited for the opportunity and inserted himself, blocking off the path.
"Ignoring me now, you bastard?" Lorenz pulled out all the stops after cutting Misaf off.
Once his left foot landed in front of Misaf, he immediately sent out a palm strike towards him. An enormous force hid behind the strike and would no doubt lead to destructive damage.
With a crisp bang, he managed to land a strong blow against Misaf's abdomen. As his palm made contact, it released a wave of energy that bounced back and ruptured the hardened ground, creating cracks in a ten feet radius.
"Ghuhaaa!" Misaf flew back to whence he came, crashing through the wall of a building. A lot of the structure surrounding the hole crumbled and the resulting dust rose up in a thick cloud.
Nobody could clearly see the interior of the house, but they had reason to believe that nobody could have survived such an attack.
"Who would have thought that this village had such an annoying geezer?" Lorenz looked down at his palm and scoffed.
Anyone with good eyesight could see that his hand was bleeding with an uncontrollable shaking.
Lorenz started to piece together what was happening. He could tell that the old man had some strange method to return the force whenever Lorenz attacked him.
It looked like he was about to withdraw his weapon, but then his head immediately snapped towards the hole in the building. Something within stirred and he narrowed his eyes.
Misaf emerged from the rubble, his robe in tatters, revealing a thick layer of wood around his abdomen where he should have been hit before.
Seeing that the old man was unscathed caused no small amount of irritation to Lorenz and his grip on the short sword tightened until his veins popped out.
Lorenz focused on the old man's belly where he saw the traces of a mark appear. It looked somewhat like a sun that had begun to wiggle.
The edges around the sun locked together to form a ring around the sun and spread throughout Misaf's entire body like vines. From afar, the expanding mark appeared black, like ink, and looked much like a tattoo.
Lorenz growled, "Old bastard! You actually had a divine marking?"
Misaf had nothing to say. Just now, had it not been for his divine marking, then his body would have shattered like the wall.
He circulated his qi through the marking and his body. A thick layer of wood grew on his skin and soon encased his whole body like nature's armor.
This wood was no ordinary wood, but one blessed by the Goddess Lefra with enormous defensive capabilities.
Misaf stepped out from within the rubble and willed for his staff to appear.
Without delay, his staff sprouted from the ground before him, just like a tree. His hand tightly grasped the staff and tore it from the ground in one pull.
Lorenz focused his senses and tried to read into Misaf's power. He made an effort to analyse his strength, yet nothing but palpable fluctuations of qi caught his attention.
It was as if the old man's existence had merged with the world.
Lorenz raised his guard and the intensity of his qi grew. He refused to believe that this old man could threaten him.
As Lorenz arrogantly stood by and watched, Misaf took a stance that had him lower his center of gravity in a broad stance. He relocated his staff behind his back in a horizontal line that ran parallel to the ground.
As the muscles of his arm clenched the staff, the wood began to creak. Although barely discernable, the staff did bend a little, so great was the force behind his hold.
Suddenly, the air thumped and the ground under Misaf's feet cracked.
Misaf no longer stood in his previous spot. He had already pounced towards Lorenz in a wide arc, leaving behind a small blast where he had kicked off.
He was ready to spring his attack. The moment Lorenz came within reach, he skillfully twisted his whole body, aligning with the ground, and brought his staff down on him like a springing trap.
Lorenz raised up his sword to block the staff, his free hand supporting the blade under the fierce assault.
The blunt force behind the strike was of a magnitude that caused the ground to cave in under Lorenz's feet, which greatly alarmed him.
He once again felt the same odd sensation that the staff had emanated during the earlier clash, but, before he could make sense of it, he became entrapped by vines that shot out from the ground.
Something was going severely wrong. He noticed that it became increasingly more difficult for him to properly circulate his internal energy.
His face turned pale, as, under the restriction of the roots, he found it difficult to avoid Misaf's impending next strike.
Misaf, still in the airborne, twisted the other way round now and pulled his staff along for a spin, making him attack with an upward strike.
Lorenz panicked. He knew the strike would cause devastating damage to him if he allowed it to connect. As a last measure, he desperately radiated his qi in an attempt to shred the vines.
It was a race against time.
Misaf was about to finish Lorenz with his combo when, from the roof of a building, a shadow leaped towards him. His perception of a threat forced him to cancel out his attack and to bring up his staff in a defence.
A humanoid beast with silver fur landed on Misaf's staff, bearing its entire momentum to viciously crush him.
Even though Misaf managed to guard in time, he still crashed into the ground and bounced off from the impact. Luckily, his wooden armor had absorbed most of the damage.
'A beastman?' Questions ran through Misaf's mind as he tried to regain his balance.
He rolled quite a distance across the ground before regaining control and slamming his staff into the ground to stop his momentum.
His staff dragged through the ground in a straight line until he finally came to a complete stop. His breath grew ragged and his gaze focused on the new arrival.
A tall wolf-man with silver fur stood near Lorenz after having landed with no effort whatsoever. His hands held onto a pair of bloody katars while his whole body gently bounced by the legs as if they were elastic springs.
His movements seemed swift and precise, but, upon closer inspection, it became clear that the beastman was overall in terrible shape.
'This one is no joke, but for it to be injured, hmm. It appears to have come from the north-east...' Misaf came to the conclusion that this beastman was likely the foe Obrid was after.
'Have they missed each other?' he wondered. He was rather hopeful that this was the case, for the alternative would be terrible to imagine.
Boffu laughed with mockery. "Huh? I thought I sensed something good here! Lorenz! An old man is pushing you around like this? Ha, look at you. Pathetic!"
He seemed to relish in Lorenz's predicament and didn't hesitate to embarrass him further in front of his men.
"Quit it, you fleabag. This old-timer is not as weak as he looks. Look, he bears a divine marking. " Lorenz finished pulling apart the roots around him and stepped forward.
Lorenz tried to play it cool, but his heart had leapt into his throat and wouldn't stop rapidly beating. Just now he was truly close to being finished, only because he still underestimated the old man too much; but never again, henceforth he would use his full strength.
"Ah..." Boffu's laugh came to an abrupt halt and his eyes fixed themselves on Misaf. He discovered the emerald glow surrounding the man and his nose twitched.
He took a whiff of the air and grinned. He could smell the faint traces of the earthen element, in particular the ones leaking from the staff.
"Heh. I'd love nothing more than to play." He howled. "Come, human! I, Boffu, will teach you the meaning of despair."
"No, he is mine! You stay out of it!" Lorenz was outraged. Having lost so much face, he could not back down now, not until he made that old man miserable with his own two hands.
Lorenz raised his sword horizontally in front of his chest. One hand's fingers ran across the flat surface of the blade with a smooth sliding motion and the weapon seemed to react to it with a hum.
He shouted, "Prepare yourself, old bastard. This is my ancient artifact 'Mountain Cleaver'."
The sword grew in size by two, three and finally by four times. It turned into an enormous weapon of slaughter, but, regardless of the growth, Lorenz didn't cave in under the weight.
His eyes shone with bloodlust as he visualized all of the different ways to chop Misaf up.
In a matter of seconds, Lorenz was ready to strike and gathered his qi while Misaf did the same, but something unexpected happened.
"WUUUAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
In just that moment, an earth-shattering wail of despair brought their fight to a grinding halt.
Everyone's attention was drawn towards a youngster by the edge of the square.