After entering the streets of the lower city, Val’s amulet heated up. 𝗈𝚟𝓵ℯxt.𝕔𝑂𝔪
He looked down and noticed a message glowing on it.
The message read: “The recent earthquake was caused by a dungeon break that occurred in the Verdant Deepwood Forest. Our city guards on patrol have reported a massive wave of beasts, ranging from levels 20 to 40, pouring out of the dungeon site. This beast tide is currently marching towards the lower city. All able-bodied men are required to assist the city guards in resisting this beast tide.
“Please report to the city gates at once. There, you will be assigned to a team and briefed on the battle strategy against this encroaching beast tide by Marshall, the captain of the Lower City guards.
“Rest assured, your efforts will not go unrewarded. Keep the arcane amulets on you. It will record your kills and reward you with contribution points accordingly. For every beast you kill between levels 20 to 30, you’ll receive 200 to 300 contribution points. For those who manage to slay beasts between levels 31 to 40, they will receive proportionately greater rewards.”
“Finally, there’s something that promises both fun and rewards,” Val exclaimed, a rare gleam of excitement lighting up his eyes.
The Lower City only had one entrance. With large strides, Val advanced towards the city gates.
Marshall, the captain of the lower city guards, could already be seen there. He was issuing commands to his troops, rallying them for the fight that lay ahead.
“We will divide ourselves into two teams,” Marshall instructed his men. “The first team, ‘Shield’, will consist of our warriors in the frontlines and healers in the rear. The warriors are to engage the enemy head-on, and the healers must reduce the number of casualties to the best of their abilities. The second team, ‘Barrage’, will consist of our mages. Their task is to bombard the enemies from the city walls. Is everyone clear on their roles?”
A unified cry of “Yes sir!” echoed throughout the area.
“Great! Now, split into your respective teams!” Marshall commanded.
Following his command, the city guards promptly split into the two specified teams.
One was formed of long-ranged attackers who took up positions along the city walls, while the others were composed of warriors and healers who marched outside the city gates.
Healers needed to be within a certain range of their targets for their bloodline healing skills to function, hence they had no option but to accompany the warriors outside the city.
Having finished arranging his own men, Marshall noticed several bloodline users had gathered at the city gates.
“What do we need to do?” Alfred asked him.
“Based on your class, join the relevant team. If you can provide support from a distance, join Team Barrage. But if you need to be in close quarters to provide support or if you’re a close-ranged combatant, join Team Shield.” Marshall replied to him. As they were in a time of crisis, he had set aside his differences with Alfred.
Hearing this, Alfred decided to join Team Barrage since he was a mage who could control vines and trees from afar. Moreover, fighting the Beast Tide from the safety of the city walls was far safer than engaging them in direct combat.
“This sounds fun. Don’t you think so too, Oliver? Let’s also select a team to join.”
“No, I don’t. And others probably don’t either. You’re the only one who thinks it’s fun to face a crisis.”
“You are a wizard who knows how to handle a sword. You can join any team. What team are you joining?”
“Why? Are you going to follow?”
“Well, we are not so different, and it has been so long since I last saw you cousin. I want to spend more time with you. So why wouldn’t I?”
Following Marshall’s explanation, the bloodline users split into the two teams created by Marshall based on their class.
Oliver, for instance, joined Team Shield. Alex, who was a member of the secret organization [Destiny Vigil], joined the same team as Oliver, ready to stalk him to the world’s end since he had nothing better to do and was getting bored.
Alex had used his skill to discover that the newborn wizard with unparalleled potential was somewhere in the Northern Frontier. In the past few days, except for working at the treasure pavilion, he had spent every single spend visiting the families where a baby had recently been given birth to, but none of them was a wizard. Not a single one. There was no clue as to where exactly the newborn wizard with unparalleled talent was in the Northern Frontier. Unless he completed this mission, he wouldn’t get another mission. So he was bored and stuck in the Lower City.
Marshall’s eye lit up as he noticed Val among the crowd of bloodline users that was assembled at the gates and splitting up into the two teams ‘Sheild’ and ‘Barrage.’
“Ah, you’re here too,” Marshall acknowledged Val. “I’ve heard about your true abilities from the captain of the Guardians Organization. I know you’re an expert in both close-quarters and ranged combat, so feel free to join whichever team you prefer.”
“I’ll choose Team Shield,” Val replied without a moment’s hesitation.
At his words, Marshall scratched his head in bewilderment.
“The frontlines are much more perilous compared to operating as a part of Team Barrage,” he warned Val.
“I’m aware,” Val replied. “But I’ve no control over my ranged ability, the Hellish Fist. The hellfire it conjures does not discern friend from foe. It’ll consume anything in its path until it is reduced to ashes. Only after extinguishing all its targets will it die out”
“So, you’ve decided to risk your life on the front line to avoid the potential of friendly fire?” Marshall asked as he also thought it was commendable that Val chose the hard way instead of the easy one. Incidental friendly fire wasn’t a crime in times of crisis, meaning Val wouldn’t have been held responsible even if what he worried about came true. However, because Val was a morally upright man, he couldn’t see himself wronging others or so Marshall thought.
Marshall also had no doubts about the ferocity of Val’s Hellish Flames as he had heard about its terror from his very friend Leroy. He was also aware that people who have the Whitemore lineage develop fire skills upon reaching the intermediate level. However, their flames were nowhere near as fierce as Val’s HellFire, which can be conjured using the Hellish Fist skill.
Moreover, Marshall only knew that Val was a level 2 bloodline user, yet he has already developed the Whitemore Fire. This meant that his bloodline purity was incredibly high. His potential was comparable to the young masters of the Thunderspear tribe. His future was looking great. When he discovered how special Val was, Marshall had warned himself to never offend him.
Val simply nodded in response. He believed that incidental friendly fire would’ve severe consequences, so he have chosen to join Team Shield. Yes, he was unaware that the laws of the Frontier undergo changes during times of crisis.
Marshall clapped Val’s shoulder, admiring his personality, “You’re braver than you look, lad. I’ll make sure Team Barrage provides you with ample support and I’ll warn everyone to steer clear of your Hellish Flames should the need arise for you to use it.”
“Thank you,” Val expressed his gratitude for Marshall’s understanding and support.