Luka's eyes shrank as he watched the number of goblins increase explosively. The original riders spread apart, making way for another group. A huge blue goblin atop a large black wolf led this new group.
'Hobgoblin?!'
A dark purple aura leaked from the monster as it proudly lifted its chin while sneering at the wall of humans.
He snapped to the right, observing Iris and her people. They all stood with pale, agrieved faces, while gnashing their teeth and watching the new enemy. There was nothing more dangerous than a hobgoblin to unskilled warriors or militia.
"I see..."
Now everything made sense, from their sudden fall and inability to take it back.
Luka gripped oblivion tighter.
More than aware that the danger had just tripled when peeking at the monsters' blood red Destiny Panel appeared before his eyes.
[Nemesis Record]
Name: Vagul
Race: Hobgoblin
Rating: Tier 2
DangerLevel: Red
[Combat Attributes]
Strength: 24
Endurance: 15
Dexterity: 5
Agility: 5
Willpower: 12
He closed his eyes, trying to visualise the danger of this monster. Normally, a Tier Two wouldn't appear so soon. To reach this level so soon clearly meant a change or bug had happened when he came back to the past.
'No... that doesn't make sense. Maybe father made a mistake in the past.'
If this hobgoblin was the one who traumatised Iris and Galatea...
A dark swirl flowed through Luka's chest, like a serpent slithering through his entire body; it spread sinful energy to his muscles and bones.
"I don't even know how to use this power properly..."
That's when he noticed his own attributes and realised what this strange feeling caused in his body. "Hmm? No wonder I could move better in combat, but became lethargic and slow after exhausting myself."
[Combat Attributes]
Strength: 7 --> 10 (+3)
Endurance: 9 --> 12 (+3)
Dexterity: 6 --> 9 (+3)
Agility: 6 --> 9 (+3)
Willpower: 15 --> 18 (+3)
[Sin]
Desire: 7/100
Sin Energy: 22/32
[Skill Active: Will of the Forsaken: Spent 10% of your total Sin Energy to boost your Attributes by the same amount for one hour.
Current Boost: 3]
—
"I see..."
The skill he carried over from death wasn't flashy or overbearing. It just enlarged his muscles slightly and made them more defined when active.
'Though it doesn't mean I can face that thing alone.'
Luka remained still for a few seconds before he bit the tip of his tongue. The sudden jolt of pain from his tongue snapped him out of his strange trance as he stomped on the battlement.
"Everyone! Do not falter, we face the enemy of our people, a creature that seeks to revel in our suffering!"
Vaun stood to his left, while Gerard prepared the knights, who sat on horseback in the outer circle, slowly warming themselves up. Galatea's body shook the moment she saw the blue goblin, her body oozing with a violent rage.
"Did she remember something?"
He couldn't help but doubt her actions after their short talk, wondering if there was more to what she knew than he thought.
There was no other way; he would be the bad guy again.
"Galatea, temper your mind. You must not lose yourself to this momentary anger."
"What would you know?!" She snapped back at him, but Luka just met her gaze with a fleeting smile.
He didn't say anything more and instead turned to Vaun, "Prepare for battle, have the archers fire at will. Prioritise the weaker goblins or wolves. If you need help, let someone know ahead of time.
Crack!
The loud clap of thunder sounded from the distance, the dark grey clouds churning as if preparing for a tragic, desperate battle. A raindrop fell a moment later, then another... and another until eventually overwhelming the entire land with a wave of cold water.
With the pitter-patter of water against armour, the enemy began to move first.
Zzzap!
Thunder struck the ground a few metres from the base, churning the earth and leaving a massive black scar across the grasslands.
Using this as a signal, the goblin riders began to move.
Vaun's voice travelled against the growing winds as if blessed. "Aim for their necks, the gaps in their armour or the wolves at their feet. We must bring them down before they reach the walls."
"W-Why, Captain?" A young hunter wearing simple leather gear asked.
"Those wolves are nothing like the ones you find in the forest, or while hunting lambs or deer. But a foul hybrid bred from the mix of monster and beast."
Luka nodded, appreciative of Vaun's knowledge; without people like him, there would be no chance of growing an army to repel the fallen.
However, while staring down at the blue goblin, he found himself entranced by the wolf's golden eyes beneath. Those noble, arrogant eyes felt nostalgic, reminding him of his past self and the desire to take the wolf for himself.
The wolf, almost as if noticing his gaze, snarled and raised her head.
Only for the goblin to stomp on it, pushing it down.
A faint orange screen lit up in the corner of Luka's vision, the corner of his lips curling upward upon seeing it.
"I see."
He called Vaun. "Vaun, try to avoid wounding the black wolf, focus on the small fry."
The half-elf paused, his eyes peeking at the massive beast before shifting back to his charismatic leader, "A-are you sure, Sire?"
"Yes, that wolf isn't necessarily an enemy. I will deal with it, okay?"
"Understood!"
Unable to deny his master, Vaun accepted Luka's request.
Brrrrrrt!
Once again, the goblin horn sounded, a foul sound followed by the full charge of the goblin cavalry, which shook the earth.
"Take aim, Nock your arrows and Half-Draw!" Vaun found himself cutting the number of orders to speed up their shooting when he didn't hesitate.
The fifty archers all drew their bows halfway.
'I should learn archery in the future... it should help my development.'
Unbound by the rules of his father's way, people using his unlocked system could grow naturally through training, exercise, and effort up to a certain level.
Luka planned to work on these in the near future.
"Galatea, are you nervous?" To alleviate his own boiling excitement and keep himself calm. He spoke to the knight who stood beside him, her hand stroking the blue gemstone embedded in her pommel.
Excitement could be as poisonous as nerves in battle, the fiery heat that churned in his chest constantly urging him to fight and take action, a true double-edged sword.
"I'm fine."
Her answer remained curt, as she watched the goblins close the distance faster than expected.
"Full Draw!!!"
Vaun's bellow echoed throughout the walls as the enemy cavalry spread into two waves, one going left, the other right. He remained silent as they moved closer, the distance no more than fifty metres.
The creak of bowstrings being pulled to the limit echoed with a melodic twang.
Fifty Metres.
Forty Metres.
Thirty...
"FIRE! Unleash your arrows"