Black Horseman of the Night (Part 1)

{Earlier...}

Thompson is walking out of the tavern and sees Hyoran sitting on a chair with Fennec laying on the floor. Thompson remembered that she defeated multiple guards in the day time without breaking a sweat in the slightest.

"Hey, you sleep?" Thompson said. No answer. He walked in front of her to get his answer. She was sleeping. Thompson looked at the destroyed front gate where any monster or invader can walk in at any time. Although it is being repaired, it makes the people nervous.

"Hey now, the gate's in middle of repair, the armies are coming and you're sleeping? You got nerves of steel, little wolfie." Thompson thought to himself.

"Boss!" one rebel yelled running to him. Thompson ran to him and covered his mouth.

"You idiot, you'll wake up the wolf girl!" Thompson whispered.

"Sorry, but we went scouting as you said where the black owl and wolf followed us and stopped us from getting further." the scout said.

"Yeah, what did you find?" Thompson asked.

"We found mercenaries coming from Volaine."

"Seriously? Damn, we have a bandit problem and now this?" Thompson groaned.

*Awooo!*

*Skreeek!*

Howls and screeches are heard in the air, alerting the people in the city. Hyoran jumped up from the sudden noise with her ears shooting tall.

"What happened!? Are there bandits!?" Hyoran yelled, pulling her weapon out.

"Worse, mercenaries. They're probably more skilled than bandits." Thompson answered.

"M-mercenaries?" Hyoran said.

*Awoooo!*

Another howl was heard in the night, mixing with an another howl, concerning the inhabitants more.

"Prepare for battle! The mercenaries are coming!" Thompson yelled.

With the new conflict coming, she had to call Kain to let him know and hope he's not too far.

{Now...}

As Zala kept sprinting along, I see the city of Valtuz from the moonlight, gradually getting closer in the distance.

[Your destination is approaching on your right.]

"Slow down, Zala, we're almost here." I said.

Zala slowed down, but not to a halt and I steered her to the right of me.

"He's here, open the gate!" one of the rebels said. The rebels opened the gate that has a huge hole, letting us through. Santrasa and Groza also followed shortly after.

"Woah there, Zala." I said to her and she slowed down to her walking speed. She sputtered and snorts as she shook her head around.

"Kain! You're back!" Hyoran yelled as she came running. She also noticed that there is a Thunder Tiger and a Storm Eagle. Especially when Zala has a different look.

"Hyoran, this is Santrasa and this is Groza." I said, introducing two more monsters. Although, there is a third one coming, but I'll make that a surprise.

"Kain, there are mercenaries coming from Volaine to attack Valtuz!" Thompson said.

"How many?" I said.

"I don't know. Your monsters, Noire and Schwarze stopped them from going further. But thanks to them, none of our scouts died." Thompson answered.

"Schwarze!" I called out to him. Schwarze flew down towards me. I put out my arm and Schwarze landed on it.

"How many mercenaries you saw?" I asked to Schwarze.

*Skreek!*

[Schwarze said that there are 600 mercenaries coming to Valtuz.]

By that response, I was stunned. Schwarze flew off and continued being an alarm. Six hundred. That is twice more than back in Nolten Village. This could make me break 10 million again, no, demolish it!

Oh wait, I can't let the excitement get to me. I have to focus on protecting the village. If the mercenaries get close, they'll spread and I'll have no way of effectively defending.

My best move is to evolve Steinberg, Flammenberg, Santrasa, Groza, Mavros, Viri, and Taudera. The rest will stay for now.

I looked at Thompson and Hyoran with my eyes wide.

"What did he say?" Hyoran said.

"Schwarze saw 600 mercenaries coming this way." I said. Thompson's eyes widened.

"Bloody hell...we can't take them on by numbers. Even if we can, they're more skilled." Thompson said as he was barely able to comprehend.

"No worries, I'll fight them, away from the field." I said.

"Kain, these are mercenaries, man! They fought armies and monsters too, y'know!" Thompson protested. "Going out there is suicide!"

It's understandable. Going out there alone without a plan is suicide. But I have plenty of monsters to work around with.

[10 minutes until mercenaries arrive.]

"Hey, you know where's the blacksmith are?" I asked.

"You're not seriously--" Thompson said, but I cut him off.

"Please! If they get past me, you and my other monsters will do the rest." I pleaded.

"Fine. In the center, go to your left, there is a sign saying 'Valtuz Weapon Shop'." Thompson replied.

"To the weapon center, Zala!" I said and Zala began running, neighing so the rebels move out of the way. I reached the place where it said Valtuz Weapon Shop and thankfully, it is open.

Zala slowed down to a halt and I got off of her. I then ran inside the shop. Surprisingly, there's no people waiting.

"Welcome to the shop, kid rebel." one man said with an eye patch with a gruffy look on his face, with a black and gray beard.

"I need the best halberd you have." I demanded. I also showed money. The owner snorts.

"We're about to go to battle, kid. I don't need money now. Come with me." The owner said, gesturing me.

I quickly followed him down into the basement. He then turned on the light to see high-quality weapons with many different colors, metals, and weapon types.

"Alright, kid. Pick any weapon you like." the owner said.

I looked to see an assortment of halberds and find a few for my liking.

I scanned the first halberd that has a gold and blue shaft and golden white axe head and spear.

The next one is black where the head is also black with a large red gemstone. The blade has two axe heads and a spear at top.

The third one has a red shaft with golden details. The halberd head has a part axe, hammer, and spear.

Lastly, a purple shaft with silver details where the halberd has a crescent like axe head and two pikes.

All of those halberds are so badass looking, but I already found what I need.

"I'll take the black one." I said.

"The Red Moon? It's all yours." The owner said. He gestured me to take Red Moon. I took it and it obviously had weight in it which won't let me flip this halberd around with my fingers. However, it's not unwieldy.

"Want armor?" the owner asked.

"Yeah, something black and light to move around in." I replied.

The owner walked upstairs and I followed him as I am holding Red Moon. We walked into a room upstairs and showed an assortment of armor sets. Armors in made out of monsters, made out of finest metals, and leathers.

The owner found something and it's a simple black overcoat. I scanned it as usual.

"It's the only piece I can find that fits you the most. Anything else?" The owner asked.

I quickly took off my cloak to put on the leather coat. It's on the big side, but I'll grow in to it.

"Anything else, kid?" The owner asked.

"A black mask." I said.

"Sorry kid, I don't have any masks. But I can give you a black bandanna." he said. He pulled out a drawer and gave me a black bandanna. I took it and wrapped it around my mouth and nose. I then put on my cloak.

I looked in the mirror and see that I am some edgy brat with a halberd that is twice my height. I guess, I'll have to wait until I get older.

"Looking good, kid." the owner complimented me, giving a thumbs up.

"I'll pay you back, I promise." I said.

"If you gonna pay me back, come back alive, alright?" the owner said.

The owner and I waved each other goodbye and left the shop. Jumped on Zala to go back to Hyoran and Thompson.

"How much time do I have left?"

[7 minutes until their arrival.]

With the reminder, I have to make a quick strategy for my monsters. Once done, I will head out and deal with the mercenaries. If they're here to attack us...I'll have a little talk with Alphonse later.

I reached to Hyoran and the rest of my monsters. She looked at me in awe where I look down upon her, but not in a condescending way.

"Kain?" She said.

"Yeah, it's me." I said as I pull back my hood and pulled down my mask. I then began my strategy.

"Taudera, Santrasa, Groza, Mavros, Viri, Schwarze, you come with me to battle. Flammenberg, Steinberg, Gris, Noire, Paura, Fennec, you stay here to defend." I said to the monsters.

"I'll be staying here, right?" Hyoran said.

"Hyoran, you must stay as well and defend. If I let any of them pass, it's up to you and them to kill them." I nodded.

"You really doing this, huh?" Thompson said.

"Yeah. Someone has to do it and besides, I wanna come here as a visitor, not a adventurer." I smiled. I put on the mask and put on my hood and began steered Zala to the side gate. Taudera, Santrasa, Groza, Mavros, Viridesca, and Schwarze followed.

I reached the side gate of Valtuz and the rebels know what to do.

"Open the gate! Let 'em through!" the rebels yelled.

The rebels pushed the wooden gate open, letting me my pack of monsters through.

The rebels then closed the side gate behind us. I still remember the weight of the halberd might be slowing me down.

"System, give me a skill called Super Strength."

[The cost is 50,000 EP.]

"Do it."

[Acknowledged. Skill Super Strength acquired.]

With the skill in my arsenal, I can feel the halberd is lighter than before. I can also blow away many more enemies I need to.

We continued out into the open plain of Valtuz, where my monsters walk along side me. If those mercenaries are coming to attack to get Alphonse, peace was no longer an option. If it's to fight the bandits, fine by me.

[5 minutes until arrival.]

But if they try to trick us in any way, I will paint the entire field with their blood.