Wrapping it Up

I escaped the cave with all my skeletons and the unconscious lion with me as I ride Zala out of the cave to the rain. Arex appeared in front of me to warn me.

"The army are coming to this mountain. Heading back the same way will complicate things." Arex warned.

"Alright. Santrasa?" I called out to Santrasa who is stationed within the trees. Santrasa grunted and I turned to my right to see Santrasa within the trees.

"Alright, let's head back." I turned Zala to Santrasa's direction and began running. Zala jumped up to the ledge and we began weaving through the trees.

[Attention. Ergexian army will reach to Valtuz in 3 minutes.]

The way I'm going now, I won't be able to make it.

"Zala, use Shadow Sneak!" I said.

*Shooom!*

As soon Zala does Shadow Sneak, everything goes dark. The world is darker than the night sky. I looked around and then up to see that the world above me is different.

Everything is purple and blurry at the same time. The world I was once in is completely warping like I was underwater. And yet, I am definitely moving faster.

Is this the world where Zala, Noire, and Mavros see when they use Shadow Sneak? Interesting...

[Notice. Unique Skill acquired, Shadow Sneak.]

[Notice. Gris has acquired a Unique Skill, Shadow Sneak.]

[Notice. Saeva has acquired a Unique Skill, Shadow Sneak.]

What? Just like that? But Gris doesn't have a Compensator skill or have an affinity with Dark Magic! I even tried it in multiple games on multiple monsters who don't have resistance to Darkness and those without Dark Magic. Well, if this Compensator skill exists, this could break the game.

For Saeva, it's a given when she had Dark Nullification and Dark Magic, but it's not always guaranteed.

I look to the right of me to see the cluster of lights. This must be the Noltian Army from the side. I look ahead to see a slightly separated cluster. It must be Hyoran waiting there.

"Zala, cancel Shadow Sneak."

*Swooosh!*

We jumped out of the shadows to arrive at Alphonse's estate. We have finally reached Valtuz before the Ergexian army came.

[Notice. 2 minutes and 15 seconds remain.]

"Santrasa, Taudera, Stein, Flammen, go hide in the forest." I said.

Santrasa nodded and ran to the stone wall. Santrasa jumped over the short stone wall and disappeared in the forest. I ordered Zala to head back to the tavern while the rain is still pouring, masking the sounds of Zala's running.

As we reach the main street, Stein, Flammen, and Taudera runs by.

Hyoran, is probably waiting outside for me. So, I shouldn't make her wait any longer.

I see the tavern in the distance to see Hyoran holding Fennec in her arms at the entrance, waiting anxiously. Her ears twitch and hears Zala's footsteps coming closer. I finally arrived.

I pulled my harness back and Zala slows to a stop in front of Hyoran.

"Kain! You're back!" Hyoran said with her face bright.

I jumped off of Zala and held Hyoran's shoulders.

"The army is close, we need to go inside." I said. Hyoran knew what I said and nodded.

"Zala, get in my shadow." I said.

*Swoosh!*

Zala jumped in my shadow and vanished completely. We then went inside the tavern to head to our rooms.

We arrived in our room where Paura, Mavros, Viridesca, and Schwarze. Taudera, Santrasa, Stein, and Flammen are in the forest beyond as they're too large to go to the tavern. I mean, they couldn't help but knock things over when it came to their large bodies. Not only that, their claws and weight will just break the stairs.

Vampa, Burya, and Groza are elsewhere as their size may be inconvenient. Since both Vampa and Burya evolved, they can't fly through the windows as easily.

Arex and Saeva can go anywhere, but only when there are no knights from any kingdom. Having them seen will complicate things. I know their basic religious beliefs, but I'm not gonna lose sleep and have to deal religious fanatics.

The undead like Mavros and Mirtis must be hidden, so getting them seen is a no go either.

"Viri, soundproof the room." I said.

Viridesca nodded and put her hands forth. Her eyes faintly glow.

*vvvVVVT!*

The rain, the wind, the chatter, everything is was instantly silenced by Viridesca.

"Noire, Gris, Saeva, come on out." I said.

*Shooooom!*

Gris, Saeva, Noire, and the Lion appeared from the shadow. The lion slowly regains consciousness.

"Is that a Black Lion?" Hyoran said.

"No, a Dimlight Lion." I said.

"Dimlight?"

*Grrr...* *Huff!*

The Lion shrugs off his stiffness and looks to see that he is no longer in a cave, but in a tavern. The lion looks at me, Saeva, Gris, and Noire, especially my other monsters. The Lion lowers his head in front of us.

"Kain, what is that Lion doing?" Hyoran whispered.

"Surrendering, because he knew he lost. Also, the Lion is at Rank B. Gris, Noire, and Saeva are way above that." I explained.

[The Dimlight Lion has surrendered himself to you.]

I remember having a stuffed lion when I was a little kid. I used to have him with me when there are nasty storms coming by, be it Blizzards, Thunderstorms, Hurricanes, and Tornadoes.

Now that I got a good look at the lion, his mane is striped with black and white while his body is completely black.

I remember having a Level 532 Obsidian Lion with his incredible Dark Magic and Strength. He was so strong that a Tank in Level 670-710 would die quickly with his Obsidian Claws, Bleed, and Crit Damage. He was obviously weak to Light Magic, but his Obsidian Armor allows him to nullify Tier II Light Magic Spells and resist Tier III and IV.

I got a name that will fit this Zebra Murder Kitty. And no, it will not be Oreo!

"Dichrome. That will be your name."

[Dimlight Lion is now named as Dichrome.]

Dicrome raises his head and presses his nose onto mine. My first actual lion friend.

I began healing Dicrhome's wounds and old scars he had with his time with Zaneth. Dichrome's wounds began to disappear to the point that he wasn't injured at all.

"There, good as new." I said. Dichrome brushes his face onto mine as appreciation of healing him back to top form.

[Attention, 30 seconds until Ergexian Empire arrives.]

Now that they're close, there is a chance someone would sniff out Arex or Saeva, so to be safe, they should return.

"Arex, Saeva, return to your realms." I said.

*Bark!*

Saeva happily barks and black flames engulfed her and vanished.

*Fwoosh!*

[Saeva has returned to the Infernal Realm.]

"Call me when the situation becomes dire." Arex bowed and disappears in silver light.

*Bwing!*

[Arex has returned to the Celestial Realm.]

"Gris, Noire, Mavros, Dichrome. Get in the shadows." I commanded.

*Shoom!*

The four monsters went into my shadows as to be able to move around safely without detection. What is left is Schwarze, Fennec, Paura, Viri, Vampa, Burya, Groza, Stein, Flammen, Santrasa, and Taudera.

I look at Viri who is floating above me still has her eyes glowing.

I stood up and walked towards the window of the room behind me. I looked at the army coming by on foot and by horse. I even see mages pass by as well.

"Good...they're going." I said.

Hyoran walks towards the same window and peeks at the army marching by.

"So, where to? These people are everywhere." Hyoran said.

"We could leave Valtuz, but we have monsters that are too large or too slow to reach the forest without raising suspicion." I said.

If it's a game, I can send them back and call them again using the Summoner Menu. But since this ain't a game, I cannot do it. Unless...

"System, Space Magic."

*BZZT*

[This skill cannot be attained.]

"What!?"

[You have to unlock more unknown skills. One of them may have what you requested.]

Damn...one of the skills I got is Resurrection, but it could be anything else once I tried to unlock one of them.

Let's not forget the time I fainted for a few hours. I look at the army again and noticed that some knights and mages are stationed to guard here.

I used Perception to go scan the areas outside the inn.

[Notice. 75 knights and 30 mages are stationed in Valtuz.]

Yeah...looks like I ain't going anywhere at this point. Even if I did go past them, Noltia most likely went past Nolten Village, so I can't put them there too.

*Breep!*

[Caution. Someone has sensed your Perception.]

I immediately turned off Perception. It is safe to say that I sensed a person that is S-rank or Higher in the army.

"Hyoran, let's call it a night." I said.

"What about the bandits?" Hyoran asked.

"Too scared to fight. Even if they did recover, they're outnumbered." I said confidently.

I know because there is a strong knight named Lann. He wields a Greatsword as well and fought along with Anna. His rank is S+, just below Anna's rank.

I jumped on my bed and lay my head on the pillow with my hands behind me. I looked at Viri's glowing green eyes as she is using her power still.

"Viri, you can stop now." I said.

Viri nodded and her eyes dimmed. The outside noise slowly flooded into the room and I can still hear the rain.

With the bandits all softened up, I'm sure this conflict will wrap itself up real soon.