Noveletting...
Noveletting...
Chapter 1.60
Skinner breaches Liscor's defenses by paralyzing the guards with fear magic, sparking a massive battle in the city streets. Facing heavy resistance from Relc and the Watch, Skinner retreats and directs his forces toward The Wandering Inn, where Erin's Antinium friends gain individuality while defending her from an Aberration Worker.
Skinner launches a devastating assault on Liscor by casting a powerful [Terror] spell that magically paralyzes the Watch Sergeant and the guards at the city gates. With the defenders frozen in fear, Skinner's terrifying horde of Zombies, Ghouls, and Crypt Lords pours unhindered into the city. Captain Zevara and the Watch desperately rally to defend Liscor, falling back to Tesseract Street to form a defensive chokepoint against the undead tide. Relc takes the frontline, showcasing his immense strength and his [Triple Thrust] Skill to decimate the undead ranks. Pisces also joins the defense, utilizing his [Necromancer] abilities to snap undead necks alongside offensive magic like [Fire Orb].
Meanwhile, at The Wandering Inn, Erin Solstice remains unaware of the full scale of the invasion. Danger strikes the inn when an Aberration Worker ambushes Toren, ripping off the skeleton's skull and leaving him flailing on the ground. The Aberration then attempts to murder Erin but is ultimately killed before it can succeed. In the aftermath of the chaos, several Antinium Workers from the chess club—including Bishop, Vladimir, Calabrian, Emanuel, Garry, Milner-Barry, Belgrade, and Jose—awaken as Individuals. They take on unique names and identities, achieving a state of personal existence previously unknown to their kind.
Back in Liscor, Skinner observes the battle and realizes that Relc's overwhelming combat abilities make the city's defenders too formidable to quickly defeat. Assessing the threat, the undead monstrosity decides to abandon his siege of Liscor and retreats eastward, setting his sights directly on The Wandering Inn. As the danger shifts toward the inn, a decapitated Toren manages to leap out of the darkness to ambush an approaching Zombie, signaling the start of a desperate fight for survival at Erin's doorstep.
Skinner uses the [Terror] spell to paralyze the Watch Sergeant and the guards at the gates, allowing his undead army into Liscor.
Small inn where Erin is present; currently occupied by her. Noted by the Watch as having been abandoned years ago but Erin is using it; the Drake and Klbkch enter here to investigate.
aka the inn, Abandoned hilltop inn +27
A city adjacent to the Floodplains, culturally aligned with Drakes and not friendly to Humans.
aka City of Liscor, the city +8
A rare combat skill.
aka [Triple Thrust], [Triple—] +1
Zevara, Relc, and Pisces mount a defense on Tesseract Street, with Relc using [Triple Thrust] and Pisces using [Fire Orb] against the undead.
An Aberration Worker attacks Toren outside The Wandering Inn, ripping off his skull.
After the Aberration Worker attempts to murder Erin and is killed, multiple Antinium chess club workers awaken as Individuals and take names.
Realizing Relc is too dangerous of a threat, Skinner departs Liscor and heads east toward The Wandering Inn.
Despite being decapitated, Toren leaps from the darkness to attack a zombie approaching the inn.
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.
aka Erin, the traveller +64
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka lizards, giant lizards +3
A species of tall, bipedal hyena-like humanoids covered in fur.
aka hyena-people, dog-people +8
A species of which Erin Solstice is a member.
aka Humans, smooth skin +4
Small green humanoids with red eyes and sharp teeth that chased and slashed at Erin.
aka Goblins, little green things +16
An Earth chess grandmaster.
aka the Worker, Garry
A tall female Gnoll shopkeeper in the market who runs the stall 'Krshia's Silverfang Goods'. She is direct and attempts to get Erin to shop at her stall.
aka Krshia, The Gnoll shopkeeper +13
A type of undead creature armed with magically paralyzing claws.
A class skilled with spears.
aka [Spearmaster]
The skeletal remains of a person that Erin discovered in an upstairs bedroom of the inn.
aka the skeleton, a pile of bones +18
A small, child-like Goblin who attacks Erin out of grief and is spared by her.
aka the small Goblin, the ragged Goblin +12
A Drake Watch Sergeant whose hesitation and subsequent magical paralysis allowed the undead to enter Liscor.
aka The Watch Sergeant, [Sergeant]
A member of the City Guard who was apparently traumatized by Relc's reckless dagger-flipping on the day he signed up.
aka Gnoll guardsman, gate guard
A friendly and helpful Drake who works as a receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild in Liscor.
aka the female receptionist, the she-Drake +14
An Antinium Prognugator tasked by the Queen with handling surface affairs and hunting down Aberrations.
aka Prognugator, the Prognugator +4
An Antinium Worker whose mind breaks from the strain of chess and newfound desires, turning into a violent Aberration.
aka Aberration, screaming Worker +2
An Antinium Worker of the chess club who gained individuality and took the name Bishop.
An Antinium Worker of the chess club who gained individuality and took the name Vladimir.
An Antinium Worker of the chess club who gained individuality and took the name Calabrian.
aka the Worker
An Antinium Worker of the chess club who gained individuality and took the name Emanuel.
An Antinium Worker of the chess club who gained individuality and took the name Milner-Barry.
An Antinium Worker of the chess club who gained individuality and took the name Belgrade.
An Antinium Worker of the chess club who gained individuality and took the name Jose.
A newly discovered ancient dungeon near Liscor.
aka ancient dungeon, the Ruins +13
A class of city guards.
aka Guard, [Guards] +10
A branch of magic dealing with the dead, considered dangerous and illegal.
aka [Necromancer], [Necromancers] +4
A class held by Relc. It grants the [Iron Scales] skill at a high level.
aka [Sergeant]
A general class for any individual who practices magic.
aka [Mage], [Mages] +3
An archer is a class defined by specialized equipment for ranged combat, as seen with a tall, furry individual in Liscor.
aka an archer, [Archers]
An offensive fire spell cast by Pisces.
aka [Fire Orb]
“If we didn’t have a horde of the undead trying to eat us all, I’d be more worried. The citizens are either in their homes or fighting with us. If these Workers kill a few zombies, I won’t shed any tears.”
“Whatever the reason is, I can’t spare anyone. She’s not a citizen here, and we’re up to our necks in trouble. The Human will be on her own.”
“I don’t know where it is. But there’s something. Something bad.”
“I Am iNdivIDuAL. BuT i reJECT. I rejEcT aLL.”
“I can try. But give me more [Archers] and [Mages] to get rid of the undead. I can’t have them on my back and that thing.”
“We will all die for you. I am Jose.”
“I regret that is impossible. The Queen must not be disturbed at this moment. I am sorry.”
“It might be nothing. Just—keep an eye out, okay?”
“I mean, he seems different. He acts different. More confident, y’know?”
“Many of those large things are standing next to the entrance. We cannot kill them, and more keep coming.”
“If it was him, we’d be dead already. There aren’t any Giants or Bone Horrors or Ghosts or any of the other undead he brought last time. No—this is something else.”
“If he’s here, find him! I’ve got to go. The east streets need help.”
“We shouldn’t be fighting in the streets! If we can get close to those gates and close them, these undead will die outside the city. Why the hell are they still open?”
“I mean you no harm. And this wasn’t my fault! I was in the city all day, and I knew nothing of this—this event.”
“You stay here and help! If this wasn’t your fault, then help us!”
“YOU DiD ThiS To me. yOu mAde Me THis waY. For yOU, I did tHis. bUT alL iS SuffERIng.”
“Heya, Captain! Mind if I take this one on?”
“Until then, follow me. We’ve got to use this moment until your Soldiers all die.”
“Already, three have become Aberration. We fear the rest may have as well. They are violent, and many are armed.”
“This creature is highly intelligent, guardsmen. It won’t fight anything that can resist its fear effect and poses a credible threat. Perhaps it could win, but it won’t risk that.”
“Good. They won’t get through that way, then. But this is insane.”
“Fighting, Captain. We’ve closed off the streets like you said. That’s stopping them, but there are larger creatures out there.”
“This area is secure. I’ve got civilians holding bows, and a few mages are catching any Crypt Lords they see. You go and organize the adventurers. Tell Relc I want to see him, and find Olesm! We need his Skills!”
“I understand. I will help. Stay here and, ah, try not to put an arrow in my back.”
“Where the hell were you? And where are the other Soldiers? I don’t need fifteen of them, I need every single one in your Hive! Bring them out!”
“I will fulfill my duty as Prognugator within Liscor. However, my position will cease in a few hours. Another will take my place.”
“I have named myself. I have chosen. I am Individual, first and last of my kind. I am Knight, and no other is like me. And I am here to protect you. We are here to protect you.”
“Not many bugs around. But it’s winter. Apparently.”
“The adventurers are asking what they can do. They’re fighting with our people—but poorly. There aren’t many good teams around. My people have bows. They’re shooting from the rooftops!”
“Join the battle. Kill all undead. Retreat if you suffer significant injuries.”
“The Soldiers guard the entrance to the Hive and the surrounding streets. We will let nothing disturb our Queen. She is in the middle of a critical process. The Rite of Anastases. She is hours—less perhaps—to completion.”
“Watch-Captain Zevara. It is good to see you alive.”
“Watch the damned Ghouls! They’re strong enough to rip your scales apart if you let them!”
“I fear the Workers are not in the city any longer. They are moving towards a Human. Erin Solstice.”
“I can. Maybe. Probably. But give me some of those Antinium just to be safe.”
“[Indomitable Will]. Anyone without a similar Skill should fall back. This thing—it’s projecting fear. Like a Level 30 [Mage]. Higher.”
“Kill these things and I’ll give you a medal. Now start casting or I’ll slice your damn hands off!”
“He was kept in the Hive by the Prognugator. He remains. But we have come. We have chosen. We are Individual.”
“The dead are coming. Please remain inside. We will protect you with our lives.”
“Believe me, ah, Captain. I would never jeopardize my good standing with your city. In fact, I am helping to prove my innocence. I—”
“Perhaps it seeks to wear us down first! Or maybe it goes after easier prey! I can’t tell!”
“I assume I will be remunerated appropriately for this?”
“Have them pick off any stragglers that break through. We’ll hold the line here and push forwards. Now, where’s Relc?”
“That will not be necessary, Captain Zevara. We are here.”
“As soon as our Queen finishes the Rite of Anastases, we will fully cooperate in the defense of the city.”
“You have a name? Um. Good. That’s good, right?”
“Soldiers, fall back. I’m going to need some room for this.”
“Something ugly? It’s—strong. All that dead flesh is like armor. I need to slice it away to get at what’s underneath. But one touch of those hands—”
“As this is not a period of war or crises as declared by the Council, I must decline your request. The maximum number of soldiers the Watch Captain is allowed to command is fifty Soldier Antinium and a hundred Workers in a time of crisis.”
“We have countless witnesses who saw the undead emerge from the ruins. Besides, I doubt a [Necromancer] of your level could reanimate more than five bodies, let alone a horde like this.”
“Get them to safety! Gates down! Move, move! Call the Watch Captain! Summon Klbkch—summon the Prognugator! Where’s Olesm? Raise the alarm!”
“It was the chess. Pawn was totally on the offense this morning! Did you notice that? He was better—I mean, he’s still learning, but he’s taking chances. I can’t wait to see what happens if he and Rags play a game. It’s like he had a massive confidence boost or something. Do you think it was what happened with Ksmvr?”
“Keep an eye on that, okay? If you see anything—”
“The Workers, then. We could use them. Not just for building. If they can fight—”
“It’s neck snapping, and I have ample mana reserve. I suppose if it means exonerating myself…”
“Maybe someone dropped a nuke? Or a magical nuke?”
“Ow! Get out of the way next time!”
“Ew! Don’t do that! Just get rid of them outside!”
“Survivors! They’re coming! Hold the gates! Hold the gates!”
“Where the hell are the other guards? Why aren’t those gates closing?”
“Are you Human cowards or guardsmen? Put your tails into it!”
“That doesn’t make sense. I saw those gates closing! What could have…?”
“Just so we’re clear: I didn’t raise them.”
“Can you do that back-snapping thing many times?”
“Are all you Humans as damn crazy as this? Liscor is under attack!”
“They’re just the undead. Quite easy to subdue. I have every confidence your Watch will safeguard innocent civilians like myself.”
“Where are the Antinium? Send a message to the Queen at once! We need Soldiers!”
“I regret to say that is impossible at the moment. I have brought fifteen Soldiers. That is all that can be spared at the moment.”
“They are unable to be summoned as well.”
“The Queen is all. She must not be placed in danger. Erin Solstice…is merely important.”
“H-hello? Can you hear me? Who are you? What do you want?”
“You heard the Ant. Looks like we’ve got no choice. We need to close those gates. Get Relc. He’s the only one who has a chance of cutting his way through. I’ll grab a squad and push up.”
“I too chose. I have decided. My name is Vladimir.”
“Why are you all here? Why now? Why tonight? What—what’s happening?”
“The Ants are immune to whatever he’s doing. So am I.”
“Most of the more valuable undead specimens have some kind of survival function built into it. I surmise this being may be the same.”
“That’s Liscor. Why is it red over there? Is something burning?”
“The Workers are in rebellion. Many have left the Hive and fought with the Soldiers at the entrance.”
“I got that. Can you take it out with just them?”
“That is exactly what’s happening! Or do you not see the undead? I am authorizing you to bring all your Hive! Bring the Soldiers and all the Workers then! We need barricades, fortifications—”
“Sorry, Captain. The southern gates are closed, and we’ve got [Archers] shooting down any undead that try to climb up. But all our guards on the north and eastern walls have fled!”
“Crypt Lords. They’re extremely dangerous. Shoot them down if you can. But what about the southern gates? If they’ve fallen—”
“Belgrade. I will die for you.”
“I saw him in the city earlier today. I could track and kill him—”
“Um, that is correct. But this is rather inconvenient, is it not?”
“Okay, but where is that thing going? Is it going back into the ruins or do we have to worry about reinforcements now? Even without that monster, we’re still up to our ears in undead!”
“This is a state of emergency. If we can’t push the undead back soon, they will overrun this place. Your Soldiers can buy us some time, but there’s not enough. We need all fifty and soon. More than that. We need all of them! Talk to your Queen. Tell her we need help!”
“The one who got Klbkch killed?”
“You? But who are you? Where’s Pawn?”
“Not an officer. I hate fighting monsters.”
“Not that idiot. I mean the Necromancer.”
“Your Queen can take her damned ritual or whatever it is and shove it—”
“i aM AnTiNium. i haVe a NaMe.”
“I have chosen. I am Bishop.”
“Just stop it for now while I call a retreat. We’ll set up another street and give you a chance—”
“I don’t know! I don’t know!”
“Yeah, that’s right! Run! Run! Finally met someone with too many scales for ya, huh? Run away and…wait a second.”
“Ah. Hello to you, receptionist. Don’t wait to thank me for saving your life.”
“Please, Erin Solstice. You must remain calm. We are here to protect you.”
“No one has seen him this day. They saw him leaving the city, but—”
“Anything I can do, Captain?”
“I—I don’t know you. I never—”
“Well, that’s just great. If it comes back with another horde, we’re cooked. But what could it want if it wants more victims? There’s only a few farming villages around here and they’re almost all north or west, not east. So where—”
“Yes. One of the Aberrations who escaped was intent on killing her.”
“Am I near the equator?”
“Tkrn. What’s happening out there?”
“Do you think she forgot?”
“Hm. Rags should be here by now.”
“He’s holding them off down Tesseract Street.”
“Can’t you feel it? Something is wrong.”
“Where are the damned Antinium?”
“Tkrn! Where are you? Get over here!”
“Will you stay and fight?”
“YOu. ThiS is yOuR FAulT.”
“Me? What did I do?”
“Stay back! I’m warning you!”
“Clear a space. Hold the lines!”
“Do you know what that thing is?”
“I wish to be known as Milner-Barry.”
“Fall back! Fall back to Tesseract street!”
“He must sense you’re a threat.”
“Please. I mean you no harm.”
“Can you kill it?”
“I believe you.”
“I am not Pawn.”
“I am Knight.”
“I am Emanuel.”
“I am Calabrian.”
“I prefer gold, myself.”
“Why by the damned Ancestors—”
“Hey, Toren. Where are you?”
“What did I do? I don’t remember—”
“Crypt Lords standing guard? That’s…”
“Something’s out there.”
“Something’s different about him.”
“Oh. Pawn. It’s just you.”
“Damn. This isn’t good.”
“You bastard! [Triple Thrust]!”
“The Gecko of Liscor.”
“Being? It’s not undead?”
“Call me Garry.”
“Fall back! Fall back!”
“Something is wrong.”
“If you’ll excuse me—”
“diE.”
“Hold the doors!”
“Good. Do it!”
“Reject? Reject what?”
“Close the gates!”
“Begone, pest.”
“Here, Captain.”
“What was that, then?”
“Oh, no you don’t!”
“The Antinium? Why—”
“Close the gates! Close—”
“I feel—bathroom.”
“You’re serious.”
“Very.”
“yOU knoW.”
“Erin.”
“Wait a second.”
“The Necromancer?”
“Close ranks!”
“You!”
“[Fire Orb]!”
“W-Wight?”
“Why?”
“Toren?”
“Who…are you?”
“We?”
“Knight?”
“Individual?”
“Here!”
“Relc attack!”
“Relc!”
“It’s…leaving?”
“Fall back!”
“Why’s that?”
“…Pawn?”
“What is that?”
“C-close…the…”
“I—”
“It just—”
“Oh.”
“Hello?”
“Thanks.”
“No.”
“Oh no.”
“What else?”
“Please—”