novelraw Chapter 28: Before the raid
Chapter 28: Before the raid
"It’s common for gates to appear in long intervals," Katar explained to everyone that day. "So you may not see another gate for a long time."
They were seated tiredly after concluding their training for the day when Matt finally voiced the question that had been bothering him.
"But you said we need mana essence from the spawns to increase our potentials. If there are no gates, how do we do that?" he asked.
"We join the raiders," Icard suggested casually.
"Raiders?" Reya asked.
"Yeah. I took a stroll around yesterday, and I saw a notice requesting people to join a raid outside our vicinity."
"Hmm. Raids," Katar muttered. "It’s common for vicinities to host raids outside their territories."
"What does that mean?" Alia asked.
"Raids are carried out for different reasons," Katar said. "For young vicinities like this one, the goal is usually to gather resources. For older and stronger vicinities, raids are used to hunt spawns for mana essence and core stones."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"The same applies to younger vicinities as well. But since the grades of spawns outside are completely random, it becomes difficult to find enemies they can safely hunt."
"You said the grades are random," Alia began hesitantly. "Does that mean the..."
"It means you could run into a D grade, a C grade, a B grade, or even an A grade spawn," Katar cut in before she could finish. "And some of those have enough power to wipe out an entire raid party in moments."
Silence followed.
"And the chieftain we met in the yellow gate was just a D grade," Alia muttered.
A heavy sense of danger settled over the group.
"Isn’t that too risky?" Matt said. "That shouldn’t even be an option. They should just wait for another gate or find an alternative."
Katar harrumphed.
"It might not be so risky if they use the Maire’s Reed."
"What’s that?" Alia asked.
"An offshoot of the Maire," Katar explained. "It allows raiders to establish a small, temporary territory outside the vicinity. When activated, it creates a safe zone where even high grade spawns cannot approach. Most raid groups use it to set up camps."
Some of the tension eased at that.
Then Katar spoke again.
"You all are joining the raid."
"Ehhhhh!!!"
***
They eventually grew accustomed to the sight of a talking, oversized, white, furry cat, especially as more Erwalds began appearing around the vicinity, accompanying individuals and groups alike.
What they did not grow accustomed to was Katar’s training.
For nearly two months, Katar subjected them to relentless drills.
He drilled mana control until their minds burned, forced them to circulate mana through their bodies until their limbs shook, and made them repeat exercises long after exhaustion had set in.
Some days, he focused entirely on control. Maintaining steady mana flow while standing still. Compressing mana into precise movements. Expanding and retracting it without leakage.
Other days were purely physical. Endless running. Body strengthening. Balance training. Combat stances held until muscles screamed in protest.
There were days they collapsed onto the ground, unable to move, only for Katar to click his tongue and demand they stand again.
These were things Icard couldn’t have possibly taught them. Eventually, they could clearly see that as Icard had to keep convincing them each time they felt like it was unbearable.
But not like Katar really cared about their opinions though.
Even if Icard failed to convince them, Katar wouldn’t mind to force them. He could actually do it.
But thankfully, it wasn’t necessary now. Their growth rate was different now and they could tell.
It was the same with everyone who had an Erwald with them.
An so, Katar soon settled in amongst them as an effective but unbearable teacher.
And so, by the time Katar ordered them to join the raid, none of them had the strength to protest.
As long as it wasn’t a death sentence, and they had an opportunity to grow, Katar motivated them to take it.
However, they gave him a condition that he should come along as well, but he strongly refused.
"I hate crowds, so I can’t join you with the other raiders"
---
The next day, Reya and the others walked toward the city gates, where a line of four trucks stood ready.
The gate loomed tall and heavy, forged from reinforced metal scavenged and rebuilt over weeks of labor.
Thick fences stretched far to either side, layered with steel mesh, concrete barriers, and makeshift watch towers.
Beyond it lay the ruined world, separated only by metal and faith.
Icard stared ahead.
"They’ve gathered."
Roughly a hundred people stood near the gate. Some were in groups, others alone, many accompanied by their Erwalds.
’Just like us’ Icard thought. ’Most of them are here because their Erwalds suggested it’
Around them, other groups checked their gear.
Reya wore her camouflaged trousers with a dagger strapped to it, a fitted jacket and bandages tightly wrapped around her fists to improve durability.
Matt a wore padded armor scavenged from an old riot gear he found while strolling around one day.
Eric had layered clothing reinforced with leather and light metal plates.
Alia wore flexible combat attire, light enough for movement but thick enough to withstand glancing blows.
While Icard was just okay with a grey hoodie and baggy trousers.
The trucks were rugged, military grade transports with reinforced frames, thick tires, and steel plating bolted along their sides. Supplies were strapped down carefully. There wasn’t much but they had to make do with it.
After some time, Albert emerged.
He moved through the crowd with calm authority.
Beside him walked Gremit, with Luna and Marcus following closely behind.
People stepped aside instinctively as Albert’s own group spread into the gathered ranks.
Taking position at the rear, Albert glanced over the crowd.
"They seem full of spirit," he said.
"Most are here because their Erwalds encouraged them," Gremit replied. "This is a good opportunity for experience, mana essence, and possibly core stones."
"But finding a chieftain within our capabilities will depend on luck," Albert said.
"True," Gremit agreed. "Remind them we are not here to fight. This is an expedition. We are testing the waters."
Albert nodded and stepped forward.
"You have all been briefed," he said loudly. "Beyond this gate is dangerous territory. Do not wander from the main group. Do not act on impulse. Any reckless behavior puts everyone at risk."
Then, the gate began to open.
As the metal doors parted, the ruined world revealed itself. Crumbling buildings, overgrown streets, twisted remains of vehicles and shattered infrastructure stretched into the distance under a dull sky.
However, Albert stood tall.
He wore a long black coat over layered black clothing, reinforced at the shoulders and wrists.
The fabric was both flexible and durable, designed for combat and command alike.
His men wore similar attire, dark uniforms that marked them clearly as a unit.
Albert rested his right hand over his left wrist, fingers lightly gripping it. A composed stance, one that radiated control and restraint.
He climbed into the first truck.
The others followed.
"I heard these trucks were provided by the mayor," someone said as they boarded. "It’s been a long time since I last rode one."
"I don’t like this," Alia murmured. "It reminds me of how we first got here."
"Same," Eric replied.
’Well, soon enough, guilds won’t need trucks to go on raids. Heh, we won’t need them too when we go on ours’.
But that was not an issue now.
If he remembered correctly, in his last turn, the first raiders encountered ant lizards not far from here.
Back then, they thought it was so dangerous that Icard and the rest sat it out as Katar wasn’t there to pressure them into going.
Instead, his eyes were fixed on a young man among the raiders.
Wester.
The first avarice he had encountered in his previous turn.
And this time, Icard would not let him slip by unnoticed.