Chương 37: Jumping time

Ethan stood with the others atop the dune, looking down at Arrowtown. The settlement rested down in a basin. From a distance, it looked almost peaceful, which only made the situation feel more deceptive. Leah stood beside him while the Valkyries spread out along the ridge, naturally forming a loose line to observe movement below while staying out of sight.

"Do you think the others will make it?" Alice asked. Desmond didn't look away from the town as he answered.

"They'll be here. We may as well wait. The town isn't going anywhere, and from here we can see anyone coming or going." Ethan tuned out the rest of the discussion. Most of the conversation during the march had been mundane anyway, focused on supplies and speculation. It wasn't where his attention needed to be. He lowered himself into the sand and closed his eyes, drawing mana inward slowly and deliberately. The desert's ambient mana stirred as he began to coax it.

He had decided he would continue making an effort to cultivate regularly. Now that he had time, there was no excuse. At least an hour a day, more if he had the time. Leah sat beside him. He could feel her watching at first. Through [Keen Sense], he also noticed Desmond glance his way. Ethan ignored it all and focused on circulation. Draw in. Compress. Refine. After roughly an hour, he sensed people stirring around him. He opened his eyes and allowed his core to relax.

The ambient mana he had been holding dissipated back into the air.

"I guess it's time." He turned to Leah for confirmation but paused when he saw her sitting with her eyes closed. Mana brushed faintly against her skin. It wasn't entering her body, but she could clearly sense it and had begun moving it in small, unrefined currents. He added that to his growing list of priorities. They both needed cultivation techniques. His own method was serviceable and better than most, but if he wanted to grow to the later tiers of cultivation, he would need a better one.

He looked back toward the dunes in the direction of Mountford and spotted silhouettes cresting the horizon. Roughly forty figures moved at a steady pace toward them. He tapped Leah's shoulder lightly, breaking her concentration. She opened her eyes.

"Reinforcements are here," he said as he stood. Leah rose with him. Desmond waited calmly as the incoming group approached. By the time Ethan had slung his bag over his shoulder and checked his sword, the reinforcements had arrived. Around forty more, bringing their numbers to roughly sixty. Ethan considered it carefully. Sixty organized, higher-leveled fighters would be more than enough to bring the town under control and flush out anyone working with the necromancer.

Desmond greeted another woman from the incoming group. Her posture suggested authority, but her deference made it clear he remained in charge. Ethan wasn't particularly concerned about their discussion or the details of their plan. He was here for his own objectives. Still, he listened. The strategy was simple. They would place the town under lockdown, question every individual, and identify anyone involved.

How they intended to separate truth from lies wasn't specified, but Ethan assumed they had someone with an interrogation class or a truth-related skill. Desmond called the march—not interested in waiting around any longer—and the Valkyries responded immediately. They moved at a quiet, efficient pace, descending the dunes and fanning outward until the settlement was surrounded. The spacing between members left noticeable gaps, large enough that a coordinated group might break through if they committed fully.

However, doing so would draw immediate attention from every direction. It was a calculated risk designed to speed up the process. Ethan remained close to Alice. It helped that she and Leah had formed something of a bond, making his proximity appear natural rather than seeming like a lurker. The former prisoners stayed nearby as well. Ethan kept a close watch on them. He had sworn to see them to safety, and he had no interest in testing the consequences of failing his first oath.

As they approached, townsfolk began pointing up at them. Shouting followed. Ethan scanned faces automatically, searching for Bella. He doubted she would have returned here with the necromancer. She had seemed deliberate, driven by something larger. Still, he would check. Just in case. Desmond halted the formation roughly twenty yards from the outer buildings. The Valkyries maintained their spacing while he stepped forward.

"My name is Desmond Bane, Vice Guild Leader of the Valkyries," he called out.

"I have it under strong authority that members of my guild have been going missing from this settlement. If you have nothing to do with this, remain calm. We have a few questions, and then you can be on your way." He paused before continuing.

"However, if you are involved, surrender quietly, and I will see that you receive a just and fair punishment." An unnatural silence settled over the town when he finished speaking. The words had carried clearly, so the lack of response spoke volumes. After a moment with no answer, Desmond signaled for the advance. The Valkyries moved forward, beginning the sweep.

"Get everyone to the settlement monolith. No exceptions," Desmond ordered.

"Check each home. Round them up. If anyone shows aggression, deal with it quickly." Ethan broke off in the direction of Bella's residence. It was located on the outskirts, making his movement appear practical rather than suspicious. Alice remained nearby, but he would need a short window away from her. He reached the small house and twisted the handle. Surprisingly, it was unlocked. He looked around just as another Valkyrie was entering the neighboring home. Ethan stepped inside.

The interior was empty, as expected, but still in disarray. Clothes lay scattered, and the bedding remained disturbed exactly as they had left it. If she had been back, he couldn't tell. Leah stepped inside behind him. She looked around.

"Jeez. Looks like your room." He scoffed.

"Yeah, right." Maybe once that had been true, but years of survival had stripped away bad habits like that. When you traveled light and depended on quick access to everything you owned, organization became a quick priority. At least for him, anyway. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. He approached the bed and moved aside scattered clothing.

"I need you to stay here and search this room. I mean everything. Tear it apart if you have to." He grabbed an oversized hoodie and pulled it on.

"Why? What are you going to be doing?" He lifted his bandana and covered his face.

"I'm getting that book from Alice. I also don't think things are going to stay peaceful for long. I want you in here when the fighting starts." Leah narrowed her eyes and stepped toward him.

"I'm not fragile, Ethan. I can help." She hesitated.

"And what are you planning with Alice? She's rough, but she's nice." He placed his pack against the wall.

"These are people who can likely travel to the oasis now. You're level eight? Nine? We need to level you properly before you insert yourself into something dangerous. You've been lucky to have protection so far." He pulled the hood up fully.

"I won't hurt her. She's earned that much. Just find anything that explains why Bella did what she did." He waited until Leah nodded before stepping outside and closing the door. Ethan could feel the tension in the air. People were being herded toward the center. There wasn't any violence yet, but Ethan knew from experience that imposing authority on a settlement full of hardened survivors rarely stayed peaceful for long. Unless the force was overwhelming. The Valkyries numbered around sixty.

The town had perhaps a little over a hundred residents. On paper, the numbers were close, but that didn't account for level disparity. Most of the Valkyries significantly outclassed the townsfolk. Still, it would only take one spark. Ethan adjusted his hood and joined a group of people walking toward the settlement. They were whispering amongst themselves. An older man spat onto the ground.

"The Broken Dawns won't stand for this," he insisted.

"Just wait. I'm sure they will respond," a younger woman answered him. Ethan kept moving just behind them, heading to the monolith. When they reached the monolith, it seemed the whole town was gathered. The Valkyries had forced the townsfolk into a rough semicircle around the stone structure. Desmond stood at the head of the procession.

"Now that I have you all here, we can begin. One at a time, you'll be brought forward and questioned. After that, you're free to go back about your day." He gestured for a Valkyrie man. He grabbed one of the residents and pulled him forward. The man struggled in his grip, but still he was dragged to the front. Desmond turned and walked into the guild hall. The man followed. There were a few protests at the handling of the man, but no one stepped forward.

This kept happening for the next half an hour, until the Valkyrie moved to get someone else. The man he grabbed began to tremble. At first, it seemed like fear. His shoulders shook, head lowered, hands clenched at his sides. But then he looked up. His expression wasn't fearful. He looked determined.

"For the Broken Dawns!" he screamed. The words tore through the air like a signal flare. Three more voices echoed the cry instantly.

"For the Broken Dawns!" Ethan felt mana explode through the town. A wave of heat erupted out of the man, condensing so much that flames sprouted and poured out in a torrent of wildfire. He screamed through the haze. The guard that had grabbed him lit up in flames. As though the signal had been given, more in the crowd began to attack with everything they had. Skills flashed and metal hit against metal.

A Valkyrie cut one attacker down cleanly, only to take a hammer to the side of her knee from someone she hadn't even registered as a threat.

"For the Broken Dawns!" the chant continued, wild and aggressive. Desmond burst out of the hall. His voice boomed above the frenzy, issuing sharp commands, trying to reestablish control. But the damage had already been done.

"Run!" someone shouted from the crowd. Everyone broke away, disengaging from the Valkyries and sprinting through the streets. The loyalists scattered in different directions as more spells were thrown about. The Valkyries recovered quickly—faster than the ambushers likely hoped—but not without cost. Bodies lay around the monolith now. Their formation fractured as they moved to intercept the people fleeing. Alice ran after them, her sword in hand. Ethan moved immediately, trying to follow close behind.

He slipped backward into a side alley just as more fighting erupted near the monolith. A mage among the townsfolk launched a desperate spell, striking one of the Valkyries square in the chest. It didn't penetrate her armor, but it was enough. Enough to convince the rest that resistance was possible. He kept to the edges, slipping behind structures, never fully exposing himself. His [Keen Sense] tracked movement. He could hear her running ahead, calling for the man to stop.

The fleeing man vaulted a crate and nearly stumbled. Alice closed the distance, her long strides bringing her upon the man far faster than he expected. The path they ran down crumbled. A side building collapsed as a stray spell smashed into it. Ethan veered left. The buildings in Arrowtown were close enough that with height, movement became three-dimensional. He jumped. His legs coiled and released with explosive force, sending him upward. His fingers caught the edge of a clay roof.

He pulled himself up smoothly, barely slowing. The motion felt effortless. A quiet reminder settled in his mind as he sprinted across the rooftop. He was no longer operating within standard human limits. The gap to the next building loomed ahead. He judged it in an instant and leapt. For a fraction of a second, he was weightless, suspended above the alley below. He landed in a low crouch, absorbing the impact easily. Below, Alice tackled the fleeing man, slamming him into the sand.

She rolled and came up with her sword drawn, pressing the edge to his throat.

"Don't," she warned him. He dropped silently from the roof behind her. His boots barely made a sound in the sand. He closed the final steps in a blur and struck the back of her neck while his other hand seized her sword arm. He put full force into the blow, expecting it to drop her instantly. Alice gasped and staggered, but she didn't collapse. Instead, she twisted violently, ripping her arm free enough to slash backward. The blade cut through the space where his torso had been a split second earlier.

Ethan had already shifted his weight, stepping inside her range. Her eyes widened slightly as she took in his form.

"Who—" He didn't let her finish. He struck her wrist sharply. Her fingers spasmed and the sword fell, burying itself point-first into the sand. The man she had been chasing scrambled away, forgotten. Ethan followed up his attack with four consecutive blows, aimed high and low. Each strike found its mark. She tried to fight back, but he shifted behind her, locking one arm under her chin and the other behind her head. He compressed with controlled pressure, cutting off blood flow.

She thrashed, boots digging furrows in the sand. Her hand clawed at his sleeve. She tried to stomp his foot and throw her weight backward into the wall. He adjusted, tightening incrementally.

"Sleep," he muttered under his breath. Her movements grew weaker. Her strikes lost coordination. After several long seconds, her body went slack. He held the choke a moment longer to be certain before easing her down carefully against the wall. He crouched and searched her quickly. It didn't take long. The farscribe book was tucked securely inside her robe. He removed it and slid it into his hoodie pocket, before searching the rest of her.

She had no other belongings, which made sense, after all, she had just escaped being captured. So he had to risk it. She would likely suspect it was him but he had no other option. For a brief second, he studied her face.

"I didn't hurt her too bad, did I?" he murmured quietly, though she couldn't hear him. She would wake up with quite the headache. Shouting intensified back toward the monolith. He could hear screams of pain. Time to go. He looked down at her one more time. Before dragging her to the wall and hiding her in some debris. Surely she would be okay there. If only she shared the book none of this would have happened. He scaled the wall again, pulling himself to the rooftops. From above, the settlement looked fractured.

Valkyries were regaining control, their superior coordination and levels turning the tide quickly. Several townsfolk lay prone in the sand, disarmed or injured. This would end soon. He moved across the rooftops with fluid efficiency, leaping the gaps with increasing confidence. Each jump reinforced the same realization. He had regained some strength. He no longer sat in the realms of pre-system human. He reached Bella's house and dropped down behind it. Leah looked up immediately, tension in her posture.

The room had been thoroughly searched. Clothing overturned. Mattress shifted.

"Did you find anything?" he asked.

"Nothing obvious," she replied.

"That's fine." He pulled the hood back but kept the bandana on for a moment longer.

"It's time for us to leave." Her eyes flicked to the distant noise outside.

"Already?" He nodded.

"The Valkyries are going to win. When they do, scrutiny follows. We won't need to be here for the cleanup. But first, we need to go take care of something."