The moment the offer left my lips, I wanted to take it back. What was I thinking?! I was only level two and hardly suited for outrunning an undead army. My endurance stats, if they mirrored my physical abilities from Earth, would be terrible.

But was Silas really the better option? He looked decades older than me, and his large belly suggested he wasn't in peak condition either.

Unease churned in my stomach at the thought of leading an army of undead to their graves, but I pushed it aside. We couldn't afford to fail. If Silas fell before leading them into the trap, we'd be doomed. Hell, even if he succeeded, his death would leave a power vacuum. We'd need a leader to guide the survivors after the battle.

I had a spell to entangle enemies in vines and, as a last resort, Fast Forward. Between the two of us, I was better suited for this.

But Silas shook his head, resolute. “Thank you, but no. We need you ready to kill the army if the fire fails. Your power should work well in a smaller area. You're our trump card.”

Relief flickered, but I pushed it aside. “Are you sure about this?”

He nodded. “I am.” Pressing his palm to the glowing rune on the wall, he summoned a staff member who hurried in, bowing low.

Silas gestured to them. “Follow this young lady to my personal armory. Choose whatever suits you best and wait on the wall above the trap. I'll be there.”

The staff member, a woman with cat ears, caught my attention. “Wait, the girl. I left her with one of your guards.”

Silas's features softened with a sigh. “Yes, young Maya. Poor dear. If I'd known what awaited her, I would have had the guards take her elsewhere. But she will be safe with the other citizens. You can visit her once this is over. For now, we must act.”

Reluctantly, I followed the cat lady. A gnawing sense of unease lingered, but I forced it away. I could talk to Maya later. For now, I had to keep her safe.

Maybe I'd even look into adoption in this world. I had wanted a family, and she seemed to need one too.

The trip to the armory was quick and in minutes, rows of magical artifacts were lined up on pedestals. The woman bowed out, leaving me to browse.

I picked up a chest plate made of a red metal that shimmered like fire and frowned. How was I supposed to know what worked against undead? There were no nameplates or identifying marks.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Squinting, I examined the chest piece. A small box popped up, almost making me drop it.

Fireforged Plate Mail

Made by the legendary dragonkin smiths, Fireforged Plate Mail cloaks the wearer in an aura of fire resistance much like the scales of the dragons themselves.

Defense: 10

Special Bonuses: Fire Resistance

That'd be great, if I was strong enough to use it. I didn't even have to look at my stats to know heavy armor wasn't for me though. Unfortunately, most of the items were equally unsuitable. No magical robes or staves in sight.

Just as I was about to give up, I saw it–a singular staff on the wall. Its wooden length was sturdy, glowing symbols and runes carved throughout it. A ball of light floated at its top, bracketed by thorns.

Carefully picking it up, I analyzed it and nearly cheered.

Dawn's Light

Made from the last branch of Nexus's first tree, Dawn's Light is imbued with light affinity magic, said to once belong to the spirit of Light herself. Once per day, the wielder can channel their mana into it and the light at its tip will burn like the dawn, reducing all undead nearby to dust.

Special Bonuses: Mana Cost of Healing Spells Is Halved

Perfect! Healing spells at half mana cost would be invaluable. Clutching the staff, I left the armory, feeling lighter. We had a plan, a weapon to flash fry undead, and most importantly, hope.

We're going to make it through this.

The thought stayed with me as I followed another staff member to the wall above the trap. The dead end Silas mentioned was below, castle walls curving to almost close off the space.

Archers stood ready, their armor glinting in the dying light. I couldn't see any oil, but guards on the opposite wall didn't have bows. It was likely their task.

A breeze brushed through my hair as the last rays of light disappeared. The guards tensed, and I followed their example, gripping the staff tightly. Silas would soon lead the army here. Then the massacre would begin.

All that was left to do was wait.

Minutes dragged by agonizingly slowly before I heard rapid footsteps. Night cloaked everything in an ebony veil and I squinted, trying to make out the king in the ocean of darkness. Then a form sprinted into sight, the ground trembling as the army followed, faster than I'd expect from undead, but slowed by armor. I braced myself, ready to defend the king. They were close on his heels, too close for my comfort.

Just as his figure became clear, wrapped in a midnight cloak, he tripped, and my heart lurched. The undead wasted no time, circling around until his form was completely swallowed in their bulk.

Once he was fully hidden in the mass of bodies, I bit back a curse.

I knew I should have gone. Silas was older and out of shape!

Shoving magic into the staff, I prepared the spell. The ball of light brightened, causing nearby guards to flinch, but before I could throw it toward the king, I heard it.

A shrill, high-pitched shriek that dropped my heart into a bucket of ice.

“Adan!”

The cry came from the crumpled figure, now surrounded by undead. Familiar sobs reached my ears and my breathing stuttered to a stop.

The cloaked figure…was not Silas.