Tom's POV

I have officially became the underling of a champion. A legendary class that was chosen by Gods. I felt as if it is the right thing to do considering the dangers that lurks in this world. And as if the time was just right, a threat to the lives of the town was in danger because of the blight caused by the Ungo.

I took the opportunity to fight them first hand by asking to be the one of the underling of Ped. I am the successor of this town so I have the responsibility to protect it. As soon as we took the oath of allegiance to him, we saw a majestic light that took both Rez Naguv and me by surprise.

Ped said that it was the God that brought him here. It has an aura that could be called sacred and the summoned beast beside him were like ancient creatures guarding a royal being. The entity said that only Ped and the ones who has allegiance to him can see him.

Ped then requested to talk to all soldiers and adventurers that would go with us and protect the town against the enemy. I told him to go to the plaza. He persuaded the adventurers and soldiers of the town to protect their home. Almost 500 people came with us towards the Loah Forest.

He then asked Rez Naguv to recruit the inhabitants of the forest. They came in huge groups numbering 800 at least. Variety of forest creatures came and all of them decided to join their ruler in battling the horror from the East. After the short briefing, we advanced towards the enemy. An army of alliance of races between the town of Rafline and the inhabitants of the Forest of Loah.

We arrived at what seemed to be a forest before but now became a plain. Burnt ground and charred tree stumps are present in the wasteland lying before us. Ped looked like he was furious because of the damage done on the forest. Then he told us to proceed further. What we saw caused a chill down to the depths of our hearts.

Ranks of horrific creatures numbering more than thousands were present. These despicable creatures are the cause of the damage on the region, the Ungo. Horrendous and corrupt beings driven by rage and hatred towards living beings. As we were still in awe of what we were looking at, a rank of Ungo advanced forward.

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Ped's POV

Cron:"Oh, I almost forgot, you only know two fighting skills right?"

Ped:"Huh?"

Cron:"The Style of the Artisan and Dragon Claw, remember?"

Ped:"Oh, the ones that you taught me?"

Cron:"Yes, well, it is not that strong yet but it will be more than enough to handle these enemies. But just in case, do you recall the fleeting feeling of seeing an angel when you revived Rez Naguv?"

Ped:"Yes, I remembered my mother that time, she always gives me things that are very helpful to me."

Cron:"Oh, I see. Then, I'll teach you another one of the Light Attribute. Now, you need to remember the one who always protect you. The one who never let the hands of misery and harm reach you. Picture in your mind that this person is holding a sword. Then shout, Sacred Empowerment."

I then thought of my father, the one who protected me and my mother from anything that could harm us. The person who I owe my life, yet still protected me as if it wasn't enough. He was a good provider and guardian.

"SACRED EMPOWERMENT."

A wave of warm air came rushing towards the ranks of our Alliance. A feeling of being someone who you can adhere your life with. Then, a male angel with three pairs of wings descended from the heavens. He was holding a bow with a tranquil design.

Then, he shot an arrow towards us. The arrow splits into multiple numbers and entered our very bodies. The angel was nowhere to be seen but an aura of white haze was visible in our ranks.

Cron:"Heads up, here they come. I taught you that to even up this battle."

Ped:"What do-?"

And just like a cue to his words, multiple enemies wearing robes floated above the stagnant ranks of Ungo. The advancing rank halted as if they were waiting. Among the floating robed enemies were someone who has a red sigil floating on his back.

He was skin and bones with a blood red robe with black designs. The other robed enemies have pure black robes. I was still looking at the red robe person when he raised his finger towards me.

???:"Plague of Corruption!"

He spoke huskily and a black miasma appeared from the insides of his robe and covered his rank of Ungo. The other robed enemies followed suit and used the same spell. Now, all our enemies has a disgusting miasma oozing out from their bodies.

Cron:"See, that is why I even it up."

Ped:"What are th-?"

Cron:"The floating ones? Well, those black ones are necromancers. The red one is a lich. And yes,  I can read your mind. You can't harm those floating ones with just normal physical attack but the Sacred Empowerment spell give your attacks a holy attribute that drastically counters their power. But that doesn't mean that they can't kill you or any one here."

Ped:"Then, how sh-?"

Cron:"Should you fight? I can't teach you that. You need to learn to command your troops alone. This is necessary so don't make me repeat it twice. Now that I already told you the kinds of enemies you have now, you can judge now on how to handle this matter. Oh right, I didn't taught you how to summon creatures yet so these guys well be gone by now, and so I am, too"

Cron then turned into a bird of light and flew higher and higher until we can't see him anymore. The summoned creatures vanished in a smoky haze. Then, the words that Cron spoke hit me. The responsibility of everyone's life is in my hands. The burden of being a leader in times of war.

What the hell did I get myself into, I shouldn't be doing this. I just wanted a normal life and help my town back home. Find a fine woman to marry and have many kids. Why did this happen?

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I cried inside, but still I need to focus on the matter at hand. Judging from what Cron said, the rank which the Necromancer is has the strongest force the enemy has. They outnumbered us one to ten so we are now in a pinch.

The enemy seem to advance one rank at a time but their formation looks like the advanced rank was a bait and they will surround us. If that happens, we will lose by sheer number of force.

Wait a second, we have armored knights with us. Archers and magicians are present too. Even magical creatures of the forest are here. I think I know what to do. I just hope this plan works.

Ped:"ALL WARRIORS AND KNIGHTS WITH A SHIELD GO TO THE FRONT AND MAKE A TIGHT FORMATION. MAKE SURE THAT NO ENEMY CAN ENTER THE CENTER, YOU ARE THE SHIELD RANK. CHAMPIONS, SWORDSMAN, AND MELEE VIPER CLASSES AND CREATURE OF THE FOREST WHO CAN'T USE MAGIC FORM A RANK AFTER THE KNIGHTS RANK, YOU ARE THE COMBAT RANK. RANGE VIPER CLASSES, OFFENSIVE MAGI CLASSES AND MAGICAL CREATURES OF LOAH FOREST FORM NEXT TO THE SECOND RANK AND PREPARE YOUR SPELLS IMMEDIATELY, YOU ARE THE DESTRUCTION RANK. DEFENSIVE AND HEALING MAGI CLASSES AND MAGICAL CREATURES OF LOAH FOREST STAY BEHIND THE OFFENSIVE MAGI CLASSES, YOU ARE THE SUPPORT RANK. MY GOAL IS FOR EVERYONE TO SURVIVE THIS BATTLE"

???:"ATTACK!"

The Lich commanded all his troops to attack  our ranks that are still in progress. He seemed to know that I figured out his plan so he decided to just overwhelm me with sheer force.

Thousands of Ungo were now rushing towards us. The sight can't be compared to a zombie apocalypse, because it's way worse. The Lich and his Necromancers stayed at the air and watched the battle unfold.

Ped:"NOW! CAST YOUR SPELLS ON THEM"

"Fire Ball"

"Lighting Bolt"

"Rain of Arrows"

"Triple Shot"

"Vine Whip"

"Ice Bolt"

"Wind of Destruction"

"Flame Bolt"

"Leaf Blade"

"Petal Dance"

"Razor Leaf"

The spells of my comrades rained down towards the enemies rank. It was about thirty meters away from the Shield Rank. Hundreds of Ungo fell down due to this spells. But that number is still insignificant to  their ranks. As soon as they passed the casting range of the spells I immediately prepared the ranks

Ped:"SHIELD RANK SWITCH PLACES WITH THE COMBAT RANK AT MY COMMAND WHEN THE ENEMY REACHES YOUR POSITION. YOUR PRIORITY IS TO PROTECT THE DESTRUCTION RANK AND SUPPORT RANK. COMBAT RANK YOUR GOAL IS TO OBLITERATE THE ENEMY WITH YOUR POWER. DESTRUCTION RANK CONTINUE YOUR SPELLS. SUPPORT RANK HEAL AND BUFF THE COMBAT AND SHIELD RANK"

"WOOAHH!"

The enemy stepped on their fallen comrades like they were nothing. The spells were still destroying them but still, we can't hold them back. The creatures who aren't affected much of the magics were the death knights. They breezed through the magic spells and ran towards the Shield Rank.

Then enemy reached the Shield Rank. The battered the shields of the knights but the latter fought valiantly. The Support Rank were healing them so they can take on the attacks of the enemy

Ped:"NOW! SWITCH! COMBAT RANK ATTACK!"

While I was standing at a tall rock at the middle of the Support Rank, Tom and Rez Naguv joined the Combat rank and attack with all their might. The future of their home was at stake at this battle. They led the Combat Rank that looked up to them and engaged on the Ungo

The Shield Rank. though they had not flawlessly retreated, they were closing in towards the Destruction Rank. The Combat Rank advanced forward and battled against these monstrosities. They are toe to toe with the enemies in a one on one but the situation is very disadvantageous.

The ranks of Ungo was still in a huge number when the Combat Rank engaged on them. Then a sudden move by the Ungo which I totally didn't expect happen. They ran straight even though there are no enemies in front of them. This gave me the goosebumps.

Did they move their little bait towards us because we are stationary. Oh crap, I didn't thought of that.

Ped:"SHIELD RANK! QUICKLY SURROUND THE DESTRUCTION AND SUPPORT RANK! PROTECT THEM AT ALL COST! COMBAT RANK, SURROUND THE SHIELD RANK AND FACE THE ENEMIES AT ALL SIDES. SUPPORT RANK FOCUS ON HEALING THE COMBAT RANKS MORE. MAGIC CLASS CAST YOUR MAGIC ON OTHER SIDES OF THE BATTLEFIELD."

The quick critical decision I made was because of my hunch. And this hunch was proven correct. The Ungo that passed our ranks were now surrounding us. They really moved their bait tactic towards us.

My ranks, although they were just newly founded, quickly adapt to my sudden commands. They entrusted their fate to me so I should best think of their safety. I don't want any other child to be like. I will return them on their families. Impossible as it may seem, but I will try.

??:"GRASP OF THE UNDYING"

Then, a black orb reached twelve people of the Combat rank. As soon as it disintegrated to them, they collapse on the spot. As if the very souls of their bodies were sucked out.

WHAT?!!