The army left the city in a matter of minutes after the canvas had been prepared. They didn't require many supplies which meant that they could move out with ease.

Their versatility was impacted though. Most undead were just mindless shells with no intelligence and free agency to speak of other than their desire to kill the living. The only way to gain some free will was strength.

Helion was aware of these weaknesses but they were fundamental to the undead nature. There had to be solutions out there but for now, that would allow a higher basic intelligence but, he had to leave right away.

The tapestry was rolled up onto a bunch of giant wagons. He had hundreds of undead horses pulling on it. It wouldn't be a problem.

The thought of what Kane would think when she saw what they were leaving behind left a pleasant taste in his imaginary tongue.

...

..

.

We're fine. Oh my lord. A thin orange membrane is surrounding us. A while ago, Shera said that she was feeling very powerful blood magic.

She gathered all of us around and formed this barrier made of some magic. She was able to save all of us thanks to the hostages. She retrieved their essence and I think used it to power this thing.

"Is it over?" There's been a pin-drop silence for the last few minutes. Everybody just let Shera focus on her magic.

"I think so." There's blood streaming out of her nose and her eyes were bloodshot. Whatever this spell was it was amazing.

"What kind of spell was that?"

"It's my talent, [Left Yang Barrier]."

Is there a right yang barrier out there? If it's her talent, is it something different than a skill. The main point is, can I learn it or not?

I put aside my selfish ramblings aside for a second. She just saved my life. She sits down on a sofa and leans back for a second. She's curling up, like a baby.

"I feel nothing, there's nothing left in this city." Her eyes close at that and she starts sobbing. Moon and Ake are quite disturbed by the situation. Her soft sobs ring out in the room. None of us have any idea of how to react.

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I look down at the three people that'd been left outside. Their bodies are withered like a wrung-out piece of paper. I lean down and place a finger on them. The body just crumbles into dust.

I start coughing right away. Some of it got into my nose. This is the nastiest thing ever. What kind of spell is this?

Moon moves over to the door and opens it. There are about a hundred of these withered husks right in front of our door. Some of them are grasping onto their throats. Some of them are reaching out into the sky screaming for their lives. A snapshot of existence.

The city is just quiet. everything is quiet. There's not a single sound out here. I think even the animals are done. What kind of terrifying power is this?

I look down and my hands are trembling. I'm afraid. What would I be reduced to if Shera wasn't here with me? This was just luck, pure and utter luck that allowed me to survive.

There's no thought of why me? Instead, it's just how do I not end up in such a...such a compromising situation ever again.

We walk back into the house and Shera is curled up on the couch bawling her eyes. Ake is sitting beside her on the sofa. I don't think he knows what to do.

We just have to move forward. I start moving through the rooms, searching for anything valuable. That girl had a serious dagger skill, I wonder if she has a manual for it. I search through every single room but I couldn't find it.

I sit back down. I feel Ake and Moon's gaze on me but I don't care. A valuable skill is somewhere here in the house. I'll get it. I think of it as finding a brick. I'll use it to lay down the foundation. Right now, it won't be much but brick by brick I can make something.

I decided to check in the kitchen as well. There's nothing even remotely valuable in the entire house. They must have valuables in the house. I think back to where all three of the house-owners were when we invaded.

It makes me think of something. The girl came into the picture a few minutes after we invaded. Where was she? I didn't hear her come down the stairs. Could it be under one of the floorboards?

I go through the floorboards grasping at them with my fingers. Something that would give me an edge. There's nothing.

I look around and where haven't I checked. The stairs are covered by some floorboards as well. I feel them out and the third one is a bit loose. My fingertips are nicked and bleeding a little bit now. I press down on them to stop the bleeding and find a dagger.

I use it to pry up the floorboard and there it is. A small leather pouch. It's not made of high-quality leather but I open it up anyways.

There's a skilled manual in it. I would smile in any other situation but I don't. There's a slight biting panic coiling around my heart right now.

I take out the other things, there's a pair of daggers. They're similar to the ones the girl was using. Other than that, there are a few random items. I think they're just memorable.

There are a few pieces of gold and a ring inset with a jewel. I think this is all their generational wealth. It feels a little wrong to just take all of this. I feel like a hypocrite now. This is bullshit.

I turn to them and clasp my hands. Forgive me.

I shove everything back into the pouch and sling it across my chest.