Chapter 65: Another Wave

Niko stood at the edge of Graycastle Mountain, his mind racing as he considered the potential threat looming at its base. Thanks to his spirits, he had sensed the presence of an approaching group before they had even made their move, but he had yet to see their full force. His spirits were spread out across his territory, offering him a network of information as if the very mountain itself whispered to him. These weren’t mere monsters or animals; the presences he felt were distinctly human, which concerned him more than any other foe he had faced in this strange world.

Turning to his companions—Zheng, Fumito, and Ivanic—he kept his expression calm, though his thoughts were sharp and calculating. "Prepare yourselves," Niko instructed, his voice low but steady. They all knew what was at stake. The mountain, their home, and the power Niko had begun to amass were now under threat. "We’ve got company, and they’ll try to take what’s ours if we don’t show them otherwise."

The three men nodded grimly, each mentally preparing for what was to come. Niko, meanwhile, began to strategize, communicating telepathically with his most trusted spirits. His Mantis spirit—towering and menacing—remained his constant guardian, standing by his side like a silent sentinel. The Rustsword Ratman, with its vicious blade and cunning instincts, would serve as his primary offensive force, supported by the other ratmen spirits that Niko had collected over time. The Boars which he still had few left, though less agile, was a battering ram of brute strength, while the Steampunk Bee had grown larger and stronger, now ranked at F- after countless battles and relentless grinding.

He had amassed a strange and varied army of spirits, some more valuable than others, but they were all tools at his disposal. His heart pounded, not out of fear, but with the thrill of what was to come. He would defend this mountain, and anyone who dared to challenge him would learn the consequences of underestimating a summoner.

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At the base of the mountain, the atmosphere was tense. A group of Protectors stood with serious expressions, their armor glinting in the fading sunlight. The wild, untamed grass that marked the border of Graycastle Mountain swayed in the wind, as if resisting the presence of these intruders. Among them was a tall, handsome man with blond hair and a muscular build, his light armor tailored perfectly to his athletic frame. He stood at the forefront, gazing up the mountain with a confident smirk. He was the leader of this group, and his name was Darius.

One of the Protectors behind him, a younger man with a nervous demeanor, spoke up. "Do you think they’ll come down to meet us, sir?" His voice trembled with uncertainty.

Darius didn’t turn to look at him, his gaze still fixed on the path ahead. "They’ll have to," he replied smoothly. "If they don’t, we’ll ascend and force them off this mountain. One way or another, this territory will belong to the settlement." His voice was filled with arrogance, as though victory was already assured.

Minutes passed, and the tension thickened in the air. Finally, from between the trees, a figure emerged. Niko appeared, his dark robe billowing slightly as he moved with deliberate calm. His staff rested in one hand, and his expression was impassive, showing neither fear nor eagerness. He stopped a few paces away from the Protectors, standing alone, though he was anything but unarmed.

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Darius grinned, his confidence only growing at the sight of the young man before him. "You must be the one in charge here," he said with a mocking tone. "Congratulations, you've caught the attention of the human settlement. This territory has been annexed in the name of humanity, and you have one choice. Hand it over peacefully, and you’ll be hailed as a hero. We’ll even give you a high position in the settlement. Imagine that: power, safety, respect. All you have to do is give up your little piece of dirt."

Niko listened in silence, his face unreadable. He wasn’t intimidated, nor was he impressed. His mind was already working, assessing the threat before him. Using [Celestial Probe], he quickly scanned the group, taking note of their levels and skills. Darius, the leader, was level 15, the strongest among them. The others ranged from level 10 to 14, each equipped with unique weapons and abilities. One of the younger Protectors had a skill called [Finger of Fire], which immediately caught Niko’s attention. If that man set the forest around the mountain ablaze, it would rob Niko of one of his greatest advantages—his spirit’s ability to move through the trees unseen.

Darius raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting for Niko to respond. "What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?" he sneered.

Niko, still calm, spat on the ground between them. The reaction from the Protectors was immediate—confusion, then outrage. Several of them gripped their weapons, looking to Darius for permission to act.

"You bastard," one of them muttered, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.

Darius, however, didn’t react with immediate violence. Instead, he chuckled, shaking his head. "You're making a mistake, boy," he said, his tone darkening. "If you don’t give, I’ll take. Your little tricks with ghosts might work against low-level idiots, but you're facing trained Protectors now. This mountain will be ours."

A Protector at the back snickered. "Ghosts? I don’t believe in ghosts."

Niko remained composed, unmoved by their bravado. He had expected this outcome from the start. As Darius and the others reached for their weapons, Niko was already moving his spirits into position.

"You’re making a decision you’ll regret," Darius warned, his voice filled with menace. "I’m giving you one last chance to reconsider."

Niko paused for a moment, pretending to mull over the offer. "Okay," he said finally, his tone deceptively agreeable. He lowered his head, as if in thought.

At that moment, chaos erupted. Behind the Protectors, Niko’s Steampunk Bee, now larger and deadlier than ever, buzzed into view materializing into a ghastly pretense. Its stinger gleamed in the fading light as it hovered above them, unnoticed until it was too late. With lightning speed, the bee shot its stinger into the young Protector with the [Finger of Fire] skill. The sharp point pierced through his back, and he gasped in shock, crumpling to the ground as blood pooled beneath him.

The Protectors shouted in alarm, raising their weapons as they scrambled to comprehend what had just happened.

"Attack!" Darius roared, his face twisted in fury.

But as they prepared to charge, Niko closed his eyes, and, a glowing ball fell to the ground near them and with a flash, unleashed a brilliant light that blinded them momentarily. The Protectors stumbled, disoriented, and by the time their vision cleared, Niko was already gone—vanished into the thick trees of his territory. The forest would now be his battlefield.

Darius cursed under his breath, his teeth clenched in frustration. "After him!" he barked, giving the order to pursue. The Protectors rushed forward, but Niko was already deep within his territory, where his spirits awaited their prey. The battle was about to begin, and Niko had no intention of losing.