How did they surround us? With this many ash corpses, they couldn’t have possibly sneaked up on us.
I was monitoring from above but they just materialized out of nowhere. I couldn't have missed that many of them.
Ali had hoped Tian could have given them advance warning of hordes approaching their position. They were planning to have the initiative but the ash corpses were the ones to encircle them. From the limited intel they gathered, there was no easy way of discerning the strength of an ash corpse. A weak ash corpse looked and acted no different than a strong one so one didn’t know until one engaged the abomination. By then, it might already be too late. Therefore, the Dark Cult members knew that mid and long range abilities were the safest approach. As Meneo had proven, water element abilities were especially effective. While not everyone had abilities as strong as those wielded by Meneo, even the weakest water element abilities could injure and kill the ash corpses, at least far easier than other methods.
Tian! Now's The time for us to use that ability of yours.
Understood!
The air serpent quickly ascended until he was far above the city. Then, Tian activated his rain dance ability which instantly created a drizzle. Ali turned his attention from the sky to the ash corpses. To his surprise, the ash corpses started screaming in pain as rain made contact with them. The weaker ones were already disintegrating while the stronger ones not only continued resisting but they also went on the offensive. Yet, the ash corpses were far weaker than before, making it easier for the Dark Cult members to finish them off. During this one-sided engagement, Ali managed to land multiple hits, getting him closer to leveling up his air slash further. As soon as the battle was over, he turned to Tian who rested on his shoulder.
Good work, Tian! I think you single handedly brought victory against the ash corpses.
My rain dance also leveled up by two levels. I didn’t think it was that easy but apparently killing the weak ash corpses also gives me XP.
Hearing that, Ali checked the prompt.
<
[
Ability: Rain Dance
Level: 3 ( 0 / 50 XP to Level Up)
Level Up Requirements: Boost water element abilities of same or higher levels.
Additional Level Up Method: Kill foes of equal or higher level
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Type: Support (Buff)
Description:
With the caster at the center, a small drizzle, lasting for 1.5 hours, begins in an area with a radius of 1.5 km. Those using water elements and are allies of the user get an immediate boost while under the drizzle.
Cost: None
Cooldown: 1 day
Buff: +12% Attack, +12% Defense, +12% Movement Speed, -6% MP cost for abilities at or below the level of rain dance.
]
>
The teenager first noted the small buff increases before he noticed the increased duration and range. He knew the numbers weren’t impressive but, given that rain dance now had an effect on level three water elemental abilities, he shouldn’t get greedy. In addition, the ash corpses’ sudden arrival brought about a lot of questions. Therefore, they needed an answer to the hordes until they could eliminate the root cause.
And Tian will be that answer, though it’s best he’s kept hidden. We cannot afford to be targeted by whoever is responsible for the ash corpses.
Having eliminated the horde, the Dark Cult members took a moment to regroup before they continued towards their destination. As expected, the ash corpses were already dealt with by the time they arrived. However, it was clear that, with the ash corpses dealt with, the truce could end at any moment. Members from the two sides stared at each other, waiting for a reason to strike. Then, a member from each side met halfway and began discussing something. Ali tried seeing the facial expressions of the two individuals but he couldn’t make any out from where he stood. The body language also revealed nothing. After what seemed forever, the two individuals returned to their respective sides.
“This is an order, Dark Cult members! We will form a temporary alliance for now. Return to the base to rest for the real battle will begin tomorrow!”
Real battle? As in….
Ali turned towards where the walls would be. Last he heard, the defenders were steadily losing ground. The attacking side had overwhelming numbers and didn’t hesitate to throw more bodies at the problem. With the losses of the garrison rising steadily, it was becoming obvious that the defenders were abandoning the outer walls to better hold the inner walls. As soon as they withdrew, the Dark Cult and the Lightning Clan could be next. While it was common for factions to recruit organizations and crime syndicates to aid them, the fact that the attackers had such an overwhelming advantage might result in them unwilling to trust outsiders. If the attackers were confident enough, they might simply eliminate all those that could pose any threat. Out of necessity, the Dark Cult and the Lightning Clan had to form an alliance if the members in Vliland hoped to survive. Both sides decided that their conflict could resume once the siege ended.
“Let’s head back,” said Belen. “Seems like the hordes of ash corpses could only serve as a warm up for what’s coming next.”
“Assuming more don’t show up later.”
Ali knew Kurata had a point. There was no reason for the ash corpses to not appear later, possibly even sandwiching their forces with the attacking side. After seeing the ash corpses' ability to appear out of nowhere, they could easily encircle any forces they wanted. Given the cooldown and duration of the rain dance, they had a limited window where they had an advantage over the ash corpses. Beyond that, they had to win the old fashioned way. Even without the threat of ash corpses, the professional soldiers of the attacking side would be a handful. Ali wasn't looking forward to facing a foe that boasted better quality and more quantity than what the Dark Cult had in Vliland.