She scratched her head then shrugged Basically further than anyone else
She had even started getting skills for it Archery Mastery Hawkeye Snipe Power Shot
For now though she hurried out and towards the wall she had somewhere to be As if she would just stay in and let her Dozer handle a problem himself
And after several awkward bouts of flirting with Daniel he had finally succumbed and allowed her to be up on the new ramparts shooting arrows She was the best archer after all They just both mutually agreed not to tell Dozer He was surprisingly sensitive about some things
Annie arrived at the area near the gate where groups of Classers stood faces grim
Sam was shouting around passing out new shields that he had managed to make from the giant bug the Ghosthound had brought back It was honestly kinda cute the way so many crowded around and jostled to get a piece of dead bug skin
Largely ignored in the milling crowd of warriors Annie gathered some arrows from Sam’s people and then climbed up the side of the ramparts by the gate lifting herself up onto the vantage point To her surprise there was already someone up there
It was the older magician lady who had gone into the Dungeon with Dozer and his men Annie smiled sweetly at her but said nothing Clarissa just nodded at her then turned back to look out over the valley In the NCC village below the fires and lights were being snuffed out one by one so as not to attract the monster’s attention
Alright First Squad to the front Second Squad ready to switch Donny shoulded sporting a new shiny black bug shield and a mean looking iron sword that he probably got from the new weapon shop Then he turned to the milling group behind those first 10 squads The rest of you listen to Daniel He will set you up in squads We will do one full rotation with the regulars then work in the fresh meat every other squad alright
Daniel nodded and Donny turned back to the front squads grinning Most people had to stand on tiptoes straining to see his gangly teenage form But then he lifted the huge shield almost 3/4th of the size of a door like it was nothing revealing his power
So now He drawled slowly walking to the front You regulars The final count is 260 classers here Honestly we might have bad news for the fresh blood Who knows if there is even going to be any monsters left by the time we get through a full rotation right boys
They all howled and hooted men and women young and old pounding their chests Even Dozer his adorable smile stretching wide as he pounded the ground with his club
Annie shook her head slightly If he had enough ambition Dozer could be double the leader that the little dweeb Donny was But honestly he was happy now so it was fine And if they ever wanted to take out Donny
Narrowing her eyes Annie could just make out a figure strolling up from the NCC village his spear spinning as relaxed and casual as can be The Ghosthound To her surprise he kept to the shadows walking calmly up If someone didn’t have a vision skill like Annie had
Then she blinked shocked Suddenly there was another person with him a lithe girl her blonde hair pulled up into a bun The Ghosthound gave her a look but just turned back
The two were quick too Within 10 seconds they had crossed the distance from the village to the wall and scaled it silently hopping up onto the area further down the ramparts from where Annie and Clarissa stood Calmly the Ghosthound walked over his eyes flicking past Annie and Clarissa and scanning the waiting classers
As they walked closer the noise attracted Clarissa’s attention and she turned and hopped slightly shocked by the two individual’s sudden appearance
Ah oh it’s you You You’re the Ghosthound right Clarissa said nervously fear and wonder and excitement warring across her face I’m uh Clarissa The Weather Witch
She extended her hand but the blonde girl stepped in front of the Ghosthound taking it for him
Can’t you see he’s in prime brooding mode Let’s wait until he acknowledges us before we get too friendly shall we The girl said brightly flashing a cheeky smile
This was the first time Annie had seen the Ghosthound up close He was tall but not too much so He obviously was athletic but was not overly muscular But there was something She could feel it Maybe it was the way his eyes swept over her registering her and then dismissing her instantly Maybe it was the unnatural stillness about him like he was asleep or dead until he moved with an unnatural speed
Maybe it was the piercing green of his eyes Like they could rip through your soul and rifle through your thoughts at will When the Ghosthound finally turned away from her Annie released a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding The blonde girl gave her a knowing smile
All I’m saying is if you are going to ask me for mana potions all night just take them now The Ghosthound said his voice amused looking at the blonde girl
She shook her head vehemently But where would be the fun in that Imagine how epic a moment it would be for you to pass me the mana potion right when I need it and then I cast the best spell ever and save the world Try and think a little bit about someone other than yourself Doggy
Besides The blonde girl added her smile turning wicked I obviously have mana potions of my own I’m not an idiot I’m just giving you the chance to feel involved in my life Aren’t I generous
This time Annie was the one to flash the blonde girl a knowing smile and for a second their eyes met
This girl talked a big game and played the part of arrogant princess pretty well but Annie could tell rather easily how much she wanted the Ghosthound’s attention No matter how skilled an actor or whatever she was she was still young
Scratching his head The Ghosthound nodded to Clarissa to acknowledge that he heard her but then stepped forward to the edge of the ramparts
Donny Daniel Dozer It was in his voice too a low baritone that resonated in your chest The crowd fell silent looking up at the figure who appeared above them holding a plain looking spear and looking down towards them with serious eyes
The three men walked forward frowning
Randidly Daniel said Are you fighting
Just as artillery The Ghosthound replied with a smirk Annie blinked It was the first time that she had heard his real name She should have known Ghosthound was fake but
It just fit him
No but there’s something else The enemy is bringing air support I suspect we won’t be able to keep them outside the wall as much as we have previously Handle it
Daniel’s eyes went wide his panic clear but the Ghosthound had already turned away and Donny and Dozer were both nodding their eyes firm
What Annie didn’t expect was that Randidly would immediately turn and look her straight in the eyes You are an archer
A little nervous Annie nodded I don’t have a class but
He just shrugged his emerald gaze turning back towards the darkness That’s fine But when I point it out I’d like you to make the shots Prepare your bow
He glanced at her and then added They are coming
Sure enough when Annie looked out a veritable sea of monsters were rushing forward And above them smaller swooping forms could be seen and larger colossal shadows
Those Annie muttered
Looks like giant condors right They are pretty tough too Doggy’s Mana Bolts don’t take them down in one shot and those things have some juice The blonde girl said enthusiastically
The Ghosthound was already looking at Clarissa Use your mana sparingly on the ground the warriors below can handle it Take out the air support If you need more mana let me know
And then the Ghosthound pointed a bright flash of fire shooting forward to the approaching mob When it hit the monster’s line it exploded outwards in a blast of flame knocking everything in a 3 meter area the monsters in the epicenter burnt to a crisp
It really looked like artillery had struck
Then he pointed again and again and again and the front line charging towards them was ragged and scattered Donny sighed theatrically Welp let’s pack up boys looks like this is going to be an easy one