The Runic Alchemist

"Pardon me, my lord? You wish for us to leave our home and defend your land for you?" Kazak's tone was sharper than he intended.

"How dare you question your lord? Have you forgotten your place, beastman?" the arrogant knight roared.

But the old knight beside the lord's son stepped between the two, preventing the situation from escalating. He turned to Kazak and spoke calmly, "We know it's unfair to ask such a thing of you, but we have limited options. We can't request more aid from the Eldoris host. They've already sent Lord Vincent Highmore here with a unit of soldiers, and all our neighbors are busy protecting their own lands.

We ask you because the nearest Ashenvale unit, with two second-rankers and many high-level first-rankers, is camped at our border. We can't face them alone. If we fail, they'll march straight here, and you won't be able to stand against them on your own either."

"This is our only choice, Kazak," the acting lord said, frustration and anger clear in his voice. "I should be the one defending your people, but the enemies are just too numerous. I've lost count of how many villages they've already burned."

Neo could feel the weight of William's words. Even though they had often seen their enemies coming through the forest way before they engaged, they hadn't always won without paying a steep price. Neo had lost many he had grown up with, many with whom he'd trained in the way of fist. Fortunately his friends and family were still safe, but the mere thought of losing them sent a shiver down his spine.

These past months he had felt the most powerless he had ever felt. But Kazak—Kazak was their pillar of hope. As long as he stood with them, they would find a way to endure. They had done this for quite a time now, after all. Many in his group had leveled up, some close to gaining their second or even third jobs.

Neo himself, one of the weaker ones, only needed three more levels in his first job to qualify for another job trial. They had accumulated armors and weapons, though being mostly pugilists, they rarely needed such things. Still, leather armor and daggers had their uses. There were no rules when fighting for survival.

Almost every man in the village, and many warrior women too, were part of Kazak's forces, regularly going out to eliminate threats to their home—whether human or monster.

"Your lord has requested your services to defend the land you live on, beastman. What is there to think about?" the arrogant knight sneered, leaning back in his seat.

A tense silence followed. The old knight, sensing the need to introduce the rude human, spoke up, "This is Lord Vincent Highmore, a second-rank captain assigned to clear this region of Ashenvale forces."

"I outrank you, beastman," Vincent added smugly. "Show some respect and be grateful I've come to help you."

Neo couldn't believe the man's audacity. Was everyone in the cities this shameless?

"No, you don't… Sir Vincent," the old knight snapped, barely containing his irritation. William, the lord's son, looked like he wished to be anywhere but here. Now Neo understood why William had been ignoring the captain's presence—he was afraid of him.

"A second-ranker? Impossible…" Vincent muttered, looking at Kazak, who silently met his gaze before releasing his aura in full force. The knight's eyes widened, and his body trembled as he struggled to move a muscle, sweat dripping from his forehead. Pugilist were the masters at aura control, for them it was far easy to intimidate others with just their sheer force.

Though the pressure wasn't even directed at him, the lord's son looked like he was about to pass out. Kazak stopped just in time, standing from his chair and locking eyes with his trusted friend, the old man Shin. Kazak took a few steps forward, deep in thought.

"Our scouts confirmed their position near Bilsha village," Shin reported. "They will make their way here sooner or later, burning villages as they go. We've already accepted many human refugees from nearby villages, all of whom can attest to their strength."

Shin's report was more than just information—it was exactly what Kazak needed to hear.

"Give us the location where you intend to confront them. We'll be there," Kazak declared, turning to face the noble second-ranker and the acting lord with a steely gaze.

After a few more words were exchanged, discussing what to expect from each other, the meeting concluded. The acting lord and his men, along with the arrogant knight, were escorted out of the valley by Kazak's reserve forces.

Neo and his friends, eager to avoid being caught eavesdropping, quickly left too. The realization hit them: this was no longer just about defending their land from small skirmishes. They were going to face the full might of Ashenvale head-on. Their previous encounters had been guerilla strikes, taking advantage of the enemy's inability to navigate the forest.

This time, it would be a direct confrontation with a large force.

Many would die. Neo wanted to help Kazak in any way he could. They had gained valuable experience fighting Ashenvale soldiers, but their skills still paled compared to Kazak's main warriors. Most likely, they would be left behind to defend the valley. Still, Neo wished for the last three levels to complete his first job, hoping to become strong enough to contribute more meaningfully.

He began formulating a plan. There were still monsters roaming outside the valley, and if he could convince his group to venture just beyond the valley's entrance, they could fight more humans and creatures, gaining the experience they needed. He knew his limits, though. They wouldn't go far—just far enough to ensure they could retreat if necessary.

Neo had to do it. He had a feeling deep in his gut that life would never be the same after this cursed war. And when the time came for him to play his part, he would be ready.