Chapter 134: Under attack
TNG
Luke frowned in his sleep.
TNG
The metallic sound rang in his ears again, this time tearing him out of his slumber completely.
His eyes slowly opened.
Laila lay beside him, eyes closed, her breathing steady.
She made no sound except for a faint, soft snore.
[Host, wake up!]
Through his blurred vision, a notification appeared before him.
He rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up.
TNG
Another bell chimed.
His eyes widened as he sprang to his feet.
This bell...
He closed his eyes and lowered his hand to the ground.
Enhancing his perception, he focused on the sound.
TNNNGH
The noise intensified, making him wince. There was no doubt now.
Something was trying to breach the perimeter and enter his house.
He summoned his knife at once and slipped into his clothes before stepping out of the room.
He locked Laila’s door, then moved at full speed toward his own room.
Pushing it slightly open, he saw his mate sleeping peacefully.
A quiet breath of relief escaped him before he locked her door as well.
He didn’t check on the others and headed outside first.
For security, he had set up a perimeter around the house. Ever since he sensed that presence in the forest, he had grown wary. Thanks to that caution, he was able to detect the disturbance.
The sky had begun to pale, hinting that sunrise was about an hour away.
His senses stayed sharp, his eyes scanning for the source.
Yet no matter how much he searched, he found nothing.
’Was it the wind or some stray animal?’ he muttered, scratching his head.
[Host, the bell would have only chimed if something heavy enough to stretch it tried to breach the barrier.]
The system’s reminder made his expression tighten.
Luke grew uneasy.
He stepped closer to the gate and looked out at the silent, empty streets of the village. There was no one in sight.
He considered checking the backside when suddenly his foot caught on something, and he stumbled.
Blinking rapidly, he looked down... and his eyes widened.
A large patch of soil had sunk inward. It was at least four inches lower than the surrounding ground.
He stepped out of the shallow crater and tilted his head.
Then... realization struck.
It was a paw print.
From a massive beast.
Something had indeed tried to breach the gate, but the ringing bell must have driven it away.
Fuck.
"Something this huge is roaming around the village and no one noticed?" Luke muttered. The paw was larger than an elephant’s, marked with three long claw grooves, clearly not from any elephant.
[Host, it is only an assumption, but this creature might be magical.]
"...!!" Luke’s eyes widened. "Didn’t you say those are extremely rare?"
[Yes, they are rare, but they do exist.]
Luke thought back to the strange encounter he had in the forest. The more he recalled it, the more the system’s guess made sense.
The patrolling soldiers had found nothing unusual in the forest, and yet he clearly remembered that ominous presence lurking within.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to investigate more thoroughly.
Whatever this thing was, it had come straight to his home. There was no way Luke could ignore it.
He closed his eyes and knelt on the ground.
Exhaling once, he muttered,
"Enhance."
.....
"Hmm?" Claw frowned in his sleep as a sudden surge of Gamma jolted him awake.
He opened his eyes and sat upright.
He was alone in the room, and the world outside was silent.
A littke too silent.
He reached for his dagger, but something suddenly coiled around his wrist.
His eyes widened. Without hesitation, he yanked his arm up and struck the unseen presence.
"Khiiek!" a sharp screech echoed as the thing was flung away, crashing into the opposite wall.
Claw’s eyes widened as the figure of a small plant slowly revealed itself.
It had the body of a sprouting bud, with limbs formed from twisting vines.
But what shocked him most was... "Gamma... it’s producing magic."
A magical creature, here?!
He was no longer on the bed.
He rose at once and moved toward the window.
Peering outside, he saw something bizarre.
Every guard who should have been patrolling lay slumped where they stood, fast asleep.
What is happening?
He could expect negligence from others, but not from those assigned to him. They were trained warriors, capable of going days without rest. And it couldn’t be a coincidence that all of them had fallen asleep at once.
Then it clicked.
"This is the beast’s doing. Tch."
Clicking his tongue, he grabbed his vest, armed himself, and stepped out of the room.
As soon as he did, he shouted,
"CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!"
There was no response, as if his voice reached no one but himself.
Claw clicked his tongue again and headed for the stairs. Whatever this creature was, it had put everyone into a deep slumber.
Just as he reached the staircase, a familiar voice called out,
"Claw?"
He turned to the left. The chief stepped out from a nearby room, brows furrowed, eyes still heavy with sleep.
"Did you feel it too?"
Claw nodded. "I was even attacked. This thing... it’s close, and it’s affecting everyone in the area."
Baldon’s gaze sharpened at once. He stepped back into his room and returned with his weapon, a mace with a solid metal handle.
Without another word, the two descended the stairs.
Just as they reached the final flight—
"Watch out!" Baldon warned, pulling Claw back as he brought his mace down with force.
"Khieeek!"
The same shrill screech rang out as a small sprouting creature appeared, crushed beneath the blow.
"These sneaky bastards," Claw growled, stomping on it once Baldon lifted his mace.
No one else came out despite the noise. That alone confirmed Claw’s suspicion.
Baldon spoke, his tone grim. "These things aren’t causing the sleep. They don’t have that kind of influence. I can tell."
Claw frowned. "You mean... there’s something stronger?"
Baldon nodded. "We need to see."
Claw stepped forward without a word, Baldon close behind.
The chief was undeniably worried. This was the first time, under his command, that a magical beast had entered the perimeter.
And it had to happen while someone from the chief tribe was present.
Still, there was no use dwelling on it. Only the two of them could use Gamma in the entire village. That meant this threat was theirs to handle.
They stepped outside and scanned the surroundings.
Nothing seemed out of place. Everything lay still...
Until Baldon sensed something rushing toward them.
Before he could react—
"DIE!"
Claw shifted his stance and moved several steps ahead.
The moment the small creature revealed itself, its head was already severed from its body.
Baldon gave a nod of approval. "Is that your magical technique?"
Claw raised his blade, now cloaked in a silver radiance, its reach visibly extended.
He nodded, offering no further explanation.
There was something far more important than discussing his powers.
••••••••
A/N:- This won’t be an arc but surely an impactful event for Luke. Soon, his life is going to change for good.
I hope you liked the Chapter.