Hunters in the northern forests of Anktann don't usually hunt at night.

In this vast and cold land, the night is the realm of darkness and death. Every Anktann grew up listening to stories about the necromancers and the spirits awakened by them who haunted the valleys, forests, ancient ruins, and abandoned cemeteries like ghosts in the night, and the fear was so ingrained in their hearts that even the bravest and strongest men could not uproot it completely.

But now, things are changing.

The roar of the hounds resounded in the night wind, with the innate excitement of chasing prey. The same excitement flowed through Kharyat's blood, making him feel as if his body and soul were burning.

He ran through the dense forest at night, and even though he knew exactly what a terrible enemy he was facing, his steps remained firm and fearless. He was no longer just a hunter fighting for survival in a remote village in the forest, he was a knight fighting for the gods.

"DeWitt!" he shouted, "copy from the left, fire the arrows, and let them go north!"

He didn't need to explain any more, he was fighting with the hunters of the neighborhood, they knew the forest as well as they knew every corner of their home, and from here to the north, the terrain would gradually face upward, which would slow down the enemy, and it would be better if they could be forced to the cliff jutting out near the Red Bud River, leaving them with no way out.

They must catch those two necromancers tonight, who have lived in the vicinity of a human village with such dignity and deceive people with spells and lies for so long...... If it weren't for the fact that they had been warned and rushed here. The villagers in the vicinity may still regard them as aristocrats who had escaped the war from Llewellyn, and even helped them out of sympathy and curiosity.

Ever since the Sage found the lair of the necromancers and made them their leader. For more than ten days after the evil female mage escaped wounded, they had been ordered to hunt down the fish that had slipped through the net in the forest that bordered the ice field. In addition to the undead, the mages seem to have summoned other monsters from hell, and Harriart has seen the white things that look like spiders with human faces, as if they had crawled out of someone's nightmare...... But compared to them, the enemy tonight is much more dangerous and terrifying.

They can manipulate the souls of the living—and that almost starts killing each other.

If it weren't for the fact that two days ago a priest had come from Stormhold to help them. Let them out of control, and tonight's hunt may turn into a bloody tragedy.

Haryat had heard the villagers' descriptions of the "grandfather and grandson", and he was quite suspicious that one of them was the boy who had controlled him in the elven ruined city. Hoan Shaw.

The thought of the name always made him feel ashamed. was deceived, controlled, and finally let him escape...... Never before had Kharyat experienced such a failure. That made him even more determined to finish tonight's mission.

Although there was only a white-haired old man and his barbarian undead who had just fallen into their encirclement, but now. The hunters who were chasing closer had already sent back the news. The undead seemed to carry a man on their shoulders...... That's probably Hoan.

The ground began to rise, the trees thinned, and a full moon leaped out from among the staggered foliage, and the light was so bright that even Haryat could see the enemy—the undead had a man on his shoulder.

The undead are tireless, but the old necromancer is not. Being able to escape until now, Khariat has admired the old man's physical strength, but now, they have obviously slowed down. And under the bright moon, high on the mountains. They have a dead end ahead of them.

The excitement made Khariat forget his tiredness, he picked up his speed, rushed forward a few steps, and commanded loudly: "Don't kill them, stay alive!"

That's what the pastor asks. The old man they were hunting seemed to be well-known among the necromancers, and he might have known something that the Sage Lord wanted.

The order was heard. Haryat watched as the torches approached the enemy with no way to escape, and surrounded ...... Imagining the fear in their hearts at this moment made him feel a little happy.

He rushed out of the woods, and on the top of the bare rock peaks, the barbarian undead turned and let out a hoarse roar at them.

The sound made Khaliad a little suspicious. He had heard that the undead could not make a sound...... Not the kind of howl that hits the soul, but the beastly roar that can be heard by human ears, cornered.

The barbarian in front of him barely looked like an undead. It leaned forward slightly, settling in a posture ready to attack, anger burning in its eyes, making it look like an enraged, living barbarian warrior. Even the priest's spells don't seem to work against it...... But they had clearly seen the wound on its neck, and it couldn't have been a living person.

Compared to it, the white-haired necromancer was unusually calm. Although his white hair was soaked with sweat and clinging tightly to his forehead and neck, he looked a little embarrassed, but the expression on his face was still calm, revealing a bit of natural pride.

He was indeed a nobleman—even though Khaliat had not seen any real nobles, and that still annoyed him.

"There is no escape for you. He spoke slowly, trying to suppress the anger in his heart, and to be more steady and calm, as the priest hoped, "Your tricks will no longer be of any use. Give up resistance, and you may still have a way to live. ”

He was confident that if the necromancer's spells were no longer useful, they would be able to deal with an immense, tireless barbarian undead...... But it still comes at a cost.

He lost many of his companions in Miaz-Weis...... That taught him to avoid unnecessary casualties.

"Lay down your weapons. The old man spoke calmly, both in his expression and in his tone, as if he were the one who had the chance to win, "if you don't want Bazel to throw your friend down." ”

Kharyat tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. But his impending anger turned to surprise - the undead ripped off the man it was carrying on his shoulder, allowing him to see the bloodless, familiar face...... That's not Joan.

“...... Ed!" he cried out, "How could it be you?!"

The black-haired young man blinked blankly, his eyes were glazed, and he hung wilted on the savage's arm, as if he was going to faint at any moment, but finally came to his senses and smiled at him in a trance: "Hey, Khaliat...... It's a pleasure to meet you...... Uh, isn't it appropriate to say 'happy' now?"

Khaliart glared at him, speechless.

Although it is not known how this unlucky guy fell into the hands of the enemy, the young man has blood stains on his neck that have been fainted by sweat, and he also has wounds on his wrists and legs, and the whole person is half dead, obviously without any ability to resist.

Haryat gritted his teeth and glared at the old necromancer. He couldn't ignore Ed's life or death, they had all faced danger together no matter what...... But he was really unwilling to let them go.

They had been chasing them for most of the night, and even with the help of the priest, everyone was exhausted, and once they were let go, I am afraid that they would not even have the strength to track them, so they could only let them disappear into the vast forest, and find them again, but it would not be so easy......

Enoch, the priest who had been following them in pursuit, walked up to him, gasped and whispered to him, "What's the matter?"

“...... That's Ed Singall. Haryat pointed out the dark-haired young man to him, slightly relieved that he didn't have to make a choice alone, "He'...... The nephew of the Sage-sama. ”

This identity can influence their decisions more easily than Ed's other identities.

Enoch was stunned for a moment, and then he didn't hesitate for long before he spoke, "Let him go...... We can spare your life. ”

"You weren't going to kill me. "He'll have to come with me, and you'll stay here, or I'll throw him down—and if I look back on the banks of the Red Buds, and find that there's no one missing, all you'll get is his corpse." ”

He looked into Khaliat's eyes and repeated, "Twenty-three men, eight dogs...... You'd better all stand where I can see. ”

In the midst of the chaos, he counted their numbers...... Chilla shuddered down his spine, but the anger that struck him was a stronger emotion, and it made his chest tight, his eyes black, and he instinctively wanted to refuse.

He took a step forward, his sword hand raised, but Enoch grabbed him.

"At least let me heal him first?" asked the young priest calmly, "and he doesn't seem to be doing well...... If he dies, it won't do you any good.

"He's not going to die that easily. The old man lightly rejected him, "Now, get out of the way...... Stay away. ”

Haryat and Enoch looked at each other and reluctantly lowered their swords.

"Let them go!" he shouted.

The hunters looked at each other, obviously reluctant, but silently made a way.

"Sorry......" Ed, who was caught in the arm by the undead, smiled weakly at Khaliat.

“...... We'll get you back. Haryat could only comfort him with that.

Their figures faded into the shadows of the trees. Whispers of discontent rang out all around, and Haryat stood there silent, frustrated, grim and gloomy.

"It's not over, Khaliat. Enoch whispered to him, "Even if I can't leave, I can summon the priest nearby...... They won't be able to escape far. ”

“...... Don't we need to inform the Sage as soon as possible?" asked Haryat rhetorically.

"Let's wait until we rescue Ed Singh. After a moment's hesitation, Enoch replied.

Khaliat nodded. He could understand the young pastor's decision, but instinctively realized, "Deliver Ed...... Maybe it's not that easy.

(To be continued......)