Valkus, Blink, Joy, and Quake the champion walked inside the room where Ubel currently sat.

“Please sit down and give me your report.”

As directed, the four hunters sat down with Blink and Quake sighing tiredly, having been worn out from all the running around.

Ubel glanced at their group and asked, “So, Valkus, what information did you learn? The wind mages in your squads might’ve told me already, but I want to hear from you directly.”

Blink rolled his eyes when his brother turned to him, but leaned in and listened to his whispers anyways. After listening to it all, he nodded and relayed the information.

“Valkus says that the undead move in formations, led by a controller type skeleton. These controller skeletons wield strange weapons that have been fused to their bodies, such as swords or barrels that pulse with a sinister dark energy. The bone mechas we scanned seem to be about ten meters tall, but as they were kneeling down their height is just a guess.

“Of the sixteen bases we investigated, each base was fortified by bone walls at least three meters tall. The bases are also an even distance apart, as pictured on this map here.”

Blink handed a map over, and Ubel immediately began to study it. He didn’t show any expression but nodded his head as if affirming something.

“Did you find any traps in the ground?”

“Our earth mage found nothing.”

“Anything else to report?”

“Yes, in fact, we located where the captured fox-kin are being held judging by the location of stationary targets. They are located underground in the center of the outpost. If you turn the map around it’ll show you their location, and also what path the controllers take. We figured we’d do a little extra since the mages noticed that all the outposts have the same set pattern. That is all we have to report.”

“Thank you for going above and beyond what I’ve asked. I’ll make sure you and your men are given good spots to sleep in the village. Now, Joy. Your report?”

The Lancer scratched her cheek and handed over her map, “It’s about the same as the other team reported. We also noticed the controllers, the hostage locations, and their patrol movements. We did the same thing and recorded their movements on the back of our map. Great minds think alike, heh. Oh. But we did see one necromancer just staring off into the distance thanks to our Hunter, who has an eye skill that allows him to see afar.”

Pulling out another paper, she handed it to Ubel, who was currently studying maps front and back to see if the formations matched. A light flickered in his eyes before he turned and received Joy’s sketch.

As he opened up the picture Ubel offhandedly remarked, “Were you spotted?”

She shook her head, “No, we were hidden in a patch of trees so the foliage hid us.”

“Good.”

Ubel stared at the necromancer’s sketched face for a long while before mumbling to himself and turning to the waiting hunters.

“You two have done well. With this information, we’ll have a better shot at winning. Go see Old Crimson to get lodging for you and your men. You are dismissed for now and at ease until tomorrow.”

With a slight nod, the two hunters left with their seconds in tow, leaving Ubel alone.

The same formation, setup, base structure, and the same amount of enemies. What a fabrication someone set up for this event. And this picture…

Ubel studied the face once again, inwardly thankful that the sketch had been colored. The large black cracks, slitted eyes, pale lips. There was no mistake about it.

These aren’t living people. They’re offshoots of necromancers that were once real. More like puppets than the real deal. It’s like before, all those years ago. Which means… How many times have these dolls died?

But they should still have their spirit, in some fragmented way. Otherwise, the undead wouldn’t have such orderly movements. Meaning they should still react after we move, just that their judgment will be somewhat affected.

The time window would be… and I’ll need… Then I will have use of them...

…

Meanwhile, Urist was currently inside another house, facing off with a real headache. He leaned back in his chair, face to face with the bound young chieftain who was glaring daggers at him.

“You know we’re here to help you, right? Why don’t you work with us? If you just agree to help us we can increase morale and work better as a group.”

Sage spat on the ground and barked back, “If you didn’t have that man use strange magic to tie me down I would’ve kicked your face in! I don’t trust you, invader. Unlike that old coot of a grandpa, I can see through your lies!”

Leaning forward, Urist asked with curiosity, “Oh? And what lies would that be?”

The youth held her head up arrogantly, “My God has left a message for my people since ages past. God has said if invaders come to our land, to not trust you! And if God says so, then it's best to kill you! I'll be the one to save my people, not you outsiders who mean to use my clansmen as fodder!”

Listening to the young chieftain’s words, Urist didn’t laugh at the mention of a god. In fact, in the back of his head, something itched. As if something wanted him to profane the word god.

Scratching his chest where his heart was located, Urist replied, “Gods huh. Why does such a word piss me off? Tell me of your god then, Sage. I’m filled with curiosity over his demeanor.”

Sage’s eyes turned cold as she let out a chuckle.

“The story of our God has been passed down since the first ancestor. He is an elder god who has lived for countless years. He was against the ga-”

Eyes clouding over, Sage's fierce demeanor instantly turned expressionless as if the life was sucked out of her, making the hair on the back of Urist’s neck stand on end.

He was fascinated at Sage’s sudden change, especially when her cloudy eyes then suddenly turned sharp and began to glow with a golden hue.

What is this change of aura? It’s as if I’m facing a primordial beast.

As he tried to process this, a voice old, cold, and filled with unshakeable authority rang out.

“So you're that brat’s ‘Champion.’ Heh. Not the worst I’ve seen. You potential, treat my people well or I’ll torture your soul for all eternity.”

Before Urist could ask anything, Sage’s strange aura disappeared, her eyes going from cloudy back to clear as she shook her head to regain her bearings.

But Urist wasn’t paying attention to her as his thoughts were in chaos.

Champion? Brat? What was that? Did I just meet a god, and if so why appear now?

“Hey.”

Shaken out of his thoughts Urist turned to Sage, who held a solemn expression.

“My God has spoken. We are under your command. For now. Release me from my bonds… King.”