Chapter 93
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Where Is It?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Third defensive line, advance."
At the signal, the soldiers slowly moved their feet to form a new defensive line.
The encirclement surrounding the northern sector where the monsters had intruded gradually tightened toward the center.
In the meantime, the cavalry who had finished herding in the opposite direction of the evacuation gathered back along the main paths.
They were the riders tasked with guiding the monsters by patrolling the encirclement, ensuring the monsters didn't spread to other sectors.
"One's broken loose!"
One of the riders shouted while looking up at the rooftops.
One monster had veered from the planned path, climbing the walls and leaping onto the roofs.
"Just let it go!"
The riders leaped over the rooftops, watched the monster fleeing in a different direction, then turned away.
Their goal here was solely to drive out the monsters on the ground.
And a short distance away, another group watched the scene unfold.
"One's climbing up."
From a nearby watchtower, they spotted the monster leaping onto the roof.
Having escaped the complex streets, the monster on the open rooftop was an easy target from the watchtower.
The surveillance operative monitoring the auras rising from various parts of the city signaled.
"Target at 1 o'clock, one."
The pre-positioned mercenary archer also saw the red aura of the monster leaping onto the roof.
An arrow flew straight toward the monster, which had paused to scan its surroundings, perhaps searching for its next target.
A single streak of blue light slashed across the sky over the Labyrinth City.
If they had enough time to prepare, archers could amplify their arrows' power as much as they wanted.
The arrow, charged with continuously gathered mana while waiting, flew silently and pierced the monster's head before it could react.
Even with this level of preparation, it would be hard to fell a massive brute with one shot, but fortunately, this one wasn't that type.
Its body was light for scaling walls, so it didn't seem particularly sturdy.
The monster, pierced by the arrow, plummeted from the roof immediately. No need to confirm the kill—the red aura falling into the street faded away soon after.
The observer relayed the report to the rear and shifted their gaze elsewhere.
"Target eliminated."
Turning their eyes from the cleared spot, the mercenaries in the watchtower scanned the streets again. Red auras darted through the chaotic streets everywhere.
Then, one mercenary's view of a red aura blurred and began to fade.
The potion's effect had worn off.
"Potion's out."
"Switch out?"
"Nah. I can squeeze a few more out of it."
The surveillance mercenary replied as he pulled out another potion and downed it.
The duration had shortened from repeated use, but since they'd processed them for maximum length for the invasion, there was still some leeway.
After drinking, the fading red aura sharpened again.
From the watchtower, it was easy to pinpoint where monsters were rampaging across the city.
The mercenary who drank the potion murmured while staring at the empty vial.
"This thing... even without the stalker counter, isn't it an amazing potion?"
According to the enclosed instructions, it reacted not just to monsters but to traps set with malice or dangerous items.
If that was true, it was an essential item to carry on every expedition.
Countless headaches it could solve with just one potion came to mind.
Where on earth did they make something like this? A question arose among the mercenaries.
Even if it was a small, obscure shop, something this good would've spread like wildfire. If they'd known earlier, they'd have stocked up for sure.
"Where do they sell this?"
"First time I've seen it too."
The mercenaries examined the empty bottle closely and found a small engraving on the bottom.
One read it aloud.
"Where's Louise Workshop at?"
Everyone shook their heads at the unfamiliar workshop name, but then one spoke up as if remembering.
"Oh, that... I think I heard the guild mention it."
He hadn't cared much about some new workshop no one knew, but the location stuck in his mind.
"The spot on Clock Tower Street that was under construction. That's where it's opening."
"There? That's prime real estate."
True enough. A place that made potions like this wouldn't be your average workshop.
Everyone nodded in agreement. A shop like that must have plenty more good stuff.
And the mercenaries resolved to visit on opening day.
"This way!"
Led by Rin and Lia, the vanguard reserves ran through the streets with soldiers, guiding evacuating residents.
Deeper in the streets, residents still lingered within the danger radius, unfinished with evacuation.
Then, Lia, watching the rear, spotted a red aura approaching.
"Rin. Incoming!"
Lia turned and signaled to Rin.
Rin, who had been helping with the evacuation, shouted urgently to the residents.
"Don't move! It's dangerous!"
"What's coming?"
"Stay right here!"
In that moment, a stalker peeked from the alley, drawing closer.
Softening its footsteps, slowly...
The stalker targeted Lia at the front, raising its claws.
It hadn't realized Lia could see it yet.
Lia pretended not to notice, standing still and waiting for it to close in.
She'd heard they fled if stealth was blown. Lia quietly bided her time.
The stalker crept right up to Lia and swung its claws.
Just before the attack landed, Lia sidestepped and thrust her sword.
Her counter pierced the defenseless stalker's chest.
At the same time, Rin's attack came from behind.
She'd heard plenty from Ian about what stalkers looked like, their weaknesses, and vital points—studied up in advance.
Rin's blade precisely severed the stalker's windpipe.
A short monster screech echoed.
With its death cry, the stalker collapsed.
Its stealth dissolved upon death, revealing its hidden form.
The residents stared puzzled at the two swinging swords at empty air, then gasped at the suddenly appearing monster corpse.
A huge commotion erupted among the evacuating residents.
"It appeared out of nowhere..."
"There's invisible monsters!"
"Are there more nearby?"
The existence of invisible monsters spread, igniting sudden fear among the residents.
"Calm down!"
Rin shouted at the panicking residents.
If they broke ranks in terror, it would spell bigger trouble.
"We can see them! None nearby right now, you're safe!"
Coming from those who'd just handled an invisible monster themselves.
Whether due to that convincing authority or Rin's shout, the residents' panic barely subsided.
"What in the world is going on..."
One resident murmured, uneasily scanning around.
It had been so long since the last emergency bell that they'd practically forgotten it existed.
Today, monsters invaded the streets out of nowhere, prompting evacuation—but no monsters in sight, no signs of battle.
Invisible monsters prowling about? Now they realized how dire the situation was, and tension spread.
"How many more of these are there?"
One resident asked Rin.
Rin glanced around the city. They were dwindling one by one, but... still a ton of red auras.
But being honest... no way, right?
Thinking that, Rin put on a confident face.
"Not many left! Almost done!"
It'd take ages to clear them all.
Lia beside her kept silent.
A few soldiers with potions could see the auras too, but they held their tongues.
"By the way."
One resident stepped forward from the group and addressed Rin.
A middle-aged resident armed simply with a sword. A militia member helping soldiers lead and evacuate others.
The middle-aged militiaman asked Rin curiously.
"How can you see them? The invisible monsters."
"Oh, it's because of this potion..."
Rin answered without thinking.
The crisis detection potion—a special brew prepared for today that made invisible threats visible.
"There's a potion like that?"
"Could we see them too if we had it?"
At the mention of a potion that revealed invisible monsters, the anxious residents' eyes turned to Rin en masse.
Rin backed away flustered.
"Sorry, we need it ourselves, can't hand any out..."
"Who asked for any?"
The middle-aged man spoke exasperatedly at Rin's reaction.
They'd lived here long enough. No one expected them to hand over defense supplies.
What they wanted was different info.
"Where do you buy it?"
"Yeah, we would've stocked up if we'd known..."
"Uh..."
Rin hesitated, eyes darting, then cautiously replied.
"It's made at Louise Workshop..."
Louise Workshop in Clock Tower Square.
By tomorrow, word would spread to every resident.