The arrows continued to rain down on me.
I crouched behind the wooden basin, keeping my body as low as possible.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Arrows struck the basin one after another, punching holes through the wood.
I curled up tighter behind it.
A few arrows managed to get through the gaps, grazing my skin. The cuts weren't deep, but the pain was enough to make me grit my teeth.
I could barely move without aggravating my injuries.
Fortunately, the rain of arrows finally stopped.
I heard the mercenaries rushing out of their tents, their weapons in hand. The loud noises had awakened everyone.
I shouted again, warning them about the ambush.
As soon as I saw the basin riddled with holes, I pushed it aside and looked toward the darkness.
Even in the faint light, I could make out the enemy archers preparing to fire another volley.
Another round? Damn it!
I rushed toward the nearest cover.
Fortunately, the camp was surrounded by a wooden palisade, and several thick logs had been placed around the camp for additional protection.
I found a large log nearby and pressed my back against it, peeking around the edge to watch the enemy archers.
The other mercenaries didn't wait for the arrows to stop.
They charged toward the palisade, some raising their shields while others held their weapons ready. They had no intention of remaining exposed while the enemy continued firing.
Even from a distance, I could see Azpen drawing his greatsword.
He rushed toward the trees from which the arrows were coming.
The mercenaries and knights followed him.
Then the second volley came.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Arrows descended upon us.
Some men managed to block them with their shields. Others raised their shields over their heads for protection.
A few even deflected the incoming arrows with their weapons without stopping or slowing down.
Azpen didn't bother trying to block the arrows with his sword.
He simply swung his greatsword.
The powerful sweep of his blade sent several arrows flying away before they could reach him.
As the arrows fell around me,Something about the arrows caught my attention.
Their tips were coated with a green liquid.
My expression changed.
"The arrows are poisoned!" I shouted. "Don't let them graze you!"
But I was too late.
One of the mercenaries who had been grazed by an arrow staggered. Foam began to form around his mouth as he struggled to remain standing.
His body convulsed, and he collapsed.
Poison?
I stared at him.
It's deadly enough to kill someone from a single graze?
Before I could think further, Azpen's voice rang across the camp.
"Sound the alarm! Anyone who's injured, move to the rear and report to the healers! Magicians, illuminate the surrounding ! Anyone who isn't poisoned, follow me!"
He charged toward the enemy archers without hesitation.
The mercenaries followed him.
Even as another volley of arrows came flying toward them, they continued advancing.
I wanted to follow Azpen.
But I stopped myself.
With my current injuries, charging into that mess would be suicide.
Even though I had Poison Immunity, that didn't mean I could ignore my other injuries. I was still bleeding, and my body hadn't recovered from the previous battle.
This wasn't the time to take unnecessary risks.
I remained behind the log, keeping my eyes fixed on the direction of the fighting.
I could hear the clash of weapons and the shouts of the mercenaries beyond the palisade.
I tightened my grip on my sword.
Come back alive.
Time passed slowly.
For nearly thirty minutes, the sounds of battle continued.
Then, at last, a loud cheer rose from the darkness.
I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
The surviving mercenaries and knights began returning to camp.
Azpen walked among them, his armor covered in black blood.
I watched them come back, then lowered my gaze.
That's enough for today.
I returned to my tent and lay down.
My body was exhausted, and the injuries I'd sustained during the fight had made even the simplest movements difficult.
This time, sleep came quickly.
The next morning, my body felt stiff from the previous night's battle.
I could barely move without feeling the ache in my muscles and the pain of my injuries.
I was still trying to gather the strength to get out of bed when someone approached my tent.
"Raven?"
A man's voice called my name.
I opened my eyes and slowly stepped outside.
A man wearing full-body armor stood before me, looking directly at me.
I hadn't seen him before.
I straightened my posture as much as my injured body allowed and gave him a respectful nod.
"Did something happen?"
The man smiled.
"Commander Azpen wants to speak with you. Can you come with me?"
The moment I heard those words, the last traces of sleep disappeared.
"Yes. Give me a moment."
He nodded and waited.
I returned inside, splashed cold water on my face, and rubbed my cheeks to wake myself up.
Then I took my sword and followed him.
As we walked toward the center of the camp, I couldn't help wondering why Azpen wanted to see me.
What happened last night?
I would soon find out.