The group split up swiftly. They had all been to this village before and knew the location of every gate.

A large-built elf led the team heading north, walking directly ahead of Vakua. Judging by his massive frame, Fian was certain the elf was a defense-type Liner.

With their speed and agility, it didn’t take long for them to reach the northern gate, which also served as the village’s main entrance.

The situation was dire.

Archers and ranged-type Liners were desperately trying to keep mistwights from advancing, preventing them from reaching the elves engaged in close combat with dozens of mistwalkers.

But doing so meant they couldn’t help the elves who were being overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

One mistwight had already gone rampant, charging straight toward an elf and snapping its jaws at him.

These monsters felt no pain.

They advanced relentlessly.

Several mistwalkers were also seen dragging fallen elves toward the forest.

Abductions.

Fian extended his hand.

In an instant, an ice nail pierced the head of the mistwalker dragging one of the elves by the leg. The creature collapsed lifelessly onto the ground.

Vakua, Elowen, and the other elves who arrived with them did not hesitate either. Talents erupted one after another, striking down mistwalkers just moments before another elf could fall.

Although Fian was a ranged-type Liner, he was accustomed to pushing forward in battle.

He protected himself with Ice Spikes.

Ice erupted from the ground, forming a cage around a mistwight that had slipped past the ranged Liners’ control zone.

An arrow fired by one of the elders curved sharply midair and pierced straight through the ice enclosure, striking the mistwight’s head.

BAAM!

Its head exploded.

Fortunately, Fian’s ice cage was dense enough to prevent the brownish fluid from splattering outward.

Within minutes, the mist monsters were driven back.

At Vakua’s command, several elves ceased their attacks and focused on carrying the wounded to the village center.

The monsters retreated into the forest.

Two elders were dispatched to pursue the fleeing creatures and rescue any elves who had been abducted by the mistwalkers.

Vakua used his power to stop the external bleeding of several elves on the brink of death.

Fian couldn’t tell whether this was Vakua’s Talent or a trait that elves could learn.

What was clear was this.

Vakua’s presence saved many lives.

His expression, however, was grim.

Not long after, an elder tasked with assessing the situation returned, his robes soaked in blood. It seemed he had stopped to save injured elves along the way.

"The attack was sudden. All gates were assaulted simultaneously, as if someone coordinated it. With the elders’ assistance, the monsters were repelled. Some elders, along with Rihun, the village chief, entered the forest to chase the mistwalkers who abducted elves."

Another elder spoke up, his voice tight with unease.

"Elder Vakua, mistfiends may be intelligent, but the border is heavily guarded. Even though this village is near the border, there is still a frontier village in between. It makes no sense that this many mistwalkers slipped through without being detected."

"Check on the frontier village," Vakua ordered.

The elder nodded and departed immediately.

This wasn’t the first time this village had been attacked.

During previous assaults, the frontier village hadn’t been attacked at all. No one knew how the mistwalkers and mistwights had passed through the forest and reached this place.

It was illogical.

But the elves could do nothing.

This village itself was still kept secret.

In essence, no one outside should even know a tragedy had occurred.

It didn’t take long for the elder to return.

"The frontier village was not attacked."

Vakua finally spoke.

"This attack was no coincidence. Someone resents the existence of elves and is trying to destroy us."

"This is outrageous!" another elder snapped. "Mist monsters are enemies of all races, yet someone is despicable enough to use them against us. Truly vile!"

Fian observed from the side.

There was no doubt about it.

The force behind this attack was the same one responsible for Asta’s death.

Leaving a few elves behind to deal with the aftermath, they headed toward the village center.

After only a few steps, another elder rushed over with grim news.

"Rihun, the village chief, has been gravely injured. He’s dying."

Fian had never met Rihun, but Elowen had told him about him many times.

Rihun was the son of Elder Asta’s close friend.

He had refused to settle in the capital, choosing instead to live as a nomad with his family. It had taken Asta a long time to persuade him to move to this village.

Once he did, Rihun was chosen as the village chief.

He was the strongest and oldest elf here.

His role was irreplaceable.

They arrived at the tribal center.

Injured elves lay on straw mats spread across the floor. There weren’t enough beds.

They moved deeper into the area reserved for the most severely wounded. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Rihun lay on one of the beds, his face pale as death.

Vakua immediately used his power to stop the bleeding. His gaze then swept across the room.

Several elves in white garments were bandaging wounds, but Vakua knew they weren’t healer-type Liners.

They were elves trained in medical knowledge, with strong inner energy like his own.

"The wounded must be treated directly by healers," Vakua said. His voice wasn’t loud, yet the pressure felt suffocating.

"Where are the healers assigned to this village?"

"Two healers are on their way here," one elf replied, trembling. "They went to the nearby town this morning to purchase medicine. The healer on duty... was suddenly poisoned by food."

Vakua’s brows furrowed.

This attack had been meticulously planned.

They had been completely outmaneuvered.

Vakua turned back to Rihun, gripping his hand to assess the severity of his condition.

Suddenly, another elf burst into the room with even worse news.

"The healers on the way here were attacked by bandits. They’re severely injured."

At the same moment, Vakua’s gaze sharpened.

"They truly intend to destroy this village," he said coldly. "There is a poison in Rihun’s body that causes total paralysis. Even if we summon healers from the capital, the poison has already spread."

Shock and fear rippled through the room.

Yet no one could offer a solution.

Finally, Vakua gave an order.

"Summon healers from the capital city via teleportation."

Before any elder could leave, Fian suddenly spoke.

"Elder, I know how to save Sir Rihun."

Vakua did not dismiss him.

Instead, he asked seriously,

"How?"

"Gara Eshaan," Fian replied. "The heir of Duke Eshaan. He has the antidote."

...