Monster Tide: Anomaly

"Graaahhh!" Just like in the first wave, those that were assigned to the frontlines had gone past the defensive line once more, charging forward to meet their opponents in the battlefield. However, as Myst watched the people she had assigned to fight on the second wave move past the battlefield, she had stopped a couple of them before they could move any further. "Halt."

Naturally, hearing that command come out of their section leader's mouth, there was nothing those people could do but to stop in their tracks, wondering why they were stopped by their leader before they could move any further. Thankfully, the answer to that question arrived before them soon after, with Myst informing them what could have happened if they had continued, causing their bodies to shudder. "It was my oversight to have you guys be assigned to the second wave. The monsters in this wave are Level 7 at the very least."

"I won't stop you if you choose to step beyond the defensive line and punch above your weight." She looked at them with a stern expression. "However, you are also free to head back behind the village walls as you've already done your respective tasks."

"The choice is yours."

After pondering over Myst's words for a bit, the people she called to stay looked at each other for a bit, only to look at the battlefield before them soon after. Eventually, after a few more seconds, they went ahead and thanked Myst before making their way back to the village.

Seeing as the people she stopped were making their way to the village, she shifted her attention towards those who had stayed behind the defensive line during the first wave. After scanning through all of the people she could choose, she eventually picked out those who seemed fit for the type of monsters those at the frontlines were currently up against, pointing at them. "You, you, you, and you. You're all a level or two above the monsters during this wave, so you better help the others if the chance arises."

"Yes, ma'am!" Surprisingly, all of them didn't complain that they were chosen. Instead, the people she chose took in a deep breath before gripping tightly onto respective weapons, dashing towards the battlefield a couple of seconds later.

Seeing that the people she chose had no problems filling in for those that left, watching them get into the rhythm of killing monsters while helping out the others when they could, Myst let out a light sigh of relief, heading back to her original position once she noticed that the fight would be more or less smooth sailing, just like the first wave.

"So, Valyr. Since our conversation earlier was interrupted by the second wave, would you mind telling me that idea you had?" Myst looked at Valyr beside her, her expression brimming with curiosity, as well as expectation.

"The idea that would get you one step closer to achieving your goal, right?" Valyr asked to make sure.

With Myst nodding in response to his question, Valyr nodded back and opened his mouth… only to be interrupted by a voice that gradually got louder and louder as it came closer to them. "Oho? Who knew these two would actually be acquainted with one another?"

Hearing the familiar voice enter his hearing, Valyr turned his head around to look at the man that had appeared before them. "Tristan? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the center section with Damian?"

"I was, but Damian told me to wander around since I looked so bored while watching those at the frontlines shred through the monsters like nothing." Tristan let out a chuckle. "In any case, since the center section had no problems dealing with the second wave, I've decided to pay a visit to the east section to meet up with you, Valyr."

"Though, I'd never expect to see another familiar face in the same section." Saying that, he turned his head to look at Myst with a smile. "It's been a while since we've last met, Myst. It seems you're getting closer and closer to achieving your dream."

"I'm still far away. If anything, I've only made a bit of headway into it." Myst shook his head. "Though, Valyr was about to tell me an idea that would allow me to get closer to achieving that goal."

"Is that so?" Hearing Myst's words, Tristan could not help but raise his eyebrow before turning to look at Valyr. "Mind if I listen?"

"Would've still told her about it even if you didn't ask." Valyr shrugged his shoulders. "Then again, I'm sure you already know what I have in mind to make her faster, Tristan."

"I do?" Tristan scratched his head, slightly confused. "This is the first time you two have met, right?"

In response to the question, Valyr and Myst nodded in unison.

"If that's the case, then why do you think I know what you're thinking, Valyr?" Tristan looked back at Valyr.

"Think about it for a bit, Tristan," Valyr said in response. "Myst has a class that leans towards AGI, has skills that boost her AGI, yet there's still one thing she's missing. I'm sure you can figure it out from there, right?"

Listening to Valyr's words, Tristan could not help but go silent, his eyes gaining a light blue tint as he stared at Myst for a bit. As the light blue haze around his eyes gradually disappeared, he could not help but look at Valyr, his expression that of understanding as he lightly smirked. "That's what you meant, huh."

"It's the only thing she can do aside from leveling up and upgrade her skills." Valyr nodded, a light smile appearing on his face.

"Mind telling me what's going on?" Of course, Myst still had no clue what the two of them were thinking. "What idea does Valyr have to help me become faster, Tristan?"

"Well, let me answer that for you." Just as Tristan was about to open his mouth, Valyr interrupted him and started to speak. "Do you have a skill that allows you to identify things?"

"I have [Monster Analysis], what about it?" Myst replied, prompting the two to look at each other as everything finally made sense to them.

"That actually explains a lot of things," Valyr said soon after. "To cut things short, you're not making full use of your equipment."

"Eh?" Myst tilted her head in slight confusion. "But I've upgraded my equipment just a couple of days ago?"

"You may have upgraded your equipment, but only your weapon increases your stats." Tristan was the one to respond this time around. "If you had [Analysis], you would have been able to see information on your current equipment. If you did, you would've noticed that your sword increases your AGI stat by a couple points."

Grraaaaoooo!!!

Though, just as Tristan was about to continue explaining to Myst what she could do to improve her stats, a loud roar resounded throughout the surroundings, prompting everyone to look at the battlefield, noticing that another wave of monsters from afar were heading their way, their auras far stronger than any of the monsters on the battlefield.

"What the hell?!" Tristan cursed. "I thought the third wave wouldn't be coming any time soon!"

With that, Tristan hastily bade farewell to the two as he swiftly made his way back to the center section. "We'll have to cut our conversation short here. Just a heads-up, I'm sure Damian is going to relay a couple orders to all sections sometime soon."

Surprisingly, just as Tristan had darted off into the distance, a yell reverberated throughout the defensive line, echoing so far as to reach even the end of the west and east sections.

"All sections, heed my orders!"

"All guard captains and deputy leaders are to head into the frontlines as soon as possible!"

"It's time to make a move!"