(Dark Sect Member)
The fear in the air could literally be cut with a knife.
Our leader looked at us and just shook his head.
About four days ago, a knock was heard at the gates of our courtyard, which surprised us, because this place was covered with different forms of detection arrays and is also covered by an illusion that makes whoever looks at the top of the mountain, or somehow comes to the top of the mountain, only see a forest of densely packed trees.
But yet someone was able to not only pass these detections but also somehow pass the illusion and knock on our gate.
I knew we should have placed a barrier, but the leader was too cheap to even consider it, always saving for a rainy day. Now that rainy day came unexpectedly and almost destroyed the crops.
"What should we do?"
That question was the one that was asked the most, with everyone cowering in fear.
"We just have to wait. maybe it's a prank by some kids?" One of my comrades suggested it, to which we all looked at him like an idiot.
"What kind of kid is that then? Because when I was a kid, I was still running around in my underwear!" One retorted with fear and anxiety in his voice.
"Well, sorry for trying to lighten the mood, okay? everyone is so tense that my anxiety is literally breathing down my neck!" The first guy also added.
"Sorry, but your anxiety is the least of our problems. the boss is not here, the bandits aren't here either and the only form of defense is the sorceress but she can only be sacrificed to preserve our lives and after that we would still lose those very lives for sacrificing her." The guy clapped back with his voice going a notch higher.
Hearing his words, I could not help shaking. is this how I would die? I mean, I have not even gotten the power the dark sect promised me, and I am just going to die like that? My life as a bandit was much simpler.
I looked at the white-robed men around me and steeled my heart. In case anything happened, i would quickly betray them and leave. I had no attachment to these guys since most of us don't even know each other's names and appearances; this is to protect the rest if one of us is captured.
"Maybe they are just here to look around after noticing the anomaly of the illusion and detection arrays." A voice said, looking at the short-robed man that walked to the middle of the group, I recognized him as the one that chose this place in the first place when we were giving our opinions about where to place the base.
Others chose the generic mountain cave and hidden cave in the woods, yet the boss picked his own base on the hill, saying the most visible place is the least place they would check. his reasoning sounded okay then, but now...
"You were the one that picked here, so think of something." Others yelled at him, to which he calmly replied.
"I had expected this outcome, so I had the runesmith that we gave to the leader put a spying rune on the walls of the base so that we can monitor the place."
"Then why are you bringing it up now!" The first guy who spoke before grabbed him and lifted him high up into the air.
"It was taking time sending in the footage; it was just a few minutes ago that it fully arrived." He quickly explained losing his air of mystery; I would too if someone manhandled me like that.
Well, that was really convinient, it seemed the boss picked him since he could be said to be the smartest and the one with foresight in this group.
"Okay, play it then. what are you waiting for?" The man barked as he kept the short man still suspended.
The short man quickly brought out a jade slip, and the image of the entrance to the courtyard was displayed, and everyone held their breath.
I WILL BE BACK SOON.
Those words were written on the sand in front of the entrance, and everyone felt their blood run cold.
"He said he would be coming back!"
"I knew we should have answered the door!"
"Why don't we wait for the boss so that he can deal with it?"
...
That was how we found ourselves looking at a disappointed leader.
"You guys were scared because of that?" The leader asked, for some reason looking straight at me.
I don't think I did anything wrong, right? Or was it because I did not speak before?.
"You," The leader pointed at someone.
We all looked around trying to find the unlucky fellow.
"The one in the white robes," He added.
Uh, I am sure I was not the only one looking at their clothes in confusion.
"Dammit!" The boss got up, hitting his palms on the table as he walked towards me.
Ah, I was the unlucky fellow.
"Go and inform the bandits to forget the mission that we assigned them previously and that they should start packing and get ready to leave, and also you all should prepare for the summoning. I received information that the Ink Cloud sect has sent someone; who that person is, we don't know yet."
"Yes, sir." We all saluted before heading out of the secret passage, followed by some other comrades.
I did not sign up for this; I was only promised power, not the constant fear of death hanging over my head.
After we got down the mountain and I looked at the bandits beneath me, I could not help sneering.
I was like one of them before, robbing and killing to survive, but a year ago, after that immortal ascended and brought down blessings, I became one of those lucky fellows, and the dark sect recruited me into their ranks.
I had gold-tier affinity with the elements and was thus promoted to a core disciple but am not that proficient in my elemental techniques, but luckily after raiding a sect that had a lot of runic weapons, we all got our hands on flying swords and the like, so it looked like we were flying on our own, but it was just because of those things.
As we got down to the stage, we were greeted respectfully by the bandit leader, who looked like a walking fortress, and my former boss, but now all he could do was try and flatter me.
"We are leaving," I said plainly.
"What?"
"We are leaving; get your men to start packing," I said again, with some annoyance.
"Why, are we leaving? I thought you wanted to us to raid another village."
"There has been a change in plans. the Ink Cloud sect has sent some people to investigate the recent raids your group has done on the villages. we don't know who they sent, but we need to leave quickly. the boss said you guys should start packing, and at the latest, you should be done by evening," I said.
"Okay, but would the holy ones stay behind for some refreshments?" The leader said, looking at us fawningly, which did not suit him.
I looked at the ones that followed me, and seeing them nod, I agreed.
...
After he had relayed the message to his subordinates, I ignored the part about them leaving by noon the next day and followed him to his tent, where some delicacies were ready.
It was late when we got back to the base and seeing that they had already started the summoning, I and my group quickly joined in.
I did hear something about a master Zen, but before I could ask...
"I am Kabbal, the 78th prince of hell. who dared to summon me?"
A demon appeared above the woman who was in the middle of our circle.
"Oh, great Kabbal, we seek your help." The leader instantly bowed, which we all followed.
"What is it you seek my help for?"
"We need your help to eradicate the one called Master Zen," The leader said.
Who is this master Zen anyways? it's like the leader is scared of him.
"... What did you just say?" The demon suddenly shrunk from his height of 10 meters and looked at the leader.
With his face the way it was, I could not really tell what kind of face he was making, but with how he reacted... I would say he is scared.
"Uh, help us kill master Zen?" The leader repeated.
"Hiiii! You jinx! You summoned me to kill that monster? Are you crazy?" The demon screeched all of a sudden and started yelling at the leader. "What is wrong with you people? send me back! Now, before he arrives!"
"..."
Okay... Uh, should I be worried?
"Uh, but we can't send you back unless you fulfill the request of those that summoned you." The leader said, slowly backing away from the demon.
I think we should back away too.
"No! Fuck that stupid rule! I don't want to fight him! send me back now!" The demon screeched even louder, but then he stopped.
"Wait, what if the people who summoned me, no longer exist?"
"..."
I'm sorry, what did he say?
"So, who is the Leader amongst you guys?"
That was when we all noticed that the leader had blended in with us since he also wore white robes.
... We are so fucked.