Chapter 21

It was dark, and I kept getting pushed back. A guy eventually grabbed me and pulled me behind him.

“Watch out, we’ll need you after!”

We were continuously being forced back by the monsters, but since we had retreated into the dungeon, it was no longer dangerous. Two men could hold against a hundred in these narrow hallways. When one of the men was hurt, he was pulled back, and another man appeared. I offered to heal them, but they declined until they reached someplace safer, so I held off my spells.

“Mmmmmmm…” A moan came from behind us, and I turned to see a group of zombies coming.

They had been waiting at an intersection, and only came forward now. It was clear the zombies were being guided by some force. They seemed to react very aggressively to our presence and even planned a trap. Just like the previous attack on the city, this was all prepared. I understood how the last party had died despite being careful. We had already lost some men who were on guard. I could only hope that they could be resurrected.

Realizing I’d have to fight if I wanted to live, I lifted my hand and cast the heal spell. I breathed in relief when I saw the white glow around the zombie nearly ten feet away. I had worried about the range, but if the White Mage were supposed to engage in combat, then range really was vital to them. How could they heal teammates in the middle of combat unless healing had some range to it? Thus, I was able to target my enemy. It howled and shot me a look of anger, moving even faster than before.

I panicked and then cast the spell again. This time, the monster collapsed to the ground, and then it started melting like the one I had killed once before. I cast a spell on the next closest zombie. At my current level, I could handle about ten spells without resting. I didn’t feel like I had any time to spare. With sweaty adventurer’s pushing at my front and zombies at my back, I needed to go all out.

A second zombie fell, and then a third. It seemed to take two spells for monsters on this level. The next monster was a skeleton. I had never defeated a skeleton before, but they looked more dangerous than zombies. Usually, the faster adventurers took on the skeletons, who moved more quickly than the zombies. I hit the skeleton with heal. He kept coming. I healed him again. He was now within range to strike me. I cast one last time desperately. At that point he collapsed into a pile of bones, his rusty sword clanging on the floor.

{White Mage has increased to level 5.}

{You have unlocked the White Mage skill: Group Heal.}

The bones melted away, and in their place was a perfect pile of powder. Instinctively, I reached down and picked up the pile of bone powder.

{You have collected a monster ingredient. You have unlocked the job: Alchemist.}

A new job and a level? This would have been a joyous occasion if it was not such a desperate situation. Without thinking, I immediately began to cast Group Heal. And then I continued to cast it. My hand started to glow white, and I realized that this one had a distinctly longer casting time. Meanwhile, the zombies from behind were closing in on us.

“They’re behind us too!” Someone finally shouted.

“I’ve been holding them off!” I finally spoke up. “Give me a few moments!”

Two of the closest men got in front of me, blocking the zombies, and I instantly felt better. The spell in total took ten seconds to cast. I didn’t specify in my mind who to target. I aimed for everyone. The spell exploded and a wave a white light flashed through the room. It went out about fifteen meters in both directions. Instantly, all of the zombies and skeletons howled, while the men felt most of their superficial wounds heal. A desperate situation suddenly seemed a bit less desperate.

As for me, the group heal hit me harder than I expected. I felt really dizzy and almost fell. We weren’t out of things just yet.