The thumb catch on my scabbard clicked as I pushed the hilt forward with my left hand. Steel gleamed three inches into the open air.
Vane raised his staff, the blue mana circle under his feet flaring to life. The twenty silver-armored soldiers behind him stepped forward in unison, lowering their heavy pikes to lock into a dense defensive wall. Sparks danced across their iron shield rims as their passive squad skills linked up.
"Minsoo, take out the channeler on the left ledge," I said, keeping my eyes fixed on Vane. "Sujin, hold the rear squad off the cart workers."
"Got it," Sujin said. She planted her feet, raising her heavy iron shield high as she spun around to face the fifteen soldiers blocking the alley behind us.
Minsoo drew his bowstring back in a smooth, practiced motion. An arrow tipped with compressed wind mana formed on the rest, humming softly as he released the string.
