The ghouls were in turmoil. The thought that vampires and witches could be coming after them was enough to bring fear to their hearts. The gang members were long gone, leaving the regular civilians to fend for themselves. Though I found it strange.

The gang couldn't possibly sneak out with the lich and the death knights watching their every move. My thought is that they must've had outside help, but from who?

Currently, the ghouls are arguing among themselves.

"We have to find the person or persons who committed the mass slaughter and hand them over to the vampires and the witches. That is the only way we'll be spared," one of the ghouls said, trying to convince the others to find the perpetrators.

"It must've been the Bocarruta gang. They are the only ones who could've hidden the bodies here. Plus, they all just packed up and left the moment the lich came here," an old man said.

"I for one think it was the ratfolk. Those vermin massacred those people, then hid the bodies here to shift the blame on us," this time it was a woman who spoke up.

They all gathered together, arguing and coming up with different theories as to what could've happened. While some had already accepted their fate, others chose the comfort of their family. Especially the young children wrapped up in their mothers' arms while their fathers assured them everything would be ok.

It was utter chaos; with no leader in sight. They were a pathetic bunch. But I had come to save them, even if I had to break them first.

"Haha… They look like scared sheep," Yuki laughed.

"Understandably, their lives are in danger," I responded, but just then they noticed our presence.

"Wait, who are you?"

"That's the guy who was walking with Ivy yesterday."

"Yuki is with him now."

They all turned their attention to me, the stranger in their territory. Some of them looked scared by my presence, others looked ready to fight.

"Hey, you better answer us!"

"Could he be a vampire?"

The women hastily shielded their children while most of the men prepared to fight.

"You can all relax," I said, raising my hand to show that I mean no harm. "I'm here to save you."

"Save us? Is this a joke? You better leave."

One of the ghouls stepped up. It was a bald, middle-aged man who stood over six feet tall. His imposing figure made him look like a bodybuilder.

The moment he took his first step, Yuki's tail went flying, ready to decapitate him, but I easily raised my hand and stopped it mere inches away from the man's throat. The man was completely caught off guard by this display of speed, causing him to stagger backwards and fall on his butt.

"What do you think you're doing, Yuki?" I asked, a coldness lacing my voice.

"Hmm?" She rested her index finger on her bottom lip and tilted her head, looking puzzled. "I thought we were going to play good cop, bad cop. You be the good cop and offer to help, while I play the bad cop and kill anyone who steps out of line. Plus, it will help you aura farm more?"

I couldn't help but sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration.

"Stand to the side and be quiet. I'll handle the people here." I told her.

"Okay, Dokey! I'll allow you to aura farm on your own, sir!" she said, giving a salute and standing at attention.

I decided to ignore her antics for now and instead focus on the ghouls in front of me.

"W-what was that! That tail… She's a ghoul, right? How could she possibly have that ability?" The ghoul that fell over stammered from the ground. He looked at Yuki as if he had just witnessed something impossible.

"That tail is a gift I gave her so she can protect herself. That is how she was able to take out the werebear guarding outside and kill several death knights."

"That's impossible. If she's a ghoul, she can't be that powerful. We aren't that strong."

I smiled at him and offered him a hand.

"What if I tell you that you are that strong? You just haven't found the right leader who can bring out your talents."

"We already have a leader," he shouted, brushing away my extended hand. "The djinn is that leader."

"You mean the same djinn that left you to fend for yourselves among vampires and witches? That's a djinn? He's no true leader. No true leader leaves his people to fend for themselves."

"That's… That's just…"

He tried to argue but couldn't come up with any excuse to justify his so-called leader's actions.

I then dragged my attention from him and spoke to the crowd of people listening.

"You guys were right," I said. "You were set up. Someone purposefully carried the bodies to frame you all."

Murmurs and chatter erupted immediately.

"I knew it!"

"But Who?"

"Who was it?!"

Hearing them eagerly ask for an answer, I couldn't help but smile.

"Who else? It was the vampires and witches of course. They orchestrated all of this just so they could find a reason to exterminate you all. They think of you as pests who are occupying a section of their city. That's why they want to get rid of you. That is also why I came to save you. So I'll ask you once again, join me."

"ARISE!"

Yuki shouted something from behind me, but I ignored her once again, even though I desperately wanted to turn around and chop her across the head like a teacher scolding his student. It took every fiber of my being not to do so, and I instead focused on the people in front of me.

They were almost there. I could feel it. They just needed a little push, and as if thematically perfect, a thunderous explosion occurred right outside their walls. We couldn't see everything, but there were dark energies colliding outside the wall. Of course, this was a result of the battle that was happening between Khalissi and the lich. But seeing the lich's power further added to their fears.

The thunderous explosions mixed with the crumbling wall that separated them and also protected them from the rest of the city added to the urgency. In their eyes, they didn't have a choice but to forsake the djinn and look to me instead.

And soon the first snowball began to roll.

"Me! I'll join you!"

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