Chapter 147 : Defense & Advance
On the final day, the day when the [Trial of Human] had started.
Vincent Van Sigeberht, the commander who was leading this operation, finally received the news about the scouts he sent out.
*BAM*
Vincent slammed the desk, his location currently at the main camp in front of the wall gate that held the defense for Halvenburg City.
Vincent looked devastated as he heard the news, "What did you say..."
Raven who delivered the news was also devastated, "Yes…the scouts that we sent out, all of them have been wiped out." He repeated.
Vincent sighed, "They were our finest and selected scouts, so how can they disappear in just one night."
Raven shook his head, "I do not know sir, I placed a tracking device on them just in case, but to think they would disappear without a trace."
Vincent sighed once more, "What in the name of god are happening here?"
"I apologize sir." Raven couldn't help to be apologetic during this time.
"Then…what else did you find?" Vincent asked.
"Excuse me..." Raven then approached him while he looked at the map that had been there on his desk, "The last location where they disappeared from..."
His finger pointed out the location on the map, "...was this place. It is a snowy forest which around 100 meters from this city."
"And their last signal, was here which is near to the [Dangerous Zone] covered with blizzards and infested with dangerous monsters." Raven spoke.
"And that's where they disappeared?" Vincent asked.
"That is correct, I assume they met something before they could enter that place."
"So we don't know for sure what is in the other side of that zone...but, I have a bad feeling." Raven answered.
"That's true…the best choice is not to send any more scouts, we do not need anymore sacrifice." Vincent spoke.
Then Vincent made his final decision, "That's why, we will proceed on the first plan, to defend the city."
*******
Outside, at the front row of the gate.
Rei stood there alone with his newly equipped armor set.
It was the same from last time, but it seemed like it had a little new twist on it.
His armor this time had more engraved motives on it, it was like red flame while the other part are the same black color as the other set. He also used another set of new gauntlets since the last one had been broken due from the last fight.
But there's something within that armor that he had added for this fight.
And no one except himself knows what it was capable of.
At the same time, the people around him began to speak about his presence. From the adventurers from the Guild and the soldier from Sigebehrt's army.
"Is that the rumored guy?"
"Look at that armor! It must be high-grade!"
"Maybe he's just a spoiled noble."
"Can we even win this fight with just him?"
The words spread all over the army, after they knew that the one who's gonna be leading the front line was this unknown guy who's also not a native to the land.
From doubts to hate.
An outsider like him intervening in the affair of the Northerners was considered foolish.
Northerners were once called the land of warriors.
Within this cold and dangerous environment, a proper survival skill and strength were what they needed to survive.
Of course, Sigebehrt Family is one of the Northerners who protected this land for centuries.
But...that Sigebehrt allowed an outsider to help with their affair.
Which made them doubt their strength to protect this land.
The people there continued to speak ill of him but Rei remained unfazed like usual.
The S-class Adventurers all gathered around him, along with Gilbert and Garon as the leaders of the army.
"Crimson, the preparation is ready." Raven reported.
"The magic cannon, mage, and warriors are in the line, healers are also at the back to help us."
"We will wait for your order." Gilbert concluded.
The two of them were the representative of each force, both were dignified people with titles that earned the recognition of the people.
But him?
Rei was acting so high and mighty for an outsider, which created more hate towards him.
Rei turned around to them, "The time had come...prepare for battle."
When he said that, he stood still towards his spot and unchanged while the cold snow scattered around him.
Raven and Gilbert nodded as they immediately relayed his order to their forces.
"Adventurers! Get into position!"
"Archers! Mages! Prepare your arrow and magic! All soldiers, charge the magic cannon!"
When they barked out orders, everyone immediately scattered to their designated positions.
Magic cannons were lining up on top of the wall, while the Archers and Mages were preparing their bow and chanting their magic. Hiba and Sharon stood among them.
On the ground, Warriors and Guardians had prepared their swords and shields. Gilbert, Raven, Hilbert, and Ashley were on their sides.
Meanwhile, the Priests who were led by Alicia were standing behind them as they prepared their healing magic.
And last but not least the person standing as the Vanguard, wearing black clad armor with blazing fire carvings.
The preparation was complete.
400 Warriors, 200 Guardians.
150 Archers, 100 Mages.
50 Priests.
And the total number of the people who were attending this fight…
Is 900.
Including 20 Magic Canons arranged on the walls.
The number is no less than 1000, which showed how dire the situation they were under.
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Finally....
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It begins.
Cold breeze pierced through their armors and leather clothes.
And then silence
They had no idea when it's going to happen since they didn't believe that monsters would start attacking them here.
But...one person was completely certain and the rest who believed him…
Had realized that...
*RUMBLE*
Something is coming.
*RUMBLE* *RUMBLE*
The ground began to shake, and the air quivered.
Pressure began to crawl on their skin when their eyes saw something in front of them.
*RUMBLE*
*RUMBLE*
The noises grew louder, and the Archers noticed it first.
Hiba, who's the only S-class among them, led the archers to take their stances.
"Archers!! Stance!! And hold!"
The creaking noises of the bow string being pulled was heard as they prepared their arrow as per his order.
"Mages! Hold it!", The Mages who were led by Sharon also did the same, immediately preparing their magic circles.
The Guardians and Warriors couldn't see what was in front of them, since the only thing they could see was a snow white field.
That was, until one of them finally noticed it.
"They're here!"
Beyond the forest, the ones who caused the rumbles revealed themselves.
Multiple monsters on sight, from four legged beast to two legged giant.
Wolves, Bears, Ogres, Goblins, and Undeads.
They were all gathered together and now charging at them with full force.
The white field slowly being tainted by the dark force.
Hiba saw them advaancing and estimated the numbers.
"The numbers..."
Rei knew it as well, "Roughly, there is around 3000 monsters, huh..."
*RUMBLES* *RUMBLES*
*GRRRRAAAA*
*GRRRRR*
The monsters howled as they charged at them, while the other side began to prepare their first fire.
But Rei raised his right hand.
"Hold it."
Rei ordered.
Hiba who saw their Vanguards order immediately stopped but maintained his stance.
Sharon did the same, holding their breath at the same time.
Waiting for something.
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*RUMBLES*
The noises slowly become closer.
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*RUMBLES*
And closer...
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*RUMBLES*
And more closer...
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*RUMBLES*
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Finally, when the monsters reached a certain distance, around 100 meters from where Rei was standing.
He finally took action.
*CLANK*
Rei pulled out his large battle axe from his [Inventory] and aimed the axe towards the enemy.
"FIRE!!!"
With that order, Hiba and Sharon reacted quickly.
"RAIN THEM DOWN!!!" They shouted simultaneously and released their arrows and magics.
*SWOOSH* *SWOOSH* *SWOOSH*
As the arrows were shot into the air, it began to rain down towards all of the monsters.
When the arrows hit, it splattered many bloods as they fell down one by one.
*SWOOSH*
But that's not all, after the arrows, it was followed by giant fireballs hitting them from above.
*BOOM* *BOOM*
Causing massive explosions everywhere.
"Do not let them get closer!!! Magic Canons!! Shoot them down!!" Vincent took the chance to order his soldiers.
All of the Magic Canons that had been prepared beforehand were aimed at what was in front of them.
"Fire!!" Gilbert shouted.
*BOOM*
They fired the magic canons, to follow the rhythm of their assault.
The monsters were being bombarded with arrows, magic and cannon balls. Despite that, the monsters continued to charge at them without a single hint of fear.
"Guardians!! Forward!!"
Then Rei ordered for the Guardians–their tankers, to come forward to stand right behind him.
Which confused the Tankers.
"....???"
Instead of putting a wall to protect himself, he stood at the front where he doesn't have any protection.
Hilbert, who already knew enough about him, spoke, "We will protect the first line!"
Then Rei began to walk towards the hordes of monsters, "Yeah, I'll leave it to you guys."
While raising his giant axe, "Then I shall go wild." And unleashing his aura which was combined with his weapon's.
"First is...[Sprint]."
"[Sky Ruler]."
"[Hell Flame]."
"[Agni]."
"[War Cry]....RAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!" Rei shouted his lungs out, releasing a loud voice to cause the monsters that kept advancing to feel a strong pull towards him.
"Finally...[Abyssal Domain]."
After stacking all of his buff and unleashing all of them at once while aggroing the monsters, he used his [Abyssal Domain] skill to lock every skill that required MP by creating an anti-mana domain around him.
Everyone saw his body was clad in that dark flame, but something's different.
The flame that was once covering his body, now being tamed as it didn't spread like before anymore.
Instead...it created a coat made out of flame.
And another thing.
[Notice!]
[Skill "Absolute Zero" have been activated].
[Skill "Absolute Zero" resists "Hell Flame" skill].
A notification pop out in front of his face.
Rei smiled upon seeing it.
Yes...it is skill called [Absolute Zero], a skill that came from the core of [The Frost Death Emperor, Hamel].
The armor he was using was carved and embedded with it.
=======================================
[The Frost-Hell Armor]
Grade: Epic
Type: Armor
VITALITY: +100
Durability: 100%
An armor that was forged by fusing a core from a monster who once was called as the [Sage of Ice], he was the mage who controlled the power of ice and was able to command it with his will alone. But, an unfortunate fate was casted upon him which turned him into a vicious monster of death to defy the world itself.
Skill:
[Absolute Zero]
Passive Skill
The armor bears the curse of the strongest undead that evolved into a frost type monster. The user gets debuffed with [Frostbite] status that will diminish the user's HP if they're not close to a heat source.
[Death Harbinger]
Active Skill
MP cost: 0
With the power of the strongest Undead, it gives the user the strength that could defy death. It increases the user STRENGTH by 50 and VITALITY by 50. The user also gained [Death Aura] which only the [Undead] could use.
=======================================
'Despite being an epic grade alongside with troublesome curse, but this curse is definitely a perfect condition for me.' Rei thought.
*TSSSS*
But the heat of that flame remained the same, it caused the snow underneath him to melt down until his feet touched the base ground.
After he was done with the preparation, he lifted his axe.
"Well then...shall we have the feast?!~" with such a wide grin, he charged at the hordes of monsters.
He started the war against the monsters by himself.
And....
The moment their distances became closer...
It started with a...
"[Smash]."
*BOOM*
Large explosion.
Causing the monsters to be scattered upwards, with just one swing of his axe.
From that strike alone, he already reduced the number by 100 which was equal to the first counterattack they made.
But that's not over yet...
[Notice!]
[Skill "Abyssal Feast" have been activated]
[You gained "Abyssal Heart" 10 stack]
His axe immediately being clad with dark aura, along with his dark flame.
"[Hell Flame] + [Abyssal Wave] + [Wide Swing]."
*SWOOSH*
He unleashed a wide swing with his axe as his dark flame and auras spread out in front of him.
And the monsters that were caught by those skills…
*SWOOSH*
*SPLATTERS*
Were cut in half, their blood splattered all over the snowed ground, followed by his dark flame that burned their body down.
The hell flame that caught on their bodies quickly spread to other monsters, like wildfire.
The people who watched from behind the tanks were amazed by his skills.
"What is happening..."
Was the question that appeared in their mind, but those who had been with him before recovered much faster than those who only just saw it for the first time.
Gilbert lifted his sword—Grand, "What are you guys waiting for?! This is our chance to prove that Northerns can protect our land!!" He shouted out to get their attention.
"Right now! Our Vanguard has launched his first attack! Do not get closer to him otherwise you will get hit by his skill!"
"All long-range personnels! attack the monsters from behind! Mages can shoot their magic at will!" Gilbert shouted at them.
"But that will hit our vanguard!!" Sharon spoke out.
"That order is from our vanguard!! Archers! Keep assisting us!!" Gilbert then walked forwards, with Raven and Garon on his sides while Ashley on his back, "We shall break through this first phase!!"
"Roger that!" Raven, Garon and Ashley responded, followed by other warriors that stood behind them.
"Let's go!!!"
They finally broke out their shells to follow this one insane person who's currently in the middle of the monster's hordes.
*******
From wolves, goblins and other small monsters began to surrounded him.
*SPLATTERS*
But each of them were killed with one swing of his axe.
Even when their attacks went through his defense, their weapons and bodies melted when they came into contact with his flame.
Even Goblin Shamans and Lichs came into this battle and shoot fire magic towards him.
*SWOOSH*
When the approaching fireballs were thrown, Rei was just standing still.
*PSHHHH*
Because their flames were erased before it could touch him.
Even when the Goblins shot the arrow at him, it melted down by his flame again.
*??????*
The monsters and the undeads were confused, all of their attempts to counter him with long-range attack resulted in failure.
And all they did was in vain, because they just reveal their presence to him.
"There you are." He lifted his axe once again.
"[Hell Flame] + [Abyssal Wave] + [Smash]."
*SWOOSH*
Then swung it as he unleashed a dark wave of auras and dark flame.
*BOOM*
Obliterating their long-ranged monsters.
"Annoying."
He spoke nonchalantly, as if these small monsters didn't matter.
After a while, he finally broke through against the small monsters, and he now meeting against the bigger size.
"I've been waiting for this."
Trolls, Ogres, Cyclops and many other giant monsters came out from the forest.
As if they were waiting for the smaller one to be reduced into certain numbers.
*GRRRR*
Rei stood there alone, swinging his axe to stretch his arms.
"Let's have a feast!!"
That was when he jumped towards one Ogre in front of him.
*GRAAAAA!!!*
The ogre reacted to his presence lifting its steel club that on ts right hand and swung it towards him.
Rei did the same, he's swinging his axe towards it.
*BAM*
The moment their weapons met.
*CRACK*
The steel club shattered so easily despite their differences in size and weight.
*GRRRR??—*
*BAM*
The poor monster wasn't even aware that its body was getting cutted diagonally by his axe, causing its blood to splattered everywhere.
Upon seeing their monster ally died in one strike, Rei stood there and taunting them.
"Come on, is that all you got?"
[Notice!]
[Skill "Abyssal Feast" have been activated]
[You gained "Abyssal Heart" 10 stack]
Then the other monsters began to surround him after that taunt and swinging their giant one handed-axes and clubs down towards him simultaneously.
*GRAAAAA!!!*
*BOOM*
Their weapon crashed down towards him together, causing a large explosion.
But....
*TSSSKK*
Their weapons are being stopped by his axe, he blocked them with one hand even though they're combining their strength together to crush him, it wasn't enough to take him down.
"That's all?"
*CLANK*
Rei lifted his axe up to deflect their weapons away from him, then he clad his axe in both dark auras and flame.
Then...
"[Hell Flame] + [Abyssal Wave] + [Spinning Wheel]."
He spun his body around with his axe in 360 degrees.
*SWOOSH*
*GRRR??*
*SPLATTERS*
Their bodies were cut down in half, followed with half part of their bodies being burned down simultaneously.
It was a very easy fight for him. Of course, it was not the case for others.
For a single warrior, they could kill around 5 to 10 small monsters.
For a veteran, they could kill around 15 or more.
But for a single big monster such as Ogres and others, they would need several warriors and a single veteran.
Those who saw him during the battle immediately realized how much of a gap they had in terms of strength.
Just a mere warrior? No.
Just a mere veteran? No.
It was like an advent of God of Destruction itself, with every step he walked, he created destruction and chaos that caused many disasters to the one who got close to him.
Even those big monsters didn't pose any danger towards him.
He swung his axe.
*SWOOSH*
Killing hundreds of them.
*SPLATTERS*
Leaving their body burned down into ashes by his dark flame.
The monsters that didn't fear the rain of arrows, fire balls and swords…
Now feared this one human who was emitting such a dangerous presence.
The monsters that supposed to be three times bigger in numbers.
Now reduced by approximately....around....
1000....that's how much it left now.
The land being charred black by the heat he released, the snowy land was now being covered in blood and ashes.
After 5 hours of fighting.
Rei stood there above a mountain of monsters' corpse lying on the ground.
It didn't take that long, he's not even tired.
As if it was just a warm up for the next phase.
The people there stood behind them, tired from this fight but felt ashamed that an outsider like him took the victory alone.
Now, they began to take a notice of this single man.
[The Knight of Wrath, Crimson].
And in that day, he was also known by the Northern there as...
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[The God of Destruction].
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[Notice!]
[You acquired a title!]
[The God of Destruction had taken an interest in you]
To be continued...