Reckoning (6)

In the same barren forest in which the Fanged Wolves fought a pack of boars a few days prior, three figures and a gigantic monster were battling it out in an intense conflict.

The wyvern, who was a beta-level monster, had the upper hand as the trio of Commander Vanderson, the bodyguard, and the hooded figure found themselves being pushed back constantly.

Rampant destruction razed through the already mutilated area as the last remaining vestiges of ashen trees were demolished and wiped off the face of the earth.

With each passing second, the scale of carnage around the combatants increased the barrenness of the already pitiful wasteland.

Varying degrees of injuries appeared on the trio's bodies. Each of them had very grim looks on their faces as they perfectly understood what their fate entailed should they not go all out.

ROAR-!

A domineering roar rang out as the behemoth of the wyvern couldn't believe that some measly ants dared to defy its will. Ever since it was born, no one was able to look it straight in the eye and just trembled in fear after gazing at its frightening features.

Now, these puny insects dared to challenge its rule, especially after attempting to harm its offspring, which hasn't hatched yet.

Releasing a shower of blazing flames from its mouth, the wyvern had a ferocious expression on its monstrous face, which sent shivers down the opposing trio's spines.

Imbuing mana into his staff, the hooded figure chanted softly under his breath as a green barrier appeared in the path of the wyvern's attack.

Colliding with the flames, the barrier held out only for a second before crumbling, being destroyed by the sheer might of the searing strike.

However, the barrier lived to serve its purpose as it delayed the incoming attack for a second, which was all Commander Vanderson needed to punch out toward the raging flames.

The bloodlust which enshrouded his body flared, augmenting his strike as his fist clashed with the sea of flames in front of him. Both sides entered a stalemate for a few seconds as the outcome soon became clear.

Feeling the raw power behind the breath of blazing conflagration, Commander Vanderson found himself being pushed back. Growling, he exerted more strength from his body, steadying his unintentional retreat.

Soon the flames dissipated, showing his charred figure as the green camouflage clothes he was wearing became scorched black.

Wincing slightly, Commander Vanderson channelled the mana inside his body as the various injuries and scorch marks which littered his body healed at a visible speed to the naked eye.

The bodyguard, who stood with the hooded figure right behind Commander Vanderson, released a torrent of mana as the flames which engulfed his frame burned brighter with more vigour as he chanted.

"The herald of crimson, the ever-lasting star of destruction. Burn ablaze and scatter the ash! I summon thee. Fire beam!"

Shooting out his palms, the beam collided with the wyvern, who roared in pain as a few places where the flames of the beam licked its body scorched slightly, providing nothing more than a superficial wound which only served to make it more enraged.

ROAR-!

With the volume and intensity of the roar increasing, the wyvern entered a frenzied state as it relinquished whatever inhibitions it may have had.

Sensing the change in the wyvern's mindset, the trio showed a frightened look, with only one thought remaining in their minds.

'Run!'

***

After learning that a monster horde was fast approaching, Otto quickly got to work as he summoned the members of the Fanged Wolves to convene for an emergency meeting.

All around the outpost, a solemn and gloomy air surrounded each and every soldier as they hastily completed their assigned roles.

In the period between the 'collision' and the current time, there were a few recorded cases of monster hordes.

Monster hordes posed many dangers, with the survival rate of those battling against them being abysmally low. There were a few main reasons for this.

First was the strength in numbers the monsters possessed as inevitably a warrior who fought against the stampeding creatures would eventually get tired, creating many openings for the other monsters to strike.

Second, was the leader which guided the horde under their command to annihilate whatever came in their way. In order to be the leader of the horde, that monster must be the strongest existence there.

After vanquishing countless numbers of monsters in the horde, the humans fighting often faltered at the last step in the critical battle against the horde leader, which led to many failing at the last stage of eliminating these repulsive creatures.

The third main and last reason was that all monsters in the horde were always in a frenzied and berserk state due to a terrifying, powerful monster like the wyvern, for example, making its presence known to all.

This caused a chain reaction, making all the powerful monsters in the nearby vicinity run rampant and begin fighting with each other, becoming extremely sensitive to the smell of blood.

Hence, a beast horde was created.

As the members of the Fanged Wolves grouped together alongside soldiers from the military heading outside preparing to receive the onslaught of harrowing creatures which neared their location with every passing moment.

They prepared themselves to enter a battle which would define their very existence.

Evan was understandably nervous, as one misstep would cause him to join the countless other humans who died in this apocalyptic hell.

Gazing ahead as he and his fellow squad members exited the main gates of the outpost, Evan's eyes widened in disbelief.

Right in front of the outpost was an expansive plain filled to the brim with nothing but the stomping of the berserk monsters and their out-of-control bloodlust.

Such a chilling sight caused the soldiers behind the mercenaries to tremble in fear as they barely suppressed the urge to flee.

Frowning deeply, Otto scowled at the sight of the trembling soldiers.

"Oi! Bastards wake up! It is okay to feel fear, but don't let that stop you from readying your weapons and killing the vile, overgrown animals which have profaned our earth for so long. Remember the faces of your loved ones who have been snatched away from you by these detestable bastards. Remember the pain, agony and hardship u faced after learning the terrible news. Now, I know I'm not your commander, but listen to my commands and channel those emotions to rip these fucking monsters into shreds! For humanity!"

"For humanity!"

A chorus of cheers arose from the human army as their blood boiled after listening to Otto's passionate speech.

Raising his silver hammer in the air, Otto led the charge into the battle which would go down in history as a battle of many twists and turns commenced!