Clash

[The following items will be rewarded to the user upon pressing this notification: Territory Claim Ticket 10x, Internal Energy Pill 30x, Portal Scroll (Temporary) 10x, Portal Scroll (Permanent) 1x]

The rewards for reaching the top 1,000. Currently ranked 721, Travis was part of the top 1% of survivors in the new era. Travis saved most of it for a rainy day, knowing that even if he consumed all of the pills he wouldn't even be able to touch the start of Gold-grade. Though jumping to Elite Silver-grade was something that he has been waiting on for a long time. 

"But it seems that the time for me to use them is coming."

In a room filled with monitors, Travis and Noah watched as the island began to be surrounded by boats.

"This territory is under our Lord's control! We suggest that you turn back now before a fight ensues!" This message was being conveyed through a drone, the boats of the invading forces appear to modern and their combatants wore garments reminiscent of earth realms. 

"What lord? The only rankers in the western region are either part of our legion or are allied with the Strong-armed Magician. We have heard of no such lord in this region, stop bluffing and surrender! We have 7,000 soldiers with us, only a fool wouldn't surrender!" The live feed from the drone showed a woman in an office uniform. She seems to be the main speaker but the leader appears to be a large man behind her, a man that stood at a height comparable to a professional basketball player. 

"The warnings have been sent, I hope you don't regret what comes next!" Noah voiced this out as arrows began to fly from the defense towers.

"Noah, send Zekna the signal! Mobilize all troops, call Vantak and Hamak back from their expeditions. If they want war then we'll give it to them." Travis chose to wave off the message of the top 1,000 rewards once again. "Vekna should be enough, none of them seem to be in Gold, but Vantak could clean up the mess and 7,000 new undead soldiers doesn't seem half bad."

Travis trained for the past 2 months and through a bit of information gathering he found out that others were capable of using the pills to gain up to at least 3,000 points of internal energy per pill. Which is why even though he got the reward weeks ago, he still didn't use it at all. He wanted to reach a point of proficiency with his internal energy, where he can at least guarantee that absorbing a pill would raise it by 1,500. A total of 500 points over his old best. 

Master of Otherworlders (Top 721): Are there any other factions in the west? There seems to be intruders in my territory, claiming to be from a faction that rivals Mr. Strong-Arm's faction. 

His name in the chat was simply his title, this would be his first chat message sent to the Top 10,000 chat. 

Strong-Armed Magician (Top 12): There are multiple factions in the west, well there WERE. They have either joined up with us or were crushed by us. Can you point us to the direction of which they came? 

Master of Otherworlders (Top 721): North of Lindburg City.

Pirate Captain (Top 322): HAHAHA, Are you crying in the top chat just because we did a little invasion? 

Master of Otherworlders (Top 721): If you're willingly surrendering 7,000 soldiers to my necromancer, who am I to say no? 

Strong-Armed Magician (Top 12): Ohh this is good, we won't interfere until the dust settles. Best of luck to the both of you!

"Decimate every last ship, you don't need to save any of them. SINK THEM ALL!" Travis barked out into the communicators. 

WHIUUUSSH!

The sea serpent sent out a spray of boiling hot water at a ship, sinking it in seconds. With its troops consumed by the serpent as they tried to swim away. Zekna was enjoying his feast. The rest of the boats began to rush their way into the island. Welcoming them were the swarms of undead that Vantak left in the region. 

All of the members of the Pirate Captain's fleet were local humans who were given gifts through his innate ability. "Pirate Captain" named himself after the ability, which lets him give out the talent for swordsmanship and boat management to those that join his crew. Giving them the ability to use internal energy with swords, even without the books. It was a powerful ability that boosted the abilities of the common folk and as a former Manager, he was used to dealing with people. 

All they needed to do was to swear allegiance to him, after which he would give them the power to defend themselves. With the vast ocean as his playground, the Pirate Captain gathered more and more allies using the boats that his ability created. With Most of his allies at Intermediate Bronze-Grade and having close to 200 members in the Elite Bronze-Grade, he held one of the largest factions on this side of the hemisphere. 

He was rightfully confident in his abilities, which is why he rejected the offers made by any of the Top rankers in adding him to their list of allies. 

"This was meant to be a fast and easy takeover, How the hell are they beating all of our troops?!?" His smile was now gone, the pirate captain grimaced at the scene before him.

Large balls of fire flew from the direction of one of the towers, spellcasters that focused on the arcane are considered elite the moment they reach silver. Silver-grade Spellcasters are more sought after than Silver-grade martial artists due to a simple reason, Firepower. Even in races other than humanity, spellcasters reign supreme and are treated differently. 

The invading troops didn't know what hit them. And the worst part was yet to come.

"RUSH THROUGH THE BEACHES! WE CAN'T STAY IN THE WATER!"

"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! THE WATER IS NO LONGER SAFE!"

It was a slaughter, those that made it to shore were either burnt to a crisp or ripped to shreds. The lucky ones died in the mouth of Ara or were shot in the head with a mana bullet from one of the defense towers.