When Running Isn’t an Option

Aura

A unique and independent energy type generated directly from an individual's energy core, similar to magic power but distinct in its nature and application.

By default, aura was non-elemental, though it could resonate loosely with a person's elemental affinity, making it easier for them to align aura-based techniques with that element.

Each being's aura had a "signature" colour, often mirroring physical traits like eye or hair colour and reflecting their personal essence. While the colour was purely aesthetic, it served as a unique identifier, making aura as recognizable as a fingerprint.

Unlike magic power, aura was almost exclusive to Warrior-type combatants.

Unlocking it, was something only existences above Level 100 were permitted to do.

This 20-metre-tall giant indeed didn't possess any magic power; the result of a mutation. But in return, the giant had more physical strength than his peers and gained his aura faster.

He was only Level 120, with some of his stats still at the D+ level. But his aura, amplified with his C- Strength Stat resulted in the devastating scene that played out before Xaren's eyes.

◇　◇　◇

The moment the Low-Rank giant appeared, the Low-Rank demons outside Hamqua City sensed his presence and frowned.

The Demons had not hidden their intentions to use this world's war as a test for their new forces.

Only Unranked Existences were to participate in the battle for Hamqua—That was the warning message the demons had sent out to the elves and giants of this world.

But the fact that they could sense a Low-Rank giant meant that their warning was ignored.

The Low-Rank demons got to their feet and unfurled their wings, taking to the skies so they could survey the city.

It was then that a voice rang out in their heads.

[Do not interfere.]

The demons froze mid-flight, their gazes snapping to the shattered remnants of Hamqua's outer walls. There, they saw a familiar Greater Demon standing there, flanked by a few Mid-Rank Demons.

"Sir Naephas?!" one of the Low-Rank demons exclaimed.

The group of Low-Ranks immediately dipped their heads in deference, their wings trembling as they instinctively moved to descend. But Naephas held out his hand to stop them.

"Remain there," Naephas commanded. "Fly higher and make yourselves visible to the Unranked below, but take no further action."

Confusion flickered across the Low Ranks, but none dared question his order. They quickly did as he said.

"But Sir, even if it's merely Level 120, it's not something these Unranked should fight. Why not let the Low-Ranks deal with it?"

Floch, the fire demon who brought Xaren out of the Newborn zone, asked Naephas and the High-Rank demon shook his head silently.

"No.

Just like you said, it's merely a Low-Ranked giant. But the battles of the Unranked demons are all tests—Adaptability, Intelligence, and the will to survive against overwhelming odds.

I will not allow any interference from those above their rank."

Floch went silent when he heard Naephas' response.

Sure, this was war, but it wasn't just about victory. For the demons, this war was a proving ground, a place to test and strengthen their forces.

Numbers weren't the goal—what they wanted were powerful, resilient fighters.

The other Mid-Rank demons nearby exchanged uneasy glances. They wanted to argue, to protest Naephas' decision, but the words caught in their throats.

Each of them had their eyes on specific Unranked demons they believed showed promise. If they were seen as the ones who discovered these talents, then they would be rewarded.

As such, they didn't want any of those they had marked to die here.

But overturning Naephas' decision? Impossible.

Reluctantly, their gazes shifted back to the city below, where the giant struck again.

Another devastating blow, another wave of destruction. Buildings crumbled like sandcastles, and dozens of Unranked demons were wiped out in an instant.

The giant raised its fist for a fourth strike, and the Mid-Ranks could almost hear the splatter of blood, and see the broken bodies littering the ground from his strike.

But Naephas? He saw something different.

A sly smile curved across his lips.

"Lord Xynax always knows how to pick them. Some have already noticed my intentions."

Floch and the others blinked, turning toward him in confusion. They followed his gaze to the battlefield below, scanning the chaos until they saw what he meant.

A group of Unranked demons stood apart from the panic, their eyes fixed not on the giant but on the Low-Ranks hovering in the sky above.

The Low-Ranks Naephas had ordered to do nothing but hover in place and make themselves seen.

One of the Unranked on the rooftop shouted something to the others, and despite some of them visibly trembling, they broke into motion.

They leapt across rooftops, charging straight for the Low-Rank giant.

For a moment, the Mid-Ranks stared in stunned silence.

These demons weren't running from the slaughter. They were running toward it.

◇　◇　◇

Xaren's mind screamed one word over and over as he stared at the massive figure towering above the ruined cityscape.

RUN. 

Having experienced death once before, Xaren had no desire to face it again. His top priority in this second chance at life was survival, and fighting against a Level 100+ giant at his current level didn't fit into that plan.

Especially as he was all too aware of the staggering power gap between the Gold and Master Realms.

From Level 99 to 101, the power difference became multiplicative.

Xaren didn't have an appraisal skill, but he was sure this giant surely had a C- Strength Stat, maybe even Health and Durability to match.

The giant's already terrifying physical capabilities were further enhanced by Aura, allowing him to unleash devastating force through brute strength alone, effectively compensating for his lack of magical prowess.

The demons fighting him now were doing so because they had no choice. They had been too close when the giant attacked, trapped in his range.

Most of the others were running, scattering like leaves before a storm. And Xaren… he wanted to join them. 

But then a thought snagged in his mind. 

The higher-ranked demons had repeatedly stated that their battles would only involve Unranked existences as well.

As such, he assumed that they would move to remove this Low-Rank giant that had suddenly appeared.

Immediately having that thought, Xaren turned in the direction of the broken city gates, and in the process, his eyes caught sight of Low-Rank demons in the sky.

They hovered above, their wings beating steadily, arms crossed, watching. Not fighting. 

At first, Xaren was happy to see them. They were clearly stronger than this giant, and if three of them teamed up, they'd make short work of the giant.

But they didn't move. They didn't lift a finger. They just hovered there, their silence as loud as the giant's earth-shaking steps. 

And that's when it clicked. 

Xaren's expression contorted, his mind piecing things together. They weren't here to help. They were here to watch. 

"…those fuckers are testing us even now…"

He muttered the words under his breath and Ilya, standing beside him, turned with wide eyes.

"What?"

"They're testing us," Xaren said louder, his voice tinged with annoyance as he pointed upward.

"Those Low-Rank demons—they could kill that giant easily, but they won't. Look at them. They're just floating there, waiting. Watching us like we're some experiment." 

Ilya and the others followed his gaze, their faces darkening as they processed the same realization. 

"So… if we run?" Carack asked hesitantly, his voice low.

Xaren's lips twisted as he pondered the question before answering.

"I don't think they'll let us. Either they stop us, or they mark us as deserters…"

Hearing his response, Kravok clenched his fists, his fingers digging into his palm.

"So, what do we do? That thing will crush us if we fight it head-on!" he demanded, his voice laced with frustration.

Xaren let out a string of curses under his breath as he looked at the city around them: crumbling buildings, shattered weapons, and debris scattered like confetti.

In the distance, other demons—those unlucky enough to be caught in the giant's reach—were trying to fight him, drawing him attention and forcing him to split his focus.

Xaren's eyes narrowed as an idea began to form. 

"We can't do it alone, but if we work with the other demons—use them and the terrain to our advantage…it's possible…"

The more he spoke, the calmer he got, his eyes spotting broken weapons from the dead unranked giants scattered across.

"We can use those…" Xaren said, pointing at the broken weapons before speaking to the others.

"See that? The giants before this one left their gear behind. We can use them. We can lure this giant into positions where we have the upper hand. Let him focus on the other demons while we hit him from blind spots." 

"You're serious?" Carack asked, his voice trembling slightly and Xaren responded almost instantly.

"Dead serious.

If we don't fight, we might end up dead anyway. So, we fight smart, not stupid. No one goes in alone, and no one tries to tank a hit."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, as if deliberating if this was really a good idea. Finally, Ilya nodded and asked.

"All right. What's the plan?" 

Xaren exhaled deeply, regaining full calm as he turned to the giant and spoke.

"First, we get the other demons to fight it willingly."