The battlefield fell silent.
For a single heartbeat...
Commander Sam disappeared.
The Elite Corruption Commander spun wildly.
Its crimson eyes searched the battlefield.
Gone.
It couldn't find him.
Then—
A whisper echoed behind it.
"I'm here."
The Elite turned.
Too late.
Skill Activated
Vertical Instant Slash
A blinding arc of silver and black cut through the air.
SLASH!!
The blade struck directly beneath the Elite's left shoulder.
CRACK!
The crystal armor shattered.
A deep wound split open across its body.
Black blood sprayed across the battlefield.
The Elite staggered backward.
Its roar shook the valley.
---
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex spoke.
Direct hit confirmed.
Weak point successfully exposed.
Excellent strike, Commander.
Sam didn't stop.
He pushed forward.
Skill Activated
Attack Chain
His movements became faster.
Each successful strike flowed seamlessly into the next.
Slash.
Step.
Turn.
Slash.
The Elite struggled to defend itself.
Every blocked attack created another crack in its armor.
---
The monster suddenly swung its massive bone blade.
Sam's eyes narrowed.
Shadow Step.
His body dissolved into darkness.
The blade passed harmlessly through empty space.
A moment later...
Sam reappeared above the Elite.
"Burn."
Skill Activated
Fire Missiles
Five blazing fireballs formed around him.
WHOOSH!
WHOOSH!
WHOOSH!
WHOOSH!
WHOOSH!
Each missile slammed into the shattered shoulder.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
The explosions forced the Elite onto one knee.
Smoke engulfed the battlefield.
---
Seeing the opening...
Ben roared.
"Forward!"
The Vanguard charged.
Skill Activated
Shield Bash
Ben crashed into a Corrupted Ogre like a runaway carriage.
CRAAASH!
The massive creature flew backward into two Corruption Beasts.
The Infantry erupted in cheers.
"Captain Ben!"
---
Nearby...
Kael spun his spear overhead.
Three Corrupted Wolves lunged together.
Skill Activated
Piercing Thrust
His spear flashed like lightning.
THRUST!
THRUST!
THRUST!
All three wolves collapsed before they even touched the ground.
Kael smiled.
"Next!"
---
Along the wall...
Leon watched the battlefield.
His sharp eyes caught movement hidden within the trees.
Inside the forest...
More monsters.
"They're trying to flank us."
He vanished.
Skill Activated
Silent Step
Moments later...
Screams echoed from the forest.
The hidden monsters never reached the walls.
---
Above the battlefield...
Runa drew another arrow.
This time...
Mana gathered around the tip until it shone emerald green.
Skill Activated
Piercing Arrow
She released the string.
The arrow cut through the air with terrifying speed.
SHING!
It pierced straight through a Corrupted Ogre's skull.
Without slowing...
It struck another monster behind it.
Then another.
Three kills.
One arrow.
George whistled.
"I definitely don't want to stand in front of her."
---
Behind the front lines...
A soldier collapsed.
A Corruption Beast had slashed deep across his chest.
Mira reached him instantly.
She placed both hands over the wound.
Soft white light bloomed.
Skill Activated
Greater Heal
The bleeding stopped.
Broken flesh began knitting together.
The soldier slowly opened his eyes.
"I..."
"I can move."
Mira smiled gently.
"Then get back up."
"We're not finished yet."
---
At the center of the battlefield...
The Goblin Chief climbed to its feet.
Blue soul fire burned brighter than before.
It looked toward Sam.
Then toward the wounded Elite.
It raised its massive axe.
A deep roar erupted from its chest.
Skill Activated
War Chief's Cleave
The undead giant charged.
One enormous swing...
BOOOOOOM!!
The attack carved through everything in its path.
Dozens of Corruption Beasts were launched into the air.
The Elite barely blocked.
Even so...
Its bone blade cracked from the impact.
---
Not far away...
The Goblin Mage calmly lifted its staff.
Dark runes surrounded the battlefield.
Skill Activated
Bone Spear
Six spears formed from condensed necrotic mana.
They launched simultaneously.
SHING!
SHING!
SHING!
SHING!
SHING!
SHING!
Each spear pierced a different Corruption Beast.
The monsters collapsed instantly.
A golden notification appeared before Sam.
---
Goblin Mage
Level Up!
21 → 22
New Skill Progress Increased.
---
Another notification followed.
---
Goblin Chief
Level Up!
20 → 21
Strength Increased.
Constitution Increased.
---
Sam smiled.
"They're growing during the battle."
Inside his mind...
Rex replied.
Precisely.
The longer your Legion fights...
The stronger it becomes.
---
Suddenly...
The Elite laughed.
A chilling...
Broken laugh.
Black crystal spread across its wounded shoulder.
The shattered armor slowly began repairing itself.
Sam's expression changed.
"It's regenerating."
Warning, Commander.
Rex's voice became more serious than ever before.
High concentrations of corrupted mana are restoring the Elite.
If the Corruption Core is not destroyed...
It will continue regenerating.
Sam tightened his grip on his sword.
"So..."
"We end this in one strike."
The Elite slowly rose to its feet.
Its crimson eyes glowed brighter than ever.
Behind it...
The remaining Corruption Beasts howled together.
The final clash...
Was about to begin.