As lunch and our rest ended, we resumed the raids on the nest.
Everything followed the same pattern as before.
One assault group attacked.
They withdrew.
Another group replaced them.
The pressure on the lizardmen never stopped.
This time, during my turn, I took a hit.
A mace struck my left leg.
Fortunately, it wasn't a direct blow. My armor absorbed most of the impact, leaving only a deep bruise. It would need healing later, but at least I hadn't fallen from Rusty.
By the time the second assault wave returned, the sun had already begun sinking toward the horizon.
The sky slowly turned orange.
That was enough for today.
A night assault would only benefit the lizardmen.
Neither side could see clearly in the darkness, and charging blindly into an unfamiliar battlefield would only increase casualties.
There was no reason to hand the enemy such an advantage.
Azpen gathered everyone once more.
"This doesn't mean tonight will be peaceful."
"The enemy may raid us."
"Sleep with your weapons beside you."
"Rest..."
"But keep one eye open."
"The Mercenary Office will handle the night watch."
"Even so..."
"Stay alert."
"We've kept them under pressure all day."
"They may try to repay the favor."
After giving his orders, Azpen stepped down from the platform.
The mercenaries slowly dispersed toward their tents.
Some talked quietly.
Others sharpened their weapons.
Everyone waited for dinner.
I remained seated.
Every muscle in my body felt like heated iron cooling after being forged.
Yet...
Compared to my first battle...
I could feel the difference.
My stamina had increased.
Swinging my spear no longer exhausted me as quickly.
My breathing remained steadier.
If battles continued refining my body like steel inside a forge...
...then I wanted to continue this process.
I sat cross-legged and began circulating my Dark Aura through the Beast Breathing Technique.
The familiar hourglass-shaped flow appeared inside my body.
Dark Aura gathered in my abdomen.
Dark Miasma rested around my heart.
As I continued breathing...
Something changed.
Normally, my body felt like a container.
The more Aura I possessed, the fuller that container became.
Now...
The container itself was expanding.
Each breath gathered more Aura than before.
Sweat poured from my body.
My clothes became soaked.
The Aura continued circulating until the pressure slowly disappeared.
I opened my eyes.
My entire body was drenched with sweat.
A foul smell clung to my skin.
Even Rusty backed away, snorting in disgust.
I couldn't help but laugh.
I carried two buckets of water from a nearby barrel and tied a cloth between two trees to make a simple shower.
Cold water washed away the sweat, dirt, and grime covering my body.
When I finished bathing, I felt completely refreshed.
My body felt lighter.
Stronger.
It seems...
I've reached the Squire stage.
Normally, Aura users advanced through five stages.
Apprentice.
Squire.
Knight.
High Knight.
Aura Knight.
Everyone began with the same potential.
The greatest difference wasn't talent alone.
It was the breathing technique they practiced.
A poor breathing technique might only allow someone to reach the Knight stage.
A superior one could eventually lead its user to become an Aura Knight.
That was why powerful families guarded their breathing techniques more carefully than gold.
They passed them down through their bloodlines for generations.
I could clearly feel the improvement.
I could feel the increase in Aura flowing through my body.
My movements had become lighter.
My reactions faster.
Just as Bharam had said...
Aura sharpened all five senses.
Even my Sensory Field had expanded.
Before, it barely covered the area around me.
Now it stretched in a wide semicircle before me.
Anything approaching from the front—whether through the air or across the ground—entered my awareness almost instantly.
A small smile appeared on my face.
For the first time since leaving the North...
I felt myself growing stronger.
Inside Azpen's command tent, several officers and veteran mercenaries stood around a large wooden table covered with maps.
The atmosphere was heavy.
One of the men pointed toward the map.
"This could be a trap..."