Although the world within this Dimensional Rift appeared identical to a typical ancient Western setting, it was far from ordinary. This kingdom possessed an extraordinary metal known locally as "Magic Steel." Through specialized forging techniques, it could be crafted into incredibly powerful equipment.
For instance, there were greatswords that could ignite their blades in roaring flames, longswords that enhanced the wielder's strength and speed, daggers that inflicted wounds nearly impossible to heal, shields with exceptional hardness and shock absorption, and countless other wonders.
In essence, while the kingdom's inhabitants were ordinary humans, they possessed the technology to forge extraordinary weapons and armor.
One could imagine that clearing this Dimensional Rift might not transform one into an Evolver, but it would certainly yield enchanted gear. Perhaps even the forging techniques themselves could be obtained.
After explaining the monsters' basic information, the elderly City Lord turned serious. "The front lines have collapsed, and those creatures are swarming toward Feid City. There are at least several thousand of them, and they'll likely be at our gates within hours. As you saw upon entering, the city walls have fallen into disrepair and stand little chance against their assault."
"I was at my wits' end, but now that you're here, Feid City has a chance!"
So, preparing for a siege is the immediate priority? Wesley thought, reviewing the available intelligence. The monsters were over three meters tall with exceptionally tough hides, and absurdly, there were thousands of them. Just imagining the scene filled him with despair. How could they possibly defend against such a horde? How could they possibly hold out?
In the real world, Wesley could call for reinforcements and carpet-bomb the area with missiles. But here, they were just four people. What could they do?
Still, it wasn't entirely hopeless, just incredibly difficult and highly dangerous.
But... they were trapped within a Dimensional Rift. How could there be no danger? A desperate struggle for survival, a narrow escape from death, was the norm for Dimensional Rift Incidents.
Wesley took a deep breath and said to the old man, "Leave it to us. We'll do our best to eliminate those monsters."
Ten years ago, due to an accident, the European Union acquired a bizarre book suspected to be made of human skin. Within its pages were recorded numerous obscure and difficult-to-understand rituals.
Driven by curiosity, the Superhuman Association experimentally attempted the ritual on the first page. The result was catastrophic: they summoned several colossal, dark brown tentacles that shot skyward, instantly demolishing the association's research facility.
Even more terrifying was the irreversible impact on the many Evolvers within the association, as well as ordinary people in the vicinity, who merely witnessed the tentacles from afar.
Dense clusters of brown spots erupted across their bodies, and their skin transformed into a slick, pliable texture like that of an octopus. Thousands perished in that single incident.
The ritual was undeniably terrifying, but if used properly, it might yield extraordinary results.
Meanwhile, the perspective shifts to Firefly. Her silver-white mech, SAM, hovered in mid-air as she surveyed the surroundings. As far as the eye could see, the landscape had been reduced to scorched earth, the world seemingly reduced to shades of black and crimson—a scene straight out of hell.
"No way... is that it?" On the helmet's internal display, Firefly clearly saw the number of living creatures within her range: zero. The vast horde of monsters that had been swarming just moments ago had vanished without a trace.
The reason was simple: after landing a basic attack, Firefly had unleashed another skill.
Action Two: Execute!
[BBHF-Scorched Earth]
She stomped her foot onto the ground and spun around. Instantly, unimaginable heat erupted from the surrounding earth, incinerating everything in its path.
In a sense, the entire battle—from engagement to conclusion—had been resolved with just two moves.
Hmm, that landing could barely count as half a move? So, two and a half moves total. But it doesn't really matter.
Firefly quietly called out to the System in her mind, and a semi-transparent panel materialized before her:
Beautiful Girl Masquerade System at your service.
Host: Mu Heng
Current Identities: Robin, Firefly
Current Objectives: Songstress (Completed), Iron Cavalry (1.5%)
Firefly remembered her objective for the Firefly identity perfectly. When she had last checked, it was still at zero percent. Yet, with that single kick, it had jumped straight to 1.5 percent—remarkably fast progress.
In other words, if just '66.6' more waves of monsters like that appeared, her Firefly identity's objective would be completed immediately?!
Iron Cavalry... This objective seems to require her to engage in as much combat as possible and defeat as many enemies as she can.
"Seriously? Just that handful of monsters? Couldn't they send a few more?" Firefly muttered quietly before soaring higher into the sky, determined to search the surrounding area.
Surely, there had to be more than just this one wave of monsters in the entire Dimensional Rift?
The perspective shifts back to Feid City, where Wesley and the Destiny's Chosen had just affirmed their commitment. The City Lord, visibly relieved, let out a sigh of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"With your pledge, the Republic is saved!" he exclaimed.
"To be frank," he continued, "after our devastating defeat at the front lines, the Empire has been working tirelessly to find a solution. There are essentially two ways to combat these monsters: develop more powerful enchanted weapons or discover their weaknesses. We're pursuing both avenues simultaneously, and we've already made significant progress."
"His Majesty the King recently summoned all the Empire's blacksmiths, gathering them together to forge an unprecedented divine weapon of unparalleled power!"
"Moreover, our elite spies have uncovered the reason for the monsters' rapid evolution!"
"Far to the north lies a dark sea. On its shores stands a bizarre Giant Tree, at least a hundred meters tall, rooted in an exceptionally rich deposit of Magic Steel. It continuously absorbs energy from the Magic Steel, growing larger with each passing day!"
"The monsters attacking the Republic are falling from that giant tree—they're its fruits, its bark, its roots! If we could destroy that tree, we might end this once and for all."
"However... the Republic suspects the giant tree possesses intelligence. After their scout arrived nearby, he claimed to have heard it speaking—an ethereal echo resonating through the air..."
So, if we successfully defend the city, we'll have to switch to offense next?
Wesley grimaced. He wasn't even sure they could hold off the thousands of monsters currently attacking. Now it sounded like a massive final boss awaited them afterward?
The difficulty of this Dimensional Rift Incident was far beyond his expectations.
Or perhaps he was wrong. Maybe direct confrontation wasn't the answer. Could there be another way to break through this?