The chilling news, spread like wildfire by Vara and the information reached the Dragon's Fury Guild headquarters in less than an hour. The report of three Hazard Class S+ Armored Scorpions immediately mobilized the entire organization. Not only Dragon's Fury, but other regional guilds also sprang into immediate, frantic action.
The Guild Master, Aethon Ironheart, pale but resolute, barked orders through the massive halls: "Ready all supplies! Pills, potions, everything! We are at war in the Eastern Territory! Get all the carriages available! Move faster!"
He personally oversaw the chaotic preparations, a deep concern etched on his face. The Obsidian Phalanx... S+ monsters, and three of them? No one can survive that! He forced the desperate thought away. No, I need to think positive. They must be safe. "Faster! Faster!" All carriages ready to depart were sent immediately at full speed; they couldn't afford to lose a single moment.
Needing support from another S-rank combat team, Aethon immediately left the headquarters and sped toward the Neutral Territory's Ironclad Aegis Guild Hall to seek aid from their leadership.
Across the city, at his renowned shop, Grolnuk's Armory saw its entire stock of armors and weapons sell out in minutes. Grolnuk himself, was consumed by a different thought. S+ Armored Scorpion loots are all precious! Their shell fragments, pincers, and tail—every piece could be crafted into a high-rank artifact. I just hope someone brings them to me. But killing an S+ monster is next to impossible...
Meanwhile, Kaelus had finished annihilating the three S+ Armored Scorpions. He stood over the decimated ground, the immense mana drain hitting him hard. The colossal monsters had been reduced mostly to dispersed mana, but Kaelus methodically went about gathering the massive genuine Earth elemental cores from all three Scorpions. He also collected the precious obsidian shell fragments and the numerous almost full core mana fragments from the Trolls he'd just destroyed, knowing the specialized materials would be a valuable gift for Grolnuk.
Little did he know, the death of the three command-class monsters severed the psychic link that had been controlling the entire Eastern Territory's monster population.
A growing, terrifying roar reached him. In every direction, a massive horde of Hobgoblins, Drakes, Trolls, and Phantom Wolves—ranging from D-rank to A-rank—was rapidly converging. The monsters, now uncontrolled, were in a full, disorganized rampage.
This is what happens when the connection breaks? Kaelus realized, horrified. He was utterly exhausted from burning a large portion of his mana to unleash the Ryujin no Kaze.
He turned toward the location of Zane and the others, quickly lifting the four injured S-rank adventurers using his wind magic. He formed a shimmering, translucent replica of a carriage using compressed wind to stabilize and lift them high above the trees.
Below, the horde raged. There were too many monsters, and their erratic rampage meant they would soon breach the Eastern Territory's border and scatter across the Northern and Southern boundaries, overwhelming the Neutral Zone.
Zane, conscious but severely damaged, looked up at Kaelus. "It's not your fault, Kaelus. I think Sylva already predicted this. I'm sure she's doing something right now."
"How's your body, Zane?" Kaelus asked, maintaining the floating carriage.
"Your healing pills are amazing," Zane replied, wincing. "But the three others are unconscious. Your power, Kae—"
"Don't ask, Mr. Zane. I will not answer it," Kaelus cut him off, his emerald eyes cold.
Zane smiled, a touch of genuine warmth returning to his bruised face. "You misunderstand, Kaelus. You're already my disciple. I taught you how to wield a sword."
"Mr. Zane, you—" Kaelus began, his mind reeling as he instantly grasped the message. "Thank you, Mr. Zane."
"It's Master, you unfilial disciple," Zane corrected him sternly, a joking tone behind the pain. "So, what do you want to do with the monsters below? I've recovered a bit; bring me down. I will cut them all."
"No, Master," Kaelus replied, a respectful edge returning to his voice. "Let's reduce their number from here."
Kaelus closed his eyes, activating a devastating sequence: Mana Scan + Mana Lock + Wind Needle Rain. Hundreds of thousands of minute, hardened wind needles rained down from the sky, precisely targeting all the monsters below. The low-ranking D- and C-rank monsters instantly died, while the higher-rank creatures were significantly damaged. Zane watched, amazed; his own wind control was nothing compared to the sheer volume and precision Kaelus commanded.
"Let's move to Sylva's location while I maintain this skill," Kaelus decided.
Meanwhile, at the Eastern Entrance, Sylva Moonshadow had successfully gathered the hundreds of adventurers—over 200—who had responded to Vara's announcement.
Sylva stood on a raised rock, her plasma-tinged aura compelling attention. "I am Sylva Moonshadow of the Dragon's Fury Guild! And on behalf of our Guild Master, I issue a mission here and now!"
She pointed rapidly. "D- and C-rank adventurers are responsible for spreading the news of the monster invasion! Let the nearby villages know and evacuate them immediately! Also, bring supplies back to us! Mention the names of the House of Moonshadow and the House of Bladeheart to secure aid! Gather as much help as possible!"
"B-rank and A-rank adventurers will come and fight with us! We will surround the whole Eastern Territory and contain the wave! Now spread!"
As the adventurers began to mobilize, their attention collectively shifted to a floating, translucent carriage in the distance, shooting a continuous skill attack into the forest.
The floating carriage descended, and Kaelus brought it gently to a halt. Sylva was stunned at the sight of her three comrades—Grund, Jian, and Kaelan—now swathed in bandages. Zane immediately stumbled out and rushed to her.
"I'm alive," Zane choked out, hugging her fiercely.
Sylva hugged back, relief flooding her, but she eventually released him, her eyes catching Kaelus. Aside from having no scratches, his hair was silver-white, and his eyes were emerald green. Zane intercepted her look, shaking his head slightly—a silent command: Don't ask.
Sylva took the cue. She tapped Kaelus's shoulder. "You saved them all. Thank you, Kaelus."
"After the Scorpion died, the link on the monsters suddenly broke, and they are all on rampage," Kaelus reported quickly.
Sylva was stunned, not by the rampage, but by the casual announcement that three S+ Scorpions had died. She swallowed her questions and faced the surging wave of noise coming from the forest.
With authority, Sylva pointed to Zane. "Zane Bladeheart, you are the highest-ranking combatant present! I command you to take charge! You are the Commander for all adventurers present! We fight now!"
Zane immediately stepped forward, his eyes locked on the forest edge. "Listen up, B-rank and A-rank adventurers! Earth mages—build a thick wall on both sides! Wood mages—connect all the outer trees and reinforce the wall! Create a solid barricade! Other mages, use ranged skills! Conserve your mana! The first wave will be the faster runners: the C-rank wolves, vine salamanders, goblins, forest rodents, and one-eyed spiders. Just use basic continuous spells!"
A few grueling hours passed. The combined adventurers, energized by Zane's leadership, survived four relentless waves of monsters. Sylva discovered a pattern in the chaos: the waves had a consistent interval of one and a half hours. The adventurers took turns resting in shifts. It was now well past midnight.
"The fifth wave will appear in thirty minutes," Zane announced, his voice hoarse. "Conserve as much energy and mana as possible. The Guild has been notified half a day ago, so the fastest they can get here—"
He broke off, and every head turned to the direction of the Neutral Zone's location. In the distance, several powerful, coordinated flares shot into the night sky, followed by the sight of numerous carriages rushing toward the entrance.
"Reinforcements!"
The low morale of the adventurers suddenly vanished, replaced by a surge of hope and renewed fighting spirit.