The battlefield burned with chaos — smoke and ash danced with crimson light. Nova, now Nox, and Walter stood back to back as the ground shook beneath the stampede of beasts. Their blades and magic tore through the hordes, one after another, yet the numbers never seemed to end.
Every strike echoed through the battlefield like thunder. Walter's acceleration steps flashed like lightning, while Nox's fiery slashes split through the air, leaving trails of molten sparks.
But even their combined might began to falter under the weight of the enemy.
"Damn it," Walter hissed, slashing through another beast. "We can't hold this forever!"
Nox's voice was calm but heavy. "Then we end it fast."
Walter gritted his teeth, then suddenly launched himself forward using Level 2: Acceleration Step, his figure blurring as he charged straight toward the magma beast towering above the ruins.
The magma creature, half-summoner, half-demon, let out a slow, mocking laugh.
"You're running right into my trap, human."
The ground exploded beneath Walter. From within the smoke, a massive three-star beast — a horned orc coated in molten armor — lunged forward, its roar splitting the air. The impact threw Walter across the field, crashing him into a shattered wall.
As his vision blurred, he looked up — only to see five three-star orc beasts circling him, their glowing red eyes filled with hunger.
Meanwhile, the magma beast turned its molten gaze toward Nox.
"You… you carry the fire of the old world. You're next."
Nox tightened his grip on his shattered sword. Flames erupted from his feet as he dashed forward, clashing head-on with the magma beast. The collision sent shockwaves through the battlefield, splitting the ground like glass.
Each blow was heavy — fire meeting fire, will meeting fury. The magma beast's molten fists struck like meteors, while Nox's blade sang with crimson fire, each slash melting through layers of rock and flame.
But exhaustion began to creep in. His vision blurred; his breath turned ragged. The heat was unbearable, and every muscle screamed.
On the far side of the battlefield, Walter screamed in agony as one of the orc beasts crushed his leg. Blood poured onto the dirt, but he still fought on, refusing to fall.
The battle raged endlessly — two warriors standing against the tide of despair.
And as the magma beast's roar drowned out the cries of the dying, Nox clenched his burning fist, eyes blazing brighter than ever.
"This… isn't over."
The chapter ended with fire, pain, and determination — both warriors on the edge of defeat, yet unwilling to kneel.