Steel clashed against hardened flesh, the battlefield echoing with the sharp ring of weapons striking armor, the guttural roars of beasts, and the shouts of warriors struggling to hold their ground. The very earth trembled beneath the chaos.
The third wave had arrived—and it was unlike anything they had faced so far.
A massive ogre, standing over twice the height of a man, swung its crude iron club with terrifying force. The impact sent a shockwave through the battlefield, splintering the ground and sending dust and debris flying.
Several knights barely managed to dodge in time, their formation breaking momentarily as they were forced to retreat a few paces.
"Regroup! Do not break formation!" Gale's commanding voice cut through the battlefield.
The knights quickly fell back into position, shields raised in tight formation, spears bristling forward in a disciplined wall of steel. They had drilled for this—trained to hold against overwhelming force. But even so, against the sheer brute strength of an ogre, one wrong move could shatter the entire front line.
From the flank, a pack of direfang wolves darted between the gaps, their sleek black fur blending into the shadows of the melee. Faster than any human, they weaved through the chaos, targeting the exposed adventurers caught between fights.
"Wolves on the left flank!" a scout shouted.
Before reinforcements could react, one of the creatures lunged at a younger adventurer. He barely had time to raise his sword before the beast's fangs clamped down on his bracer, sending him crashing to the ground.
Just as the wolf prepared to go for his throat, an arrow whistled through the air—a precise shot piercing the wolf's eye, dropping it instantly.
From the rear ranks, a squad of ranged attackers had set up a defensive perimeter. Archers loosed arrows in rapid succession, focusing fire on any creature that broke past the frontline. Mages chanted incantations, bolts of fire and arcs of lightning cutting through the battlefield.
But the tide of battle was relentless.
On the right flank, the Armored Boars charged like living battering rams, their thick hides absorbing most weapon strikes. One knight braced himself, shield raised—only to be sent skidding back several feet as the boar's impact nearly knocked him off his feet.
Another unfortunate adventurer took a direct hit, his body flipping violently through the air before crashing to the ground with a pained scream.
"Don't let them break through! Reinforce the right flank!" Gale shouted.
Mid-level adventurer teams rushed in, intercepting the rampaging beasts. One fighter sidestepped a boar's charge, dragging his blade across its side. Another slammed his warhammer into the ground, creating a shockwave that staggered the creatures, buying precious seconds for his allies to strike.
Despite the overwhelming power of the third wave, the knights and adventurers held their ground.
Beyond the chaos of combat, the support units worked tirelessly.
In a secured section near the battlefield, healers moved swiftly between the injured. Hands glowing with soft green light, they mended broken bones, sealed deep gashes, and countered the lingering effects of dark magic wounds.
A knight, his armor dented from an ogre's strike, groaned in pain as a healer pressed glowing hands against his chest.
"You're lucky you had your shield up," the healer muttered, sweat beading on her forehead as she focused on closing his wounds.
Nearby, a younger adventurer winced as a healer set his dislocated arm back into place.
"We can't keep this up forever," one of the senior healers whispered, exhaustion clear in her voice. "The injuries are piling up faster than we can heal."
Belle, standing among the mid-level squads, observed the battlefield with sharp focus. Unlike before, when she fought alone in the forest, this was a true war zone.
She clenched her fists.
They were holding the line—but for how much longer?
For once, Kai wasn't charging ahead recklessly. The battlefield was chaos—monsters and adventurers clashed in a maelstrom of steel and blood, but he kept his focus locked on the towering ogre before him. The creature's grotesque muscles tensed as it swung its massive club in a horizontal arc, aiming to crush everything in its path.
Kai ducked just in time, the wind pressure from the swing ruffling his long red hair as the club smashed into the ground, kicking up dirt and debris. His sharp instincts screamed at him to counterattack, but he hesitated. He had fought ogres before—brute strength, thick hide, slow movements—but something about this one felt… wrong.
The ogre's bloodshot eyes locked onto him, its heavy breaths releasing visible bursts of hot air. Then, it grinned.
Kai barely had time to react before the ogre twisted its body unnaturally fast, swinging its club upward in a brutal uppercut.
"Shit—!"
Kai leaped back, but the sheer force of the attack sent shockwaves through the ground, causing him to stumble mid-air. He twisted his body and landed in a crouch, skidding backward. Dust filled the air, obscuring his vision, but he could still hear the monster's heavy footsteps charging toward him.
It's faster than it looks. If I mistime my dodges, I'm dead.
Kai exhaled sharply and tightened his grip on his katana. A low ember of fire coiled around the blade before igniting into a roaring blaze.
"Alright then… let's see how tough you really are."
The ogre lunged, raising its club for a downward smash. But this time, Kai was ready. He sidestepped at the last moment, flames surging around his body as he dashed along the ogre's flank. The beast snarled and tried to pivot, but Kai was already moving.
"Flame Fang—!"
He slashed at the ogre's exposed ribs, his katana leaving a burning arc in its wake. The blade carved through flesh, searing muscle and bone. The orge did not show any reaction as if it did not feel any pain, just like the other mana overloaded monsters. The scent of burnt flesh filled the air, but instead of slowing down, the ogre became more frenzied.
Kai clicked his tongue. "Tch. Tough bastard."
The monster lashed out with a backhanded strike, forcing Kai to leap backward again. This time, he adjusted his stance, realizing he needed to take a different approach.
"I can't go for a clean kill. Its hide is too thick. I need to cripple it first."
His eyes flicked to the ogre's legs.
"If I take out its mobility…"
The ogre roared and charged once more, but Kai wasn't where it expected. He dashed low, past its swinging club, and slashed across its kneecap. A deep gash tore through the flesh, flames spreading across the wound. The monster howled as its leg buckled slightly.
But Kai wasn't done.
Using the momentum from his attack, he spun around, switching his grip on his katana. His flames condensed along the blade's edge, burning hotter, turning blue.
"Scorching Crescent!"
With a powerful upward slash, he sent a crescent-shaped arc of fire directly at the ogre's injured knee. The moment it struck, the explosion of heat and force tore through the weakened joint.
Its leg gave out completely. It collapsed onto one knee, its massive form shaking the ground.
Kai exhaled, sweat beading on his forehead. He wasn't done yet, but now—he had an opening.
He tightened his grip and dashed forward for the finishing blow.
Not far from the battlefield, Belle stood slightly behind the main force, her Aura Sense pulsing constantly and always on high alert. The battlefield was a blur of motion—steel clashing against claws, battle cries mixing with the guttural roars of monsters. The scent of blood and churned earth filled the air.
Yet, beyond the chaos, something else gnawed at her awareness.
Her Aura Sense pulsed, expanding outward like ripples in a pond. At first, it picked up the immediate threats—the monsters surrounding the knights, the fluctuating mana signatures of her allies as they fought. But then… something deeper. Something… wrong.
The mana in the air wasn't just high—it was climbing. Thick. Suffocating. Almost alive.
Belle's breath hitched. This wasn't natural. It wasn't just the presence of monsters. It was as if the forest itself was reacting to something.
Her silver eyes swept past the treetops, narrowing. The deeper parts of the forest were cloaked in mist, darker than before. A feeling of unease crawled up her spine.
The tide of monsters was thinning, but this battle didn't feel like it was nearing its end. If anything, it felt like an ominous beginning.
Her gaze flickered to Gale.
The Vice-Captain held the frontlines with unwavering precision, his blade cutting through an Armored Boar in a single, practiced strike. His knights fought in tight formation, discipline keeping them alive despite their growing injuries. But Belle could see the exhaustion settling in—this wasn't sustainable.
She moved closer, her voice steady but urgent.
"Vice-Captain."
He glanced at her briefly, deflecting another attack before responding. "What is it?"
Belle's fingers curled slightly. "Something's wrong. I can sense a concentration of mana deeper in the forest. It's not fading—it's growing."
Gale's expression hardened. "Are you sure?"
Belle nodded. "It's unnatural. It feels like… it's drawing monsters toward it."
A tense silence passed between them, filled only by the sounds of battle. Gale trusted his instincts—but he also knew to trust those who had proven themselves. And Belle had done that already.
Even so, he hesitated. Pulling soldiers away now could weaken their defensive line.
Another knight overheard and frowned. "It could just be residual mana from the battle. Monsters give off energy when they die."
Belle shook her head. "No. This isn't normal. It's still rising. I don't think this is over."
Gale exhaled sharply, deliberating. Then, with a curt nod, he made his decision.
"Alright. We need to confirm it." He turned to a group of knights. "You three, take a scouting team. Find the source of this mana surge and report back immediately. Do not engage unless necessary."
The knights exchanged quick glances before saluting. "Yes, sir!"
As they vanished into the trees, Belle's unease only deepened.
Because no matter how she tried to rationalize it… that ominous presence in the distance felt like it was waiting for them.
The battlefield was chaotic, but Kai had no time to take it all in.
An ogre's club whooshed past his head, missing him by inches. The sheer force of the swing sent a rush of wind against his cheek, stirring his long red hair. Had he been a fraction of a second slower, that blow would have crushed him.
"Damn it. These things aren't going down easily."
Kai gritted his teeth, twisting his katana as flames erupted along its edge. He dashed forward, his blade cutting through the thick, sinewy hide of the nearest ogre. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, but the monster barely reacted. It turned its grotesque face toward him.
Then, with terrifying speed, it lashed out with a massive fist.
Kai barely managed to roll away, but the impact of the ogre's missed punch still cracked the ground beneath him. Dust and debris flew everywhere. He landed in a crouch, panting. His body was already starting to feel the strain.
"Too many. Too damn many."
He had cut down two, maybe three, but more kept coming. Their numbers weren't dwindling. They were pressing him, relentless, unshaken by their fallen kin.
One of the larger ogres raised its crude, oversized club. The veins along its arms bulged as it prepared to bring the weapon down with crushing force.
Kai inhaled sharply, shifting his stance. His katana ignited once more, the flames flaring wildly as he poured more mana into it. He had to strike first.
With a burst of speed, he leaped forward, his sword carving a burning arc through the air. A fiery crescent slash erupted from his blade, searing through the ogre's thick chest. The force of the impact tore through flesh and bone, sending the massive creature staggering.
Then, with a deep, gurgling growl—it collapsed.
Kai exhaled sharply, his arms trembling. His chest heaved with every breath. His flames flickered dangerously—unstable.
He was burning through too much mana.
Sweat dripped from his forehead, trailing down his jaw. His fingers tightened around his katana's hilt. His muscles screamed for rest, but the battlefield didn't allow it.
Not yet.
Another ogre was already charging toward him. Its monstrous steps shook the earth, its bloodshot eyes locked onto him.
Kai forced himself into position, adjusting his grip. His vision blurred for just a second—his body begging for a pause.
Tch… Not good. Can't keep this up forever.
But stopping wasn't an option.
Not while there were still monsters standing.
He gritted his teeth and readied himself once more.
Will he be able to survive this time?
End of Chapter 22