The ruins had become their temporary fortress. The stone walls, cracked and weathered with age, provided some protection, but against an endless monster horde, they wouldn't hold forever.
Alden sat on a fallen pillar, absentmindedly twirling a mana core between his fingers. The faint glow inside the crystal flickered as he focused on it, trying something new.
He had already tested his Mark of Connection on weapons, and it worked flawlessly. But could he extend that same connection to an external mana source?
If I can draw mana from cores… my biggest limitation disappears.
---
Testing the Mana Core Connection
Alden pressed his palm against the small, cracked mana core of a defeated beast. It was weak—barely useful to most—but that made it perfect for testing.
He activated his Mark of Connection.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a thin thread of energy linked him to the core. He exhaled slowly, pulling at it, trying to draw mana into his circuits.
A faint trickle of energy flowed into him.
It wasn't much, but it worked.
I can use this in battle. If he could mark multiple cores, he could pull mana mid-fight, extending his stamina and reducing his reliance on potions.
It wasn't unlimited, but it was an advantage no one else had.
---
Planning the Defense
The others were discussing strategy. Leonhardt, as the strongest, took a natural leadership role.
"We should fortify the entrance," Leon said. "If we let them surround us, we're finished."
Alicia crossed her arms. "That's obvious, but how?"
Seraphina leaned against a stone pillar. "I can create ice walls to slow them."
Sylvara nodded. "I'll reinforce the structure with vines. The ruins will hold longer that way."
Alden, still testing his mana core experiment, glanced up. "If we funnel them through a narrow corridor, it'll be easier to handle them in waves."
Reynard smirked. "Tch. Sounds like a lot of effort. Can't we just run?"
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Luca let out a bark of laughter. "Run where? We're stuck here until this event ends."
Elena, ever the voice of reason, sighed. "We should conserve stamina, too. This could last weeks."
Alden nodded, pocketing the mana core he'd been experimenting with. "In that case, we should gather resources now while we can."
Leonhardt clapped his hands together. "Alright. Let's move."
--
Each of them took up a role:
Seraphina and Sylvara reinforced the ruins.
Leonhardt, Alicia, and Luca hunted for food and additional mana cores.
Reynard scouted for possible ambushes.
Elena checked their supplies and rationed healing potions.
Alden worked on refining his Mark of Connection.
---
Sitting near the ruined temple, Alden held out his katana, Kurenai. He marked it, feeling the invisible thread bind him to the blade.
Then, he activated his Telekinesis. The katana floated, moving with a thought. He could already coat it in mana from a distance, but now he wanted to take it further.
He grabbed another mana core and marked it.
This time, he tried drawing mana directly from the core into his katana. The energy flickered, resisting at first, but then—success.
A faint glow pulsed along Kurenai's edge.
He grinned. This changes everything.
Not only could he manipulate weapons remotely, but he could also channel energy from external sources.
Shiranui, his nine-tailed fox, opened one eye lazily. "You're playing with dangerous things again."
Alden smirked. "It's called experimenting."
Kurenai's voice echoed in his mind. "Hmph. At least you're improving."
Alicia, who had been passing by, raised an eyebrow. "Still talking to yourself?"
He shrugged. "You should try it sometime. Might make your sword like you more."
She rolled her eyes but didn't press further.
As night fell, the ruins felt eerily quiet. Too quiet.
Alden leaned against a wall, gazing at the stars. The others had settled in—some resting, some refining their mana control.
Leonhardt sat beside him, arms crossed. "You're surprisingly good at planning."
Alden chuckled. "I just give suggestions. You're the one leading."
Leon shrugged. "Either way, thanks."
Alden said nothing.
He wasn't here to lead. He was here to survive.
Because tomorrow, the real fight would begin.
Morning arrived with a heavy tension in the air. The ruins were eerily silent, the distant howls and screeches of monsters echoing through the dense forest.
Alden stretched, rolling his shoulders. His body had adapted to D- Rank, but his stamina was still his weakest point. The Mark of Connection had proven useful for drawing mana from cores, but it wasn't an infinite solution.
He turned to the others. They were already awake and preparing.
Leonhardt adjusted his spear, the silver edge reflecting the dim sunlight. "It's almost time."
Alicia checked her sword, mana flickering around the blade as she infused it with fire. "How many do you think will come first?"
Reynard smirked. "Enough to keep us entertained."
Seraphina frowned, crossing her arms. "This isn't a game. If we mess up, we're dead."
Elena sighed, clutching her healing staff. "Stay close if you get injured. I won't be able to heal everyone at once."
Luca cracked his knuckles, his beastkin ears twitching. "Let's see how strong these things are."
Alden remained silent, his black eyes scanning the tree line. The first wave should be soon.
Then, the growls started.
---
The Attack Begins
From the depths of the forest, figures emerged.
Dark shapes, low-tier monsters, but numbering in the hundreds.
Goblins, large wolves with glowing red eyes, and a few hulking ogre-like creatures stomped toward them.
Leonhardt took the lead. "Formation! Seraphina, ice walls now!"
Seraphina stepped forward, slamming her hand against the ground. A barrier of ice erupted in front of them, creating a chokepoint.
Alden narrowed his eyes. Good. That'll funnel them.
The goblins rushed forward, snarling and screeching, clambering over each other to reach them.
Leonhardt's spear pierced through two goblins at once, his aura-enhanced strike ripping through their weak bodies.
Alicia's sword ignited in flames, her fire-infused slashes cutting down enemies in waves.
Sylvara whispered an incantation, and roots erupted from the ground, grabbing several monsters and crushing them.
Luca dashed forward, his claws glowing with earth mana, raking through a wolf's throat.
Reynard disappeared into the shadows, only to reappear behind a goblin commander, slitting its throat.
Alden watched them work together seamlessly. They've already improved.
A group of goblins broke through the ice wall, charging toward Alden.
He raised his hand.
A dagger floated into the air, controlled by his Telekinesis.
It shot forward like a bullet, impaling the first goblin's skull.
Without stopping, Alden marked a nearby fallen mana core and drew energy from it, refueling himself as he maneuvered through the battlefield.
One goblin lunged at him. He sidestepped, slashing downward with Kurenai. The blade glowed red, cutting through the goblin's chest like butter.
I can use my Mark of Connection on weapons too.
He threw a second dagger—this one already marked—and remotely coated it in mana mid-air. It struck a wolf's eye, making it collapse in pain.
Shiranui, his nine-tailed fox, leaped beside him, its white fur glowing faintly.
After half hour.
As the last monster fell, silence returned.
Alicia wiped sweat from her forehead. "That was... exhausting."
Leonhardt nodded. "And that was only the first wave."
Seraphina exhaled, her ice walls melting. "We need to recover before the next one."
Alden glanced at the fallen monsters. His Mark of Connection had drained a few cores dry, leaving them cracked and useless.
I need stronger sources.
But he didn't say anything. No need to explain what they wouldn't understand.
For now, they had survived.
The next wave would be worse.
And Alden would be ready.
---
End of Chapter.