Chapter 27 The frenzy – Cassis

The door they had just come through shuddered violently under the weight of monsters, their frenzied screeches echoing through the gymnasium. The battered frame cracked, but before the creatures could force their way inside, the defensive line surged forward, weapons raised.

Cassis stepped back, watching as his mother, father, and Helen joined the line, pushing against the tide of monsters. The other two entrances were under siege as well, but the makeshift barricades of sports equipment held surprisingly well.

For now.

He exhaled, shoulders tense. They had to hold out.

Behind him, Arianna was already seated on the floor, eyes closed, meditating to replenish her mana. She had adapted to this brutal cycle of fighting, healing, resting—only to do it all over again with a terrifying speed.

Too fast. Even for someone gifted, she shouldn’t be able to meditate so efficiently yet.

His gaze flicked to her. Even as she absorbed mana, people kept coming—non-fighters shaking her shoulder, begging her to heal another grievous wound. And she did.

Again and again, she pushed herself to the limit.

Cassis clenched his fists. This wasn’t sustainable. Yet he didn’t stop her. Because they needed her.

Arianna’s breathing evened out, and Cassis turned his attention back to the fight. They were still rotating fighters, swapping out the exhausted ones with those who had rested enough to take another round.

The injured who could still fight were holding on, their wounds hastily patched up.

Then, a voice cut through the chaos.

“Mrs Sloane?”

Cassis glanced to the side and saw a young man, barely older than Ben, sitting next to Arianna. His brown hair was damp with sweat, his hands clutching the fabric of his sleeves as he hesitated.

Arianna cracked open one eye, exhaustion flickering across her face. “Yes?”

The young man swallowed. “I— I’ve been watching you fight. And heal. I… I think I want to become a cleric too.”

Arianna’s expression softened.

Cassis watched as she guided him, explaining the basics between ragged breaths. The young man listened intently, nodding along. Then, after a moment of hesitation—

He chose his class.

A faint glow surrounded him for a split second, and when it faded, the young man stood, gripping his newfound resolve. He moved closer to the defensive line.

Cassis exhaled, letting his body relax for a brief moment. At last, one more cleric. He wouldn’t be as effective as Arianna but this would give her a bit of breathing room.

He didn’t want to push people into the direction of cleric. It was a dangerous class that couldn’t fight well on its own. Arianna was – as so often – the exception rather than the rule.

There was a reason no clerics had survived as long as he had. As a warrior he could take more grievous injuries, survive a lot more damage and heal up slowly by himself to fight another day. He was also better at running away – something often overlooked. The magic classes just weren’t as fast as him.

And most people who had the proclivity to become a cleric were the ones not fighting on the front lines. They kept back and took care of the wounded when possible or provided support from the back. So, most of them would only become awakeners or reach level 5 when the first wave ended and awarded everyone a level and the Survivor title.

Cassis gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay focused. Just a few more minutes. That was all they needed. If they could just hold out, the monster flood would end. The creatures would be called back to their dungeons, retreating like a receding tide.

But those last few minutes? They would be the worst. He knew this. He had lived through it before. And this place was nothing like his parents' suburban neighbourhood—where the houses were spaced apart, and there had been fewer people, fewer monsters. Nor was it like City Hall, where most of the surrounding area had been offices, not homes. The number of monsters there had been manageable, giving them a chance to kill them all.

But here? This was a densely packed city neighbourhood. Sure, there were a few small houses spread out here and there, but most buildings were bigger. Apartment complexes loomed overhead, each one a four-story tomb for the people who had lived there. The sheer number of survivors had meant a higher concentration of monsters, all drawn by the scent of blood, fear, and desperation.

And now, with the frenzy in full force, the monsters didn’t hesitate.

They threw themselves at the fighters with no regard for their own safety, only the primal need to kill and feed before they were forced back.

This wasn’t about winning anymore. There was no way to clear all of the monsters. There were just too many.

The only thing they could do was endure. Cassis exhaled, his grip tightening around his sword. They just had to survive.

Just for a few more minutes. They were so close.

Then—

BANG.

A deafening crash tore through the gymnasium. One of the barricaded entrances had given in. A surge of monsters poured inside.

Screams erupted as the fighters stationed there engaged immediately, clashing with the frenzied creatures in a desperate struggle. Cassis bolted toward the breach.

Arianna snapped to her feet, already moving despite the exhaustion pulling at her limbs.

This side seemed under control—for now. But over there? If they didn’t stop the flood, they were all dead.

Cassis and Arianna rushed to the breached entrance, only to be met with a monstrous sight—a towering orc, its hulking frame filling the space where the barricade had once stood. That had to be the one that shattered the defences, an E-rank brute too powerful for the others to hold back.

The fighters near the entrance were struggling, some barely managing to fend off the smaller monsters pouring in alongside the orc. Bodies lay scattered – dead or alive he didn’t know –, the wounded groaning, their blood slicking the floor.

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"Move!" Cassis barked. "I'll take it!"

The fighters scrambled away, some dragging their injured comrades to safety. From the corner of his eye, Cassis saw Arianna break off, hurrying toward the fallen, her hands already glowing with faint healing light.

He forced himself to focus.

The orc wielded a massive club, its grotesque muscles flexing as it lifted the weapon high. One swing could end him, but Cassis was faster. He dodged, his sword whipping out, but the orc’s thick hide absorbed most of the damage.

Then he made a mistake.

There was no room to move, and behind him, dozens of survivors huddled together. He had no choice but to block the next attack.

The impact nearly crushed him.

Bracing with both hands, he angled his sword to deflect the blow, diverting just enough force to avoid being flattened. Pain exploded through his arms. His breath came in ragged gasps. He was exhausted—this had been fight after fight, with no time to recover.

The orc roared and raised its club again—only to be bombarded by magic missiles.

Cassis glanced back. More survivors had reached level 5 and chosen Mage, their spells now lighting up the battlefield.

Then Arianna joined the fight, her mace a blur as she used Bludgeon, the weapon leaving dents and slashes along the orc’s torso.

The monster let out a furious roar and swung in a wide arc, its club carving through the air like a battering ram.

Cassis barely managed to block, but the force hurled him backward, sending him skidding several meters across the gym floor.

Arianna wasn’t as lucky.

The orc’s attack caught her full force, and she crashed into the wall with a sickening thud.

Cassis’ heart stopped.

No.

Something in him snapped.

He charged, fire igniting along his blade, slashing, striking, hacking, uncaring of his own injuries—the likely broken ribs, the useless left arm, the deep cuts burning with pain.

Then—a surge of warmth.

Healing magic flooded through him.

His gaze flickered toward Arianna. She was still alive, still conscious, but as he watched, she shuddered and suddenly vomited—mana depletion.

The other survivors moved to protect her, forming a defensive ring around her weakened form.

But Cassis wasn’t done.

With a final burst of burning fury, he lunged at the orc, driving his flaming sword deep into its thick hide.

The creature howled, but it refused to fall. It swung again, desperate, wild.

This time, Cassis was ready.

He dodged, then struck again, and again, pouring every last ounce of his rage and fire into his sword activating Flame Burst.

Finally—the orc collapsed, its charred corpse crashing to the ground.

Cassis stood over it, his chest heaving. The acrid stench of scorched flesh filled the gymnasium, mixing with the thick, metallic scent of blood.

His arms shook, his breathing came in ragged gasps, but he didn’t care. Because Arianna was alive. He turned, eyes searching for her.

She was slumped against the wall, a small crowd of survivors still hovering around her, their faces filled with concern. Someone had placed a blanket around her shoulders, but her skin was pale, and she trembled from mana depletion.

Still, she was alive.

Cassis let out a shaky breath and forced himself to move. The fight wasn’t over yet.

Even as the orc's corpse smoldered on the gym floor, more monsters poured in through the broken entrance. The fighters near the doorway rushed forward, engaging them with renewed desperation.

The survivors had stepped up.

Even the newer mages—still clumsy with their magic—hurled magic missiles, their hands glowing with unstable energy. The warriors, bloody and battered, stood their ground, swinging their weapons despite obvious injuries.

They knew. They all knew. Time was almost over. They just had to last a little longer. Cassis tightened his grip on his sword, ignoring the pain radiating through his body. Just a little longer.

The battle dragged on, but Cassis knew—it had to be soon.

His muscles burned, his breaths came shallow and ragged, and yet he forced himself to keep fighting. Each second felt stretched thin, like the fraying edge of a rope about to snap. They just had to hold on.

And then—it happened.

Without warning, the monsters froze.

The eerie red glow vanished from their eyes, their frenzied snarls fading into silence. As one, they turned—then bolted toward the gymnasium doors, shoving past each other in a mad dash to flee.

Cassis barely kept himself from collapsing as he watched them disappear into the streets. He didn’t know where each dungeon lay, but there had to be some nearby. That’s where they were going—back to the abyss that had spawned them.

For a few stunned seconds, no one moved.

Then—a collective exhale.

Some fighters sank to their knees, their weapons slipping from shaking hands. Others simply stood still, their bodies trembling, as if waiting for the world to prove this was real.

They had survived. They had won.

Cassis didn’t waste another moment. His body protested every step, but he dragged himself toward Arianna, where she sat, meditating again, trying to recover. He sank down beside her and reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her shoulder.

She opened her eyes.

For a moment, she just looked at him, as if waiting for him to say it, to confirm what she already knew but didn’t quite believe.

He gave a tired, crooked smile.

"It’s over," he murmured. "We won."

And as if to confirm his words, the System chimed.

[Congratulations. You have survived the first monster wave by holding out until the time limit. Level gained. Title: Survivor gained.]

[Error.]

[Already overcame the first monster wave.]

[Recalculating rewards…]

[Congratulations. You have survived another monster wave by holding out until the time limit. Level gained. Title: Daredevil gained.]

[Recorded in Avaria’s Hall of Fame]

[World Announcement: Access granted to Avaria’s Hall of Fame]

The Hall of Fame again? Cassis had never heard of it before in the other timeline and now this was the third time he had been recorded in it. And it seemed now everybody could watch it. But in his current state, exploring it would have to wait.

He lowered himself beside Arianna, their shoulders brushing. A small, grounding touch—one he took comfort in. He closed his eyes, exhausted beyond words, as she returned to her meditation.

He looked at his new title:

[Daredevil]

Given to an awakener who jumps into danger disregarding their own safety.

Bonus: When using an offensive stance attack will be boosted.

That was also new. He had never gotten a title like that as he had always fought safely. He hadn’t wanted to die and there was no one left to die for, so he fought defensively, prepared to run away any moment. This would be a big change for him and his fighting style. He knew that he got the title because of his fight with the Orc, but he thought it had already started during the fight with the Hobgoblin. In both fights Arianna had almost died. That was what it took for him to disregard his safety and attack. He sighed.

Around them, the survivors stirred.

For a long moment, there was only stunned silence. Then, the tension snapped.

Shouts. Sobs. Laughter.

People hugged, collapsed to their knees, clung to each other as if afraid they would vanish. But amidst the relief, there was grief—a deep, raw pain that filled the air with wailing and broken cries.

There were still wounded.

Arianna rose immediately, moving toward the worst off. Cassis followed, unwilling to let her push herself past her limit again.

A golden glow flickered in the distance. Another healer. A middle-aged woman, her face drawn but determined, hands glowing as she pressed them to an injured man’s chest. Nearby, the young man who had spoken to Arianna earlier was also channelling healing magic, tending to the gravely injured.

Then—Sinu and Helen appeared beside him.

He turned, questioning.

Helen gave him a tired, but fierce smile. “We survived. No one died here.”

Cassis froze. No casualties?

The orc’s rampage, the relentless onslaught—he had seen bodies fall. He had seen blood.

Arianna.

That was all Helen said.

His gaze snapped to Arianna, who was still moving between the wounded, her hands glowing faintly even as she swayed with exhaustion.

She had saved them all with her ability to heal so much more than a regular cleric.

Cassis swallowed hard, awe settling deep in his chest. How? Even with her talent, even with her monstrous skill progression—this shouldn’t have been possible.

Is it because she’s a deity?

There were too many questions, too many unknowns about her and the power she wielded so effortlessly.

And yet—before he could dwell on it, more people gathered around him.

They weren’t injured. They weren’t seeking healing. They were seeking answers.

Sapphire.

They asked about her, who she was, about why she had chosen to help them. Why a deity had granted them a warning, guidance, a chance to survive.

Cassis took a steadying breath and spoke.

He painted Sapphire as Arianna had presented herself in the other timeline—a benevolent and compassionate deity, not all-powerful, but one who fought with everything she had to save as many mortals as possible.

He wasn’t prepared for what happened next.

Some of them—dropped to their knees.

Heads bowed, hands clasped, prayers spilled from their lips—gratitude, devotion, promises to follow her from now on.

Cassis could only stare. Arianna … was gaining followers.