As the forest burned, war raged on.

Under the radiance of fire, swirling ashes and smoldering heat, everyone's hearts burned with determination to protect their loved ones and faced the abominations themselves instead of the invaders feasting on those they set free to flee while they stayed.

However, the fear was suffocating. The white-furred monstrosities charging before them were nightmares made flesh—three meters tall, appearing like horses from dark hell, with savage maws and relentless speed, a mere glance of them is enough to freeze someone in fright... Let alone, charging head on against them. Yet, the thought of these creatures reaching the fleeing innocents spurred them forward, driving them to charge. Their terror of death paled in comparison to the greater horror of knowing their families would be torn apart by these horrid abominations if ever they failed.

Despite the fear, anxiousness and subconscious reluctance, in spite of how terrifying the otherworldly creatures are. They keep pushing forward, for the fear of these things reaching their loved one was greater than fear of death. Still, willingly running towards monstrous adversaries took its tolls on their mortal hearts, which is gripped by fear of death and promised pain. Exceptionally on the normal villagers that reluctantly volunteered upon knowing the true direness of the situation.

Their only saving grace was the flames around, licking skyward as it devoured barks and leaves, exerting smoldering glows, the heat of the moment warmed their frightful bodies, heating cold sweats rolling down their bodies, their war cries deafening the whispers of hesitation, lessening the chilling dread and fear of bloodshed with those nightmarish beasts.

Kaiser probably feels the same way as them. Because now, he also has a family to protect. A family that cherished him as much as he cherished them, people that will be saddened by his absence and would rejoice in his return. Ironically, it made him rather die here fighting, burning under this hellish forest, than return to their lifeless faces and drown in the agony of regret.

So, he ran forward, too, sword glinting in the firelight, eyes blazing with silent determination... Wrapped in a blanket.

Anyway, there’s no way in hell these monsters will get past the battlefield alive! Only under their bodies!

But then, the leading beast met a group of hunters head-on. And Kaiser came to understand Garba's solemn words.

The first clash was swift, brutal. The monster slammed into the group like a battering ram, scattering them as if they were mere leaves in a storm, unable to hold a candle against the reckoning force. Sadly, one unlucky man got caught directly in its path, and was crushed beneath its claws. The sickening sound of snapping bones under pressure and tearing flesh echoed through the battlefield.

The creature halted, sniffing, before lowering its wide, slavering maw. Without an ounce of hesitation, it lifted the corpse and devoured the dead man in a single, repulsively crunching gulp.

The defenders could only watch in horror as it devoured the man whole, the bloody remains disappearing into its jagged teeth.

Those who saw these horrifying scenes froze for a moment. Before some let out cries of rage, others of despair. The volunteers had it worse, untrained and untested, stood paralyzed in shock, unable to comprehend the sight of such unrelenting savagery. On the other hand, the hunters, hardened by years of experience, recovered more quickly. But even they couldn’t mask the dread etched on their faces as the abomination, blood dripping from its jaws, moved again in search for more with visible struggle for the surrounding scents was being tampered with by heat, but apparently, that wasn't enough of a hindrance to drastically decrease the active slaughter.

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Brave warriors died in the process of getting close, while those that remained can only tighten their grips as they took the opportunity to attack. Swords and spears were swung with all the strength they could muster, but the results were the same. Blades barely scratched the creature's thick hide, leaving only shallow wounds that dripped dark blood. Rangers support isn't reliable, either. Archers couldn't do much in these situations because the enemies were too unpredictable, so did their comrades position, raising the chances of accidental friendly fire if they hastily release. However, even if a master sent a successful arrow from above, it only glance off their fur or lodge harmlessly in muscles too dense to pierce.

On the other hand, the creatures retaliated with terrifying efficiency.

One stomp from a clawed foot was enough to crush a man into the dirt. A single swipe from a limb sent defenders flying like ragdolls, their bodies colliding with trees and falling limp. Those close enough to strike back found themselves caught in snapping jaws, torn apart with horrifying ease.

Everywhere Kaiser looked, the scene was the same.

To his left, a hunter was hurled through the air, landing with a sickening thud. To his right, a young volunteer—barely more than a boy—lunged forward with a spear, only to be batted aside, his body crumpling under the force. Another beast, littered by shallow wounds, plowed through a group of defenders, sending men sprawling in its wake.

The white-furred monstrosities tore through the defenders with relentless savagery, and the defenders, for all their courage and numbers, could only slow the inevitable... Hunters and Volunteeres are dying.

One of the invaders swept through a line of hunters, its claws slicing through flesh as if cutting paper. Another crushed a volunteer with its sheer weight, leaving nothing but a broken body behind. And always, they feasted—ripping, tearing, devouring.

Desperation thickened the air.

The defenders fought with everything they had, launching furious retaliatory strikes, but it was like ants trying to fell a spider. Their blows, even from the strongest hunters can't severely damage the unyielding hides. At best, they left shallow, bleeding wounds—mere inconveniences to the towering invaders, but clearly delivered a pang of agony which the enraged hunters lust for their comrades deaths. Even if it costs them their life, they would hurt the invaders as hard as they could.

The fear, anxiousness and dread were overshadowed by hatred, rage, anguish and desperateness of the fiery battlefield. Retreat was not an option, for cowardice would sacrifice their families and likely kill themselves, too. Still, a few cowards did out of sheer fright.

Ironically, the defenders were overwhelmed despite their numerical supremacy, disorganized and grossly outmatched. For each encirclement, every one of their own who fell, another stepped up, determined to hold the line, only to meet the same grim fate. Blood soaked the ground. The screams of the dying mingled with the roaring flames and screeching growls of the abominations.

All of that happened in mere seconds of their suicidal clash, seemingly passing so slowly, so cruel and intense in the heat of war against beasts and hunters.

Kaiser gritted his teeth, his face grim as warm breeze blew past him, feeling conflicted emotions for the lost of life.

He expected them to at least stand a grain of change in the face of injured invaders with nothing but beastial minds driving monstrous figures. Apparently, his hopes were crushed by sheer superiority, they are simply built tougher, harder, swifter and deadlier. The invaders feral thinking playing in their favor as they moved with unpredictable wildness, rendering the fragile humans to do severe harms in retaliation while their numbers dwindle.

Then again, what is there to expect from an army of mundane humans, with half of it made of inexperienced villagers, armed poorly? Not much, honestly. They were even given a hint of command that prioritize immobilizing the invaders first, before killing. Which could also mean if taking them down was impossible, they can crippled them at best before everyone was wiped out. That way, at least the fleeing villagers will be spared.

Seeing the nearing chaos ahead, Kai would have loved to simply be wild, take a white-furred monster in a bloody brawl and see who died first, concluding to his victory, without a shadow of doubt, of course. Unfortunately, Kaiser had to restrain himself in this fiery field. Too many untrustworthy witnesses are around, threatening to potentially spread his immortality if ever shown his miraculous revival. However, now that the battle was in full swing, nothing is stopping him from revealing his presence because the higher-ups were too occupied to pay him any heed, let alone, dragged him to safety.

Finally reaching the front of the chaos, Kaiser loosened his shroud and jumped up, timing his entrance when the horse-like invaders were distracted by the irritating ants stabbing blunt dagger beneath it.

A swift figure of a young man flew above the warriors heads, attracting brief glances as if time slowed on his arrival. The young man wore a dark attire, with a short flattering cloak behind, his blade luster the colors of flames, held by two hands, tip aimed to be hammered down the flat of the beast skull with everything he had.

Under the blazing radiance and serene night sky, a single light of hope ignited in the desperate war.

A Player had entered the battlefield.