Jin knew Alaeria was a self-made Sentinel like his brother, and because of that it was only natural for him to assume; she must be able to perform powerful techniques as well. But what he hadn't realized until now was that she had pledged allegiance to Nekros—the Master of Undeath.

Shapes appeared from the barren ground like blooming plants which surged forth in less than a minute. They came in all garments and attires, numerous donned decaying armor and withering silk ; Most branded swords, axes, and spears in their hands, while some held nothing at all.

Jin shivered just looking at their gaunt silhouettes; decayed faces buried deep beneath their crumbling helmets and shriveling features. Their gray, cold eyes stared at the minotaur intently as if killing him were of utmost urgency to them since they’ve risen from the realm of the fallen.

There were five in total and slowly they inched towards the monster without a second thought. Now Jin understood why he had never seen Alaeria carry a weapon in all this time spent with her. Specializing in long-distance combat, she was calling upon soldiers and denizens who had perished in that very land defending Elba for one last time. And they, as worthy warriors would heed the prayer of a Sentinel of Nekros and obey for a final charge.

With their rusty weapons, they slashed head-on at Ulfrik, poking him, trying to pierce his thick skin. However, he was twice the size of those undead whom endlessly aimed to carve marks into flesh. Though even without an arm, he wouldn't let himself leave any signs of faltering.

Attacking enemies with his enraged fists, he deflected and angrily rushed with unrelenting force. As soon as Jin had noticed, the creature broke his opponents into a thousand pieces. Even the most expensive armor in the realm of Elba couldn't sustain the punch of Kantoff's last standing minotaur. Taking down several enemies consecutively in a rage, he no longer saw them as potential threats, but instead as simple training dummies, walking dolls unable to graze his murderous intent.

And it was then Jin realized the far contrast in power level. It left him dumbfounded. At least he bore witness to the difference in power between a Disciple and men-at-arms.

Surrounded by reanimated corpses on all sides, this was the perfect time for Ulfrik to let go of all that anger he was harboring since their departure from the elban encampment. In a way, this battle was therapeutic; for after every warrior destroyed It made him feel like he was avenging his ancestors.

No wonder some claimed the minotaurs were a warrior race and that a day without constant battle was a lost day. Ulfrik had never seen the need to grow accustomed to the battlefield. He'd been born into it. Letting his animal instincts take over his body, Ulfrik went into a trance of carnage. But for every skeleton he dropped, two more took their place. Where it had previously been five at the start, now from east forty additional figures straightened themselves. Profusely sweating with the initial clash, it looked like they wouldn't stop coming anytime soon.

In a single moment Jin watched an unrelenting monster destroy the skeletons like they were paper; now the horned beast was heading towards him with fierce hate in his gaze and retribution in his rage. Soldiers who had spent months training and defending the realm were now simply tossed aside with the mere animal impulse of the monstrosity before them. Dozens of fallen nobles and peasants were plucked skyward by the minotaur's deadly horns as if they were mere puppets.

The minotaur moved forward like a rabid bull using its deadly horns to swim through a sea of enemies, colliding with heaps of undead that hindered its passage. Like a rabid bull, Jin saw the monster coming towards him at a great pace. Ulfrik used his single arm as a third leg, gaining momentum and surpassing the speed of the fastest tiger in Ravnos. Dozens of warriors got between the two, certainly commanded by Alaeria trying to cover for Jin.

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But their effort seemed useless and at best they were merely buying him time. Time which he didn’t know how to effectively use. This duel could not simply be won with vast numbers; it required coordinated technique and elemental prowess imbued into their attacks. A gargantuan demand. If Jin were to be truthful, for the undead ranks lacked them both.

And when the number of warriors standing between them was eventually reduced to zero. Nothing else left for support. And so Jin prepared to defend himself. However, the minotaur completely ignored him and headed straight for his rear—directly into the bushes. Unbeknownst to Jin, certainly a place he was focusing on since the ambush had started.

Before Jin could react, a shadow of nature's monstrosity was reflected in Alaeria's unmoving gaze. Her elemental focus was resting entirely on summoning unyielding waves of undead. Her technique, however, although as powerful as it was to field an entire army to hold a strategic purpose; had left her unable to react. The colossal beast grinned as his horn imbued in shadow pierced through metal. In a glance she was hurled away within a single concentrated motion. From Jin’s position, the impact of the shockwave had the sound of an explosion.

Consecutively, the unending waves of undead standing warriors remained in their places like frozen statues. And after the noise of the impact echoed throughout the woods, the skeletons lost their will to fight. Their bones were now in constant friction with the air, suggesting whatever energy and will to fight they still had had been stolen from them. Their bones were reduced to ashes, and in a blink their rusty weapons had fallen from their hands. Everyone and everything lost the shine and brightness it once had. Before Jin had come to make sense of the clattering waves, the undead had already been brought back to the buried realm beneath.

Alaeria's body had been flung about three feet and there was no sign that she was conscious. Jin would face the minotaur alone, and if it were up to him, he would do anything to win. He couldn't think he wasn't capable, because as Vendrick had said—Trust himself above all else.

However, The minotaur continued to pay attention to Alaeria. Anger took over Jin’s mind, it was as if he wasn't worthy, or considered strong enough to be considered a threat. Rushing toward Alaeria, he placed himself between the two, becoming her last line of defense.

Turning towards him, for the first time they looked at each other, exchanging gazes of defiance. Remnants of armor and tools of war surrounded them. What it had once looked like a welcoming grassland to wander upon, now the sight resembled a graveyard for an entire company of soldiers.

Jin wasn't crazy enough to think he was capable of facing this monstrosity in one-on-one combat. He was aware of the stark difference between him and everyone else. Though he brandished a sword, nothing guaranteed that a cut was all he needed.

With every step the minotaur took, a sticky red trail stained the ground, marking each step. Drenched with its own wounds, Jin had the impression that the creature should have already lost consciousness for having lost so much blood. However, if the demihuman was in pain, it showed no signs of weakness.

As an elemental warrior, Jin knew he needed to take a risk and chance his life in combat. But he didn't imagine it would be so soon, he hadn't even learned his first elemental technique, and yet he was already in a situation that could take everything he had.

He didn't have time to grieve, so he decided to act. In the back of his mind, memories of how Vendrick used to straighten himself before embracing fate. Exhaling a final breath, he left all his fears go. If he were to die here, then it would be on his best form. Attained a critical stance, Jin braced himself for combat. As he gripped the hilt of his sword tightly he sought to muster whatever courage he had and charged forward.