Lleyn's return to the village was marked not by the triumphant acquisition of the Boots of Ethereal Stride, but by the weight of a freshly hunted white boar slung over his shoulder. The meat would be a welcome addition for the group, but as he approached, the discordant sounds of raised voices reached his ears.

The clearing, which had been a place of unity after the battle with the Ogre, was now a hotbed of tension.

They felt the weight of their losses deeply, and resentment began to brew against Lleyn and his group, who had seemingly faced the Ogre with ease.

"Why does he get all the glory?" muttered one of Alden's men, a burly warrior named Garon. "While we were out here, risking our lives, he was off playing hero with that monster."

Selene in the middle of the crowd seemed to be trying to reason with the crowd. "Lleyn saved us all," she retorted. "If it weren't for him, that Ogre would have crushed us."

Garon sneered, "Easy for you to say, standing by his side. Some of us weren't so lucky."

The tension was palpable. Selene, trying to defuse the situation, stepped in. "We're all on the same side here. We need to stick together if we're going to survive."

But Garon wasn't having it. "Stick together? You don’t even know where he is right now!!”

The news of Lleyn's disappearance had spread quickly among the Awakened. While some were worried about him, others, like Garon, saw it as a betrayal.

Dorian, always the peacemaker, tried to mediate. "Lleyn did what he thought was best. We all have our roles to play."

But the divisions ran deeper than just Lleyn's actions. The Awakened were a diverse group, hailing from different backgrounds and cultures. Some were warriors, trained in the art of combat, while others were mages, scholars, or even common folk with no prior experience in battle. This diversity, while a strength in many ways, also sowed seeds of discord.

One of the groups under Alden, led by a stern woman named Elara, began to voice their concerns. "We're being used as cannon fodder," she declared. "While the main groups get all the glory, we're left to pick up the pieces."

Aric, overhearing the conversation, chimed in, "We all have our strengths and our roles to play. Even Lleyn wouldn’t be able to survive if dozens of monsters surrounded up."

Elara shot him a withering glance. "Our roles? Is that what you call it? We're more than just your backup."

Various factions of the Awakened were in heated debates, their faces flushed with emotion.

The sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the village clearing when Lleyn returned, the weight of a freshly hunted white boar slung over his shoulder. The meat would be a welcome addition for the group, but as he approached, the discordant sounds of raised voices reached his ears.

Elena, spotting him first, rushed over, her face a mix of relief and concern. "Where have you been?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. "It's been hours. The people here have been arguing for hours now."

Lleyn set the boar down with a soft thud, meeting her gaze. "I went hunting while you were resting," he replied calmly. "Got a bit lost, but I found my way back. What is go-"

Captain Alden, rather than trying to mediate, was at the center of one such argument, his voice rising above the others once he caught sight of Lleyn.

"We need someone to protect us! Someone strong to take the lead in the fights and help our people grow." Alden was saying, his finger pointedly directed at Lleyn. "You've proven yourself in battle, Lleyn. Please stop trying to avoid this responsibility."

Lleyn, setting down the boar with a thud, met Alden's gaze evenly. "I'm no hero, Alden. I'm here to survive, just like everyone else."

A murmur of agreement and dissent rippled through the crowd. Some saw Lleyn as a beacon of hope, whispering about him being their leader rather than Alden, while others, like Garon, still harbored resentment. "Why should we follow him?" Garon spat. "Just because he took down an Ogre? It was Alden and the 4 of us that have been organizing and teaching you. Lleyn has been nothing but selfish."

As the arguments escalated, Captain Alden tried to intervene. "Enough!" he bellowed. "We're all in this together. We need to focus on the real enemy, not turn on each other."

But his words fell on deaf ears. The fractures among the Awakened were deepening, and trust was eroding.

Amidst the chaos, a young Awakened woman approached Lleyn, her eyes filled with admiration. "I witnessed your fight with the Ogre," he said. "I know I am weak but I want to learn from you. I am not expecting you to protect me. I simply wish to grow stronger. I will put in as much effort as the rest."

Lleyn recognized her immediately. In his past life, she had been a mage of some average renown, but here, she seemed to be just another Awakened, her potential yet untapped.

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"What's your name?" Lleyn asked, his voice gentle.

"Lyria," she replied, meeting his gaze.

Lleyn nodded, memories of their past interactions flooding back. "Very well, Lyria. I like the look in your eyes. Just know one thing. Once the fights start, it will come down to your own will and skills. I won’t protect you, but I won’t force you to fight either. If you choose to, do so of your own free will. If you turn out useless, I won’t waste any more efforts on you"

Lyria nodded, her decision made. "I won’t let you down," she said simply.

In the meantime, the atmosphere in the village was thick with tension. More awakened tried to reach out to him the way Lyria did after noticing their conversation, but all were turned down.

Elena approached Lleyn, her face etched with concern. "This is getting out of hand," she murmured. "We need to find a way to unite the group."

Lleyn sighed, looking out at the divided Awakened. "They will have to depend on their own strengths. This situation is dangerous enough as it is, and it will just keep getting worse. What if a few Ogres show up next time? I’m just trying to survive like everyone else," he repeated.

As the night wore on, small groups began to form, each seeking solace in like-minded individuals. Lleyn, with Elena, Dorian, Aric and Selene Lyria by his side, set up camp away from the main group. The night was filled with hushed conversations, the weight of their situation pressing heavily on everyone's minds.

Meanwhile, the timer kept moving, uncaring of their minor scuffles.

[03:12]

They had less than two hours left until the last wave happened, and not even Lleyn knew what would happen.

The night was cold, and the wind carried whispers of unease. The Awakened, despite their differences, were united in their fear of the unknown. The timer, a constant reminder of their impending fate, loomed over them, casting a shadow that was hard to ignore.

Lleyn, sitting by the campfire, stared into the flames, lost in thought. The memories of his past life, the knowledge he had acquired, and the weight of responsibility he felt towards the Awakened weighed heavily on him. He knew that the final wave would be the most challenging, and he was unsure if they were prepared.

Elena, sensing his unease, sat down beside him. "You're worried about the final wave, aren't you?" she asked softly.

Lleyn nodded, "I've seen what the system can throw at us. And while we've managed to survive so far, I'm not sure if we're ready for what's coming."

Elena squeezed his hand, "We'll face it together, just like we always have."

Dorian, overhearing their conversation, joined them. "We've come a long way since we first woke up in this world. We've faced challenges, lost comrades, but we've also grown stronger. Whatever comes our way, we'll face it head-on."

Aric, who had been sharpening his blade, looked up. "We need a plan. We can't just wait for the wave to hit us."

Lleyn took a deep breath, "You're right, Aric. We need to prepare." He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the group. "We have limited time, and we need to make the most of it. Training is our top priority."

He turned to Lyria, who was clutching her spear nervously. "Lyria," he began, "the spear is not the right weapon for you. Not now. You lack the agility and accuracy of the others, and your senses are still developing."

Lyria looked down, disappointment evident in her eyes. But Lleyn continued, "Instead, I want you to switch to a shield and a light mace."

She looked up, surprised. "A shield and mace?"

Lleyn nodded, "The shield will be your primary defense. It will keep you safe, allowing you to block and deflect attacks. The mace, on the other hand, is a straightforward weapon. It doesn't require the precision of a spear or the finesse of a sword. Its weight and design allow for powerful, crushing blows even if you don't hit the exact target. All you need to do is swing it with force. In close combat, it can be devastating."

Lyria hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, I trust you."

Lleyn smiled, "Good. Now, let's get to work."

The rest of the night was spent in rigorous training. Lleyn paired up with each member of the group, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and giving them tailored advice. Aric and Dorian sparred with each other, their blades clashing in a dance of steel. Elena practiced her archery, his arrows finding their mark every time. Selene was practicing her thrusts. While she wanted to try slashing with the blade of the spear to avoid accidents like the ones from earlier, Lleyn’s response was that she shouldn’t divide her focus. If she was worried about her weapon being used against her again, she would have to find ways to avoid it on her.

Lyria, with her new shield and mace, trained with Lleyn. He taught her the basics of blocking and striking, emphasizing the importance of timing and positioning. With each passing minute, she grew more confident, her movements becoming more fluid and precise.

After one hour, the group gathered around the campfire, exhausted. They had made the most of the time they had, and now was the time to rest and make sure they were ready for whatever the final wave would bring.

Lleyn looked at each of them, pride evident in his eyes. "We've done all we can," he said. "Now, all that's left is to face the challenge head-on. Remember to listen to my orders, whatever they are. If I tell you to stand back, you stand back,” he ordered as his sharp gaze focused on Elena.

The group nodded in agreement, their spirits lifted by the night's training. They were a team, united in their purpose, and they were ready to face the final wave.

Once the timer hit [01:00], the sudden deafening bell rang out again, its sound echoing throughout the village. The group, momentarily startled, turned their attention to the source of the noise.

Lleyn's face hardened, his grip on his weapon tightening. "It's time," he said, his voice steady.

The bell's toll signaled the beginning of the end—the start of the final wave. The group, their training fresh in their minds, braced themselves for the challenge ahead. They were ready, and they would face this threat together.