Tyrin was surprised to realize that upon arriving at the moon of Drokavas 3, his team consisted of only two people and the professor. He had seen teams with anywhere between 15 and 30 members. Of course, the planet in question had almost 60 moons, which could justify splitting the groups, but even so, he found it strange. However, nothing surprised him as much as seeing that the red-haired girl was also part of the team.

"What was her name again? Luci... Lizzard?" Tyrin wondered absentmindedly.

She didn’t seem like the type of person who talked much, and even the few interactions she had with the professor were quick and direct. A quiet person or just egocentric?

— Should we go find our dorm together? — Tyrin blurted out without thinking.

— I don’t see a problem with that. But I’d like to understand what the professor sees in you to bring you along. I’m sure I alone would be enough. Bringing someone mediocre doesn’t seem like Gertrudes’ style.

— You do realize I can hear what you’re saying about me, right?

— Oops, that wasn’t my intention. But anyway… What’s your name again?

— Tyrin. That’s my name.

— I see, Triano. Let’s find the dorm quickly, I need to rest.

— Tyrin. That’s my name. — I sighed. — Well, anyway, don’t you think it’s better if we stay with the professor?

— Hmmm. I don’t think you know our professor… But what you need to know is that she is not ordinary. Not in terms of family, nor in strength. She’s the kind of person who forced her way through life and came out victorious. Believe me when I say that if there’s anyone we should fear, it’s not that guy with a mustache.

Tyrin was surprised to realize that Gertrudes was more than just a simple professor with librarian hobbies. Standing nearly three meters tall, she certainly had a story. It didn’t take long before they were escorted to their dorms, and unfortunately, Tyrin only found out later about the problems his professor had already caused—and, most importantly, about her last name.

He had studied extensively about the Scar family, an extremely influential lineage known for its authoritarian and patriarchal culture. That made Tyrin understand what Luci meant by "forcing her way." They lived on a planet extremely hostile to life, yet somehow, in a way few could explain, they thrived. Their secret? A unique alliance with one of the most powerful beings in the universe: the Pongos.

Bizarrely enormous creatures with overwhelming strength and above-average intelligence, the Pongos were one of the rare species classified as A+ level. Even the most comprehensive books failed to explain how this alliance was formed, but the fact remained that it brought not only power and prosperity to the Scar family but also immeasurable influence.

— I’m taking the top bunk, okay? Don’t even bother arguing.

— We’re sleeping together?

— And why wouldn’t we? This is a fight for survival. We need to stay close at all times.

— I understand...

It was only late in the afternoon that Gertrudes arrived at their room, bringing important news.

— I know the race that’s attacking us — she said bluntly.

— Really? Who are they? — Tyrin asked, excited at the prospect of gaining new knowledge.

However, when he noticed Gertrudes' expression, he realized this wasn’t just any piece of information. There was concern in her eyes.

— Our enemies are the Aracnofon. Tyrin, tell me what you know about them.

Luci’s eyes turned to Tyrin, who, despite being nervous about the question, tried to recall what he had read in the books sent by the professor.

— Unknown, but extremely hostile.

— That’s right. No one has ever survived an encounter with them. They’ve always chosen their battles wisely, and due to their rarity in the universe, they have remained practically a mystery. But I know some things that your books probably don’t mention...

Gertrudes took a deep breath before continuing:

— They are parasites. They drain everything around them and adapt. Their reproduction rate is alarming. They are hard to kill and possess absurd strength. But they do have a weakness… They’re dumb. At least individually. The problem is that, from what we can tell, they have one or more leaders guiding them like a well-organized legion.

— Professor, if they’re so strong, why do we need to defend this place? Wouldn’t it be better to abandon the outpost and retreat to defend the citadel? — Luci asked.

— That’s the problem: we can’t — Gertrudes replied bluntly. — According to the Empire’s calculations, their numbers outmatch ours by 30 to 1. If we’re all concentrated in one place, we’ll be overrun. Besides, we believe there’s a leader controlling the swarm, but from what we can tell, it’s only one. Splitting the fight will allow us to secure isolated victories, giving us a chance to win this war.

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— But the place attacked by the leader will be destroyed with 100% certainty — Luci pondered.

— Yes, we understand that risk. We know we’ll have losses, but it’s a necessary evil.

"Necessary evil," Tyrin repeated in his mind. He recalled his father’s words: "Necessary evil is a foolish phrase spoken by those ignorant of the pain suffered by others." But even with that thought, he didn’t have the courage to question the Empire’s strategy.

By the end of the day, he only hoped he wouldn’t be the one to feel the hand of misfortune pressing down upon him.

The next morning, the soldiers stood in formation in the vast central courtyard, awaiting orders. There were two hundred warriors, all well-armed. Among them, one could even spot a noble who had chosen to fight alongside the common soldiers.

— Gentlemen, today we begin the fight for our survival! We have with us a member of the Scar family to aid us. The eastern front will be protected by her, and so, we must prove our worth on the other battle lines. Now, let’s march into battle!

A war cry echoed through the courtyard.

As the soldiers moved to their assigned positions, Gertrudes took the opportunity to address Tyrin and Luci.

— You’ll be with me in this battle, but I want you to be careful. Today, you’ll be more spectators than fighters. I’ll be giving my all to defend this place and will use every skill at my disposal. I’ll let some enemies through so you can train. Watch how I fight, and feel free to take inspiration from anything you see.

Upon reaching their designated position, the three support soldiers were already in place, waiting only for Gertrudes’ command.

— Soldiers, you’ll be in charge of turret support. Focus on the larger targets and ignore the smaller ones. And please, avoid friendly fire. Otherwise, I’ll have to personally end your lives.

Even Tyrin was surprised by the transformation Gertrudes had undergone. The kind librarian he knew had become something between a skilled commander and a ruthless general. Yet her presence exuded an overwhelming confidence that made everyone obey without question.

— Very well. Move out. Take your positions.

The gate opened. Tyrin looked beyond the walls and saw a barren desert surrounded by scattered mountains. It wasn’t too different from the place where he was born—the only real difference was the color, a lifeless, desolate yellow.

— Stay sharp, one at each end. I’ll be in the center. Looks like CaoCao is coming back.

Not far away, from behind a hill taller than the others, a massive, broad-armed bipedal creature came running toward them. If Gertrudes hadn’t informed them it was an ally, Tyrin probably would have attacked on instinct. The giant being carried several polished stones on its back, secured by a massive net woven from fiber.

— My pet will provide long-range support but will enter combat when necessary. Any questions?

— No, ma’am! — they all responded in unison.

A chill ran up Tyrin’s spine. His body trembled—a mix of excitement and nerves. He was about to enter his first real battle.

Positioned at the far left, away from Gertrudes and Luci, Tyrin glanced at his own equipment. His status was considered high, so he had opted to carry a small shield and a spear. In his holster, he had a small-caliber pistol and a short serrated sword. Gertrudes, on the other hand, carried only a pair of massive gloves, and as she slipped them on, her presence became even more imposing.

But what caught Tyrin’s attention the most was Luci’s weapon: a fire whip.

Magical items were rare among commoners, and Tyrin had never seen one in action. He was curious. Eager.

And then, Gertrudes’ voice cut through the silence:

— All right, kids. They’re coming!

The Pongo’s grin seemed to widen as the armored enemies were crushed beneath his colossal stones. The impact sent dust flying and left deep scars in the dry earth, while the soldiers in the turrets maintained continuous fire on the more vulnerable foes.

But not all of them fell easily.

Even against Gertrudes’ crushing blows and CaoCao’s brute strength, the surviving Aracnofon demonstrated a terrifying ability to adapt to combat.

The fastest ones began moving erratically, dodging gunfire with inhuman speed. Some leaped across the wreckage, using the remains of their fallen as cover, while others were already sprinting toward the walls, completely ignoring the battle in the open field.

Tyrin felt his heart hammer in his chest.

— Luci! — he shouted, pointing at a group of slender creatures already scaling the rocks toward the fortifications.

Luci growled in frustration, realizing the enemies were about to flank the defensive line. With a snap of her fingers, her flaming whip crackled through the air, casting an incandescent glow over the arid desert.

— NOT ON MY WATCH!

She swung the whip with surgical precision, striking one of the invaders mid-leap. The impact sliced the creature in half, its shrill screams swallowed by the flames before its body even hit the ground.

But they didn’t stop.

More and more of the fast-moving Aracnofon advanced, and Tyrin realized he would have to fight.

He gripped his spear tightly, adjusted the small shield on his left arm, and sprang forward. His instincts had never been sharper, his body reacting with supernatural precision.

Tyrin felt faster, stronger. The world around him seemed to slow, and he could see the enemies' movements with frightening clarity.

One of the slender Aracnofon lunged at him, serrated claws raised for a killing strike. Tyrin ducked at the last second, swinging his spear sideways and driving it into the creature’s chest. The enemy convulsed, letting out a ghastly shriek before dropping dead.

Another attacker leaped at him from atop a rock, aiming for an ambush.

Tyrin turned in a fluid motion, drawing his short serrated sword from its holster and slicing the enemy mid-air. Dark blood splattered onto the cracked earth as the body fell in pieces.

He panted, staring at his hands.

"I’m doing it... I’m actually doing it!"

But there was no time to celebrate.

The battle was far from over.

A deafening roar tore through the battlefield, making even Gertrudes pause for a moment.

From the wreckage of the enemy forces, a massive shadow emerged.

Tyrin felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Even Gertrudes furrowed her brow—a very bad sign.

The creature was unlike anything they had faced so far.

Its eyes gleamed with an intense yellow light, and its black exoskeleton seemed fused with metal, reflecting the sunlight like living steel armor. Its multiple legs struck the ground with tremendous force, each step sending a deep tremor through the earth, as if the planet itself groaned under its weight.

And then, the worst part.

When it opened its monstrous jaws, it revealed rows upon rows of serrated fangs. A thick, viscous liquid oozed from its mouth, sizzling as it hit the sand, dissolving it on contact.

Luci gulped.