With the strategy set, Tyrin focused on dodging the beast’s swift and ruthless strikes. The monster now seemed enraged, as if insulted by the fact that Tyrin was still standing.
After nearly ten minutes of combat, it became clear that the battle was won. Thanks to Tyrin taking down two of the three tank beasts, the soldiers were able to finish off the remaining enemies with ease. Now, the only fight left was the deadly duel between Tyrin and the Mantis—a battle so intense that, to the soldiers, the two fighters seemed like ghosts, appearing and vanishing from one place to another in the blink of an eye.
Tyrin didn’t realize it yet, but his status already placed him beyond human capability, and he was still slowly learning his own limits.
The fight was a chaotic whirlwind where anyone who got too close—ally or enemy—was torn apart before they could even understand what was happening. The two adversaries clashed for ten minutes until, finally, Tyrin spotted an opening.
Seizing the opportunity, he hurled his spear directly at the monster’s weak point, piercing through its body instantly.
— Huff… Huff… I thought this thing would never get tired. Good thing I leveled up my endurance before this fight.
Before he could even catch his breath, the sound of clapping echoed around him.
— Congratulations, kid. I thought I’d have to step in at some point, but you did well.
Still panting, Tyrin lifted his gaze and saw Gertrudes sitting on CaoCao’s shoulder, laughing uncontrollably. Beside them, Luci stood completely unscathed, looking as clean and untouched as if she hadn’t fought at all.
At that moment, he realized the difference between them.
He was exhausted, covered in blood and dust, while they remained untouched.
The pride he had felt from his victory faded, replaced by a sudden wave of shame. He understood now—he was still far from being recognized as their equal.
— Thanks, professor. It might not seem like it, but that was really tough.
Gertrudes let out a loud laugh.
— HAHAHAHAHA! Don’t worry, kid. After all, you’re not even using a magic weapon. Be proud—you did great.
Luci, who usually avoided conversation, stepped forward and said:
— Now I understand why the professor brought you. You seem to have potential.
Tyrin wanted to hear more, wanted to feed his ego, but he knew Luci would never say anything beyond that. Gertrudes, on the other hand, didn’t seem impressed.
And he knew why.
While Tyrin had struggled against just one of these monsters, Gertrudes had faced five at once—and didn’t have a single scratch to show for it.
— All right, kids. I don’t think we can stick to the same plan anymore. We’ll have to improvise. — Gertrudes announced.
Everyone turned their attention to her.
— This time, we’ll leave two sectors unprotected and focus our forces on two nearby locations. We need to win as quickly as possible to minimize casualties in the exposed areas.
The weight of the decision hung in the air, but there was no better alternative.
By the time Gertrudes had presented the new strategy, night had already fallen.
In the mess hall, the food still tasted like nothing, but the soldiers were celebrating. The atmosphere was relaxed and joyful, as if nothing had happened.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Tyrin watched them in silence.
"Ignorance is bliss."
Maybe they didn’t realize it yet, but the next battle would push them to their limits. He could already see the looming fatalities in every little detail—the carefree expressions, the exaggerated laughter, the naïve hope.
Then, Gertrudes called out to him.
— Ty, I know what you’re thinking.
Tyrin looked at her.
— But there’s nothing we can do. We need to focus on winning this fight and protecting the Citadel, no matter the cost. They know what’s coming, and they were paid for it.
Her voice was firm, unwavering.
— The best we can do is finish our part as fast as possible and, if there’s time, help them. Trust yourself and fight with everything you have. Worry about the others after that.
She placed a hand on Tyrin’s shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes.
— Trust me. We’re going to make it.
Tyrin felt the weight of those words.
He wanted to question her, argue that it wasn’t right, but deep down, he knew Gertrudes was right.
If he couldn’t overcome his own challenge first, he wouldn’t be able to help anyone else.
He took a deep breath and clenched his fists.
"For me. For my sister. I have to keep going."
The war was far from over.
Tyrin and CaoCao stood before the gate he had defended earlier. Behind them, only three turrets remained, each manned by a single soldier.
— Did they take the deal well? — Tyrin asked, keeping his eyes on the horizon.
He still remembered the furious expression on the commander’s face when Gertrudes made it clear that no reinforcements would be sent to the south and west sides.
To the commander, it was a death sentence. And even knowing that each gate still had over ninety soldiers, the unease was obvious.
"Of course he’s scared… He saw what we fought. He knows the only thing waiting for them is death."
And yet, he accepted it.
This time, the commander carried his own weapons—something Tyrin hadn’t expected to see. Maybe he had a plan, some way to buy time, but in the end, it didn’t matter.
"Damn it… I need to stop thinking about the others. I’m just as screwed as they are."
CaoCao seemed more focused than ever. Unlike in previous battles, he now wore armor covering key parts of his body—his head, arms, and legs. Metallic spikes jutted out prominently from his pauldrons and forearms. This was armor built for offense.
Gertrudes had told them that casualties had been much higher on other planets than in her time. Even she had been surprised.
The enemy was persistent. Strong. And, more importantly, something powerful was lurking, something they had yet to see.
Gertrudes’ unease was clear, and CaoCao had sensed it.
That was why he was so serious now.
— Good luck in this fight, CaoCao.
The golden-furred giant let out a low growl, his deep tone carrying a weight Tyrin couldn’t fully understand.
— AHH.HUUU.
Tyrin didn’t know what he meant, but it sounded like a wish for good luck.
Time passed.
The minutes dragged on, and Tyrin felt the nervous energy hammering through his body.
His fingers trembled. His eyelids twitched violently.
"It’s about to start."
But…
Nothing happened.
The first twenty minutes passed with no sign of an attack.
Ten more minutes. Still nothing.
Tyrin started to relax, his breathing slowing.
Maybe they had retreated. Maybe something had changed.
And then, he saw it.
A single figure.
Alone.
Its steps were calm, unhurried.
This didn’t make sense.
— CaoCao, are you seeing what I’m seeing?
Tyrin glanced at his companion—and saw something he had never seen before.
Fear.
CaoCao’s eyes were wide, his pupils shrunken.
Pongos weren’t born the strongest on their planet. They became the strongest.
During their youth, they had to survive extreme challenges, only becoming relevant once they reached adulthood.
This had made them intelligent. Strategic.
They were one of the few races in the universe with a highly developed sixth sense—an instinct that guided them away from death.
And CaoCao was listening to that instinct now.
— What do you see that I don’t, CaoCao?
But before he could answer…
He simply turned his back and ran.
CaoCao fled.
Tyrin’s eyes widened.
— Hey! What are you doing?!
The golden giant didn’t reply. He just bolted toward Gertrudes, leaving Tyrin alone against it.
Tyrin’s knees trembled.
He could still run.
Or… was it already too late?
The figure in front of him kept moving forward—slowly, deliberately.
Now that he could see it more clearly, it looked like a grotesque hybrid between a human and a bee.
It walked without urgency, as if giving him a chance.
Every step it took screamed the same message:
"Go ahead. Run. I’d love to hunt you down."
My mind faltered.
My breathing became erratic.
And I thought of her.
My sister.
And then—
It vanished.
A fraction of a second later, Tyrin body was flung through the air.
The impact was instantaneous.
Darkness filled her vision for a moment.
Then—he felt the wall crush against your back.
Your entire body shook with pain, a violent shock radiating through her bones.
He couldn’t breathe.
— W-what… just happened?