Rifi stirred to the sound of someone shouting, the grogginess of deep sleep clinging to him. A rough hand shook his shoulder. He blinked, barely registering the voice of his new captain cutting through the haze.

"Hey! Eeeeey, you lazy bastard! Planning to sleep through the whole horde attack, are we? Not even showing up for today's headcount? You'd better—" The man stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the faint glow of Rifi's pupils.

Steven, his captain, crouched down to get a better look, his brows shooting up. "Well, I'll be damned. Maybe you're not as lazy as I thought, huh?" He let out a deep, booming laugh that filled the tent.

Rifi blinked, still adjusting to the realization that his breakthrough had been real. His body hummed with the new power coursing through him. Slowly, he got to his feet, the purple hue in his eyes fading back to normal. "Sorry, Captain. Didn't mean to sleep so long. Guess I was more exhausted than I realized."

Steven waved his hand dismissively. "Don't sweat it. You're a Purple core mage now, and that's a hell of a lot more important than missing roll call." His lips curled into a smirk. "I bet Gaius will lose his mind when he hears about it." As he headed for the tent's entrance, he called back over his shoulder, "Come on. Now that you've hit Purple core, we're gonna change up our defense strategy. The others have been waiting anyway—probably hoping to watch me chew you out."

Rifi followed him outside, feeling the weight of his new rank settle on his shoulders. The encampment buzzed with activity, and as they approached the central tent, he spotted the other Purple core mages huddled around a small table, poring over maps. Gaius and Otto, the fire mages from the last battle, stood on one side, while Noah and Oliver, the ice mages, flanked the other. All familiar faces from yesterday's fight.

As the group turned to face them, Steven slapped Rifi on the back. "Look who I found—our lazy friend," he said with a mischievous grin. "Or is he lazy? Turns out the bastard was just too tired from breaking through to Purple core."

Rifi smiled nervously, offering a small wave. "Uh, hello. Rifi's the name."

For a moment, the others just stared, then Gaius clicked his tongue, disappointment flashing across his face. "Tch, guess we're not getting any fun today. We were expecting a good roasting."

Oliver shot him a glare. "Maybe you were, you crazy pyromaniac. Some of us aren't sadistic creeps."

Gaius smirked. "Didn't seem like you minded that burn on your face last time. You look like you're asking for another."

Before their bickering could escalate, Steven stepped between them, rolling his eyes. "Enough, you two. Save it for the beasts. We've got some good news, and I'm not letting you ruin it. Let's get down to business." He gestured for Rifi to join them at the table. "Alright, Rifi, now that you're a Purple core mage, we need to make adjustments. Tell us about your abilities—at least your element—so we can plan around it."

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Rifi rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. "Well, I have to disappoint you. My element is lightning, so I don't have any real ranged attacks. I'm purely melee. I can fire a few lightning bolts, but they only reach a meter or two. What I'm best at is body enhancement—lightning really shines in that regard."

Gaius shot him a skeptical look, but Steven just nodded. "A shame, but a Purple core is still a Purple core, even with lightning. We could've used more ranged power, but it is what it is. I'm guessing you can at least light fires with it?"

Rifi nodded. "Yeah, as long as there's something flammable."

"Good." Steven looked relieved. "You've all heard the defensive plan. When the front line breaks, we're going to ignite the black water barrels placed behind the walls. Rifi, be careful. That stuff is highly explosive. You'll need to ignite it from at least ten meters away—any closer, and you might not walk away from it." He glanced at the map, then continued. "Lead your legionaries to the second line of defense. The fire should buy us a few minutes to take out the beasts that make it through the palisades. We'll need to hold until the attack squad arrives. We'll be spread out across the front line, with fire-element Brown cores assisting you, just in case."

Steven pointed to specific locations on the map. "Rifi, you'll take the left flank. I'll be near the center with Otto, and Gaius will take the right. Noah and Oliver, you're free to move where support is needed. Timing is crucial—make sure you ignite your barrels at the same time. The fire has to spread evenly across the line, or we'll leave gaps for the beasts to flood through. Once the fire is up, we'll move to reinforce the weakest points. Everyone in agreement?"

The group nodded in unison.

Steven clapped his hands together, his face splitting into a grin. "Good. Now let's get to work. The next attack's going to be messy, no doubt about it. Stick to the plan, and maybe we'll live to see another day." He slapped the table. "Alright, move out! And make sure those legionaries are ready—the beasts aren't going to kill themselves."

Rifi left the central tent and began inspecting the defenses assigned to his flank. The palisades had been repaired since yesterday's skirmish, and the black water barrels stood ready behind the walls. Everything looked secure—the legionaries had worked quickly to replace any damage. Only the bloodstains on the ground remained as evidence of the earlier battle.

The plan is solid, Rifi thought as he surveyed the area. With five Purple core mages spread across the front, each covering roughly fifty meters, their defense seemed manageable. The presence of fire-element Brown cores would make igniting the black water easier, taking some pressure off him. For the first time in days, Rifi felt a flicker of confidence.

But it was short-lived.

The familiar nightmare of his near-death experience crept into his thoughts, the haunting whisper of "please, live" echoing in his mind. It was a reminder that death had nearly claimed him once, and it was always lurking nearby. No matter how solid the plan was, nothing could prepare him for the sheer unpredictability of battle.

"Tch." He sighed, glancing toward the horizon. I want to train, but I have to be ready for the next attack. Can't risk not being in peak condition.

His fingers brushed against the scar that marked his chest, the memory of his close encounter with death as vivid as ever. I'll stay true to her last words. A little longer.

As if on cue, the alarm bells sounded once more.

Rifi's heart thudded in his chest as he rushed to his position. The ground trembled beneath his feet, the sky darkening with the sheer number of beasts approaching. This time, the horde was larger, far more terrifying than before. The sound of their roars filled the air, a cacophony that sent shivers down his spine.

But Rifi's resolve held. His eyes shone with fierce determination as the wave of beasts surged toward them.

"Haha, come at me," he muttered under his breath, a grim smile tugging at his lips. I welcome your try, Death.