As time rolled on, Adrian celebrated his eighteenth birthday, marking over three years since he'd been kicked out by the Lacroix Family. He'd come a long way from that tough day, shaped by the trials and adventures he'd shared with his buddies.

But the world didn't stand still; it was a living, evolving thing.

The place Adrian called home was split into a bunch of nations, known as the Seven Kings of Humanity, each with its own flavor, traditions, and strengths.

Among these nations, the Edenhart Kingdom was one of the Seven Kings of Humanity, and the Lacroix Family, a family known for their powerful mages, was the crown jewel of the kingdom. Their prestige wasn't just on par with the Imperial Family; in some ways, it even outshone it.

The mages of the Lacroix Family were famed for their exceptional magical prowess, knowledge of magic, and gatherer of magic tomes. Even the King of the Kingdom paid his respects to the Lacroix Family's Patriarch, Dunstan.

Dunstan, a man of formidable power, was the only Tenth Order Mage in the entire world. His abilities were a testament to the greatness of the Lacroix Family and held a significant place in the kingdom's history.

Yet, just across the borders in the nation of Veridia, another noble family, the Draegar, had risen to power. This family was renowned for producing exceptional swordsmen, and they were just as strong as the Lacroix Family.

Recently, the Draegar Family had experienced a meteoric rise in power and influence under the leadership of their current Patriarch, Viktor.

Viktor Draeger was a man of extraordinary strength, possessing the might of a Tenth Order Rank Warrior and briefly touching upon the level of a Demi-God. He was undeniably the world's strongest man, capable of performing feats that seemed impossible.

It was Viktor's overwhelming power and influence that had transformed the Draegar Family into a formidable force, rivaling the Lacroix Family in terms of martial prowess.

Veridia, the nation to which the Draegar Family belonged, was a federation known for its strong tradition of swordsmanship. The majority of the nation's support lay with the Draegar Family, making them the de facto rulers of the federation.

The rivalry between the Lacroix and Draegar Families ran deep, shaping significant events in the world. Their back-and-forth were like waves, rocking the boat of history.

However, the world wasn't merely defined by these two mighty nations. There were five other nations that comprised the Seven Kings of Humanity, each with its own unique characteristics.

In Naxoria, you'd find a vast desert stretching as far as the eye could see. The folks here were tough, scraping out a living in the harsh sands. They'd mastered the art of water conservation, turning their cities into oases amid the barren landscape.

In the realm of Glacial Peaks, a nation perched on snow-capped mountains, a natural fortress of eternal ice and snow existed. The people of Glacial Peaks were expert survivalists, thriving in the harshest of conditions. Snowstorms were a common occurrence, but they were also a source of protection, concealing their mountainous citadel from outsiders.

The Forest of Elyndor was a nation where humans coexisted with druids, mystical beings who were guardians of the ancient woodlands. Together, they protected the delicate balance of nature. The druids and humans had forged a unique bond, sharing their knowledge of magic and the secrets of the forest.

In the fiery valleys of Vulcanheim, humans lived alongside Dwarves, a race of skilled artisans and blacksmiths. The molten rivers and fiery mountains provided a bountiful source of resources, and the people of Vulcanheim were known for their craftsmanship and their mastery of forging both weapons and armor.

And in the sprawling islands of Corsairia, people were skilled seafarers, pirates, and traders. The islands were a haven for those seeking adventure on the high seas, and the Corsairians had a reputation for their prowess in naval warfare and exploration.

But the world was not just home to humans. It was a realm of incredible diversity, with many races coexisting and shaping the tapestry of existence.

Demons, Beastfolk who were not just savage creatures but intelligent and often stronger than their untamed counterparts, Dwarves, Elves, Druids, Gods, and many more races added layers of complexity to the world.

Demons were beings that often dwelled in the darker corners of the world. Their intentions were to cause chaos and bring out despair to all other races. Their presence was a source of both fascination and fear.

The Beastfolk were known for their physical prowess, unique abilities, and quick growth. Just like humans, they had developed their own societies and tribes where they lived. The land where the majority of the beastfolks resided was known as the Forbidden Land of Beastfolk.

Dwarves, masters of craftsmanship and engineering, delved deep into the heart of mountains to uncover treasures hidden within the earth. Their forges rang with the clang of hammer against anvil, producing weapons and armor of unparalleled quality.

Elves, with their ethereal beauty and affinity for magic, resided in the hidden realms of enchanted forests. They were guardians of ancient knowledge and preserved the nature around them.

Golds, beings of divine origin, were rarely seen by mortal eyes, but their influence was felt across the world. They often served as arbiters of cosmic balance and protectors of the realm. They were also the ones who actively fought against Demons and thwarted their evil schemes.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Adrian and his team currently resided in the outer city of Edenhart, known as Talbryn. Just two cities lay to the west of Talbryn before crossing the border into Vulcanheim, a land known for its fiery valleys and skilled blacksmiths.

Talbryn was one of the cities fortunate enough to be located near a dungeon, a place where savagely unintelligent monsters lurked.

These creatures were driven solely by instinct, and they sought to destroy any human they encountered. It was this dungeon that fueled the guild within the city, keeping it active and prosperous.

A dungeon wasn't just a hunting ground; it was an intricate and mysterious place. It consisted of multiple floors, each more dangerous than the last.

The deeper adventurers ventured, the more formidable the challenges they faced.

The way these dungeons were designed led to rumors that they were not created by human hands, but rather by divine influence, possibly even the work of the Gods themselves.

Adrian and his comrades had explored only the third level of the dungeon, a fraction of its depths. This was because they were all only at the Third Order Rank, limiting their exploration.

A few days after Adrian passed the age of eighteen, the city of Talbryn in which he was residing was suddenly attacked by the demons.

~~

The attack of the demons started with a series of planned explosions. The first explosion went off, followed by a second one ten seconds later, then another, and so on. This sequence continued until a total of seven explosions had rocked the city.

Out of these seven explosions, five had targeted the district where the city guards lived, and the remaining two were detonated in a bustling market.

Thankfully, Adrian and his comrades were safe from the blasts, as they had been inside their respective homes when the chaos erupted.

The thunderous sound and powerful shockwaves from the explosions rippled through the City of Talbryn, leaving no one unaffected.

As the reverberations still echoed in the air, Adrian rushed out of his home, his heart pounding.

He was met with a shocking sight – dark plumes of smoke rising from various parts of the city.

The city was plunged into chaos, the streets filled with panicked people trying to flee or find safety.

‘I need to get to those explosion sites and help anyone in need,’ Adrian muttered under his breath.

Without hesitation, he set off towards the nearest location where the explosions had taken place, a grim determination etched across his face.

With his well-trained body as a warrior, Adrian wasted no time reaching the site of the explosions.

The scene that unfolded before him was utterly terrifying.

The aftermath was grim, with many citizens lying lifeless and gruesome injuries inflicted on countless others. It was a harrowing sight, one that sent shivers down his spine.

Panic gripped the street, and amid the chaos, it seemed like everyone had forgotten to lend a hand to those in dire need.

As Adrian scanned the area, his eyes locked onto the faces of the injured and dead people whose lives had been torn apart in an instant.

Desperation was etched across their faces, their cries of pain and sorrow mingling with the confusion and fear that hung in the air.

“Someone, please, help me! My leg... I can't feel my leg!"

"My sister, she's not moving. Please, she needs help!"

"God, it hurts so much. I can't breathe. Help me!"

"Please, sir, my daughter is trapped under the rubble. You have to save her!"

"Why did this happen? Why? My shop, my livelihood, all gone..."

"My mother, she's not responding. Somebody, please check on her!"

"I don't know what to do. Everything's fallen on my father, and I can't move it alone."

Despite the overwhelming despair, Adrian steeled himself. He couldn't stand by and do nothing.

With sheer determination, he started to clear the rubble and rescue those trapped beneath it, one life at a time.

But this was just the beginning of a nightmarish ordeal for the City of Talbryn.

A resounding horn cut through the air, a sound that sent shivers down the spines of almost every resident in the city. It could mean only one thing – a demon attack.

Adrian's face tensed as the horn's wail reached his ears. His movements faltered for a moment as he pondered, 'I need to prepare. A Demon Raid is imminent.'

'But what about these injured people?' he thought, torn between his sense of duty and the impending threat.

He weighed his options. 'As a warrior of my rank, I can't make a significant difference in a battle against demons. But here, I can at least help these folks.'

In the end, Adrian made a resolute choice. He would remain here to aid the wounded.

Thus, Adrian remained at the scene, tirelessly aiding the injured, pulling them from the rubble and ensuring their safety.

As he noticed their wounds and he couldn't ignore the severity of their blood loss. He knew that without proper medical attention, they wouldn't survive. But he was no healer, and he lacked first aid supplies or elixirs.

'I should notify the nearest hospital branch about these people. They need immediate help.'

With determination, Adrian hastened to reach the hospital. However, when he arrived, he was met with a chaotic scene. The place was swarmed with people, all clamoring to access its services.

Adrian pushed his way through the crowd, eager to get help for the injured. It didn't take long for him to find a doctor to explain the dire situation.

The doctor quickly grasped the urgency and instructed nurses and interns to rush to the scene and tend to the injured.

With that predicament resolved, Adrian knew he had to act swiftly. He dashed towards the Primary Gate of Talbryn City.

The scene at the Primary Gate was a bustling frenzy, with adventurers, mercenaries, and the City Guards gathered.

Captain Roan of the City Guard surveyed the assembly with a determined expression. He shouted orders amidst the chaos. "All you folks in the artillery division, scramble up those walls and get those Magic Cannons ready to rain fiery hell on these demon scum! We're gonna blast 'em to kingdom come!"

A chorus of determined voices answered, "Yes, Sir!"

Captain Roan's commands continued to flow. "The first and third archer divisions, you hold your positions here. The rest, get your backsides up those walls and start launching a rain of arrows at those demons."

The mage divisions were next to receive their orders.

Captain Roan, with a grin, turned to the mage divisions. "Alright, wizards, time to show off your magical prowess. We've got a bunch of demon trouble, so do what you do best. Support, defense, offense – whatever it takes to protect our city!"

Captain Roan turned to one of the mages, clapping him on the shoulder. "Jim, you and your crew make those demons wish they'd never attacked our city. Roast 'em good."

Jim grinned with a touch of seriousness in his eyes. "You got it, Captain. They won't know what hit 'em."

Amid the organized chaos of battle preparations, a young mage piped up, "What about the summoners, Captain? Should we unleash some magical beasts on those demons?"

Captain Roan nodded with approval. "Good thinking! Let's give those demons a taste of their own medicine. Summoners, get your beasts ready for a demon showdown!"

Next were the warriors.

Captain Roan was in his element, his grizzled face bearing a fierce determination as he issued the next set of orders. "To the warriors and soldiers, hold your positions inside the city. Any demon that gets through, show them the might of Talbryn steel and the heart of our warriors. You are the last line of defense, and you will protect this city with your lives if need be!"

The warriors and soldiers, many of whom had seen their fair share of battles, exchanged grim nods and tightened their grips on their weapons.

As the warriors took their positions, a senior soldier turned to his younger comrades. "Listen up, lads. We've trained for this. Just remember your training, and these demons will rue the day they set foot in Talbryn."

The younger soldiers, filled with both fear and determination, nodded.

Amidst the fervent rally and preparations, the city of Talbryn was jolted by a bone-chilling sound—the unmistakable shattering of the magical barrier that had shielded the city from the outside world.

The eerie silence that followed was broken by the whispers and gasps of the city's defenders. The demons were breaking through, and the city's last line of defense was about to be tested.

Captain Roan's voice boomed over the clamor, "To your positions, now! We face the enemy at our doorstep. Archers, ready your arrows. Mages, prepare your spells. Artillery division, fire at will! Warriors and soldiers, stand fast! Let them come to us, and we'll show them the fury of Talbryn!"

In a seamless display of discipline, the defenders of Talbryn assumed their designated spots, focused on the impending threat. Archers drew their bows, mages channeled their magic, and the artillery division aimed their Magic Cannons at the demons who had breached magical barrier.

The dire magnitude of the demon threat became harrowingly clear as the infernal horde swarmed the city's boundaries.

Tens of thousands of demons, a nightmarish wave, emerged from the breach in the magical barrier. Their grotesque and twisted forms, emanating malevolence, filled the eyes of the defenders.

Amidst the city walls, Captain Roan, along with the assembled City Guards and adventurers, stood resolute, but their numbers were dwarfed by the overwhelming demonic force.

The defenders, valiant and resolute, could scarcely muster a thousand strong, a meager line of defense against the demon tide.

The battle that was about to unfold would go down in the annals of Talbryn's history as one of the most devastating raids the city had ever faced.