The sky, a canvas of gloom painted with dark clouds pregnant with the promise of costly rain, bore witness to a fracture. From this celestial wound cascaded hundreds of ominous energy balls, each cradling a squadron of warriors.

Suddenly, six ominous figures in their obsidian armour and massive dark wings emerged side to side, Fray in the front fixed his gaze upon the spectacle unfolding.

Below, a sombre landscape unfolded—a torrential rain fell from the heavens, and a thick, foreboding mist clung to the air. Beneath the warriors, a dense forest sprawled, concealing secrets within its shadowy depths.

Behind this enigmatic woodland loomed a majestic and sinister structure, a colossal castle that pierced the towering trees.

The dark fortress was a labyrinth of intricate architecture, its brooding silhouette adorned with various sinister appendages. Massive walls enveloped it, bristling with cannon-like weapons, their dark muzzles pointing outward like accusing fingers.

Windows, resembling closed eyes, covered the entire expanse, shrouded in mystery. The castle's presence exuded an aura of malevolence, a looming testament to the shadows that dwelled within.

A vast river roared in front of the castle, its turbulent tide creating a cacophony that echoed through the desolate landscape. A worn wooden bridge, battered by time and the elements, connected the eerie forest to the foreboding stronghold.

The group keeping their guards up, descended upon the colossal trees, their dark wings slicing through the air as they surveyed the grim tableau below.

A sprawling forest unfurled beneath them, a theatre of impending doom, as nearly a thousand warriors faced off against inky black creatures reminiscent of the malevolent beings Fray and his companions confronted during the initial opening.

Screams and desperate cries filled the air as the warriors below grappled with the realization that their abilities had forsaken them. The dark creatures, manifestations of nightmares, moved with an eerie grace, weaving through the forest like phantoms attacking the powerless human from every side.

The scene unfolded in a symphony of despair—a cacophony of screams, pleas for help, and the eerie sounds of combat. The group above the scene could feel the weight of the darkness pressing down upon the beleaguered warriors, each struggling against the tide of maleficence.

As the cries of suffering echoed through the desolate landscape, a sudden intrusion disrupted the grim tableau. Digital windows materialized before the group, cold and impersonal against the backdrop of a world plunged into darkness.

The mission description glared at them, stark and unforgiving: [The Second challenge: annihilate the castle. The mission score will rely on the time to finish conquering the fortress and the rate of participation for each Clan.]

Despite the gloom that enveloped them and the anguished voices rising from below, the group stood stoically, their expressions unmoved by the pervasive despair. Casper, directed his attention to Fray, his tone excited. "So, what's the plan for this one, sir?"

Fray, his eyes reflecting the grotesque ballet of monsters on the battlefield, declared. "Our first goal will be to conquer the Castle."

"First goal!? Is there more!?" Adam's confusion cut through the ominous atmosphere.

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"Yes, this is just the first step, and we have to finish this today," Fray declared, his voice a tranquil undercurrent beneath the storm of uncertainty.

(One day!? Is he serious?) Sina, standing alongside the group, gazed at the horizon where the imposing fortress loomed. A silent dialogue unfolded within her thoughts, (Although I have no idea about what's inside, I'm sure it will be stronger than the thousands of monsters beneath. I'm not even certain if the entire duration of the challenge is enough to complete the mission,) she mused, casting a wary eye on the approaching horde.

"So what's our plan to attack the castle?" Elisa's inquiry cut through the internal musings of the group.

(Why is no one surprised by his words?) Rin, though maintaining a stoic facade, harboured a perplexed confusion.

Though Rin and Sina were aware of Fray's leadership as the head of the Merciless Clan they heard a lot about as the first group to enter the Old Continent, details about their goals and secrets remained elusive, so they were confused about Fray's confidence and the reason why exactly the rest of the group don't even doubt his words.

"Well, before everything, we should reach the Fortress. But fighting every monster in the way would be a waste of energy, so let's wait for them to open the path for us before moving," Fray suggested, his gaze fixed on the warriors below, desperately combating the monstrous onslaught.

"This unfortunate I wanted to move my muscles a little," Casper grumbled.

"Then I will deal quickly with the coming visitors," Elisa asserted, locking eyes with the approaching monsters that sensed their presence.

"No, this task will be for Sina and Rin. They need to gather experience points to build their bases," Fray said, turning his gaze towards Rin and Sina with an intensity that left no room for dissent. "Kill any creature that approaches this place, and keep your guards up. We will not save your lives."

. . .

Mya, her beauty a stark contrast to the dark chaos, stood with brown hair drenched by the relentless rain and eyes reflecting the desolation. Gripping her sword, she surveyed the nightmarish scene, her face pale. "Challenging was expected, but this... this is a nightmare. How are we to fight without our power?"

In the turmoil, the Guardian Clan, six warriors forming a desperate circle, battled the encroaching monsters. Lisa, fiery red hair framing her face, confronted the beasts head-on. "It's surprising that we've lost our power, but given this is already the second challenge, we never had the chance to strengthen ourselves in first mission who I believe was easier."

"It's those who call themselves the Merciless Clan. We must have entered the same portal they did in the first opening. Because of those bastards, we're thrust into the second challenge already," Ron, with short black hair and a simmering anger, muttered in frustration.

"Guys, hold back on that. We are the Guardians, the most talented among the young generation. We will conquer this challenge, and we'll do it before anyone else," Lucas, the second in command, asserted confidently.

"Yes, Lucas is right. Despair has no place here. We've faced more dangerous challenges. Let's save as many warriors as we can, then establish a plan to finish the mission," declared Luke, the team captain, his tone serious.

Hearing their leader's resolute words, the team gathered, expressions shifting from despair to hope. Despite the dire situation, they were the Guardian Team, humanity's strongest defenders. Losing hope wasn't an option.

Meanwhile, as Luke's words settled in, he turned to Aslin. Her long dark hair framed a face with wide black eyes and smooth skin, bearing a distant and complex expression. Luke sliced through an approaching monster before asking, "Aslin, are you alright?"

"Not sure. I sense something... uncomfortable," Aslin said, uncertainty in her voice.

"What is it? Fear? Don't worry, I've got your back," Luke reassured her with determination.

"No, it's not fear. It's a strange feeling, unexplainable. I got this feeling every time that person is close," Aslin spoke with a deep voice.

"What person!?" Luke's expression shifted to concern.

"Fray. I think he's close," Aslin uttered, her words hanging in the air like an ominous premonition.

. . .

Fray stood like a spectre atop the towering branch, his gaze fixed on Rin and Sina, a dynamic duo orchestrating a dance of death below.

Rin, a phantom in the dark, concealed his presence with a mastery born of silent shadows. Nestled in the corner of a gnarled tree, he became one with the obscurity. As two monstrous figures lumbered beneath him, their grotesque forms illuminated by the eerie glow, they remained oblivious to the hidden threat.

With predatory precision, Rin emerged from the shadows, wielding two dark daggers that seemed to drink in the night. He struck like a viper, piercing both monsters' skulls simultaneously, their grotesque faces contorting in agony. The forest remained draped in silence as Rin vanished once again, a wraith reborn in the obsidian night.

Above, Sina wielded a whip with a serpentine grace, standing at a lofty vantage point on the tree where Rin had concealed himself. Her eyes, pools of determination, scanned the surroundings. As the monsters approached, their heads became targets for her lethal precision.

With a swift and calculated motion, Sina lashed out, the whip coiling around the monstrous heads like a vengeful serpent. The forest echoed with the grotesque symphony of dying creatures. Rin, emerging once more from the shadows, ensured that any survivors met their end swiftly.

Fray's piercing gaze shifted to the looming castle then to the groups of warriors laboriously advancing through the ominous forest, the ground littered with the fallen.

Time had woven marking eight hours since their entry. As Fray examined his pocket watch, the hands silently ticking away the seconds, Fray turned to address the group.

"It's time for us to move," Fray declared.