Meanwhile, Isabella and Cecilia experienced a similar situation.
They, too, saw a group of monkeys carrying variously sized blaststones to their respective fortresses.
The three of them understood that, although they couldn't see each other's fortresses, these local creatures could traverse the distances.
The varying distances didn't matter much.
John had already informed them beforehand, so Isabella and Cecilia calmed their people and allowed the monkeys onto the battlements.
After all, having some helpers was beneficial for them.
Soon, the time came for the monsters to attack the fortresses again.
As the thunderous sound of their approach grew louder, John saw the monsters advancing from a distance, growing closer.
He keenly noticed that these monsters seemed slightly larger than the previous day.
Before the monsters even reached the walls, everyone began unleashing their skills.
With the help of the little monkeys, many monsters were killed about 50 meters away from the fortress walls.
Despite their small and thin appearance, the little monkeys had astonishing strength in throwing the blaststones.
They hurled the stones directly into the midst of the monsters, causing explosions that devastated the enemy ranks.
But John also noticed that these monsters seemed to have higher defenses.
Even his skills couldn't wipe out large swaths of them as effectively as before, and the area of effect was smaller.
Using his identification skill, he saw that the monsters were now lv32.
It seemed he was right; each day, the monsters were becoming more formidable.
By the tenth day, would they all be platinum-tier?
Others noticed this as well and began to feel anxious.
If all the monsters reached lv40, how would they fight them?
However, no one dared to voice their concerns aloud.
They knew John's temperament well.
If they angered him, the consequences wouldn't be simple.
With monsters still attacking, they didn't want to be thrown into the fray below.
After the day's attack ended, John handed the extracted crystals to the big monkey.
The big monkey chittered a few times at John and then led the little monkeys away.
Everyone watched the monkeys leave in amazement.
What had seemed like a very dangerous situation had turned into an advantageous alliance.
They looked at John with newfound respect and admiration.
Truly, he was an extraordinary commander.
Fortunately, John was leading the first fortress!
The gruesome scene caused many to tremble uncontrollably, instinctively retreating in a desperate attempt to flee.
This panic led to people pushing and shoving each other, causing many to fall to the ground, where they were promptly snatched up by diving monsters!
These creatures carried their victims higher into the sky and then dropped them abruptly.
Splat!
The impact left the victims as nothing more than splattered remains, beyond any hope of rescue or resurrection.
"Calm down! Fight as we've trained! Maintain your battle formations, don't panic!"
"Battle groups, arrange yourselves as I directed before!"
"Do not panic! Priests, focus on dispelling and healing! Move the ranged DPS to the rear!"
Archibald shouted at the top of his lungs, but the chaos around him drowned out his voice.
Some people had already succumbed to mental attacks, stumbling around in a daze.
John quickly ran up the city walls, witnessing the chaotic scene before him.
He immediately lit some Aloeswood!
Its distinctive fragrance spread, snapping many people out of their stupor.
Realizing the monstrous threat around them, they were initially startled but soon regained their composure and began fighting back.
They soon noticed that some monsters had already scaled the walls, while flying creatures were continually attacking from above.
Though the aerial monsters' attacks were relatively simple—grabbing people and then dropping them fatally—their impact was deadly.
"This won't work! We won't be able to hold out much longer!"
Archibald shouted upon seeing John.
Without hesitation, John responded.
"Activate the shield!"
[Shield activation successful.]
[Current shield durability is 100%, decreasing by 10% per hour. Durability drops faster when under attack. Please replenish energy stones promptly.]
Boom...
In the next second, a massive pale blue barrier spread from the fortress's high platform, extending outward.
The flying monsters touched by the barrier let out wails and were instantly reduced to ashes!
At the same time, all the monsters on the walls were completely eradicated!
So this is the shield? Its effect is incredible!
Seeing the surrounding monsters vanish, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
But John, watching the shield's durability drop rapidly, clenched his teeth.
Not only did monster attacks reduce the shield's durability, but even the contact with monsters during its expansion caused the durability to drop!
The shield had been active for only a few seconds, yet its durability had already fallen to 96%!
This wasn't just a shield; it was a money-burning machine!