Sora canceled the effects of his elemental skills, the clouds dissipating as he moved toward the ongoing battle where his allies were locked in combat with the remaining Dark Elves.
He could see that the enemy fighters, though clearly outnumbered and overpowered, battled with an unwavering resolve. None of them showed signs of surrender.
Their fierce determination surprised him. It didn’t seem to be born of hatred —if anything, their expressions held a certain purpose, as if this war wasn’t about defeating humans but achieving something greater.
Sora shook his head, dispelling the unease creeping into his mind. ’Whatever their reason, it doesn’t change anything,’ he thought. ’As long as they’re attacking us, we have no choice but to fight back with everything we have.’
With that resolve, he joined his allies, helping cut down the last of their foes, all while pushing aside the questions lingering in the back of his mind.
Soon after, Sora received a notification:
[Your Battalion won a Battalion War. +1000 points.]
[XP Gained: War Experience Boost x5]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
Sora and Kara leveled up, reaching level 75. Just as they adjusted to the surge of new power, they found themselves teleported back to their original positions. However, the atmosphere had changed drastically.
Earlier, the stands had been filled with lively cheers and excitement each time a battalion returned victorious, giving the impression that this was just an intense competition. But now, aside from a few players who nodded in silent congratulations, the crowd was quiet.
The mood among the soldiers had transformed entirely. The final battle was imminent, and the reality that death would be permanent this time added a pressure that had been absent before.
For many, fighting without the threat of true death had been exciting—a chance to level up quickly and return home as local powerhouses. But those who had joined the war solely for growth soon realized that there was no escape; any attempt to leave the PvP event would be counted as treason, with the penalty being death.
The thrill had vanished, replaced by tension. Small groups formed, and hushed conversations filled the air.
"I was level 70 when I joined the war in the first week, and now I’m at level 84. I always saw this war as some sort of incredible opportunity," said Suraj, a team leader, his voice trembling slightly. "But now, I’m starting to feel scared. What if we’re wiped out in the final battle?"
Mirai, another team leader in her late twenties, replied, "I felt the same at first. I came here for the chance to get stronger, and quit soon after the first fights but it’s too late to think about that now. We have to trust the General and the others. And we’ve got those monster rookies—maybe they’ll turn the tide for us?"
Suraj sighed heavily. "Don’t forget, with the points they have, they’ll make it a living hell for us. Haven’t you heard about the war in Madagascar last year? They lost because of the debuffs they couldn’t overcome despite having the advantage in large scale battles."
Mirai looked at him, concern clear in her eyes. "I hope the points earned by the 5th Battalion can reduce some of that pressure. They might be the key to us surviving this."
They both fell silent, knowing that no matter how flawlessly they fought, they were still behind. The final results of the "buy phase" would reveal what each side could use to gain the advantage.
Overhearing similar conversation, Sora checked the final standings as he approached the colonels and General Asami.
Battle results of Week 4:
[Forest Jump]: Boosts all troops’ endurance by 30%, allowing them to sustain combat for longer periods.Price: 5,000 points
[Speed Buff]: Increases all troops’ movement and attack speed by 50%, enhancing their agility in battle.Price: 5,000 points
[Suppression]: Lowers the level of all enemies by one upon entering the battlefield.Price: 3,000 points (Stock: 5)
After reviewing the larger buffs, Sora scanned through a variety of individual buffs and items that could provide targeted enhancements.
[Revival Token]: Allows the player to reappear at any Adventurer’s Guild within faction territory for revival upon death.Price: 100 points
[Damage Immunity Token]: Grants immunity to damage for one minute, during which the player cannot deal damage.Price: 100 points (Stock: 100)Hint: Any abilities involving reflection, damage transfer, or damage-taking for others are nullified during this period.
[Crowd Control Immunity Token]: Grants immunity to crowd control effects for one minute.Price: 100 points (Stock: 100)
[Level Up Token]: Temporarily boosts the player to the next level for the duration of the battle.Price: 100 points (Stock: 100)Hint: Effective only up to level 80.
[Speed Token]: Provides a 50% increase in movement and attack speed for three minutes.Price: 100 points (Stock: 100)
Looking over the options, Sora felt the weight of their decisions bearing down on them.
There were countless ways they could enhance their chances—or potentially devastate their enemies. He couldn’t help but linger on the [Level Up Token] and [Crowd Control Immunity Token] options. They were tempting tools, ones that could shift the odds in their favor.
The sheer variety of buffs and debuffs available allowed them to prepare for every situation, but it was equally frustrating to have so few points to spend.
The atmosphere was thick with tension as Lois continued, her tone sharp and resolute. "Every decision now could mean the difference between victory and defeat on the battlefield."
She looked around the room, her gaze intense. "As you all know, we need to set our goals carefully. We’ll purchase items and buffs based on those objectives. Then, we’ll analyze the Dark Elves and try to anticipate their moves."
Lois took a breath, then said, "Before we dive in, I need to inform you of an order from the Adventurer’s Guild. We’re to buy a few [Revival Tokens] for the most talented individuals in case of defeat. These people will also serve as witnesses to the war and bring back valuable information to our Kingdom. We can’t afford to lose everything — even if we fall, someone must live to tell our story."
The room was quiet, the meaning of her words sinking in. Many of the troops had seen the [Revival Tokens] in the shop, and it would be a lie to say they hadn’t been tempted. Each of them wanted to believe they might survive this war.
Sora’s thoughts turned to Kara. ’I don’t need the Token thanks to my [Prestige] skill, but Kara... Kara needs to survive.’ He resolved to push for a token for her. ’Surely, we can at least ask for 100 points, right?’
Looking around, he noticed the gazes of many high ranked players changing, as if they were eyeing a few specific items ...
Asami’s voice cut sharply through the quiet, dispelling any doubts. "I don’t care what any of you are thinking right now. No colonel will enter this battle expecting a ticket home. Those tokens will be for Captains and Vice-Captains, not us. Colonels and Generals shouldn’t fear death, and we shouldn’t fight with a safety net."
She cast a cold gaze over the room. "I’ve also seen some of you Captains eyeing that list a little too greedily. Set your personal ambitions aside. For this battle, I expect nothing less than loyalty and bravery. You can propose someone for a token, but it won’t be yourselves. We won’t buy more than a few [Revival Tokens]. This topic is closed."
Her words were harsh but true, and they were a reminder of the gravity of their task. The captains, now sobered, accepted her words with silent nods.
Lois took over again, her voice calm yet determined. "You’ve heard the General. We’re fighting for victory, not for individual gain. Anyone who can’t accept that is welcome to leave this meeting— or we might as well use that [White Flag] and surrender. Now, let’s spend every point on maximizing our chances, no matter what it takes."
They all knew what that meant. Today, they were warriors first and players second.