Chapter 60: Chapter 61: The Battle Of Survival (2)

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the once warm glow of the evening gave way to the cold embrace of the approaching night. Nearly 10,000-15,000 combatants stood in formation outside the temporary walls of Arcadia City, their expressions a mix of emotions.

For many, this was a moment of truth—a battle that would determine not just the fate of the city but also the destiny of countless lives.

The tension in the air was discernible. Some soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, knuckles white, nerves fraying at the edges. Others stood tall, their faces set with grim determination, eager to unleash their skills in battle any moment.

Among them, Marcus's eyes were a storm of rage and sorrow, his teeth clenched as he struggled to contain the tempest of emotions roiling within him. Ethan noticed his friend's barely contained fury and couldn't help but worry. What if Marcus's grief drove him to reckless action? The last thing they needed was for one of their own to fall because of unchecked rage.

Cedric and Yona, standing close by, exchanged uneasy glances. This was their first time participating in such a large-scale war, and the sheer magnitude of the moment weighed heavily on them. The promise of 200 gold coins for their participation was a tantalizing reward, but it did little to soothe their nerves.

They knew that no spoils could be claimed, as the city government had made it clear that all loot belonged to them—a necessary measure to ensure the city's financial stability after the war. The cost of compensating the combatants was already staggering; the thought of tens of millions of gold coins exchanging hands was mind-boggling.

"Rumble..!"

Suddenly. The sky, which had been clear just moments before, suddenly darkened as thick clouds rolled in, blotting out the last vestiges of sunlight. A low rumble of thunder echoed across the battlefield, sending a shiver down the spine of every soldier present. The evening, already dim, was now plunged into near-total darkness.

Cedric's voice broke the tense silence, filled with unease. "They're here, but how are we supposed to fight in the dark? I can't see anything—can you guys?" He looked around, but all he saw were the shadowy outlines of his allies, their faces barely visible in the gloom. Nearby soldiers echoed his concern, their voices tinged with fear.

As if in response to their anxiety, a powerful voice rang out from the front, booming like a clap of thunder. It was City Lord Longus, his commanding presence unmistakable even in the dark.

"Sunfire Crow (S)!" he bellowed, his voice carrying over the ranks of soldiers.

In an instant, the sky was ablaze with light. A massive, fiery crow appeared above them, its wings outstretched as it soared through the air. The creature radiated an intense heat, turning the battlefield into a scene bathed in the warm, golden glow of a second sun.

Their forked tongues flicked out, tasting the air for the scent of blood. Even the more ordinary beasts, such as Great Horned Elk, Hulking Bears, and Swift-Footed Stags seemed to have lost their natural instincts, their eyes glazed over with a shared, terrifying focus.

Despite their differences, these creatures were united, driven by a dark, commanding force that bent them to its will. They moved in perfect unison, their individual instincts overridden by a collective, relentless drive to follow the Obsidian Terrors into battle.

It was as if they were drawn to the towering behemoths, compelled to march alongside them as extensions of the Terrors' wrath. This unnatural alliance of beasts, each more fearsome than the last, created a tidal wave of destruction that threatened to overwhelm anything in its path.

As the beasts drew closer, their numbers became more apparent—thousands, no perhaps 30 thousands or so, of them, all converging on the city with a single purpose: destruction.

The ground shook with the force of their approach, and a primal fear gripped the hearts of even the bravest soldiers. Yet, despite the terror that these creatures invoked, the archers held their ground, fingers steady on their bowstrings.

Ethan felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him. This was the battle that would decide everything. There was no turning back now. He glanced at Cedric, Yona, and Marcus, who stood by his side, their faces set with determination.

"Fire!" The Knight Commander bellowed from the front.

"Swish...Swoosh.."

Instantly thousands of arrows flew through the air, a deadly rain aimed straight at the advancing horde. The skills embedded in the arrows activated mid-flight, creating a dazzling display of light and energy. Arrows of lightning struck down beasts, electricity coursing through their bodies and causing them to collapse in convulsions.

Others were pierced by arrows imbued with explosive force, detonating on impact and sending fragments of the creatures scattering across the battlefield. Flames roared as fire-tipped arrows ignited the air, turning the front lines into a blazing inferno.

One by one the smaller beasts began to fall, their bodies lifeless.

Then, driven by instinct, or maybe some unknown command, the Obsidian Terrors stepped forward and repelled the attacks with their sheer bodies defense alone. Their defenses were really tough. The arrows couldn't even connect to their bodies, as if repelled by some kind of invisible aura.