The warning echoed through every kingdom.
WARNING.
A Regional Lord has awakened.
For a brief moment...
The world seemed to hold its breath.
Then...
Everything changed.
---
Base 101
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Emergency update.
Regional monster migration has begun.
Multiple hordes detected.
Sam was already moving.
"Sound the alarm."
Before another word could be spoken...
The warning bell rang across the kingdom.
DONG!
DONG!
DONG!
Citizens looked toward the walls.
Soldiers rushed from every street.
Children were escorted toward the inner districts.
The peaceful kingdom transformed into a fortress within minutes.
---
Ben sprinted toward the training grounds.
"Vanguard!"
"Battle stations!"
A thousand soldiers assembled with remarkable speed.
Shields locked together.
Spears lowered.
Goblin Warriors marched into formation beside the human infantry.
Not one soldier objected.
Not anymore.
They had fought together.
Bled together.
Now...
They would defend their home together.
---
Mira hurried through the Medical District.
"Healers!"
"Prepare every treatment room!"
"Emergency teams to the walls!"
Potions were loaded into carts.
Stretchers were prepared.
Every member of the Medical Corps moved with practiced efficiency.
---
Zora climbed the eastern watchtower.
The Goblin Mage floated beside her.
Both raised their staffs.
Dozens of mana circles appeared above the walls.
"Barrier formation."
The Mage Corps answered together.
Blue light spread across Base 101.
A shimmering magical shield settled over the fortress.
---
Runa reached the western battlements.
Her archers were already waiting.
She smiled proudly.
"Looks like you've been paying attention."
One of the captains saluted.
"We're ready."
She nocked an arrow.
"Good."
"Today..."
"We protect our home."
---
Kael spun the Frost King's Spear once before planting its butt against the stone.
"The Spear Corps!"
Two hundred elite spearmen stood before him.
"Remember your training."
"Hold the line."
"If something reaches the walls..."
"It answers to us."
The soldiers roared.
"YES, CAPTAIN!"
---
George stood beside the unfinished Alliance Hall.
He looked toward the approaching horizon.
Workers gathered around him nervously.
George smiled.
"No panic."
"We keep building."
One builder blinked.
"During an attack?"
George nodded.
"If we stop building every time monsters appear..."
"We'll never finish anything."
Master Doran laughed.
"I suppose I'll keep forging, then."
The furnaces roared once more.
---
High above the walls...
Leon landed silently beside Sam.
The Shadow Scouts appeared one after another.
None of them had a scratch.
Leon spoke only three words.
"They're coming."
"Numbers?"
Leon looked toward the northern forests.
"More than before."
"Species?"
"Mixed."
"Wolves."
"Crystal Boars."
"Stone Apes."
"Mana Serpents."
He paused.
"And..."
His expression hardened.
"A new one."
Inside his mind...
Rex immediately responded.
Commander...
Unknown lifeform detected.
Classification unavailable.
Recommendation...
Extreme caution.
---
Far beyond the forests...
The trees suddenly exploded outward.
BOOM!
A massive horde surged from the wilderness.
Crystal Wolves.
Stone Apes.
Mana Serpents.
Crystal Boars.
Hundreds...
Became thousands.
Thousands...
Became tens of thousands.
They weren't charging randomly.
They were moving with purpose.
Toward Base 101.
---
Sam slowly drew Soul Reaver.
Black mana flowed along its silver runes.
The blade hummed.
Almost eagerly.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Estimated arrival...
Five minutes.
Sam raised Soul Reaver toward the approaching horde.
His voice carried across the walls.
"Today..."
"We remind the world..."
"...why this is humanity's strongest kingdom."
A roar erupted from every defender.
"FOR BASE 101!"
The earth shook beneath the advancing monsters.
The defenders stood firm.
And somewhere behind the endless horde...
A pair of glowing emerald eyes watched the battle about to begin.
Waiting.
Judging.
The Regional Lord had sent its first army.
And the Battle for Base 101...
Was about to begin.