The golden arrow pierced the sky.
It wasn't merely fast.
It seemed to erase the distance between heaven and earth.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A deafening shockwave rippled across the battlefield.
Every soldier instinctively looked up.
Every monster froze.
Even the Emerald Behemoth's ancient eyes widened.
"...Impossible."
The Skybreaker Arrow struck the center of the emerald sphere.
Not the surface.
Not the outer shell.
The hidden core.
For a heartbeat...
Nothing happened.
The battlefield fell silent.
Then—
CRACK...
A tiny fracture spread across the sphere.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds, thousands of glowing cracks raced across its surface like a spider's web.
The two remaining Crystal Sky Hunters shrieked in panic.
SKREEEEEEEEEE!!
Their mana became unstable.
The spell was collapsing.
Runa didn't lower her bow.
Her golden eyes remained fixed on the target.
"Now."
The Archer Corps already understood.
"Loose!!"
THOOOOOOOOOM!!
Thousands of mana arrows filled the sky.
The volley struck the fractured sphere from every direction.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each impact widened the cracks.
The Emerald Behemoth reached out with its massive arm.
It tried to stabilize the spell.
Too late.
The cracks reached the core.
A blinding emerald light exploded outward.
KAAAAAAAAABOOOOOOOOOM!!
The sphere shattered.
Millions of crystal fragments rained harmlessly across the battlefield like glittering emerald snow.
The attack that should have destroyed Base 101...
Never reached the walls.
For a moment...
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Then—
A roar erupted from the defenders.
"WE DID IT!!"
"The General stopped it!"
"General Runa!"
"GENERAL RUNA!!"
The chant spread across the battlefield.
Even the wounded soldiers slammed their weapons against their shields.
The walls shook with celebration.
---
Runa slowly lowered her bow.
The golden glow around her faded slightly.
She looked at the archers behind her.
Their faces were filled with pride.
Not because they had survived.
Because they had protected their home.
A small smile crossed her face.
"We held the line."
The Archer Corps answered as one.
"YES, GENERAL!"
---
Below the wall...
Ben laughed loudly.
"I knew she'd do it!"
Kael rested his Frost Spear on his shoulder.
"I owe her a drink after this."
Mira smiled as relief washed over her.
"I never doubted her."
Nearby, Zora looked toward the northern wall with admiration.
"She really became... a General."
The Goblin Archmage remained silent.
Its blue soul flames flickered once before it slowly lowered its staff, as if acknowledging Runa's achievement.
---
Standing at the center of the battlefield...
Sam looked toward the wall.
A proud smile appeared on his face.
"Congratulations..."
"General."
Rex spoke calmly inside his mind.
Commander.
Battlefield morale has increased by 37%.
Combat efficiency across Base 101 has risen significantly.
Sam nodded.
"That's the power of a true leader."
---
High above...
The two surviving Crystal Sky Hunters cried out in fear.
Without the sphere's support, their formation collapsed.
One tried to flee.
It never got the chance.
Runa drew another arrow.
There was no hesitation.
No wasted movement.
Only absolute confidence.
"Skybreaker Arrow."
WHOOSH!
The golden arrow flashed across the heavens.
A heartbeat later...
It pierced straight through the fleeing Sky Hunter.
SKREEEEEE...
The monster's cry faded as its crystal body exploded into countless shards.
The last surviving Sky Hunter faltered.
Fear.
A monster had learned fear.
---
Far below...
The Emerald Behemoth slowly clenched its enormous fists.
Its calm expression disappeared.
For the first time since the battle had begun...
It stood.
The ground trembled beneath its colossal body.
Ancient mana erupted from within its crystal armor.
Its voice echoed across the Emerald Wildlands.
"So..."
"You truly are worthy."
It took its first step toward Base 101.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The earth split apart.
Trees were uprooted.
Mana storms erupted around its feet.
Every soldier felt the overwhelming pressure of a true Regional Boss.
Inside his mind, Rex's voice became solemn.
Commander.
The Emerald Behemoth has entered the battlefield.
The true battle... begins now.