The world was drowning in a symphony of clashing steel and guttural, inhuman screams.
Beneath an oppressive, ink-black sky, the Kingdom of Calrat had been transformed into a sprawling slaughterhouse.
At the heart of the chaos stood the Demon Portal, a jagged rift in reality that bled shadows into the mortal realm.
The horizon was no longer defined by hills, but by the monstrous silhouettes of the Demonic Army and the thinning lines of the human defense.
The air hung heavy with the metallic tang of blood. High above the rear lines, the Mages began to weave their energy, manifesting massive, glowing Magic Arrays. From these seals, Pillars of Primordial Flame roared downward, vaporizing thousands of demons instantly and turning the soil into scorched glass.
Amidst the chaos, a wave of hope surged through the ranks. Soldiers looked toward the rear and gasped. "Look! The Church! For the first time, those stubborn priests are standing with us! They are actually fighting as our allies!" The sight of the secular army and the holy order united as one unbreakable wall sent a roar of joy through the battlefield.
As the smoke cleared, an even vaster wave of the Demonic Army surged from the portal. Just as the line began to waver,
a figure shot into the sky—a young woman named Seraphine. Her vibrant orange hair trailed like a comet, and her eyes were swirling galaxy-purple orbs. With a cold expression, she unleashed "The Incinerating Nova." A torrential wave of white-hot fire erased the demonic vanguard, leaving nothing but drifting ash.
The battlefield fell silent. A 6th Circle Archmage fell to his knees in shock. "Look at her eyes... She is a 9th Circle mage Worldweaver. To reach that level in a single year defies every law of magic!"
"The members of the Church were completely stunned upon witnessing this. They exclaimed in shock, 'Even our Saint, with all his divine power, does not possess such overwhelming strength! How can this girl be this powerful?
Seraphine landed softly on the scorched earth. Suddenly, Kaelen, a warrior with long black hair and burning red eyes, leapt from the army. He pointed his blade at her and roared, "Seraphine! Do you know how dangerous your magic is? Use less power! You're paralyzing everyone with fear!"
Seraphine tilted her head to the side, blinking her large, galaxy-purple eyes innocently. She puffed out her cheeks in a cute pout and said in a soft, defensive tone, "But Kaelen... I did use very little Mana.
I was being so careful! If I had used even a normal amount of Mana, this entire ground would have been blown away instantly. Only the portal would be left standing!"
Kaelen sighed, "Fine. Just handle this portal with care. I'm coming to join the fight." Seraphine gave a small smirk. "Yes, yes. But you... you're acting like a total madman right now."
"I'm just frustrated!" Kaelen barked. "Speaking of which, where is Ryan? I've been searching for him for hours across the sectors, but I couldn't find a trace. I saw your blast and rushed here, hoping he'd be leading the front."
Seraphine's expression turned serious. "Ryan? The 10th Rank Warrior? How does a man like that just vanish?"
"I don't know," Kaelen said, gripping his sword. "I'm his best friend, and I can't even find him."
Everyone on the battlefield was staring at the two of them. They were all thinking, "Are these two friends?" But the reality was different. They were not friends; they simply recognized each other, and nothing more.
Kaelen stood before the portal, his voice booming with the authority of a man who had nothing left to lose.
He turned to the gathered forces and roared, "Mages! Channel your magic! You people from the Church—I'm not asking, I'm ordering you to move! Warriors, grip your swords and prepare to strike!"
Just as his orders echoed across the field, the Group of Six arrived. "What a line," one of the girls laughed, shaking her head. "You should definitely write that in a book. It's almost too dramatic."
Dante Vane: The 9th Rank Aura Master with a withered, skeletal frame. He was shivering, saying if I died, I would haunt all of you as a ghost.
Zaria Thorne: a 7th rank Aura Master, The woman with a muscular build and yellow hair, who smacked him and said nobody is dying today.
Elara Moonwell: The Saintess, with hair as white as snow and piercing blue eyes.
Princess Iris von Calrat: A 6th Circle Mage with long blue hair and blue eyes.
Maya Sterling: The girl with brown hair and emerald-green eyes.she is 4th Circle mage, her gaze was the most focused.
Viktor Hexworth: The Master Magic Engineer, covered in potion belts, with massive Artificial Golems powered by Mana Crystals.
Viktor's eyes flashed with a manic light. "So many demons! Finally, I can test these Golems! Everyone stopped me before because they were afraid my machines were too dangerous. But now, no one can stop me! I'll unleash them across the field. Whoever dies, dies—I don't care!"
Kaelen stepped in to stop him. "Viktor, stop! We will not use these Golems like warriors to attack. We will use them as a Shield!"
Viktor paused, then nodded. Fine, fine I won't use the golem to fight. I used them like a wall.
I use them as a shield. Okay.
Viktor adjusted his gauntlet, locking the weapons. A massive blue energy barrier flared around the Golems. Forming an impenetrable wall. Seraphine hovered near the rift.
Kaelen raised his sword.
"THE SHIELD IS SET! LET'S MOVE! ATTACK!"