Ethan’s eyes narrowed as he listened intently.
He knew that such a call meant the situation was dire, and time was of the essence..
He decided to go and check the situation for himself. What if the beasts breaks in and threaten their Safety once again?
“Iris, I should go and check the situation,” Ethan said, his voice calm and measured. He glanced at Iris and the others. “You should stay here and watch over them.
Iris started to protest, concern etched on her face. “No Ethan, you shouldn’t go alone. Let me…”
But Ethan shook his head firmly. “No, it’s better if I go alone. I can move faster on my own, and there’s no time to waste. If this is as bad as it sounds, we’ll need to move out of form here quickly as possible.”
Ethan’s determination to protect those he cared for pushed him to act quickly. As he made his way toward the source of the emergency, the urgency of the situation weighed heavily on him.
The possibility of the beasts breaking through and threatening the safety of his companions and the people in the city spurred him on.
Iris, left behind, was conflicted. Watching Ethan disappear into the distance, her thoughts drifted to her own aspirations. She had always dreamed of becoming a Saintess, inspired by the legendary Radiant Saintess Lumenaria—a goddess of beauty and grace.
But now, doubt crept into her heart. Was she truly on the right path? Could she be of more help if she focused on something else?
As the evening sky dimmed, Iris pondered her future, wondering if she could ever reach the heights of her idol or if her current path would lead her to the same greatness.
Ethan hurried toward the source of the announcement, weaving through a crowd of hunters who were also heading in the same direction. The group was diverse, composed of people from all walks of life. Some were young like him, eager and determined.
Others were middle-aged men and women, seasoned by years of experience. Finally, there were the elderly veteran hunters, their faces lined with the scars of countless battles. Despite their differences, they all shared the same purpose—to protect the city with everything they had.
In moments of extreme danger, personal differences faded away, replaced by a unified mindset and spirit. Each hunter was ready to sacrifice their life to ensure the safety of their loved ones.
As Ethan pushed forward, a familiar voice cut through the noise. “Hey, Ethan, slow down a bit.”
He stopped and turned, scanning the bustling environment. He soon spotted Cedric, Yona, and Marcus approaching from behind, their steps hurried, their faces a mix of worry, anxiety, and determination.
Ethan furrowed his brows as they caught up. “You guys?” he asked, surprise evident in his voice. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to join as well? What are you doing here? Don’t you have family at home? It’s going to be incredibly dangerous out there.”
He eyed their gear, noting how prepared they seemed. The ferocious beasts they were about to face were unlike anything from the dungeons, which were designed to train humans for the real threats outside. These beasts were in a league of their own—unpredictable, powerful, and armed with abilities no one fully understood.
According to the latest information, there were tens of thousands of them. Not even Ethan was certain if he could handle the coming battle, so seeing his friends ready to join took him by surprise.
Cedric, who usually wore a carefree expression, looked at Ethan with a seriousness that was rare. “We know the risks, Ethan,” he said firmly. “But we’re not just going sit alone, while you fight alone. We knew you would surely join in this, that’s why we came.”
“Don’t worry, Our families are at the camp, and that’s exactly why we’re here. We have to do everything we can to protect them.”
Yona nodded, her usual calm demeanor replaced by a steely resolve. “Ethan, besides that we are also here to take revenge for Marcus.” She said while eyeing Marcus, who seemed really angry and frustrated for some reason.
Ethan brows furrowed. “Revenge for Marcus? What happened? Did something happened to his family?”
Cedric replied shaking his head, “No, It’s actually.. How should I say it.. His girlfriend had died at hand of the beasts. It was really brutal.” He whispered slowly to Ethan in low voices.
“His girlfriend died? How unfortunate!” Feeling sympathetic, Ethan sighed and patted on Marcus’s shoulder.
“Marcus, I know your rage is justifiable, but you need to stay calm. Don’t get your hate consume you,” Ethan advised.
It sounded so hypocritical coming from someone’s mouth who couldn’t control his own emotions in rage.
Marcus looked at Ethan despairingly. “H-How Ethan? How can stay calm? They took my everything from me. She was the light of my life. Her laughter still echoes through my ears.” Marcus’s eyes turnes red while remembering the the past.
“How can I forget her warmth? The last time I saw her, she was so happy and cheerful, but now…” Marcus’s tears began to fall like a dam being broken.
“I am going to kill all of them!” He said fiercely, as he wiped his teardrops that was about fall on the ground. “Ethan, are you not going to help me?”
“Sigh..!” Exasperated, Ethan replied, “Of course, why not? All of us wants to do the same. But, you need to calm down.”
Ethan recalled the kind Innkeeper Greta’s severed arm, and resolved himself to kill those fierce beasts — especially the demons who were behind this attacks.
Afterward, they quickly resumed their pace and reached the frontline within minutes. As they approached, they were met with a formidable sight: rows upon rows of knights, archers, and hunters, each organized by their rank and ready for battle. The air was thick with anticipation, and every combatant’s weapon was at the ready, their eyes locked on the horizon where the enemy would soon appear.
The army was arranged into three distinct defense lines, each reflecting the combatants’ skill level and experience. At the forefront stood the S and A-Rank powerhouses, forming the first line of defense. These were the most powerful beings, known for their exceptional strength and battle prowess.
At the front stood the sole S-Rank powerhouse of Arcadia City, Longus Emberion, the city lord. His imposing figure commanded immediate respect and attention. Beside him were the representatives of the five great noble clans—clan leaders and esteemed elders—each adorned in their clan’s regalia, signifying their high status and authority.
Among them were also several notable A-Rank powerhouses, distinguished individuals who, although not affiliated with any noble clan, had earned their place through extraordinary achievements and formidable prowess. This elite assembly formed the foremost line of defense, embodying the pinnacle of strength and leadership in the city.
Their position at the front was no accident; they were there to take on the most formidable foes and absorb the heaviest blows. Their weapons were finely crafted, their armor reinforced, reflecting their status as the elite. This front line was designed to be an impenetrable wall, capable of withstanding even the fiercest onslaught of the high level beasts.
Behind them, the second line consisted of B and C-Rank hunters. These hunters, though not as powerful as those in the front, were still formidable in their own right. Their role was to provide crucial support to the vanguard, reinforcing the line where needed and ensuring that any breaches were quickly sealed.
Aria and some her fellow companions were present in this section, and Ethan noticed her immediately because of her striking features. She was like a crane amongst a flock of chickens, standing out with her beautiful white combat dress. Although she didn’t noticed Ethan yet, her eyes were darting around as if in search of certain someone.
They were arranged in a staggered formation, allowing them to easily move forward or back as the situation demanded. This line of defense was also responsible for maintaining the momentum of the battle, pushing forward when the opportunity arose or holding the line if the enemy attempted to break through.
Finally, the third rank was made up of D and E-Rank hunters. These hunters, though less experienced, were far from insignificant. Positioned at the rear, their role was to protect the flanks and ensure that the army’s formation remained intact.
They were also responsible for providing support to the ranks ahead of them, ready to step in if casualties occurred or if additional strength was needed.
This rank served as a reserve force, their primary task being to maintain the integrity of the army’s structure and to provide a final line of defense should the enemy break through the higher ranks. Ethan and his friends were organised in this last section, due to their low ranks.
The formation was a testament to careful planning and strategy. By positioning the strongest warriors at the front, the army ensured that the most dangerous threats were met with the greatest force.
The B and C-Rank fighters provided essential reinforcement, while the D and E-Rank warriors ensured that no gap went unguarded. This layered approach allowed the army to adapt to the ebb and flow of battle, with each rank ready to step up and take enemies head on.
This strategic arrangement maximized the strengths of each rank, ensuring that the army could withstand the enemy’s assault while minimizing the risk of casualties because of their own power gap.
