Chapter 17: The Monster Tide (1)
After enrolling with the Adventurers Guild, Rasoul wasted no time and eagerly inquired about snagging a mission. They were pointed towards a room near the counter, where a bustling crowd was signing up for various quests. At a different counter, Rasoul approached a young man to check out the available missions.
"We're up for a mission, and the name is Supreme Nexus," Rasoul confidently stated.
The young man handed them a binder containing a plethora of available missions. Rasoul deftly flipped through the pages, picked one that caught their interest, and presented it to the counter attendant. As the mission details unfolded, a spark of admiration flickered across the young man's face.
'Looks like Princess Vina's influence runs deeper than I imagined. The kingdom truly holds her in high regard,' Rasoul mused.
"Are you certain about this mission? The word is, the monster tide has already kicked off. There's a chance it'll be all wrapped up by the time you arrive," the counter guy warned, wearing a defeated expression. The odds against Princess Vina and her team seemed impossible, and their survival prospects appeared bleak—a seemingly futile effort.
Rasoul, however, stood firm. "I'm no pushover, but broadcasting death vibes is a real morale killer for those still up for the challenge. This battle isn't just a numbers game. What if a powerhouse decides to back them up, like in Archany City? Even when hope seems lost, I refuse to believe the universe would turn its back on someone as brave as Princess Vina," he retorted with a touch of pride.
"Sure, it's a 6-hour trek from the capital to Orange Field City. With the Monster Tide already en route, making it on time seems improbable," the counter guy reiterated. He had already marked the campaign to save Orange Field City as a lost cause.
"That's only if the three of us decide to play it safe. Many have rallied behind her, showing their belief in Princess Vina. That belief alone is potent enough for them to hold the fort while we join in. So, if you're done with the doomsday predictions, how about you get the mission registered so we can hit the road? We've got a solid 6 hours to cover."
However, those eavesdropping on the exchange felt a surge of energy. It wasn't that they were afraid to join; it just seemed like a lost cause. Even with the speediest horse, reaching the battlefield in 4 hours seemed improbable. Yet, Rasoul's words struck a chord, causing many to reconsider their choices.
"That's quite brave of you, but if you're set on it, I won't stand in your way. Here's your mission tracker; it registers your participation in the battle. It's a fail-safe against any foul play during the fights. If, by some miracle, you make it through, make sure to return it," the counter guy explained, handing Rasoul a compact tablet.
Rasoul accepted the tablet, and they promptly exited the guild. Once outside, he shared the reason behind heading to Orange Field with his Subordinates. Leaving the city behind, they set out on their journey. Ensuring no one trailed them, Lara and Sabrat transformed into their beast forms, and Rasoul mounted Lara.
Their speed surged noticeably. Rasoul then accessed the system's store.
******
In Orange Field City, a ferocious battle unfolded. The unyielding monster tide pressed forward, and the small military, alongside Princess Vina and her forces, employed diverse tactics to defend the city. Seven hours earlier, when the monsters approached, the army unleashed long-range weapons to counter their overwhelming numbers.
Their defense strategy was straightforward. They initiated with long-range weapons, leveraging the advantage to eliminate as many monsters as possible. Archers took over as the monsters closed within 400 meters of the city walls. The final line of defense consisted of combat specialists engaging the monsters when they approached within 200 meters of the walls.
This strategy held its ground for seven hours, but Princess Vina and the other combat specialists stepped up as the monsters began to break through. Spells soared through the air as they clashed with various types of monsters. The intensity of the battle was so immense that lives were snuffed out in an instant. They fought with every ounce of their strength, some resorting to their Trump cards since holding back such abilities was futile against the overwhelming sea of monsters.
The stakes skyrocketed when Alpha and Great Beasts entered the fray. Their presence aggravated the situation, causing more soldiers and adventurers to meet their demise.
The disciplined soldiers, molded by their rigorous training, maintained their composure. However, panic seized the adventurers, shattering their formation and resulting in a rising death toll. The battle pressed on for another two hours. Vina and Vera fought shoulder to shoulder, dispatching hundreds of monsters to the afterlife.
Stress set in as the soldiers began to tire. Those not versed in hand-to-hand combat grabbed weapons and jumped into the melee, striving to hold the monsters at bay for a few precious minutes, allowing the combat specialists to catch their breath. It was an arduous task, but they persisted. Many fell in the line of duty, yet others pressed on with unwavering determination. The unrelenting onslaught tested the resilience and courage of those defending the city.
******
[Welcome to the system store, Host]
[Select the Category you want to explore]
[Cultivation Manuals] [Weapons] [Protective Gear] [Potions & Pills] [Alchemy] [Runesmith] [Formations & Arrays] [Artifacts]
-[Weapons]
>[Armors]
>[Swords]
>[Daggers]
>[Long Range Armaments]
>[Bombs]
>[Traps]
[Select the section you want]
->[Bombs]
--Arcane Smoke Bomb: 10000 FP
>>Creates dark mist smoke that blinds the opponent for 30 seconds.
>>It also lowers their senses as they breathe it.
--Mega Star Bomb: 10000 FB
>>Creates hundreds of stars that detonate on impact.
--Mana Bomb: 10000 FB
>>It uses mana in the air to spread heat that burns targets' health and Mana Reserve.
--Termite Bomb: 30000 FP
>>It spreads tiny nanites that eat the target from the inside.
'Are these the only bombs you have? Rasoul inquired; he wanted some overpowered bombs.
[If you want high-level bombs, then increase your cultivation base and complete the quest; more options will unlock]
'I want to buy 1000 Arcane Smoke Bombs, 1000 Mega Star Bombs, 1000 Mana Bombs, and 3000 Termite Bombs.'
[Purchase complete]
[Does the host wish to purchase any other thing]
'No, just send 400 of each bomb type to my subordinates' space rings.'
[It'll cost 90000 Fire Points.]
'Just do it.
[Purchase complete.]
-------------
-[Potions & Pills]
>[Potions]
>[Pills]
->[Potions]
--Mana Potions: 1000 FP
--Stamina Potion: 1000 FP
--Health Potion: 1000 FP
Also, buy 1000 Mana Potions, 1000 Stamina Potions, and 1000 Health Potions.
[Purchase complete.]
'Put them in another space ring.
------------
-[Formations & Arrays]
>[Formations]
>[Arrays]
->[Arrays]
--Defence Array: 20000 FP
'Seriously, only defense array. This is a joke.
"Buy 100 Desfense arrays.
[Purchase complete]
--------
After purchasing 100 Defence Arrays, Rasoul was prepared to fortify the city upon their arrival.
The expenditure of 65,000,000 Fire points was deemed necessary for the defense and well worth it.
*****
"The monster tide has been raging for a solid 8 hours now. It won't be much longer before she succumbs to those monsters. Her luck is bound to run out," a mysterious figure in a mask commented, addressing a young man seated with his legs crossed.
"Oh, dear Sister, your demise will be a tragedy, but fear not; the entire kingdom will sing your praises for the selfless act of saving thousands," the young man said, a self-satisfied grin on his face.
This young man was the First Prince of the Sundance Kingdom. He held a grudge against Princess Vina due to her potential. Being selfless, the king declared that his successor wouldn't necessarily be one of the princes; he would choose the one he deemed most fit to rule the kingdom. With her intelligence and selfless character, Princess Vina earned widespread admiration. She had established orphanages across the kingdom, offering a home to many children orphaned by wars.
Her influence extended to all the princes and princesses; however, the first prince resorted to underhanded tactics to undermine her. Previous attempts to assassinate her had failed. Yet, upon learning of the monster tide, the first prince saw an opportunity to eliminate the princess without getting his hands dirty, exploiting the natural peril of the tide as cover.
"Soon, there won't be anyone standing between me and the crown," he declared, grinning from ear to ear, eagerly anticipating news of the princess's alleged demise in the ongoing monster tide.
*****
On the battlefield, the ferocity of the struggle reached unprecedented heights, but the toll of casualties continued to rise. Despite their valiant efforts, the defenders grappled against the overwhelming horde of monsters.
"Vira, you should retreat to the city and save yourself. This is a lost cause. We can't hold out any longer. You've given your all," Princess Vina uttered, visibly tired yet persisting in wielding her sword.
Vira then responded, "Have I ever shared with you why I chose to follow and serve you?" Vira asked, sweat streaming down her body. "When I turned 10, my mother instructed me to become your maid. Naturally, I resisted the idea. All I wanted was to live life on my terms without worrying about anything or anyone. I had never seen you before, nor did I know the kind of person you were; all I knew was your name. Despite that, I yearned for a life free from obligations. Fast forward to one day, I decided to take a stroll outside. Along the way, I spotted a well-dressed girl around my age carrying a massive bag, sneaking out from the royal palace. Intrigued, I trailed her, and after about 10 minutes of walking, she entered a makeshift home. I followed discreetly, eager to discover her motives. What I witnessed truly astounded me. I saw you sharing food and clothes with a group of kids roughly your age. They appeared to be orphans, yet you sat and dined with them. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. When I heard them addressing you as Princess Vina, let's say I fell in love with you then. From that moment, I resolved to follow you through the depths of hell, and if there's heaven, I'll be right there by your side."
"I'm not one to go back on my word, so if you think blaming yourself will convince me to retreat, stop wasting your time. Just don't meet your end before I do. I'd hate to see that beautiful face extinguished like that," Vira replied, smiling defeatedly.
"You'll always be my sister in this life or the next," Vina said as her sword dropped. The battle was over for her. She could see the grim reaper staring at her, yet she was unwilling to let go. Vira gently embraced her, and they found solace in each other.
However, just as they were about to be struck by a 3-meter tall Fire leopard, a defensive barrier materialized between them and the monster. A voice then snapped them out of their trance.
"Ladies, don't you think it's a bit crowded for such an intimate moment?"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone