From the top of the tower.

The dwarf clan was one of the most fortified in the forest, surrounded by a massive wooden wall.

Above this wall stood a tower, not particularly tall, but high enough to oversee the clearing where a perilous and bloody battle raged below.

From the top of the tower, a vigilant figure surveyed the chaos. His expression was stern as he aimed his bow at a creature attempting to devour one of his comrades below.

[You killed a constant monster: Lizardman.]

As soon as he released the arrow, the announcement echoed in his ears.

"Maintain the line of defense!" he commanded, his voice laced with fury. "If we let them breach our defenses, it will be our doom!"

"Damn it!" he cursed inwardly.

Normally, the enemy horde would attack in waves, one per day, culminating on the seventh day. However, for some strange reason, these waves had come simultaneously within just four days, forcing the defenders to fight without respite.

He scanned the sea of creatures before him, counting more than five thousand bloodthirsty monsters against three clans barely numbering a fifth of their attackers. Despite being demi-humans, their stamina far exceeded that of an average human. Yet, after days and nights of unrelenting combat, exhaustion had set in.

It was sheer willpower alone that allowed them to hold the line, but they had nearly reached their limits, falling one after another before the relentless tide of enemies.

Kido, the pythonian overseeing the defense from the tower, did not allow a moment of complacency. His movements were swift; in the span of two seconds, he could loose four arrows.

Not only was he fast, but his arrows were laced with a potent poison that caused chaos among the enemy ranks. Within two minutes of being bitten, foes would find themselves paralyzed, unable to react as their comrades turned on them.

This was what made the Shizukesa clan so fearsome; they could secrete venom into their bodies and were adept at utilizing poisons from other sources. They had studied human and monster anatomy extensively, understanding both their weaknesses and strengths. They were also exceptional healers.

Yet, even with this preparation, they were no match for the overwhelming swarm of monsters, composed of various races attacking simultaneously.

Some of the creatures were resistant to Kido's poison, presenting yet another challenge. If Cliff had been present, he might have likened these beasts to the powerful gorillas of his old world, both strong and swift. To confront them, one needed to match their strength, a condition that the Shizukesa clan, the dwarves, and the Orion clan could not meet.

Despair loomed over them.

Soon, they would be consumed by the horde.

"Where are they? Did we receive the message we sent?" Kido wondered, gritting his teeth to maintain his composure.

His gaze swept over the soldiers struggling against the creatures attempting to breach the barricade. This barricade, higher and reinforced with sharpened wooden stakes, was meant to impale any monsters that tried to scale it.

The creatures, driven by instinct rather than intelligence, jostled each other for a chance to sink their teeth into the demi-humans' flesh. Those unfortunate enough to be near the barricade were often shoved forward, impaled on the stakes.

"All these efforts, all these countermeasures—were they for nothing?" someone croaked from behind him.

Kido didn't respond, focusing instead on his next target, a massive black dog with glowing crimson eyes, standing more than two meters tall. Its powerful jaws could easily tear through the wooden stakes of the barricade, but Kido quickly sent an arrow imbued with mana straight through its skull.

[You have killed a Variant Monster: Black Dog.]

[You have received a Variant Essence Stone.]

Ignoring the notification, he turned to the voice behind him.

"If you have time to ponder such things, then you're clearly not busy enough," Kido retorted, glancing at the man.

The figure was a dwarf, his face weathered but vigorous, marked with scars from battles fought long ago. He nodded, his attention fixated on the swarm of creatures.

"The damage is already done," he stated.

"All we can do is concentrate our attacks on the breach in the barricade," Kido replied, annoyance creeping into his voice.

"That damn black dog—it's a real nuisance!" he swore, slamming his fist against the wall in frustration.

"Weren't you the one who was supposed to kill it, sir? You could do nothing about it; the damage is already done," the dwarf mocked.

"You mean I should just stand by while the women and children are slaughtered? If we allow this breach to grow, it will be the end for our clans!" Kido shot back, his gaze fierce.

"Calm down—"

His words were abruptly cut off by a thunderous explosion in the middle of the battlefield. The blast was so intense that the shockwave carried heat toward them, even at a distance.

A large swath of the enemy was vaporized, reduced to ashes.

Kido, witnessing the devastation from the tower, was taken aback. The spell cast upon the creatures was powerful enough to decimate an entire clan. He squinted through the smoke, searching for the source of this deadly magic.

The dwarf behind him clung to a post to steady himself, struggling to regain his footing.

"What is happening?" he shouted, his voice rising above the chaos.

A sinister smile spread across Kido's face as he leaned out from one of the tower's windows.

"Reinforcements have arrived!" he bellowed.

Finally, it was time for him to join the fray.