CHAPTER 3: WINNING THE WAR

"Oi! Ubuian!" The girl's shout jolted me back to reality, snapping me out of my daze. The acrid smell of blood and sweat hit my nostrils, grounding me in the chaos.

"Sorry. Yes, the moat is being dug as we speak. Bring it to that side," I instructed, pointing towards the half-dug trench.

"How many litres is each barrel?" I asked, turning to the girl.

"Twenty-five," she replied, her voice steady despite the urgency, as she rolled the barrel past me. A dozen men followed her lead, straining under the weight.

"Wait for the next command!" I shouted, my voice barely cutting through the cacophony of battle. I jogged towards the front line, my heart pounding. The soldiers were struggling, their ranks barely holding against the onslaught. The monsters were relentless—ferocious beasts with sabre teeth and eyes glinting with primal hunger. Their roars echoed through the battlefield, adding to the chaos.

"Fuck… I have to help them, or they'll get overrun," I muttered.

The situation was dire; every second counted.

"Oi! Soldiers resting! Go form a line behind!" I bellowed as I rushed to grab a spear from a fallen comrade. The shaft was still warm, a grim reminder of the life it once belonged to. The resting soldiers stirred, some with visible reluctance, others with grim determination. They slowly stood up, forming a sluggish line, their faces pale and exhausted.

"Motherfuckers, move! Our lives depend on this!" I couldn't contain my frustration. How could they be so undisciplined in such chaos?

"Listen up!" I shouted. "As the first line falls back, the second line immediately pushes up to shield. It'll be every 30 seconds. The first line falls back on my mark!" The plan was risky but necessary. We couldn't afford to lose ground.

I ran across the battlefield, the ground slick with blood and mud, stabbing at any beast that came within reach. The air was thick with the scent of iron and the sound of clashing metal, tension mounting as even my own life was on the line.

"MARK!" As the first line fell back, the second surged forward; shields locked together. We held our breath, hoping it would be enough to hold the tide. The soldiers moved in sync, their faces set with grim resolve.

"Rest up! In another 30 seconds, we will switch!" I called out, quickly glancing back at the moat. It looked mostly complete, the trench deep and wide. My eyes locked onto the same girl, noticing her rank: Sergeant.

"Girl!" I ran up to her, leaning in so she could hear me over the din of battle—the clash of steel and the screams of the wounded, "I need you to coordinate the defence while I finish the moat."

She met my gaze, her eyes sharp and focused. "Alright. Thirty-second intervals?" she asked, already moving to take charge.

"Yup! Thanks!" I shouted as I sprinted back towards the moat. "Ready, guys?" I extended a hand to help the workers climb out of the trench as the others above prepared to pour the oil.

The air was thick with the scent of sweat and fear, mingling with the metallic tang of blood."Mr. Alchemist! I need a rune to heat this." I grabbed a nearby piece of metal armour, its surface marred with scars and cuts from countless battles. It would do the job.

"Sure thing, but it heats infinitely. It'll just melt the armour." He cautioned as he began inscribing the runes. I nodded, gathering a few more pieces.

"Put a rune on these and throw them into the moats—two on each side. Thanks." I turned and ran back to the soldiers, my mind racing. Flashbacks of training sessions with raw recruits flickered through my thoughts.

Their lack of discipline and speed could be a liability now. I glanced at the front lines, relieved to see they held strong. That girl was a natural leader, keeping the men in line.

"Yes, just pour the oil. Don't worry about the volume; just pour it!" I barked, kicking a barrel over. The thick, dark liquid began to spill into the trench, the scent of oil mixing with the acrid smell of the battlefield. I stole a glance back at the battlefield.

Memories of officer training rushed to the surface, the lessons and strategies drilled into me by grizzled veterans. The advice my mentors gave me about controlling a battlefield, about inspiring troops... I struggled to recall specifics. I definitely should've paid more attention during the course. But now wasn't the time for regrets. It was time to act.

"UBUIAN! WE NEED HELP HERE!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. I shot over to her location, where the scene was dire. Men screamed in agony as the beasts overwhelmed them. As I glanced back at the alchemist, he held up a thumbs-up, signalling readiness.

"Guys! Retreat! Behind the gates! ALCHEMIST! PREPARE TO ERECT A WALL WITH SPIKES!" I roared, grabbing a nearby spear. I dove into the fray, dragging soldiers out from beneath the jaws of the beasts. With every slash, I felt a surge of raw power, stronger than in my previous life. Each swing sent gusts of wind mighty enough to knock down nearby soldiers and beasts alike. My blade sliced through muscle and bone like a hot knife through butter, a symphony of destruction.

"GO!" I bellowed, holding the beasts at bay. My movements were a blur, a dance of violence and precision. Time seemed to blur as the fight wore on, a primal instinct taking over. The battlefield became a bloody playground, and I was the reaper, delivering death with every strike.

I felt a savage grin creep across my face as the feeling of the hunt consumed me, and my mind went blank. The thrill of combat, the intoxicating rush of battle—it was addictive. The scent of blood, the resistance of flesh giving way under my blade—it was all so exhilarating.

"Ah..." I breathed out, surrounded by the fallen. A euphoric wave washed over me as I took in the scene. Warm blood dripped from my hands, the air thick with the scent of death. I felt light, invincible, like a god of war at that moment.

"UBUIAN!" The girl's voice snapped me out of my trance. Her eyes met mine, piercing through the haze of battle.

"EVACUATION IS DONE!" she shouted.

I turned to face the next wave of monsters, my body thrumming with anticipation. The thrill of the hunt surged within me, a primal hunger for more.

"WE RUN." She pulled my face close to hers, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that brought me back to reality: her familiar face, a beacon amidst the chaos. I shook off the bloodlust and nodded, glancing back one last time before sprinting towards the gates, carrying the girl. In an instant, we were back within the walls.

The alchemist was already at work, tracing runes into the ground and erecting a wall."…Are we safe?" I asked, panting as the adrenaline began to fade.

. . .

As the battle concluded, a wave of triumph swept over the field. The remaining beasts hesitated at the edge of the boiling oil-filled moat. After a brief moment, they turned and retreated, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

From above, the king and the young boy, Jean, observed the scene. The battlefield, once chaotic, now echoed with the soldiers' victorious cheers. They celebrated, relief and joy mingling with the remnants of adrenaline."What was the name of this Ubuian again, Jean?" the king asked, a curious glint in his eyes."Matthijs, Sir," Jean replied, his gaze lingering on the figure below.

They watched Matthijs Geiger, the man at the heart of the battle. Amidst the aftermath, his battered and stained armour spoke of his struggle. Despite the grime, he exuded a quiet confidence and a controlled intensity that commanded respect.

As the jubilant cries of victory echoed around him, he sat alone behind the wall, the celebration continuing without him.

"He's shown quite the knack for handling... difficult situations," the king mused, a faint, knowing smile on his lips. "What do you think we should do with him?"

"Perhaps a promotion is in order," Jean suggested, his tone careful. "He seems to thrive under pressure."

"Hmm, yes. Elevate him, see how far he'll go," the king agreed, a hint of amusement in his voice. Let's make sure he knows his place and his potential."With a subtle, sinister undertone, the king patted Jean's shoulder. "Let's do that then."

. . .

"Hi! Yes! I'm Matthijs Geiger. I would like to turn in my resignation?" 

###

Name: Matthijs Geiger

Class: -

lvlⓘ: 4

Experience: 87,500 / 100,000

Health: 843 / 1200

Mana: 300/300

Stamina: 240/850

Attributes:

- Strength: 95

- Dexterity: 88

- Constitution: 135

- Intelligence: 150

- Wisdom: 100

- Charisma: 50

- Resolve: 170

Skills:

- Rune Crafting: Level 0