Descent

Chapter 4 – Descent

The apocalyptic sun fiercely burned the sky while the ashen grey clouds hovered around it, giving off a dark and ominous vibe.

"Clang!"

Two sharp swords clashed, their shockwaves caused the wind to howl and clouds of dust to appear.

"Hilarious! With that puny strength of yours, you wish to defeat my army?" A loud and unrestrained laugh sounded. "Even if you manage to defeat my men, the shrine wouldn't let such weaklings survive."

Slowly, the dust settled down, revealing a towering figure with a broadsword resting on his shoulder. Sweat intermixed with blood was dripping down on his green skin. In front of him was a half-kneeling figure.

"To send such a little girl like you as a commander, does the human king went insane?" He loudly mocked. His gaze alternating between the figure and the silver-armored army up ahead.

He was enjoying the furious glares of the soldiers as well as the miserable appearance of their commander.

'Damn it! If only I am stronger.' Crystal thought as she stared at the orc commander standing in front of her. Her complexion was pale, she was leaning on her sword for support. 'I'm really a failure as a battalion commander…'

In this world, the level of existence was divided by Tiers. A Tier 0 means a mortal. A Tier 1 was someone who exceeded the limit of a mortal body. A Tier 2, those existence who has developed soul strength. Tier 3, those who could merge their physical and soul strength. As for Tier 4 and up, Crystal was unsure about them.

All she knew was that a single Tier 2 existence like herself could defeat hundreds of Tier 1 beings. While those of higher Tiers could defeat her easily.

The orc commander was a Tier 3 existence. However, he deliberately concealed his strength just to toy her. When the battle started, she was left with no choice but to defend. She couldn't even shout in surrender under the flurry of attacks from the orc commander.

"Puny humans, the resources inside the shrine are prepared for us orcs!" The orc commander loudly roared as he gripped Crystal's head and throw her to the silver-armored soldiers up ahead. To him, killing such a weakling was of no value. He would feel more satisfied by humiliating the other party.

"BWAHAHAHA…"

Laughter and mocking erupted from the army of orcs behind the commander while fury erupted from the human army.

All the soldiers tightly gripped their weapons, killing intent flowed from their bodies.

Bam!

Crystal landed in front of her troops. The impact made her vomit a mouthful of blood.

"Healing Spring!"

A magic circle suddenly formed underneath her feet. Her wounds started healing at a breakneck speed. At the same time, hurried footsteps sounded behind her. It was her soldiers. However, Crystal couldn't raise her head. She was so ashamed of herself.

She failed them! Due to her being weak, they already lost half the battle. She couldn't help but sighed inside, 'If only I knew that this is an unranked shrine.'

Just like the level of existences, shrines were also ranked. From Tier 1 and up. Every time a shrine appeared; a portal would emerge at random places. These portals would then act as the tunnel leading to the battlefield where the contest to decide which force could get the key and enter the shrine would occur.

The color of each portal determines the level of the shrine. Red for Tier 1 shrines, Orange for Tier 2, and Yellow for Tier 3. According to the color, only a selected number could enter. A red gate only allows 500 Tier 1 existence to enter while an orange gate allows at most 1000 Tier 2 and below existences.

However, these identifications weren't applicable to unranked shrines. It has gates like that of any normal shrines. But, instead of limiting those who could enter, anyone, regardless of the numbers and Tier could enter an unranked shrine.

Worst, only after you've entered the battlefield would you be able to know if it's unranked or not. Just like what happened to them earlier. They obviously entered an orange gateway, a gate reserved only for those Tier 2 and below, yet their opponents have a Tier 3 existence as their commander.

And unlike normal shrines where the battle was a direct Army vs Army, the battle to an unranked shrine was divided into two parts. Commander VS Commander, and Army VS Army. Each part would reward the winner a key to enter the shrine.

Alas! In the battle earlier, she fought with the enemy's commander but was thoroughly defeated, even humiliated. Thus, she lost the first key. Worst of all, she discovered that her troops aren't a match for the enemy's soldiers; she only has less than ten Tier 2 soldiers while the opponents have dozens of them.

Crystal couldn't help but imagined the consequences of being defeated. Without the resources from the shrine, his troops as well as the residents of her region would have no food to eat for an indefinite period. They would certainly starve to death.

In this barren world, where the only source of food were the shrines, where would she find another alternative? She didn't know when the next shrines would open. The kingdom's capital was at least a two-week journey, but their food reserves could only last for less than a month. She was also unsure whether the kingdom has foods to give. And transporting the foods from the kingdom back to her region was very dangerous. Unless she no longer have the choice, she doesn't want to ask food from the kingdom.

"Stand up! The battle hasn't ended yet!" A staff-wielding young man bent down and pulled Crystal up.

"Tritus…" Crystal murmured. She slowly lifted her head and stared at her best friend. Then her gaze shifted around her. "You guys…"

She could see deep respect and veneration from the eyes of every soldiers. It was as though, even if she commanded them to walk a mountain of swords, they would immediately do it. They didn't spoke a single thing, but Crystal could feel the burning desire hidden in their eyes.

Inhaling deeply, Crystal recomposed herself. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth before amplifying her voice with magic. "Prepare for Battle!"

She couldn't help but clenched her fist, 'I shouldn't betray their trust!' she said to herself. With a determined face, she started formulating a plan. Fortunately, after the duel, both commanders weren't allowed to participate directly. As such, there was still a slim chance for her troops to win.

A light suddenly shot out from the nearby hill where a black tower was situated. The light hit the orc commander. Instantly, a bronze key materialized on his hand. It was the Commander Key, the reward after defeating the enemy commander as well as the entrance to the shrine.

"Next round! Army Vs Army! Let the battle begins!" a deep mechanic voice echoed in the battlefield.

The instant the voice faded, a loud and booming roar escaped from the orc commander's throat, "Trample upon those human ants!"

Then with a swing of his broadsword, the orc commander sent a sword wave towards the direction of the human army, "CHARGE!"

"Kill! Kill!"

Instantly, the earth shook as the thousands of barefooted orcs started rushing towards Crystal's direction. Crazed bloodlust was evident from their eyes. Their hunger and thirst for battle made their blood boiling in excitement.

The ground continuously rumbled. The wind whistled as their robust and hulking figures traverse the battlefield.

Meanwhile, in the other side of the battlefield, the army of silver-armored humans had their eyes burning with intense battle intent.

Crystal stared at the approaching orc army. She lightly bit her lower lip before shouting, "Activate the Great Dragon Battle Array!"

The moment her words fell, the soldiers started marching into a new formation. The instant they stopped; a burst of azure light flashed from their bodies. Then, a phantom of an Azure Dragon materialized on the battlefield. It was tens of meters long and a dozen or so meters wide. The phantom gave off an oppressive feeling as though everything must bow before it.

"CHARGE!"

Without hesitation, she commanded. The Great Dragon Battle Array was a formation created by the current emperor of the human faction. Its goal was to arrange the soldiers into a coiling dragon formation that continuously rotate. The mages at the very center, followed by the archers while the outer parts were the weapon masters.

"For Glory! KILL!" the soldiers roared. Their anger fueling their charge.

Their beloved commander, their goddess and doted commander was thrashed so badly to the point of doubting her capability. They couldn't tolerate it; they desire for revenge as well as secure the resources.

In response, the Orc Commander shouted at his soldiers, "Activate the Orc God Battle Array!"

Hearing his words, the battle drum started screaming. Then, as though guided by an unknown force, the chaotic formation of the orcs suddenly become orderly. In a couple of seconds, the orcs successfully formed an inverse V formation with the Tier 2 orcs at the center.

The instant they completed the formation, a burst of green radiance suddenly appeared on the battlefield. Then, a phantom of a gigantic orc materialized at the center of the orc army. Its green skin was emitting a metallic sheen.

The speed of the orcs doubled while a sharp aura covered their clubs.

The distance between two factions instantly shortened. From half a kilometer to a hundred meters. Both forces were about to clash when suddenly…

The earth shook as a deafening explosion occurred at the end of the orc army. The shockwave formed a mushroom of dust.