Into the Final Onslaught. (Part 1)

At the hush of noon, beneath a sky set by darkness, with a burst of trumpets the warriors flow. Marching through ruins of their beloved city, with thunderous majesty they stride. Their banner unfurled, eager to finish this fight that would cost their lives. Pressing forward ready to clash, their weapon clatter closely underneath their beat. Through the shattered streets, they heed the clarion call. To reclaim this city, or to die trying.

*rumble*

Surrounding the whole inner city, the warriors gather with their weapons drawn and leading each group are caped high lord spread throughout. Monstrous war beasts unleashed upon the streets and prepared to stampede while the towering juggernauts waits behind or beside them. Enemies who survived the base have mostly left the city, but those unlucky enough stayed to defend against our onslaught. Even from afar, those pitiful encircled soldiers shakes ceaselessly, such thin ramparts made from furnitures and doors are the only seperating them from us.

*clang*

"Oooh! Gwishin!"

"Gwishin?"

"The new peak?"

"Gwishin!!! Gwishin!!!"

" "GWISHIN!!! GWISHIN!!!" "

"Roaaar!" (New Peak!)

*rumble*

The whole city quakes from their uproaring cheer and even the war beast joins in their chant as well. After receiving the flag once more from Kagan, I return to the frontlines where a whole slew of warriors are already awaiting. Wondering it this is going to be a quick battle, Heon arrives besides riding atop Pagoja's head. With his arms and legs crossed, he looks like a sage atop animals on those murals but,

"Muhahaha! It's finally time to show them what I can do!"

I look at Heon who seems to be a kid who can't wait to fly his new kite, and try to temper his expectation by saying:

"Listen, Heon, I know you probably want to try that sling but I suggest maybe not using it for this battle. You heard what Harun said during breakfast right?"

"Huh? What did you say, Gwishin nim?"

Heon seems pretending not to hear my words, scracthing his ear before leaning down to lend me his ear, amidst the rowdy cheers and crying beats, I cup my hands to my mouth shouting:

"Just don't use your secret weapon!"

Heon seems to perk up hearing that and smirk, folding his arms with his head held high he replies,

"Oooh! That has a nice ring to it! Very well! I'll just save my techniques for the fams. Pagoja, time to show me what you can do!"

"Muuu! (Yes, small master!)

Hearing someone approaching me from the rear, I turn around and hear,

"Good afternoon, Gwishin nim, I'm happy to see you are already using my gift."

(Is this person...)

Unlike the burly warriors that I've seen since I arrive here, he is a very delicate man. With silky long almod hair, wispy eyelashes, petal-soft skin, and a slender figure, if it wasn't for the deep lightning scar on his forehead his face would've been flawless. He sticks out like a sore thumb here, even Heon looks normal in comparison. But despite all that, the aura and strength he exudes is heavy, much heavier than the King. While not as scray as Colonel Heon, he carries a certain terror I rarely see to a warrior.

(So this is a peak?)

He bows down, making his long black fur cape reveal his mixed plate and lamellar and a folded mighty axe to his waist.

(Oh? A folded weapon? It has been a while since I saw weapons like that ever since mine... Still, I wonder what kind of technology does this mountain have?)

"Where are my manners? May the gates of Aslan open to our greetings. I'm Bo-Minji, High lord of the Udeoring Peaks. I'm happy to finally be able to meet you. I hope you like my gift."

(It really is him- Wait, he definitely look a lot like a girl but I can immediately tell he is a man... So why am I the opposite!? I also have a scar- no I have more scars on my face so why do people see me as a girl!? Granted, there's two and one of them is hidden but...! Mhm! Inteoductions!)

Removing my new mask, I bow my head down saying:

"My name's-"

"Oooh! It's that pretty warrior! Huup!"

Heon jumps down from Pagoja and lands beside him, gripping his black fur cape he shakes it out asking:

"Pretty warrior nim! Is it true that if you marry Gwishin nim, we would have hundred of thousands of warriors at our disposal!?"

"Heon...!"

(He's still on that!?)

"Oh! Is that High Lord Bo-Minji? 2 peaks in the same place!? Peak! Peak! Peak"

" "PEAK! PEAK! PEAK!" "

"ROAAAARRR!!!" (PEAK!!!)

My voice drown in the sweeping tidal cords of the the warriors cheers and even more so when they saw Minji.

"Huhuhu, it seems your brother is more excited than the bride to be. But, what do you think, Gwishin nim?"

"Ah..."

Snapping back from the panic, I look at Minji who seem to be unbothered by Heon's question. Looking at him closer, I start to wonder what his secret is and begin to ponder.

(Maybe... Maybe I can learn from him. Thinking back, Moriz is a total sham, he only told me to do a single thing and tells me nonsense most of the time. Yes... Maybe he can solve some of my problems).

"I suppose it is a very heavy subject to answer immediately-"

"I have though of it, and it's technically still my fault that Heon said such things but I have no intention of marrying just yet. Also, while I don't wish to marry, I do have a lot I wish to learn from you."

He seems surprised hearing that and taken aback it seems. Stroking the blade of his folded axe asking:

"Learn from me? Huhu, I doubt I can teach you much when you're probably stronger than me and have special powers too. But... Is my marriege proposal that unsatisfactory?"

"Huh?"

Minji clasp his hand and hide his face behind his wrist saying:

"I admit I may not be the most desired but, can I at least know where my fault lies?"

"W-Wait, it has nothing to do with you. This is simply personal. And don't misunderstand, both of us are not from the royal family okay?"

(And this is also with how Gangyi already seem to force a marriege with me too... I wonder how will I resolve that one. Especially when I already use her kindness).

Minji's eyes sharpen from that response and tilt his head asking:

"If so, that seems to be a boon for me, that just means I have no need to uphold customs and be so stiff."

(Fine, if that's how he's going to respond).

"Please stop, but just for clarification, I'm actually a guy. So, I really can't, and I definitely don't swing that way."

Minji's eye widened in surprise as he shakes his head in disbelief replying:

"Huhu, this the first time I have ever been spurned so cruelly. Still, what an... Intriguing thing to say."

"I-I'm serious!"

I see him turn his face away with a weak smile scratching his chin saying:

"Huhuhu! To think the royal family was hiding someone so interesting. But I agree, to marry so suddenly must've seem too much. We can get to know each other later, you can take that gift as simply thanks."

(Wait, he will let it go?)

"T-Thank you for understanding!"

"It seems I'm the one who needs to learn from you, Gwishin nim. Honestly, I don't really know how to respond to that."

"Bahahaha! What's this? Our youngest is having trouble speaking with the ladies? How unusual! But with her here I guess I can't call you youngest no more Minji."

A juggernaut walks to us with a booming voice. With heavy plating that covers his massive built, he seems more like a machine of war than a living being if it wasn't for his bulging muscles peeking out of the gaps to his thick blue plates.

(Oh? That armour seems pretty modern compared to the one Kagan wears. I'm wondering what's the technology here is like? From tge palace it doesn't seem that much different from the one in Silla).

His visor folds open like a window by itself, revealing an elderly man with very long hair even to his facial feature that his eyebrows rolls out of his helm.

"So, this is the new peak? She looks just as scrawny as you, Minji!"

"Ma-Master Baek too!? 3 peaks! Peaks! Peaks!"

" "PEAKS!!! PEAKS!!! PEAKS!!!"

"ROAAAARRR!!!" (PEAKS!!!)

*rumble*

The whole city quakes from their thunderous war cry similar to when lob back the shell back to them.

"Morning, Master Baek. I would appreciate a gesture of support than ridicule."

"Bahahaha! Hmm? What's this? You! Brat! I see potential!"

Baek turns his attention toward Heon who's still holding Minji's cape. Hearing the elder's words, Heon lets go of the cape and puff his chest put.

"Hehehe, that's right! You have good eyes, old man! I'm the one who will conquer the republic!"

"Bahahaha! You see this brat, Minji!? This is how a High Lord should be! Tell me your name, little brat."

As the two engage in a fierce talk, Minji sighs and look back at me saying:

"I suppose we can continue our conversation later, Gwishin nim, I can find you in the crimson palace right?"

"Huh? W-Wait, my circumstance here is a bit complicated and I will be leaving the mountains after this-"

"Forgive my rudeness, but maybe I can accompany you in your adventure? I do need one more achievement before taking my father's mantle. And I also have a good gut feeling I will achieve that following you."

(Well, he's not wrong since I feel like my journey is getting dangerous but...)

Hiding my hand inside the new sleeves, I stroke the ring on my finger and look back at him.

"I really do appreciate if you wish to help me, but maybe you really need to reevaluate what you said. If by the end of this, you still wish to follow me, I won't stop you."

Minji's eyes seem to sparkle at my response as he shows his pearl white smile.

*Whirl* *Clang*

He clenches his fist and unfolds his axe out shouting:

"A quest it seems! How can I not be enthralled? Very well, I won't just survive but surpass you! I'll show you my valour, this is also for making up our inaction yesterday."

As Minji pumps himself up, Baek who's now carrying Heon on his broad shoulders looks at me scepticly rubbing his chin saying:

"I still can't believe the King is actually capable of hiding a secret weapon like this."

"Gwishin nim's amazing isn't she!? She can take down any Sentinels at the palace easily!"

"Bahahaha! I love the way you speak, Heon brat! Maybe we shouldn't have keep the tradition anymore."

"We all know why we chose Bongyong's clan to be rulers for so long. Because unlike most of us, they actually care. So much so they're unleashing their secret weapon."

Minji seems to defend me as he looks at me while saying that. Baek seems to accept that answer as well and pulls out his gigantic warhammer.

"Bwahahaha! Very true, I can only imagine what would've happen if they unleash a monster like her into the warring tribes or maybe against the major coalitions? He could've probably united everyone under his thumb with 2 peaks under his command, she might even be better than any peaks, especially when she tore down the walls of Wenju so easily."

"That's enough, Master Baek. With all this cheering, it'll be a waste not to capitalize on it... Gwishin nim. If you would do the honours?"

"Ah, right."

They all look at me and hearing the thunderous cheers below, I raise the flag and point it forward shouting:

"Charge!"

*************************************

Flags of the clans lunges forward, not by the wind but by the countless arms of warriors tearing down the inner city. Unlike yesterday's invasion, the warriors following my banner now are...

"Gahahaha!"

"Die for the princess!"

"I'll take your legs!"

"Show them what happen to those who dare invade us!"

"Show them the might of the Wonmo coalition!"

"For the future wive of the young master!"

(Pretty scary, and what in the world are they shouting!?)

All the warriors following me bear capes of all colour and their armour is even more distinct and better than the rest. Their weapons too filled with ornaments while their armour shines withe their glowing aura.

" "PEAKS!!! PEAKS!!! PEAKS!!!" "

(I don't think I'll be getting any chance to fight... Not that I have any problem but... The faster it is, the better).

Seeing our group tearjng through the retreating soldiers, I saw a make-shift barricade and say:

"Excuse me, but I'll be the one to bring that down-"

"Hurraah!"

"The second wave is here!"

Hearing rumbling from my right, a group of warriors appear crushing through the barricade, easily decimating the soldiers inside before,

"ROAAAARRR!!! (PEAKS!!!)"

The monsters accompanied by the juggernauts followed suit and trample the soldiers under their massive feets...

(What's the point of the war beast and juggernauts if the warriors are the one breaking the walls!?)

*rumble*

Hearing another tremor coming from the opposite side, I saw the unbelievable sight of the juggernauts and war beasts being fling over the streets and crashing to the building.

*Crash* *Smash* *Boom*

Like a rolling stone, the newcomers arrives with devestating strides, with such thick silver plates and heavy ramming weapons strap to their waist, they make the juggernaut and war beast look like their heavy armour seem like planks. And I can't even spot any gaps in their armour like the juggernauts.

"Target sighted! Trample them under our hooves!"

"Hah! If we have a national hero under our list, we might get a promotion!"

"Don't let her get away!"

Some of the calvarymen shouts their purpose, and all of them have form similar to the one Yuwei's mom taken when she turned...

(A beast-kin? But what kind of animal is it I wonder?)

Someone who seem to be their leader ram a war beast twice her size and fling it higher than the tallest building like a ragdoll. With a large colorful blue and red plume on her head and shoulders, she charges majesticly with a brilliant might that shines radiant alongside the long blonde hair flowing out her helmet that is tied the same to look like her tail.

*Crash* *Smash*

Rushing ahead of his companion, anything that stands in her way gets torn asunder and crushed under its unstoppable charge, even the juggernouts who leaves cracks with their steps gets flattened by its hooves.

"Stop it!"

"Protect the princess!"

The warriors beside me with the biggest shield and spears rushes forward to form a wall but I pat their shoulders saying:

"Um, it's okay. I'll make this quick."

"P-Princess!?"

Jumping ahead of them, I face the newcomer. When she notice me, she hasten her steps, her gallops shatters the paved road below her. But,

(I never really test it so let's see how strong it is).

I raise my right hand and point at her,

[Larie Nahxis]

A magic circle appear beneath her and followed, she doesn't seem bothered as when the chains emerge and tries to trap her, she raises her front legs and steps through the air,

(Eh?)

Climbing through the skies she barley dodges the chains it captures one of the other calvary man instead, she starts galloping through the air and raises her hand.

*bzzz* *bam*

From the palm of her hands, something flashes bright with a loud exploasion and emerging from her hands are sticks of light the size of a javelin.

(Oh...)

Seeing her azure eyes beaming past the clear vizor, she hurls the light javelin my way.

*swing*

Summoning my sword, I cut through her attack easily, dispersing the light away as she looks at me shocked that her attack was so easily dispelled. Switching my sword for the halberd as she gets closer, I plant my feet to the ground and situate the halberd as well similar to how I did with Yuwei's mom. Even after my stance, she doesn't seem to be bothered and continues forward,

*bzzzz* *bam* *bam*

Instead of one, she summons 2 and starts hurling it my way but instead of using ny weapon, I quickly cast,

[Lordow Eresfer]

A sphere envelopes me and,

*pssh* like a moth to a flame, her light javelins disintegrate the moment if made contact with my magic. It seems she seems to realize something she she finally slows down and breaks her speed. Seeing this opportunity, I point at her again casting,

[Larie Nahxis]

This time, not only one but multiple circles appear around her as she then tries to cut the circles with one of the lance strap to her waist.

"Wha!?"

But just like the black blades yesterday, that doesn't seem to work and the chains burst out wrapping all over her and,

*clench*

I clench my fist and the chains tighten its hold, pulling itself back inside the circles and binding her.

*clang* *Pull*

She tries to escape pulling on the chains and yanking it out but that proves fruitless.

(Oh... Casting spells back to back like this seem fun. Like making and throwing mud balls. No wonder Zerians love magic if this is how it feels).

"Captain!"

"Save the captain!"

"Kill that cantless Lord Archmage!"

"She specialize in binds, so kill her before she unleashes more."

The calvary behind her finally catches up, some tries to cut the chains but their swords and glaives ended up crumbling instead. Others charges forward trying to hit me but,

*Crack* *Splatter*

Unlike the captain who stopped seeing my stance, one rider had their beast impaled and their body fling far behind me while the rest tries to swing their weapons.

*Clang* *Shatter*

Their blades shatter upon impact by my shield and I start using my halberd like a hook and drag as many passing riders off their steed. From the first rider to the rest of the unlucky to get dragged by me to the ground nowndespairs as the warriors behind me descends upon them.

"Hahaha! Where's your confidence?"

"Subdue their rides!"

"The princess have stopped their charge, send them to oblivion!"

"Wind Walkers, coming through!"

"A bit too late to take trophies! This all belong to the princess!"

Just as the warriors regain their momentum, reinforcements arrive at the form of the gliding warriors who mercilessly behind their onslaught. Seeing the situation stabilize, I slowly walk over towards the bound beast-kin. Her escorts, some calvary retreats and some encircle her and starts to engage, even as they get topple down they rise with their broken limbs to begind fighting again.

"Protect the captain!"

"Defend the lady!"

"Hurry up and destroy those chains!"

"Even if we die, she must get out of here alive!"

"Dammit! This is above our pay grade!"

The troops around her tighten their formation and start using their body as shield walls when possible. I plant the royal flag to the ground saying:

"Make way."

As the warriors starts to part, the calvary man seeing me starts to charging at me but I easily dodge their strikes and drag them down of their steed with my halberd, leaving them to the warriors behind me.

"Dammit!"

"Argh! Die, lowland scum!"

"How dare these mortals!"

As I get closer, not only the atittude but the language they speak changes as well. Speaking in runician, they are busy cutting the chains but to no avail.

"How can these mortals obtain such power!?"

"You think, Heaven fears you!? Die!"

"You don't stand a chance against us!"

As the weaker calvary gets culled by the warriors, the inner soldiers are showing much more resistance and strength that the warriors can't even fight back. Just like her, they are the same beast-kin with four legs, their captain, who seem to notice me slowly coming closer shakes her head saying:

"Uncle stop, we lost."

"Don't be absurd! We can-"

"Lord Archmage, I surrender! Everyone, throw down your weapons!"

Shouting in Hwansea, I hear her call and raise my hand in tandon saying:

"Stop attacking!"

The warriors hearing me halts their blades and slowly move back, letting them go and ceasing hostility.

(Oh! Finally, some reasonable request).

I walk closer to her which her guards doesn't seem to be fond off as they seem relunctant to back away.

"I'm sure you take prisoners do you not? I beg for your mercy, take me away for your bidding and in exhange, let my retainers go."

"Young master!"

"Lady, no!"

"Not to these mortals! And especially not to that Owlian pretender!"

Her retainers speaks in runician but I ignore them relplying:

"Sure, I don't like shedding more blood then needed. I hope you keep your word."

I speak to her in Hwansea and she yanks at the chain in anger replying:

"Breaking my vow to lower mortals like you is more shameful than death. Now, let them go."

I wave my hand saying:

"Let them go."

The warriors seem to hesitate but seems to comply as they drag their feet away. As I await for her retainers to leave, I look at her wondering what kind of beast-kin she is with much of her body being animal-like, just like Gangyi with her wings and legs and tailfeather. With the upper body of a human, with two arms, a head, and torso, the one thing that makes her special is her lower part that seems to be an entire body of it own with 4 limbs, unique feet, fur, and a tail, it makes it look like her lower body seem to grow the upper half of a human.

"What kind of beast-kin are you suppose to be? And how long are you trying to stay here?"

I look at the retainers who's feet seem to be heavy with relunctant as they refuse to budge.

"I have fulfilled my end, and shouldn't you?"

The warriors who have back away slowly approach once more, and the retainers with trembling hands holds their weapon tighter until,

"Please, that's enough Uncle. Do you wish to disgrace me further than this?"

The man who is also a beast-kin similar to her loosen his grip before he finally hangs his head replying:

"We'll get you back... Retreat! We're getting out of this peninsula!"

Her uncle turns around and gesture at the other retainers to retreat in runician, gliding off towards the horizon as they dissapear beneath the dark clouds. Their gaze ever so piercing when they turn their heads but,

"Charge!"

I lunge my arms forward shouting towards the inner castle that seem to be at my grasp. The warriors heeding my call rush towards the broken barricades and continue onwards.

"Whatever you do, I will never break."

She seems to be quite the textbook honourable warrior but I guess I can use that. I extend my arm and disperse the chains holding her saying:

"That's good I guess..."

(Um... I mean this is the first time I actually participate in such a huge battle or should I say, fight in one. What am I suppose to do with prisoners? Harun is not here either... And so is Heon, how did he get so well with that elder?)

I look at the warriors who's protecting me saying:

"Um, excuse me."

"Huh? A-Are you calling me, your highness?"

One of the caped warriors seem shocked to hear me but I continue asking:

"Sorry if I sound clueless, but since this is the first time fighting in a war, what am I suppose to do with the prisoners? Harun- well, I mean the one who usually deal with this is not currently with me. Do I just bring her back myself? Or how do we actually approach this...?"

"O-Oh! Worry not, princess nim! My squad will bring her back for you! But as for your question..."

His face becomes serious and his eyes sharpen looking at the beast-kin saying:

"Usually we take prisoners back to camp as spoils of war, but on special events like this, we don't take prisoners that attack our holy city. We would flay them alive and stick their corpse on pikes to set an example, no matter if they're from Heaven or Hell."

*gulp*

I swallow my own fear and try putting a strong front replying:

"O-Oh... I see... Sorry for not following your ways but I would really appreciate if you don't take more lives than neccesary. I hope that's okay?"

"Like I said, princess nim! Worry not! You have shown us a feat worthy of legends! The King of Gods is surely awaiting your tribute."

"I-I see... Thank you."

"You heard her! We the Juji tribe will bring her spoils back!"

" "We Obey!" "

"Four legged freak! Get on your feet!"

The warriors starts to escort her away and I-

*Crash*

(Did those calvary return?)

*Sheen* *click* *Psssh*

Feeling something moving rapidly towards my head, I want to leave it to my shield by instincts says otherwise. I swing my halberd as if swatting a fly and,

*Shatter* *Pang* *Booom*

My halberd defelected a huge round that decimated the whole building as soon as it landed. At the distance a few buildings away, a thin smoke rises. I saw someone aiming with a giant gun as if they shrink those wall cannons.

"No way! She deflected my special bullet!?"

"Bitch, she grabbed the shell of the Heaven buster with her bare hands! Argh! All troops, kill her and this invasion is over!"

With magic shield shattered by her shot, multiple soldiers suddenly appear as if they just pop to existence in the rooftops aiming their guns. Just like the calvary before, they dress differently in a bright red coat and brighter blue pants with green plumes on their blue caps.

(Wow, are soldiers usually so colourful? Also, how did they sneak so close despite being so noticable?)

"Shield around the-"

*Boom* *Boom* *Boom*

[Lordow Eresfer]

I cast another huge shield around the warriors and block all the incoming projectiles when the windows that is under the shield bust open with soldiers wearing the same bright clothes appear, aiming their guns. I try to throw something but remembering what Harun said, I hold myself back when doors in the building burst open as well and many more soldiers charge at us.

*bang* *bang* *bang*

(A prepared ambush?)

*Rumble*

From the new open path made by the explosion, a new calvary force of the same bright blue and red charges in.

"This doesn't seem to bad-"

"Protect the Princess!"

"Give your life for Wenju!"

"Beat back these invaders!"

*Sheen*

Noticing the same attack coming, I raise my hand and,

*grab* *psssh*

Grabbing the incoming projectile that looks like an black tipped arrow with a propellant, I aim at the building to my left which cause the soldiers to panic and run away.

*Hurl* *Boom*

The soldiers that was charging in from the door gets blown away and fell down, next I look at the charging calvary and cast a wide,

[Larie Nahxis]

The chains emerge grabbing thr steeds of many calvary and cause them to fall in droves as the rider fron the back continues to crash on the front. With most of the ambush lying down on the ground, the warriors pick them off very easily.

" "PEAK!!! PEAK!!! PEAK!!!" "

" "GWISHIN!!! GWISHIN!!!" "

*Rumble*

" "WEN!!!" "

" "JU!!!" "

All the warriors enter into quite the frenzy just like when I grabbed the huge artilley fire. Each of them becomes a berzerker that doesn't give regards any regard their own health while they hunt all the downed enemies. That's when I notice another group coming over from where the recent left building once stood. Armed to the teeth with bright yellow pagoda armour that dwarves our juggernauts, they're all wielding mighty maces the size of my whole body while they're the size of the 2 story buildings.

(Where in the world are they when I storm the gates!?)

Their visor that seem to show they only have one eye gleams bright red as they all look at me, who seems to be their leader who wields a massive warhammer and bigger than the rest charge forwards shouting:

"There's the high interest target! Kill her and make master Kazmierz happy!"

"Hoo-Ah!"

The giants changes directions and starts going our way when,

*Swoosh* *Zoom*

"Hm? That sounds familiar"

My ears picked up a familiar sound. I look up and saw something pierce through the dark clouds, with round helmets and light armour, a group of winged beast-kin flies in wedge formation as they descend.

(Was I actually hoping that would be Gangyi? Or maybe I was hoping to meet someone I know?)

I look down at my finger that holds her ring and remember how she said I can find her with this ring. As I wonder how to do that, the warriors surrounding me starts to disperse to face against the coming foes-

*Crack* *Crack*

"Hm?"

"That damn bastard."

Hearing something moving underground, I heard the four legged beast-kin curse and notice how the warriors have left her alone. But despite that, she doesn't seem to make any attempts to escape, so I can't help but ask:

"I'm surprised you didn't escape."

I speak in runician which seem to cause her head to turn quickly and her eyes widened in shock replying:

"Y-You know the language of the Gods?"

(Why is she so surprise? I mean Seyong and even Yoo-Sui learn how to speak it. Is it suppose to be so hard?)

*Rumble*

"Well either way, we should get away from this ground right?"

"Yes, since my life is in your hands now I suggest we get far from this ground."

A bit weirded by how much she's cooperating and her own values, I grab her by her hand and jump away when,

*Quake* *Crumble*

The whole ground sinks and any warriors or beasts unlucky enough fell to their deaths. Landing to the nearest building, I look down and watch as the whole area turn into a mess. It is a chaotic melee where the warriors and war beasts are simply charging at whatever they see in complete disaray. From the darkest pit of that sunken hole, something slowly emerges, crawling out with large pink tails and wearing layers of chainmail, a rat-kin army joins the fight.

(All of them just keep on coming).

"Now, how will you deal with all the elites coming your way? If I have a solution it would be to deal with the cyclops first... And how long are you going to hold my hand?"

The four legged beast-kin calmly look over the battlefield as she then asks and I can't help but reply with,

"You know, if I didn't know any better, you actually wanted to get captured."

Now that I'm looking at her with a close distance, she is huge. Towering over and bigger than Sis Rubeca in height alone not to mention her width... I mean, I can't even reach the rip of my fingers to touch-

"I feel like you're thinking something rude."

"What do you mean? Think? Not said?"

"Neigh... I can't believe this is my captor. Are you going to make me turn on my client so quickly?"

(Neigh?)

A bit startled with her breathe, I let her hand go replying:

"I seriously have no clue on what you're saying but... If you're saying that I need to deal with... What's a cyclops?"

"Neigh... I suppose, I'll go make myself obscure."

Her sighs becomes much longer as she walks away, wondering if I should leave her alone but,

"Hey, can I know your name? I don't like using hey."

She turns around and seem to ponder for a bit before saying:

"Neizhexue... You can call me with that."

"Mm, good, I'll find you after this."

Formulating a plan and wondering if it'll work, maybe it was for a moment but I could feel a tangent of curiosity from her gaze as I brish those thought aside and jump down.

*Crash*

"Uwak!"

"What the!?"

"O-Oh! That's her! Get her!"

"No wonder we couldn't find you! So you didn't get caught!"

"Hyaha! Drag her back to master Kazmierz!"

Landing right at the middle of their onslaught and with my back against a wall, I decided to disperse my halberd. And clench my fists.

"I'm sure you wouldn't mind losing a limb-"

*smash*

"Let's see what's behind that mask-"

*smash*

"I can't wait to see your face when you-"

*smash*

I punch through their swords and cave their faces with my bare hands, soon casting:

"[Edir]"

Rather than dropping down, the rat-kin floats up but their friends doesn't seem to care as I continue my onslaught.

*smack* *pow* *crunch*

Wondering if it's right to use borrowed power so callously, I push that thought back for now as my own spell might turn this whole city into dust. The number of rat-kin that start to float starts to accumulate like, like a vendour selling balloons they all gather atop of me like a make-shift umbrella dripping blood. And soon they all start to realize as well.

"H-Hey, boss, are you sure we should keep feeding on to her powers?"

Amidst the horde of rat-kin crawling out of the sink hole, their leader who wears a brown beret taps on his pipe and starts smoking it saying:

"All she did is simply carry around dead weight. She'll tire eventually."

Brushing his coat, he unsheates his short sword and brandish his pistol shouting:

"Since she gracefully come to us, let's make this reception one to remember! Those who reomves her mask gets a 100 Yuan!"

Hearing that, all the rat-kin even those who are still fighting the warriors at the distance turn their back a d start rushing over...

"Fuuuh... [Ignoy Ratsar]"

Casting that spell, I feel my sholw body being drained as a gigantic circle form beneath us and envelope even the sink hole.

"Wha!?"

"Boss, I think we should escape."

"[Edir]"

Thoe whole area shines with a bright purple glow, raising my hand up everything I see gets enveloped by purple light.

"Uwaaah!"

"I-I can't get down!"

"Hold on- no! I'm going up as well... Uwaaah!"

*crack* *lift*

From the rat-kins, brightly clothed soldiers, warriors, war beasts, debris, buuldings, weapons, bullets, pebbles, and anything that isn't holding to the ground starts getting lift, even the one still in the sink hole doesn't seem to be spared. I notice one caped warrior who looks at me bewildered but I explain him my plan saying:

"Sorry, but I'll be sending you ahead. With all the enemies stuck here with me, you should be able to breach the castle easily with Bo-Minji Ssi or elder Baek nim."

"Oh! Leave it to us! Send us ahead!"

"[Lawel]!"

*swoosh* *crash* *Boom* *Boom*

"The princess have gracefully sent us ahead! Show them the might of Wenju"

"Let's not leave everything to her! Let's show her we can do this!"

"Throwing warriors instead of weapons huh? Seems there is a first in everything."

"Really brat? I guess you haven't heard of Lord Juon 30 years ago."

" "Wen!" "

" "Ju!" "

Lifting them all up beyond the building, I hurl everything towards the inner castle just a few building away. And it seems the warriors doesn't seem to hold it against me which is good to know.

(Phew, good thing they don't see that as a range attack).

I look at the giant sink hole and it seems nothing seems to come out anymore, either they're done or they don't want to.

Slowly I walk ahead when something rumbles the earth, trembling more then when the four legged beast-kin arrive with her calvary. The march of giants kicks up a huge cloud of dust as they approach me.

"Are you going to face us alone, little girl!? Mighty brave of you!"

*Boom* *quake*

Their leader speaking in runician steps forth and smash his hammer to the ground and cause ground beneath is to crack and shake.

"But I ain't like those rat bastards, I challenge you to duel, lowland warrior!"

I summon my halberd and take a wrath stance saying:

"I accept!"

"You speak the language of the Gods? No matter, then let us begin, Hraaagh!!!"

Swinging his massive warhammer with both his arms, the head of the hammer alone is bigger than my upper half but,

"Huup!"

*Clash* *Pang* *Booom* *Vwooosh*

Swinging with both my arm, my halberd cut into the blunt of the hammer and stop his swing mid way. Our feet sink to the ground, causing the cracks beneath us while the sheer impact of our weapons blows all the dust cloud away.

*shake*

I feel my hand tremble as the tremor shock I suffered from him is makes my hands go numb.

(What's with his strength? This might be the heaviest strike I ever receive).

His one eye widen not in surprise but jubilation as even behind his visor I can feel his ear to ear grin.

"Bahahaha! What's this? You held so much raw power despite being small!? And you're a lord archmage too with a soul weapon? You lowlanders sure hide something interesting, hraaagh!"

Since he is much bigger than me and with my halberd lodge to his warhammer, he lifts his weapon up which elevates me as well before he then smash his hammer down but,

*Stomp* *Hurl*

"Whaha!?"

I took the brunt of his might as I use the force he make to plant my feet to the ground and pay back what he did. With my halberd lodged, I push the pain and numbness aside to lift him up as he won't let his weapon go,

(This feeling reminds me the first time lifting the boulder during training).

I couldn't really lift him high thanks to our height difference but it is just enough to flip him over and smash his back to the ground.

*Crash*

His massive body slams to the ground, causjng the cracks to become even deeper and kick up quite a bige pillar of dust. The one-eyed juggernaut who is now behind me becomes more excited as he burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! How interesting! To think you could actually compete with me in strength, I will make you bear my children!"

*shiver*

(Okay... Now those marriege proposals doesn't sound so bad).

I shiver at the thought as I see his glowing beaming eyes piercing through the plumes of dust rising from my action. I feel my hand getting pull as he seems to move but I take this chance to unlodge my halberd that has loosen from his wargammer.

His warhammer must've been made by some weird material as my power couldn't cut it that deep. He brushes the dust from the cracks and then throw it away shouting:

"Catch!"

"Wha!?"

"Wooah!"

"Over here!"

3 of his companions run ahead with their arms up and barely catch it and fell as the warhammer crushes them. Cracking his fist, he streches his neck around saying:

"Alright, little girl, what about some fist to fist bonding?"

"Usually I wouldn't mind, but not this time."

I ready my halberd and the cyclops doesn't seem to mind.

"Bahaha! With our size difference, my fist are no different than hammers! Let's-"

*Zooom*

Hearing something dropping rapidly from above, I move back and,

*Swish*

Barely dodge the grip of an incoming bird-kin.

"Shit! Stay where you are! Stupid dumb prey!"

Someone shouts and cuss in runician as she flies over towards the one eyed merc.

"You harpy! Get away from my prize!"

"Like I take orders from you, muscle brain~!"

The bird-kin and her group have arrive in drove, circling the above us like vultures...

(Now that I look at her, isn't she just like a vulture? All of them are.)

Unlike Gangyi's myriad of colorful feathers, the bird-kin group that arrive are all the same colour of dark brown while their silver hair flutters with the wind. While their body are not that big, their wingspan that stretches much longer than their own body creates quite the imposing stature.

"You better stay away! She's mine! Also, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with the Eclish army cleaning the north?"

Their leader, a woman wearing a leather jacket with white fur and accessories all over her body like Gangyi, with short curly and fluffy white perms she spins like a wheel at the question and stops to answer him upside down to reveal goggles beneath her long bangs saying:

"Bahaha! We already finished that a month ago. Who knew by treating those lowlanders better than their lords makes them so subservient. But enough of that, we're here as reinforcements~! If you got a problem, talk with Master Kazmierz!"

She flips back up and threatens the one eyed beast by opening her goggles revealing her bright brown eyes.

"Grrrgh! Using Master's name is no fair!"

(Huh? That... Doesn't sound good. Does that mean Kagan is already engaged in battle but some still get through? He is suppose to be leading a combined force from the east and west to guard the north, preventing any of Geom's reinforcements to break the siege. Then again, it is just a group of bird-kin, I doubt they can stop something flying above the clouds...)

"I got a bad feeling about this."

"Pukikiki! That's right, little girl~ You smelly barbarians will soon suffer the wrath of Heaven! I'm taking her on!"

The vulpture leader wears her goggles again and dives head first towards me, followed by the rest of the bird-kins.

"Oh no you don't! Wodansen, with me!"

"Hoo-Ah!"

*rumble*

The one eyed mercs charges following her and his group causes the already unstable ground to shake even more as they kick up a huge dust cloud.

(How am I suppose to deal with this?)

Seeing the bird-kin flying in formation, I can't help but be reminded of Gangyi's talons. Raising both my arms, I take a deep breathe and disperse my weapon,

*swoop* *clench*

"NnnnNOOOOOO!!!"

The one eyed leader lets out a painful roar as I let myself grabbed in the arms and her talons, luckily her feet is big enough that her talon just won't reach me.

"KAKA! To think you would let yourself get grabbed so easily~"

(Do all of them laugh the same way?)

"As long as you bring me far from that one eyed freak."

"Pukiki~ You're fun~ but sadly I have a contract to fulfill. So, nothing personal okay? Well, girls, mess her up but leave her head intact."

" "We obey!" "

As one tries to claw at my feet, I simply lift both my legs and dodge in time, but rather than dropping down, I continue to bend my knee and pull my legs back and until my face touch my stomach. By this point, my shoulders have twisted more than it should but this is nothing.

"Puki? What's that weird ass-"

*Smash*

The moment she leans over and look down, my muscles have retracted enough force to let out a swift stomp to her face. Smashing her goggles and sinking her face a bit.

(Phew, for a second she would dodge that easily).

Maybe it was from the pain or maybe she simply flinch from my attack but her grip loosen and gives me the opportunity to free myself by grabbing one of her nails and,

*crack*

"Ekyaaaa!"

"What are you doing!? Lowlander!"

Not really intending to rip her nails off while loosening her finger, I dodge the incoming attack by simply using her nails that shaped like a hook and,

*Stab* *Slash*

"Kyaaa! Wha-What's happening!?"

Stabbing her on her thigh, I climb and barely dodge her ally's attack that cut her feet instead. Having had enough the leader tries to shake me off but I hold on to her tighter than a storm in summer.

"Owowow! Hey! Where are you touching!? Let go!"

She tries to brush me away with her wings but climb to her back, leaving her nail in the wound, I manage to get a piggy back ride and she no way of reaching me even with her long wings.

"What the hell are you all doing!? Get her off me!"

"B-But..."

The others seem to hesitate seeing the mistake of the previous attack. She continues to try and shake me away but seeing all her accesory jingle I can't help but notice a certain antique. Worn to her right ear like an earing, it has a very similar pattern to my new ring. Feeling a familiar want, I form a plan.

(I believe I found my answer).