TL: Pai_
The Frost Giants and Dragons were already terrifying, but now another ancient species had awakened.
-Kraaaargh!
A massive roar echoed from the distance.
At that mont, a bear with its mouth wide open, roaring toward the sky, appeared.
"Is that the Ancient Snow Bear?"
Jaiden Wicks murmured with a grave expression.
True to his title as the Northern Commander, he was well-versed in the ancient species.
If the northeastern frontline were breached, they would be the ones responsible for stopping the beings beyond the mountain range. Thus, he had a thorough understanding of the ancient species that had vanished beyond the mountains in ages past.
"Hah... This is driving crazy."
Jaiden Wicks lifted his sword with a frustrated look.
It was no longer the ti to focus solely on commanding.
The bear tribe that rules over snow.
One of the ancient ancestor lineages of the beast-folk, they were known as one of the ancient druids that had awakened.
If more of these species were to awaken, humanity would have no hope.
The only saving grace was that the newly awakened dragons seed weak, likely because they had not yet had ti to grow.
‘There’s enough ti for us to grow, too.’
With that thought, Jaiden Wicks stepped forward instead of remaining in command.
And the sa applied to other Masters and Commanders.
Amid the fierce battle against the Frost Giants and ancient species, the soldiers and talented individuals saw their growth accelerating.
The reason behind this could be attributed to...
-You have defeated a Frost Giant. As a reward…
Soone had managed to land the final blow on a Frost Giant, and it instantly resulted in a reward.
"Frost energy?"
Cold energy began to emanate from the soldier's mana-infused spear, creating a blue ripple around it.
The soldier stared at his weapon with a surprised expression.
The newfound strength was so overwhelming that even he was shocked by it.
Other soldiers, envious of what they saw, began hunting for their next prey.
Simply killing an ancient species could earn you rewards.
Of course, such rewards weren’t handed out every ti.
Once soone received rewards beyond a certain threshold, the difficulty of obtaining the next set of rewards increased drastically.
Because of this, those at the Master Level or higher were not receiving any rewards.
However, when Aiden, who was certain to beco the next Lion Family Head, killed a Frost Warrior with the Knights, the situation changed.
"That guy… killed a Frost Warrior and beca a Master?"
The martial artists who had hit a wall in their progress all turned to look at Aiden.
At a glance, Aiden still seed inexperienced to be called a Master.
Normally, those who broke through their limits and reached the Master Level naturally acquired proficiency in wielding the Aura Blade and an overwhelming dominance within a certain area. Aiden lacked in these aspects.
But that didn’t matter.
Since he had already beco a Master, these flaws would naturally correct themselves over ti.
More importantly, as a Master, he now possessed the power to face a Frost Warrior alone.
‘It’s possible to grow further!’
‘The wall can be broken!’
Everyone began to entertain such thoughts as they turned their eyes toward the ancient species.
No longer were these beings harbingers of destruction.
To them, these creatures were nothing more than stepping stones for their growth.
-Morale… has risen.
Heurimre, who was engaged in battle with Iron, muttered as he observed the surroundings.
With the appearance of the dragons and the Ancient Snow Bear, the humans had experienced a brief decline in morale. But now, they were fighting fiercely once again.
In war, morale is crucial.
Especially in a closely matched battle like this, morale could easily tip the balance of power in one side’s favor.
That’s why Heurimre found the current shift in montum displeasing.
“Don’t think ti is a weapon that belongs to you alone.”
Iron said this as he stared at Heurimre.
After Crimson's death, the Imperial Army fought even more desperately, as if they had awakened to a new resolve.
And now, they were even being rewarded for their efforts?
The conditions for growth had been laid out for them?
This was tantamount to placing a powerful weapon in their hands, enabling them to achieve their resolve.
-…I see. Just because ti passes, it doesn’t an we’ll always hold an overwhelming advantage. But… that’s only true for the soldiers.
Heurimre spoke as he raised his axe.
A far more powerful aura than before began to engulf the surroundings.
From the massive body of the blue giant, a murderous aura flowed out, rging with frost energy to create a formidable wave.
-Indeed, more warriors capable of opposing my soldiers will erge, and there will even be humans capable of facing those arrogant dragon leaders.
Heurimre spoke as he glanced at the humans showing potential to beco Masters, as well as the two family heads exhibiting their overwhelming strength against the dragon leaders.
-But the question is, can you really stand against ?
At Heurimre’s question, Iron remained silent.
It was true, he was growing rapidly.
The wall that had blocked him had crumbled, and he was charging forward on the path of ‘growth’ without hesitation.
But even so, it was becoming increasingly difficult to face Heurimre.
No matter how quickly he grew, it was still insufficient compared to Heurimre’s recovery of his original power.
Moreover, as Heurimre regained more of his strength, his options expanded.
As soone who had originally stood at the pinnacle of power, Heurimre had a broader perspective on the battlefield than Iron, allowing him to make more decisive choices at critical monts.
Kuwoong!
“Ugh!”
-Do you truly believe you can stop ?
At Heurimre’s question, Iron could not respond.
But the determination in his eyes did not waver.
‘I will endure to the very end.’
With this thought, Iron raised his sword once more.
It was getting increasingly burdenso, but just once, there would be at least one opportunity to defeat Heurimre.
'If only the Divine Beasts arrive, we'd have a fighting chance.'
Iron steadied his stance, holding onto this hope.
-Are you trying to hold out? Or… are you plotting sothing?
At Heurimre’s muttered words, Iron responded not with words, but by swinging his sword.
Once again, the Path of Steel, a technique he had shown several tis before, unfolded.
Iron’s swordsmanship demonstrated what kind of power could be achieved when the fundantals were honed to their absolute peak.
Simple yet perfect, the strength that erged from his flawless stance even forced Heurimre, the mighty giant, to retreat slightly.
Because it was based on basic forms, there were no gaps in his technique. Because it was simple, it was swift and efficient.
As the relentless pursuit of ultimate efficiency and stability was combined with the driving force of advancent. Iron began to push Heurimre back once again.
But unlike before, Heurimre wasn’t pushed as easily this ti.
‘How long can I hold on…?’
Iron glanced at Heurimre with a grim expression.
-Is this the limit for today?
Heurimre smirked as he looked at Iron.
It was as if he were warning him that the next battle would be even tougher. With a confident grin, Heurimre retreated.
And just as he had warned, in the next fight, even with the Path of Steel, Heurimre was no longer pushed back.
-Today will be the last ti I retreat.
Heurimre said as he adjusted his stance.
Although he seed evenly matched with Iron now, he still took two steps back during the battle.
However, Heurimre was certain that in the next fight, not only would he avoid being pushed back, but he would also be able to drive Iron into a corner.
As expected, in the following battle, Iron gradually began to be overpowered.
-Is it my turn to take the advantage now?
At Heurimre’s words, Iron bit his lip.
In the end, Heurimre’s speed of recovering his strength outpaced Iron’s speed of growth.
This ant that the battles ahead would be even more grueling.
With the Ancient Snow Bears officially joining the fray, humanity’s forces, which had been gradually pushing back the ancient species, were now being driven back once again.
The footholds they had painstakingly secured were being taken one by one, and an environnt advantageous to the ancient species, yet harsh and unforgiving for humans, was taking shape.
However, there was one crucial fact that both sides overlooked: the rapid growth of humanity.
Even in the midst of such dire circumstances, humanity’s forces were steadily growing at a terrifying pace.
And once again, this steadily evolving army of humanity pushed back the ancient species and claid victory.
“…We must buy them ti.”
At Jaiden Wicks’s words, the Commanders and the Southern Masters nodded in agreent.
While battling the ancient species, the otherworlders were beginning to set their sights on the Master level, and the geniuses within the Empire were also reaching the wall that defined a Master.
If the enemy grew stronger, then so too must humanity.
The best proof of this was none other than Ariel and Aiden.
Despite having only recently beco Masters, the two geniuses were growing at an astonishing rate.
Following in the wake of these two geniuses, other talents were also rising.
The existing Masters needed to buy them the ti to grow.
“It will be difficult, but endure it. As those who once ruled the continent, you must at least hold out… until those children have ti to grow, mustn’t you?”
At Jaiden Wicks’s words, all the Masters gave a small nod of agreent.
With that, the Commanders and the Southern Masters renewed their resolve, and the eting adjourned.
“It’s becoming… harder and harder.”
Yolke, one of the Southern Masters, grit his teeth as he spoke.
Carlos and Muradin felt the sa.
It was clear that the Empire’s Commanders were growing stronger with every battle.
But that wasn’t the case for the Southern Masters.
Was it because they had once betrayed their kind?
Or was it due to the remnants of the Ancient Gods’ influence?
Perhaps it was because traces of their corrupted power still lingered?
Whatever the reason, the system did not actively support them.
The rewards they received were also smaller than those of others.
This difference in rewards inevitably led to a gap in growth.
“…Is this the end of our role?”
At Carlos’s words, Muradin and Yolke gave bitter smiles.
The Lord God had not forgotten.
Though they had joined the war seeking atonent, from the perspective of the Lord God, it likely seed like they had switched sides rely to survive.
Perhaps the Lord God might forgive them after this battle was over.
But the question was, could they hold out until then?
The three Southern Masters exchanged glances, their expressions resigned.
Their skills were already inferior to those of the Empire’s Masters, and now the growing gap in power only added to their woes.
This widening disparity ant the difference in skill would only grow, and with even the Empire’s Masters barely managing to hold their own against the increasingly powerful Frost Warriors and Dragons, there was no way the Southern Masters could withstand them.
“I’d like to make my last stand an honorable one… is that too much to hope for?”
“More than that, I hope our atonent ends with us.”
“If we can just buy enough ti for them to grow, that might just happen…”
Carlos, Muradin, and Yolke each spoke in turn, imagining their final monts.
Even if they couldn’t compare to Crimson, the Northeastern Commander, they hoped that they too could et an honorable end.
With that thought in mind, they prepared for the next battle.
The Southern Masters, who had resolved to endure no matter what, now found themselves at their limits. The ever-strengthening Frost Warriors and so of the Dragons had beco foes they could no longer face alone.
In the end, they had no choice but to accept help from so of the stronger otherworlders and knights. Together, they fought desperately and managed to hold the line, continuing the battles by sheer willpower.
Despite the harsh conditions, the Imperial Army endured several more battles, only to be greeted by yet another ominous notification.
-Another ancient species, the Yetis, has awakened. These mutated Yetis, who once made contracts with demons, have awakened, creating an opening for the demons to intervene in the North.
The sudden notification caused the entire leadership of the Empire to gather in one place.
"...We can't continue just enduring like this anymore."
Everyone nodded at Southern Master Yolke's words.
The enemies were growing stronger, and more ancient species were awakening.
While humanity’s forces were indeed growing, the pace at which their enemies were growing stronger was far faster.
Even Iron was beginning to struggle more and more against Heurimre.
It was clear to everyone, and the room was filled with tense glances in Iron’s direction.
Under the weight of everyone’s gaze, Iron opened his previously closed eyes and looked around at the gathered leadership.
“Twice. Please hold out for two more battles.”
At Iron’s words, the Commanders and Masters stared at him in silence.
“…Could it be?”
Lioner, seemingly catching on, looked at Iron and asked hesitantly.
“…Yes. They are showing signs of awakening. However… they still need a little more ti,”
Iron replied, placing his left hand over his heart.
From the rhythmic pulsing of his heart, faint and mysterious waves resonated. These waves carried the unmistakable energy of the Divine Beasts, as if they were crying out, “Just a little longer, and we will awaken.”
“It’s decided, then,”
Jaiden Wicks said as he rose from his seat.
“Our decisive mont will co after two more battles. Until then… we have to hold on, no matter what.”
Everyone nodded in agreent at Jaiden Wicks’s words.
The strongest man of humanity had made a request.
“Just two more battles. If you endure, I will bring victory by defeating Heurimre.”
Iron’s earnest plea made all the Masters resolutely nod their heads.
Heroes never betrayed expectations. Even Crimson, whose body was crushed and covered in wounds, had t the expectations placed upon him to the very end.
They believed in him.
With everyone’s faith united, humanity’s forces managed to endure two more grueling battles.
And finally, the mont for humanity’s decisive battle had arrived.
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