The sky above Greystone roiled with ash-gray clouds, casting long shadows across the battlefield. At the edge of the tree line, the monstrous horde loomed like a crawling storm, their snarls echoing like thunder across the open plain.
Three massive figures stood at the vanguard of the Tide: General Kong, the obsidian-skinned brute with arms like tree trunks and fangs that jutted over his lips; Inferna, the inferno-wreathed ape whose fur constantly smoldered, leaving scorched footprints in his wake; and towering above them all,
Whiteclaw
—the Pale Tyrant, leader of the Tide. His silver-white fur shimmered beneath the darkened sky, his crimson eyes surveying the distant walls of Greystone with disdain.
General Kong chuckled, cracking his knuckles. "They built walls, the little things. Do they think stone will save them from our tide?"
Inferna snorted a puff of smoke. "They'll burn all the same. Their beasts won't even answer their calls when fear takes them."
Whiteclaw the Silverback raised a massive arm, silencing them. "Let them witness despair. Send the fodder. Let their hope die with the first wave."
The front lines of the Tide surged forward—hundreds of pale apes and twisted beasts howling as they charged. But Silvermaw and his generals remained still, content to watch the slaughter they believed inevitable.
Far behind Greystone's reinforced walls, Lucas Carter stood atop the ramparts, eyes closed as the wind tugged at his cloak. Umbra and Zephyra stood flanking him, their auras resonating in quiet sync.
DING!
[System Quest Alert: Last Stand of Greystone]
Objective: Survive the Tide. Defeat the Generals. Secure the Barony.
Optional Objective: Eliminate 70% of the Tide Army before they breach the wall.
Reward: ???
Lucas opened his eyes, now glowing faintly with the residual light of Zephyra's bond. "Let's begin."
He turned to the inner wall, where Reynard directed the last of the militia—fifty hardened locals armed and armored. Behind them, thirty Stormfang Beastkin stood in formation under Kaela's command, their thunder-themed markings glowing faintly.
"Ready the traps!" Lucas commanded.
Below the walls, wooden barricades shifted. Dozens of magical runes embedded in the ground began to glow—an intricate web of enchanted snares, spike pits, and stun wards Lucas had earned from the system's earlier reward.
The ground shook.
Hundreds of white-furred monsters rushed forward, unaware.
As they crossed into the kill zone, the first runes detonated.
BOOM! CRACKLE! SNAP!
Explosions of lightning, earth spikes, and arcs of energy rippled across the battlefield. The air was filled with the screams of beasts, limbs flying, bodies flailing. A second wave of traps triggered, sucking groups of monsters into spike-filled pits hidden beneath soft soil.
From above, the defenders watched as chaos bloomed across the plain.
Kaela let out a whistle. "That's half their force—gone in a blink."
Elira, beside her on Luna, nodded with grim satisfaction. "It's working. They didn't expect this."
DING!
[Tide Army reduced by 49%]
[Bonus XP Earned: +3400]
[EXP Shared with Party Members and Beasts]
Lucas smirked. "Let's keep the advantage."
Despite not swinging a sword, their levels ticked upward. Experience was pouring in from the mass casualties.
**Ding! **
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Elira: Level 21
Luna: Level 21
Kaela: Level 21
Thunderfang: Level 21
Lucas: Level 22
Umbra: Level 22
Zephyra: Level 22
Lucas's heart pounded—not in fear, but anticipation.
The generals on the enemy side had stopped smiling.
Whiteclaw the Silverback clenched his fists. "So... the little barony bites."
Inferna growled. "We lost the weak. It was their purpose. Now we send fury."
General Kong eyes glowed crimson. "Let's drown them in blood."
The second wave was coming—and this time, it wouldn't be so easy.
Lucas stood tall atop the wall, wind whipping his coat as magical light danced in his hands.
He smiled.
"Come then. Let's see if monsters bleed."