The guards who were assembled just outside the village suddenly heard a loud boom sound and an intense heat in the air suddenly sweeps in and stops their advance.

"What the heck is going on?!" the soldiers can even barely stand the heat.

Captain Ivona who is much stronger compared to the guards also felt the intense heat coming from somewhere and although she can withstand its heat, it is certainly very unpleasant to the skin that she has to hide on a wall along with her soldiers.

It took a few minutes before the hot air that surrounds the area disappeared and the air returned to normal. Everyone went out from their hiding spots and felt their skin as if they are scalded by the hot air. Some have minor burns while those who are much stronger only felt hot but not injured.

Captain Ivona then commands her men to march forward and look for the sign of the horde.

"Strange, the horde is nowhere in sight," the scout who relayed the info to Captain Ivona scratches his head after finding out that the horde of monsters that was coming is missing and nowhere to be found.

"Did you lie to us?" Captain Ivona asked in a stern voice.

"No captain. Even if you torture me to death, I will still say the same thing."

They continue to walk a bit more and noticed the markings of blood present on the sand. It was not the red blood commonly seen but the green and blue colored ones in which the only creatures that possess them are demons and monsters.

"Scouts, check-up ahead of us and report once you all see something strange," Captain Ivona ordered.

The two scouts saluted before they went out to check what is happening in the distance. A few minutes later, only one scout returned and relayed what they have seen.

"Reporting in, Captain. We discovered where the horde went but they are no longer alive. They are all dead and have either been slashed to pieces or smashed to smithereens."

"Where is the other guy who came with you? Why is he not here?" Captain Ivona asked.

"He went ahead further because he noticed something smoking not too far from our location. He just asked me to get some backup in case things get hairy."

"Alright then, lead the way," Captain Ivona said and followed the scouts to where they found the bodies.

They didn't arrive at the area yet when the smell of disgusting and putrid air emanated to her nose, causing her to cover her nose and mouth as she can also somewhat taste the disgusting air for some reason. Pushing onward, they arrive at the sight, and all the monsters' dead bodies are piled up. Captain Ivona frowned and she looked at the wounds of the monsters.

"It seems like the weapon used is a greatsword or similar to it. But what I am a bit not sure how a single person can do so much slaughter."

While Captain Ivona was busy analyzing the remains of the dead monsters, the other scout who didn't come back along with the other guy appeared running.

"Captain! Reporting in! I found the one who caused this slaughter not too far from us! He is currently lying on the sand weakened with a big armored guy who is guarding him and keeps his sword pointed to every being that came too close!"

"Call the others to follow me, we will be going to meet the one who annihilated the threat."

The other scout nodded and went back to relay the message while the other scout led Captain Ivona towards the smoke. As they got closer to where the smoke is rising, the heat is also rising, which allowed Captain Ivona to piece together where the explosion of heat centered.

When they reached the area, what Captain Ivona saw is a huge skull and skeletal remains of a giant with only one eye socket.

...

Although I feel heavy all over my body after using the [Domain of the Shield], I can still move around without much problem. I already picked up all the loot that was dropped from the body of Moro but I felt so heavy and fatigued to even move around. I ordered Atlas to stand guard while I rest due to the backlash. If I don't rest, I might get thrown out of the Reality Verse before I can even complete the game.

It didn't take long before I saw someone approaching my location. Based on how she was wearing, I assume she is the captain the soldiers were talking about.

"HUMAN! DON'T YOU DARE APPROACH OR MY BLADE WILL HIT YOU!"

The captain quickly draws out her sword but she didn't attack immediately. I tap Atlas's back and stopped him from doing anything.

"Stop it Atlas. They are not an enemy. Put down your sword."

Atlas was hesitant but he followed my orders and put away his sword. The captain nodded in response and sheathed her sword again before approaching.

"I presume you are the one who annihilated the demons who were about to attack the village?"

"It's not only me who defended the village, my bud here helped me take the threats down. If I was the only one, I would be overwhelmed and easily get killed by them all."

The captain looked at Atlas while the latter also looked at her with his eyes glowing under his helmet.

"I couldn't care less if he is a being of the darkness or not as long as he helped to defend the village and keep everything and everyone safe, then he has my gratitude for that, and also to you as well. We may have arrived late but I will introduce myself. I am the Captain of the 10th battalion, Ivona Yasezeva. As the captain tasked to defend the village, I owe you guys a great deal of gratitude. Please follow us and we will have to treat your wounds."

"Much appreciated."

Ivona looked at the skeletal remains of Moro and nodded before she looked at me and smiled.

"It looks like we don't need to perform a raid to the hideout of the demons anymore to kill their leader since we have slain the one who is controlling the West Desert."

Once Ivona said those words, the quest log finally updated.

[Mission Accomplished]