*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*

"Those are the artillery cannons of the third line that they told us about...?"

Ti looked at the hundreds of artillery batteries lined up behind a protective wall of a military structure spiked with smaller cannons and heavy machine guns.

Even the group of people brought up in a world of magic with no access to such weaponry had to feel respect when seeing teams of people manning the cannons that spit fire and shells with each deafening shot, raining death and destruction upon the first and second line.

"Wait...! Why are they shooting?! Has the first wave already started?! Are we too late?! System, show active quest!"

Mika panicked and loudly called out a system command.

- Final frontier -

Timed endurance quest to test the player's limits

-

The kingdom of Fruit Salad is in grave danger.

The Sloth's forces protecting the northern border for hundreds of years will no longer be enough to stop the titan-class monsters.

-

Objective:

Fight on the frontline and protect the border

*complete the standard training course (completed)

*push back the 1st monster wave (05:02:33 remaining)

*push back the 2nd monster wave (29:02:33 remaining)

*push back the 3rd monster wave (53:02:33 remaining)

*push back the 4th monster wave (77:02:33 remaining)

*push back the 5th monster wave (101:02:33 remaining)

*push back the 6th monster wave(125:02:33 remaining)

*push back the 7th monster wave (149:02:33 remaining)

*push back the 8th monster wave (173:02:33 remaining)

*push back the 9th monster wave (197:02:33 remaining)

*push back the final monster wave (221:02:33 remaining)

Reward: (Depends on the contribution and % of completed objectives)

(1/11 rewards granted)

Fail conditions:

Death (Justice's Wrath's)

Desertion (leaving the quest area during the waves)

Being out of the quest's area during the wave (any)

Penalty:

The Sloth territory will fall and the Fruit Salad will be flooded with Titan-class monsters (titan-class monsters will become a common encounter in the overworld)

Thankfully, the optional quest was still there, on the very top of the active quest list, looking as menacing as it should.

"Thank the system...!"

The ashen-haired girl swayed when the wave of relief replaced the burning anxiety.

"Whoa! Watch out!"

"...!"

Mika would actually fell down if white-haired Corvus hadn't caught her in time.

The young girl blushed, relishing in the unexpected contact.

"Hey, someone's coming."

Sadly that bliss wasn't meant to last, and Ti called out to the rest of the group while pointing at approaching Sloth soldiers.

The Wraths and Mary looked at each other and waited.

One of the Sloth soldiers stepped forward and removed his helmet, showing a familiar face.

"Bruiser 97-F from the 1st company's close combat squad at your service!"

The buzzcut boy who they all met before, straightened his back and saluted.

"Welcome to the frontline! Although this is only the third line and we still have a bit of distance ahead of us until the first one..."

Bruiser 97-F made eye contact with Mika, blushed, and instantly looked down.

"Our squad has been selected to keep you all safe while you're on the frontline! Nice to meet you!"

The boy finished while staring at his own feet with a red face.

"..."

Seven other soldiers behind him straightened their backs and saluted.

Judging by their heights and body structure alone, all of them were around the same age as bruiser 97-F and Mika.

"Thank you for your cooperation..."

Corvus nodded to them, unsure how he should react - he was already well aware that it was ridiculous to judge someone from the Sloth territory based on their age or looks, but being told that he will be protected by a bunch of kids, barely teenagers, didn't sit too well with him.

The three bodyguards and even Mary looked like they shared Corvus's sentiment.

"Why are they already sho...?"

/Quest update

*push back the 1st monster wave (05:00:00 remaining)

Calculating...

All essential characters are within the quest's area

Requirement fulfilled

1st wave - START

(Reward: Depends on the contribution)

Mika began asking, but her voice got stuck in her throat once a series of messages popped up unexpectedly.

"EH...?! But we aren't on the first line yet...!"

The ashen-haired girl shook her head and regained her voice.

Everyone from their group got confused.

"Did something happen?"

That made bruiser 97-F and his squad members worried.

"Our quest... It updated and the messages say that we are within the required area and that the first wave has started...!"

Mika glanced at her companions and explained, taken aback.

"It says that it's enough for you to be on the third line?!"

Bruiser 97-F and his squad members gasped.

"Monk 89-F, go and report that to the company leader immediately!"

The buzzcut boy looked over his shoulder and motioned with his head at the soldier on his left.

"Sir, yes sir!"

The youth saluted and ran off immediately.

"What was that about...?"

Mika asked.

"It's nothing. The higher-ups were in a bind trying to figure out a proper way to deal with the situation - after all, we can't really allow people from the south to take part in actual fighting. Especially since one of you will become an important figure in the future..."

Bruiser 97-F explained, suddenly he flinched, noticing how close Mika and Corvus were.

"...!"

Mika followed his line of sight and realized that Corvus was still supporting, even though she could stand up just fine - it looked almost as if he was hugging her!

Mika's face grew red and she hurriedly stepped away from the white-haired young man.

"A-anyway, if there's a chance that we can avoid putting you in harm's way, it would be the best for both parties!"

The buzzcut boy realized that his squad mates were snickering at him and quickly finished his thought.

The Wraths looked at each other and breathed out in relief.

"So that was the case... thank the system..."

Ti smiled wiped her face.

"But... will it really be okay...?"

The only uneasy person left was Mika.

Her sense of duty wasn't allowing her to just accept that someone else will be doing all the hard work while she will be sitting by idly.

"It will be alright! After all..."

Bruiser 97-F waved his hand dismissively.

*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*

...and the thunder of the artillery guns' volley drowned every other word that the buzzcut boy has tried to say.