"Warriors rise during the lands' most trying times."

The time for the foretold beast horde had come.

Qai, meanwhile, was fully unaware of the current catastrophe that the nameless village was facing.

And although the siege has not started yet, the north wall was already filled with dread.

Deathly atmosphere hovered in the air.

On top of the walls, around 100 soldiers—no longer in their customary robes but armor—stood with their bows already aimed at the other side of the fields.

The soldiers were definitely looking fierce but one could tell they were more nervous than composed.

Just outside the north gate, another 100 or so villagers stood, assembled in sporadic formation. They held bows as well with additional shields and short swords hanged on their bodies.

These villagers had the unusual strength and courage that had been tested by constant encounter with wild beasts. And their killing intent raged in their hearts. They were none other than the members of the Hunters squad.

Then, another small group of villagers, just behind the hunters, appeared to be guarding the gate.

They were young but they all had the bearing that was menacing and fearless. They’ were lined up in a wedge formation with a bulky villager in front, fully armored and equipped with a tower shield. At the middle of the formation, a young girl held a longbow—from her position and posture, she was definitely in command.

If Qai were here, he would know who these villagers were—they were his comrades in the reserve squad. Also, he would be amazed to see that of all these villagers, they have one thing in common—they all have their bodies covered in leather armor made from beast skins.

Moreover, members of the council of elders also stood on the walls, keenly watching and anticipating the battle.

On the other hand, the rest of the villagers capable of fighting were all lined up inside the village; but as to most women and sickly elderly, they are told to shut their doors.

Ironically, still many of the villagers—even from among the soldiers and hunters—were had not been told of what was actually going on; that the appointed time for a beast horde had come. That was because, in a villager's lifetime, such a thing would probably happen only once. So only the higher ups, privy to the matter, were aware.

On the other side of the field were hundreds, almost a thousand in number, of wild beasts.

There was a pack of wolves, wild bears, a tiger, boars, snakes and many others. But even if they were a mere collection of wild beasts, the hunters could tell that there was something unusual in them.

Apparently, the beasts’ eyes were crimson in color. And they acted as if they were under some kind of spell as they lined up across the field just hushing with their loud breath.

Although their occasional roar in unison turned the minds of the villagers upside down, they seemed to be just there lying in wait—waiting for someone to command them to attack.

“Look!”

A soldier from the north wall shouted and pointed at a certain direction.

When the elders did look, they saw a huge Bison at the end of the horde. It glowed with some kind of energy with incomparable presence among the beasts. It was so imposing that it appeared to be somewhat intelligent.

It had a size that of an elephant and had a pair of large horns curled outwards with a mouth emitting some kind smoke as if it could naturally breathe fire.

“Spirit Beast!?”

No one noticed who said it, but the elders had an idea of what a Spirit Beast was.

But before anyone could explain a thing or two about it, a resounding roar reverberated across the fields. It obviously came from the Bison which was followed suit by the rest of the beast.

‘So it has begun,’ an elder thought.

“Everyone, get ready!”

Meanwhile, under the current of the waterfalls, Qai was still seated meditatingly in a lotus position. But even from miles away, he heard the thunderous roar coming from the direction of the nameless village.

Qai was immediately stunned.

“Father, mother, everyone..”

He knew it smelled trouble even without thinking.

Qai jumped out of his position and instantly flashed his way out of the forest.

While running, he already had a hunch that the time for the beasts to attack had come. While he knew he will not be able to save everyone, he was hoping that he would arrive in time to help.

Back in the village, the battle had indeed already started.

Even without the proper training like the knights, the experience and craftiness of the hunters were in full display. Obviously, they can handle a lot of beasts in the horde just with themselves.

On the other hand, rain of arrows streaked down towards any incoming beast from above the walls.

“Fire at will!”

“Leave none of them alive!”

At the rear of the wild beasts, the large Bison was still fiercely looking at the small group of villagers protecting the gates whose defense seemed to be impenetrably strong.

“Forward! Keep your distance!”

The reserve squad’s skills were obviously a cut above the rest. The members’ ’Spear Thrust’ and ’Double Slash’ were like machines wrecking havoc in the middle of the horde.

“Hah, keep them coming! They’re just like vegetables before my spear,” Mak yelled wildly.

“This is what I’m talking about, I hope I can make a breakthrough here,” another member jested in reply.

Baam. Baam.

Roaaaar!

Those above the walls could see the might of the squad and felt relieved. They saw some hope in the battle.

‘That squad really is something. I wonder how that boy Qai is doing,’ an elder mused.

“Come on, break them apart!”

Baam. Baam.

“They may have the numbers but..”

An elder was about to make a remark when suddenly everyone saw the Bison charged.

It had finally made its move. And it was bulldozing its way towards the direction of the gate.

“Mak, get ready. We have to hold the gates,” Song commanded.

Mak pushed his tower shield down on the ground, in response, and gritted his teeth.

“Everyone, aim at its neck!”

Before anyone could unleash any skill, Mak already flew towards the gate and slammed his back.

Boooom.

Instantly, the Bison pulled his huge body and opened its mouth. Then a ball of fire started to form in a blink of an eye..

Song’s face was deathly pale when she saw it, but she was quick to issue a command nonetheless.

“Everyone, dodge!”

Just as she said to words, dozens of arrows coming from the walls immediately landed on the body of the Bison.

Swooosh. Swooosh. Swooosh.

But the beast, unexpectedly, had a strong physique and appeared to have not been hurt all. In fact, despite the barrage, it was even able to unleash the fireball from its mouth—and it landed right on the gate.

Wabooom.

The gate broke and a path had eventually been created. Then a sudden unified roar echoed.

Without a doubt, the tide of the battle had turned. And a sudden sense of despair filled the hearts of the elder.

"Get everyone inside the village ready."

The beasts went wild and tried to rush towards the gate, but the hunters and soldiers alike were quick to react.

“Don’t let them through!"

“Attack!”

Apologetic, the reserve squad members knew it was their task to guard the gate so they immediately reformed their line.

Mak, who was thrown by the attack got back but his upper body was burned and his armor torn. He hurried towards the front and once again positioned his tower shield as he harrumphed. Thanks to the armor though, he appeared fine

But the Bison, again, turned around to face the direction of the squad’s still broken formation. Then it pulled its body again and opened its mouth—and to the dismay of everyone, another ball of fire took form.

But just as it was about to unleash its second attack, a streak of shadow jumped over and landed in front of the Bison.

“You’re courting death!”

With the familiar voice, a familar person appeared. Then a strong force gushed forth from the person’s weapon.

‘Raging Beast!’

Baaaaam.

“Qai!”