Born and raised in a noble household, Kurac never encountered any hardships.

Money, Woman, Men, and friends all cling to him like leeches every day.

He grew tired of it all and found happiness in a form where he took pleasure in others pain.

It all started when he was given a Mockingbird as a gift. He was against the idea that pets should be chained or be put in a cage. Kurac thought he would set them free and ravel in the idea of benevolence. He grabbed the first bird but its wings got caught in the door and it let out a cry.

His two eyeballs focused on the bird. He twists its wings and the bird let out a sound and it felt like his brains are being gently caressed. This has developed and became a nasty habit of his. First was small animals, then slave creatures to intelligent beings such as elves, dwarves, and humans.

Kurac should be familiar with the scene he’s seeing right now. He has been to wars, have seen the inside out of a human body and more. Heard the screams of pain, anger, and hatred.

This is why Kurac doesn’t understand why his body is dripping in cold sweat. After Rus killed the last human that ran away he turned his head towards Kurac. Their eyes met, Rus slowly moves towards Kurac dragging the executioner sword on the floor. His steps went faster and faster.

He was frozen in fear and even forgot to breathe as Rus approach him. This is the first time he saw someone holding a sword move this way. Like an undead on steroids.

Rus saw the man he can kill without feeling guilty about it. But they crossed paths.

“Con ala Allah’s twat con carne!”

Turn around, kill him! Kill him!

Kurac felt that time slowed by while the monster is passing him and a thought went through his head as well.

Cataclysmic demon!

Rus was cursing his uncontrollable body for not killing that deplorable person. He slew the horse of Kurac that was wailing in fear and wanted to run away.

He then entered an empty alley. Even though he’s not in sight anymore, Kurac can still hear the language that’s a mix of the local and alien words.

***

Inside the mana hall, where the genorite is being guarded. The General of the army, the 6th-Rank Arch Wizard, and crew that manages the sentry and defense of the city are discussing the disappearance of mana. The head of staff is holding a report about the situation that happened an hour ago.

“The Genorite has lost the capability to absorb mana or it just doesn’t have any mana to absorb. We can try to run it, but the mana will only reach half-way through and it will lose all it’s stored mana”

“We would like to find the cause of it but our sensors aren’t working as well due to lack of mana. Senior if you have any suggestion please feel free to speak.”

The Arch Wizard is rubbing his forehead due to the headache that’s happening. This was supposed to be his last month in service and is about to retire in the countryside.

He dreamt of reading books all day while drinking hot chocolate, or just basking in the sun while mindlessly fishing at the lake.

The Arch Wizard crossed his arms, eyes sharpened up, and declared with a firm voice.

“Have you tried turning it off and on?”

The head of staff wanted to bang his head on the table. But everyone knows that offending a 6th-Rank High Being is like committing suicide. They studied the ins and out of the defense system and knew by heart that it wouldn’t work. He tried is very best to conceal his disturbing thoughts and replied in a kind manner.

“I understand the logic behind it. But due to the absence of mana in the surrounding, I’m sure, we’re sure that it will not work.”

“So, you’re telling me that you haven’t done it?”

The Arch Wizard slid the key of the Genorite on the table, really pushing for his idea. Everyone that has worked inside the defense system looked at their leader in pity.

Since there is no mana the key won’t work, and the latch on the Genorite will not be removed. He has no way of out, his only wish is that a huge meteor hit this old man and take him out of this situation.

As if the Gods are watching him, an earth-shattering sound was heard inside the mana hall. A messenger came running to the hall and hurriedly saluted to them.

“General! They are throwing huge rocks to our gates. It’s barely hanging on without the mana arrays. Vice General Heisen sent me to ask for assistance.”

The General and the Arch Wizard both stood up and walked away. He solemnly looked at the Arch Wizard that’s like his own grandfather.

“Old timer, can you assist us during this war? You know we still have mana inside us and we can have a few shots at it.”

“For a Berserker like you, the mana cost of your skills are minuscule. But for a wizard like I am, it will be a huge burden especially when there is no mana in the area. Don’t forget that my duty here is to protect the genorite at all cost, and prevent it from falling in the enemies hand.”

And I don’t want to get hit by a random rock before my retirement.

He bade farewell to the general. All 6th-Rank that’s working for the empire is under the direct command of the emperor. No one can command them unless it directly came from the emperor himself.

The general arrived at the command room where a couple of high ranking officials are stationed to strategize their defense.

“Vice General, tell me our current situation.”

“General, the rocks are coming from very far away. It’s either there’s a 7th-Rank among them or they found a spot where mana is available.”

What Vice General Heisen said almost hit the spot. The Sydian Scouts found out that if they move further away the mana will be available for their mages to manipulate. Though the accuracy is greatly impacted it’s the closest thing they got from a catapult.

Messengers are running here and there relaying information that’s happening inside and outside the city.

Since he was appointed to handle the strategy for the defense the Vice General is issuing all the commands.

“General, Vice General. The crew we sent for enlistment are all dead and the plaza is littered with dead bodies. The citizens that pass through the plaza are all being killed.”

“Is it those damn Sydu’s that came out of hiding?”

“No Sir. The report states that it’s a Threat-Level 6 individual. We still can’t confirm it’s nature since it will attack anything that moves.”

“How can such thing pass through our gates without us being notified?

He was jotting down on a paper while issuing a series of command. One look and you can see that his hands are full.

“First go find Captain Kurac and ask him to report to me immediately, 2nd go to my personal knights and bring this letter to them.”

“General, I’m sorry but you’re the only one we can ask. I assume that the old fart doesn’t want to help out. You’re the only 6th-Rank we can rely on until the Manus City sends reinforcement or we figure out the cause of the disappearance of mana.”

The General of the Sydians is leading the mages in throwing the huge pile of rocks onto the gates of the City. While the General of the army in Inegde City is on top of the wall carrying an Orcish Bow that garners awe among the soldiers atop the wall.

“Hey, isn’t that the bow that the Orc King used?”

“Yeah, I heard that they even refined it in mana solution and it managed to reach tier 8.”

“The terms you’re using are too old fashioned. Nowadays they call it [+8 Orcish Bow] and if they manage to add an element the name will change again. I heard that a famous 7th Rank Star Smith did the refinement that’s why it succeeded.”

“That’s where you’re wrong kiddo, the solution and ingredients haven’t changed for hundreds of years. If you hand the materials in any local blacksmith he can mix the solution according to standards. It’s all about luck I tell ya!”

A bunch of huge rocks came flying from afar and before they reach the walls the General shot them down. The rocks were hit from the top falling like rain on the sand below.

“Did you see that! That’s the Herculean Barbarian skill [Arrow Rampage]”

“Back in my day we just call it [Arrow Rain] because you know, arrows fall from the sky like rain!”

If this continues a battle of attrition will follow, although some of the rocks still hit the wall the gates are safe from falling down.

But the Sydians patience is wearing thin and they sent their Vanguard to approach the gates of the city.

The one leading the charge is the Sydian General. Thousands of arrows fell down from the sky from the top of the wall. The sky darkened due to the arrows that were approaching. The Sydian General slammed his shield on the ground and shouted in a furious voice.

“Seek not the shadow but the light [Holy Shield Wall]”

A wall of transparent light covered almost all the vanguards in the front line. But some of the arrows still managed to get through.

Even when they are wounded or losing their breath they still persist to move forward.

One step at a time they are getting closer and closer to the gates of the city.

The soldiers on top of the walls are frantically shooting arrows, Including their general.

But the Sydians didn't stop their steps, all types of soldiers are marching forward following their leader.

100 meters, 90 meters, 80 meters until there are only 40 meters left between the Sydian General and the Walls of the City.

Even though the sun is high up in the sky. There’s a blinding light coming in front of the Sydian Army. The Inedge Army General is clasping the bow in his hands tightly ready to unleash an attack. But the Sydian General is a second faster than him.

“Exalted Goddess of light lend me your strength [Grand Shield Meteor]”

“Destroy all the living Gods [Arrow of Longinus]”

The shield and arrow pass through each other. The shield crashed to the wall of the city and destroyed almost half of it, killing thousand of Inedge Soldiers in the process.

The arrow is lodge in the Sydian Generals heart, he felt that if he let go of the arrow it will harm the people behind him. The Sydian General used the last bit of his mana to hold down the arrow until life went out of his eyes.

He died. A mighty 6th-Rank warrior that’s a deity in the eyes of a many.

But every soldier knows, that even though he died his name will be cemented in history.

Rage and fanaticism are in the eyes of all the Sydian soldiers. They rushed frantically disregarding the arrows that are still flying towards them.

The General of Inedge Army ordered his soldiers to fall back. But even before he can utter the command. He heard someone chanting behind him.

“As cold as my ex-wife’s heart [Frigid Ice Wall]”

Towering walls of ice spew from the ground covering the broken wall.

The Sydian army slowed down but they never stopped. Some of them even hit the icewall with their Mana Staff, slammed it with their swords, shields, and anything they can put their hands on.

The Vice General is standing not far away from the Arch Wizard.

“It seems that you really can’t recover your mana after you use it.”

“Thank you, Old Fart. I’ll wire you the money as soon as I can. But seriously Ice Skills? Don’t you have anything better, like a wall made of stone or fire?”

“You better not forget, it will be an additional fund for my retirement. I used half my remaining mana for that wall, and my mastery is leaning towards the ice circle. The only reason I accepted a job in this godforsaken place is that I can use ice spells to cool myself down.”

“Ohh and a friendly reminder. That wall of mine will last two hours at most. I’ll be taking the Genorite and will fuck out of this place. Best of luck to you all!”

“Don’t worry that’s more than enough for my plans.”

A messenger that’s out of breath came running towards the Vice General.

“Vice General!, We figured out the cause of the disappearance of mana as well as the threat level 6 that’s rampaging in the city!”

He hasn’t heard a piece of single good news since his daughter went missing. The sweaty messenger just gave him a glass of water in this drought. A documented information about someone is written in the report that was handed to him.

“Tell me everything!”

“Yes, Vice General, A prisoner that’s about the get executed escaped and went on a rampage and at the same time, the whole city went silent. Our scout informed us that near the edge of the city they were able to use mana. The center of the place where the mana isn’t available is in the plaza at the execution platform.

He looked at the part of the document that was provided by the Swordsman Guild about Rus.

Name: Rus Tessaro

Class: Swordsman

Badge: Steel

Title: 3rd-Rank Professional

Level: 59

Strength - 40

Agility - 69

Manipulation - 16

Reflex - 30

Mana Storage - N/A

Vitality - N/A

Others - N/A

Basic Sword Skills - Passed

Mana Control - Passed

Written Exam - Passed

Practical Quest - Passed

With only 59 Mana channels opened, the Vice General wondered how was he able to qualify as a Threat-level 6. He turned and looked at the Arch Wizard and showed him the document he’s holding.

“What do you say, old man? Want to have a go with this fellow?”

“No way! We don’t have enough information and it looks very normal it’s creepy”

“You don’t really have to sweat with this one, I’ve already sent my personal guards. All you have to do is take all the credit and report it to the emperor.”

“If someone offered you poison and tells you it’s the secret to eternal life. Will you drink it?”

“..........”

“That’s right! You’re as manipulative as your father. But not very persuasive, you should try harder. I’m off”

“Please inform the King that we need reinforcements fast, I won't be able to pay my debt if I’m dead.”

“We will all eventually pay our debts in due time.”