Chapter 28 - 26: Strong Soldiers and Sturdy Horses, All-Out Attack

Chapter 28: Chapter 26: Strong Soldiers and Sturdy Horses, All-Out Attack

After a few days of development, the territory’s strength had undergone a transformation.

With Hellish Roar leading the Beastman Squad, they could most likely take down the entire Sickness Village.

If they brought along Blood Roar, who was also an Elite Three-Star, their odds of victory would climb to over a hundred percent.

But it was still too dangerous.

After all, the monsters in this world were all treacherous old schemers, and no one could guarantee that even more terrifying creatures weren’t hiding inside.

"Hellish Roar, you need to understand something: no one can win forever."

Shen Xing began his lecture. "Even if we go into this battle with only a ten-percent chance of losing..."

"We might win the first time, and the second, but what about the third or fourth? Eventually, we’re bound to slip up."

"That’s why we must be thoroughly prepared before we confront any enemy."

"A ninety-percent chance of victory is just the passing grade. A hundred-percent chance is barely acceptable. Only when our odds are over a hundred percent is it worth making a move."

Hellish Roar listened intently. The Blue markings between his brows glowed with a wise light, and his pupils trembled as if he had been profoundly shaken.

’No one can win forever... So that’s it. Is this the true art of command?’

He nodded solemnly. "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Lord!"

Shen Xing was a bit confused. ’What exactly did he understand?’

After that, they followed their usual routine, exploring the Fog for three hours with the Horse Lantern and scavenging a good amount of resources.

「The next day, the sixth day in the game.」

Shen Xing stood before the Burial Ground at the center of his territory. A thought crossed his mind.

[Consume 60 Soul Stones, 60 Vinar Silver Coins, and 60 Dusk Fire to recruit 6 Skeleton Archers?]

"Yes."

As he confirmed, the materials in his inventory were automatically consumed.

On the ground, a mass of white bones began to roll and assemble themselves.

In the blink of an eye, six ghastly pale Skeleton Archers carrying simple wooden bows emerged from the Burial Ground with a CLACK-CLACK-CLACK.

[Skeleton Archer]

[Level: 1]

[Potential: Common ★★]

[Attributes: Power 6, Spirit 4, Agility 8, Constitution 4]

[Skills: Dark Arrow (Gathers the Power of Darkness to fire an Energy Arrow that deals piercing damage to enemies.)]

[Talent: None]

[Bonds - Skeleton Archer (Inactive)]

...

’As expected of a Two-Star starting unit. It comes with a skill right off the bat, and an Energy Attack, no less.’

Shen Xing was very pleased. Not only was this a ranged unit, but its skill was also incredibly practical.

Since they attacked by forming Energy Arrows, it meant that unlike other Archers, he wouldn’t have to prepare a large supply of ammunition for them before a battle.

Otherwise, given the territory’s current condition, he wouldn’t be able to produce any.

Of course, they were only Level 1—little more than walking skeletons with low Attack Power and weak defenses.

Still, they were more than sufficient for providing some extra damage from the back lines.

"Lord, I have something to report."

Hellish Roar approached with a steady gait, the Blue sigil on his forehead emitting a wise glow.

"What is it?" Shen Xing noticed that his presence seemed different from before.

"Your lesson yesterday was enlightening."

Hellish Roar replied earnestly, "I’ve realized that I was too reckless. As soon as I gained a little strength, I stopped taking my enemies seriously."

"After a night of reflection, I have improved one of my Skills and developed a new way to use it."

"Oh? A new way to use it?" Shen Xing’s interest was piqued. "Show me."

"Yes!"

Hellish Roar nodded and took a few steps back.

He took a deep breath, and the moment he gripped his War Axe, his entire presence changed.

He became more ethereal, almost illusory, until his presence couldn’t be sensed at all.

WHOOSH...

A light breeze swept by, and he vanished from where he stood.

That’s right—he simply vanished, without any warning whatsoever.

A moment later, Hellish Roar’s figure abruptly reappeared dozens of meters away, next to a large black boulder.

He raised his Double-Bladed Axe high and brought it down in a deceptively calm arc.

At first, the boulder showed no change.

The next second.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion erupted. The boulder seemed to detonate from the inside, bursting into countless fragments that shot out in all directions.

Shen Xing’s jaw dropped.

A moment later, Hellish Roar put away his War Axe and returned to his Lord’s side.

"So that’s the new technique you developed?" Shen Xing asked, his face a mask of astonishment.

"Yes," Hellish Roar replied earnestly. "I felt my previous fighting style was too direct, making my movements easy for enemies to predict."

"So I modified the execution of Gale Step to conceal my presence."

"Then, enhanced by Wind Power, I layered it with Earth-Shattering Strike, concentrating the force of the blow into a single point and then releasing it in an instant burst."

"This way, I can strike without any visible trace of power, only unleashing its might upon impact."

Shen Xing gave him a long, hard look. "Hellish Roar," he said slowly, "did you know you might be a genius?"

"A genius..." Hellish Roar paused, stunned, before replying humbly, "No, I am slow-witted. It is only because of your excellent guidance, Lord."

"Without your lesson yesterday, I might never have understood any of this!"

"Excellent, excellent! You are a worthy student!"

Shen Xing laughed heartily, extremely pleased with his subordinate’s response.

Hellish Roar’s epiphany was a pleasant surprise, raising yesterday’s estimated hundred-percent odds of victory even higher.

Now, he was confident enough to take down the Sickness Village!

"Everyone, assemble."

At Shen Xing’s command, the doors to the wooden huts swung open, and one green-skinned figure after another emerged.

They gathered at the village entrance, forming two neat rows.

The territory now had a total of twenty-three combat units.

In addition to the six Skeleton Archers, Shen Xing had also recruited five Beastman Infantry over the last few days.

Among them:

Two Elite★★★ Beastmen, Hellish Roar and Blood Roar.

Three Common★★★ Beastman Infantry: Dahou, Erhou, and Sanhou.

Five Common★★ Beastmen and five Common★ Beastmen.

Adding the six newly recruited Two-Star Archers, the territory’s forces looked formidable!

"Warriors, take up your arms! Prepare for battle!" Shen Xing shouted, raising his arm from his wheelchair.

"Waaaaagh!!"

The Beastmen raised their War Axes, their eyes burning with ferocious battle lust!

The Skeleton Archers behind them also raised their bows, their jaws clacking open and shut with a dry, rattling sound.

As skeletons, they had no idea what was happening, but they knew they were supposed to cheer along.

Just then, Blood Roar rode forward on his Warg and asked eagerly, "Chief, can I come along this time?"

Shen Xing glanced at him. He knew the Beastman had been stuck on guard duty and was going stir-crazy.

"Alright, you can come this time. Make sure you perform well."

"Thanks, Chief!"

Blood Roar nodded excitedly. "Rest assured, I’ll be the Warrior with the most kills!"

Shen Xing gave a slight nod, his gaze shifting to another Beastman in the crowd. "Dahou, come here."

"Yes, Chief!"

A Beastman with an exceptionally muscular torso and several scars on his shoulders stepped out from the ranks.

As the Beastman watched with anticipation, Shen Xing raised his right hand, and a red light sank into his body.

HUMMM...

Within the light, Dahou’s frame shot up, and the muscles on his torso became even more developed.

[Advancement Successful! ’Dahou’ has broken through to Elite★, advancing to the Beastman Warrior class!]

[Breakthrough Bonus: All Attributes +10%, Agility Attribute +10]

[Skill Activated: Charged Heavy Strike!]

...

"Dahou, I’m putting you in charge of four Beastmen and two Archers. You are responsible for guarding the territory," Shen Xing ordered gravely.

Although he was leaving him with only One-Star units, they, in combination with the Level 2 Arrow Tower, would have no problem fending off attacks from common monsters.

"Yes! I will defend the safety of the territory with my life!" Dahou pounded his chest.

Next, Shen Xing upgraded the [Horse Lantern] to Level 3.

[Horse Lantern]

[Level: 3]

[Effect: Light turns orange-yellow, dispersing Fog within a 25-meter radius and providing illumination.]

[Duration of Continuous Burning: 3.5 hours]

[Upgrade Requirements: Level 4 Campfire, 20 Soul Stones, 20 Black Crystals]

...

The orange-yellow light spread out, illuminating a large swath of the Fog and revealing the dark earth beneath.

’Not bad. The Level 3 Horse Lantern is a huge improvement. The illuminated area is now fifty meters across.’

’My visibility has increased dramatically.’

With all preparations complete, Shen Xing led ten Beastmen and four Skeleton Archers into the Fog.

The Wolf Cavalry, Blood Roar, took the lead, riding at the very front of the formation.

Hellish Roar led the other Beastmen, guarding the Lord’s flanks.

Four skeletons trailed behind them, their bones making a CLACK-CLACK-CLACK sound as they walked.

「Half an hour later.」

The party halted on a small hillock.

A Beastman hoisted Shen Xing onto his shoulders, allowing him to gaze at the distant village that stood alone in the Fog, radiating a sinister aura.

Shadowy figures milled about, and the faint sound of ancient chanting drifted to his ears.

After a period of observation, he made a rough estimate of the enemy’s numbers.

Not counting any monsters hidden inside the huts, there were fifty to sixty enemies in the village.

Most of them were Common★★ to Common★★★ Plague Believers, with some Elite One-Star to Two-Star Plague Priests mixed in.

Their levels were generally between 5 and 7.

In terms of numbers, the disparity between the two sides was huge.

However, Shen Xing’s side had the advantage in elite combat strength.

"Blood Roar, Hellish Roar, what tactics do you think we should use here?" Shen Xing posed the important question to his two commanders.

The two Beastmen exchanged a glance, each realizing this was a test from their Lord.

"Lord, I suggest I act as a decoy to draw the enemies out in waves so we can pick them off," Hellish Roar said in a steady voice.

Blood Roar, however, was brimming with battle lust. "Chief, the monsters in this village aren’t strong; there are just a lot of them."

"I say we charge right in and catch them completely off guard!"

Their tactical styles were diametrically opposed, yet both plans had merit.

Shen Xing fell silent for a moment. "Alright. We’ll launch a frontal assault. Blood Roar, you’ll lead the charge."

Blood Roar: "?"

He was a bit surprised. He hadn’t expected their normally cautious Lord to actually take his suggestion.

"Caution is for survival, but being overly cautious means missing opportunities."

Shen Xing saw what he was thinking and explained with a faint smile, "A worthy commander must understand how to advance from a stable position."

"As long as you can guarantee your own survival, you must strike when the opportunity arises. That is how we will grow stronger with every battle."

Blood Roar nodded, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.

Beside him, Hellish Roar’s shoulders trembled, and the Blue sigil on his forehead began to glow wisely once more, as if he’d had another epiphany.

"In the coming battle, you can both go all out."

Shen Xing looked at the two of them, his voice laced with meaning. "And whichever one of you kills more enemies will be the first to advance to the Boss Level."

Hearing this promise, Blood Roar’s eyes instantly flashed red, blazing with intense battle lust!

The two commanders led the Beastman Legion, marching menacingly toward the entrance of Sickness Village.

Just a few days ago, they had been chased by the monsters within, forced to flee in disgrace.

This time, they would reclaim everything they had lost.

Uh... not that they had actually lost anything.

But who cared? Waaagh! was all that mattered!

...