Jan and Sophia burst onto the battlefield—only to stagger at the sight before them.
"What in the world... is happening?!"
Sophia's legs froze in place as she took in the horrific scene. Knights were attacking one another. Her mother was struggling against two massive monsters. Her father was cornered by the left wall, surrounded by female knights. He was casting desperate spells, blood trickling from his mouth. Along the endless wall, Dreadmire Brutes slammed into the barriers—now on the verge of collapse.
"Dad!" she shouted, panic rising in her voice.
Marcus, on the brink of running out of mana, turned at the sound of his daughter's voice. His stomach turned as he saw Jan and Sophia.
Shock hit him—but there was no time to scold them. The bosses hadn't noticed them yet, and the Siren remained fixated on Rollo.
"Don't just stand there! Help your uncle!" he bellowed.
At his command, Jan and Sophia snapped out of their daze, their eyes drawn to Rollo, who was now on his knees.
Without a word, they charged forward, weaving through the chaos. Sophia's heart pounded as she spotted one of the bosses fighting Erza suddenly break away, lightning crackling between his horns.
*Zizizizizi—*
He was gathering a massive lightning bolt, clearly aimed at Rollo who helplessly crouched on the ground, seemingly unable to move.
Seeing what was coming, Sophia didn't wait—she sprinted toward Kragorn, swiftly drawing her blazing blade.
*Whoosh—*
Her strike was quick and precise, cleanly severing one of Kragorn's horns before he even noticed. But it was too late—the lightning bolt had already been unleashed.
*Zizizizizi—*
Sophia's heart sank as she landed—powerless to intervene as the bolt surged toward her uncle, who was desperately trying to escape.
"NOOO!!!!" she screamed.
"ROLLOOOO!!!!!" Erza yelled, panic in her voice.
But neither could stop the impending disaster.
*BOOM—*
With a deafening rumble, the lightning bolt struck, illuminating the entire battlefield and turning the heads of allies and foes alike.
Sophia was a second too late. She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. Kragorn snorted dismissively—it was as inevitable as fate itself.
Marcus clutched his staff in sorrow, and Erza unleashed a scream that pierced the chaos, turning her wrath on Zarok—the one who had blocked her path, the one who stood between her and saving her younger brother's life.
With a swift, decisive strike, she beheaded him, then turned and charged at Kragorn. She slammed into him with all her strength, forcing the massive behemoth several meters back—away from Sophia.
The Dark Siren spread her wings and soared toward them, intent on supporting her ally against Erza's relentless barrage.
Everyone else had their eyes on the smoke rising from the lightning's impact. The air was heavy with dread—some hoped it marked the end, others clung to the desperate hope that Rollo still had some life left in him—just enough to be saved. But none could deny the truth: surviving such a strike was nearly impossible.
As the smoke began to dissipate, two dark figures gradually emerged from within.
[You are immune to lightning attacks!]
To their astonishment, a coughing sound echoed through the air.
"*Cough* *Cough* Are you okay?!"
"Damn! I thought I was done for! Are you alright?!"
"Yes," Jan replied, waving his fully charged lightning blade and slicing through the remnants of smoke. "The big guy?!"
"No, the bitch," came the reply.
"Alright!" Jan raised his sword high and aimed at the Dark Siren. With a surge of energy, lightning burst forth from his blade.
*Zizizizizi—* *BOOM—*
Before she could react, it struck Selira mid-air, sending her crashing to the ground as smoke billowed from her scorched body.
Rollo, finally free, charged toward her. She was the only true threat in this battle, and he had to make sure she was dead.
As he closed in, she began to move. Slow but determined, she stood, desperately trying to take flight. Her body was charred, her face barely recognizable from the burns, and confusion clouded her thoughts.
'What hit me? Who attacked? Isn't Rollo dead?'
Her panic intensified, but the overwhelming bloodlust she could sense coming her way snapped her back to survival.
She strained to sense his presence, and the moment she spotted Rollo, she extended her hand—ready to immobilize him the instant he entered her range. But in a heartbeat, he vanished from view.
'Where is he?!' Her eyes darted left and right frantically before she turned around—only to find him towering over her.
"You!!!!!" she hissed, eyes burning with rage. "I don't know how you survived—but to ruin my beautiful face?! For that, you will pay!"
Rollo scoffed, gripping his sword tighter. "Beautiful face? I've seen more fuckable goblins."
Selira snarled, raising her hands—
But they weren't there.
Panic seized her as she glanced down at the stumps where her hands should be.
"No. No, this isn't happening!"
Blood pooled beneath her feet. She turned to flee, wings spreading—
*CRACK—*
Rollo's hand clamped around one of them.
"Not this time," he growled as he brutally drove her headfirst into the dirt.
Selira's world spun. Her skull cracked against the dirt, her vision swimming as blood spilled from her mouth.
She lay in a pool of her own blood, gasping as tears and snot ran down her face—realization crashing over her.
'I'm going to die!'
Her breath hitched. She wanted to plead, scream—anything to survive. But Rollo silenced her before she could utter a word.
He stood over her and drove his blade straight into her heart.
He then went for her head, her limbs, brutally carving her apart as the blood from her lifeless corpse painted his armor in a deep, dark red—he wasn't leaving anything to chance.
Rollo eventually pulled his boot from her skull, then sprinted toward Erza to aid her in her fight against Kragorn. With just a nod, they flanked him from both sides.
*Splink—* *Splink—*
They drove their swords through him in sync—one blade emerging from his chest, the other from his spine. Blood sprayed from the behemoth's mouth, yet somehow, his lips curled into a twisted smirk, revealing his sharp teeth.
*Zizizizizizi—* *BOOM—*
Kragorn unleashed a surge of electricity, shocking them both, charring their bodies until smoke rose from their flesh. Yet, despite the pain, they held on, driving their blades even deeper into him.
*Zizizizizizi—* *BOOM—*
Once more, lightning coursed through him—but this time, Rollo and Erza let go of their blades just before the surge hit. And they'd learned how long it took the beast to recharge between strikes. Seizing the opening, Rollo wrapped his arms around the behemoth in a tight bearhug, holding him in place as Erza's fists burst into flame.
*Boom—* *Boom—* *Boom—* *Boom—*
She launched a flurry of blazing punches straight into Kragorn's face. The monster howled in agony, desperately trying to break free with another blast of electricity. But once again, the Knight Commander saw it coming—he let go just before the surge.
Kragorn's hand shot out, now free, and clamped around Erza's neck.
But by then, Rollo had already yanked his blade from the beast's body. With a swift, brutal slash, he severed his leg.
*Thud—*
Dropping to one knee, Kragorn tightened his hold on Erza, but she did not stay idle. She ignited her entire body in flames, searing his arm and forcing him to release her. Before he could regain his composure, she drew her sword and severed the burning limb. Right after, Rollo's blade followed, cutting his other leg.
*Slash—* *Slash—* *Slash—* *Slash—*
The two took turns striking, blow after blow, until nothing remained but Kragorn's lifeless head. With a triumphant thrust, Rollo drove his blade through it, then raised his sword high and let out a victorious roar.
Watching the scene unfold, Jan couldn't help but chuckle, 'Well, that's one way to find an opponent's weakness.'
*Thud—*
Finally, Jan dropped back to the ground—not injured, but mentally drained. He had thrown himself into the lightning, unsure if he could survive it. The only other time he'd done something like that was against the Alpha Wolf. Trusting the system had been his only option—and this time, it worked.
He had played his part. Now, all he could do was lie there and listen to Rollo's triumphant roar—and, for once, appreciate it.
Rollo's battle cry echoed across the battlefield, catching the attention of the knights who had been freed from the Dark Siren's control, fighting valiantly against the waves of monsters.
A brief moment of silence followed, then the battlefield erupted with cheers.
Amidst the jubilation, Jan suddenly noticed a figure approaching. Squinting through the haze, he recognized Sophia, tears streaming down her cheeks. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, she hurled herself into his arms—sobbing, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Her words left Jan speechless. Then he regained his composure, smiled softly, and replied, "You're welcome."
He now understood the root of her grudge against him. For someone as stubborn as Sophia, showing this kind of gratitude said everything about how much she loved her uncle.
She wiped her face, then looked up at Jan, eyes filled with sincere determination. "I promise I won't call you names anymore!"
Hearing her earnest tone, Jan chuckled, "I'd appreciate that!"
"That's if you live to see another day!"
A voice cut in from behind—Erza's voice.
For Sophia, her mother was the last person she wanted to see.
Instantly, she dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead to the ground. "I'm sorry, Mom!"
"Don't call me 'Mom'! And asking for forgiveness won't save you from punishment. You dared to disobey my orders, and for that, you will pay!"
"Yes…" Sophia replied, disappointed.
Erza then turned to Jan, who instinctively lowered his head, bracing for a scolding.
"Thank you."
"What?!" Jan was astonished—he was receiving gratitude after disobeying the Guild Master's orders.
"You saved my younger brother's life. I am truly grateful."
"Y-You're welcome," Jan stammered, still in disbelief.
"Hey!" Sophia interjected, her eyes wide. "Why are you thanking him and scolding me? I helped too!"
"Quiet, or I'll double your punishment!"
"Yes…" Sophia said, her head drooping once more.
Erza glanced back at Jan and added, "I'm sure he will thank you personally once he's done with duty."
Stealing a glance behind Erza, Jan saw Rollo cutting his way through the remaining beasts. Without their leaders, the enemy forces were crumbling, and it was only a matter of time before the Valkeries Army cleared the battlefield.
"I'd argue that he should leave that to his men and thank you first, but he's not that type of a man," She added.
"There's no need for that; you all helped me tremendously. I could never repay your kindness." Jan smiled warmly.
Erza beamed upon hearing these words, and then said, "I should assist them as well. We can talk later."
"We can help too!" Sophia piped up.
"No, you've done enough. Stay here and this time, follow orders."
"Yes, Mom!"
With a sigh, Erza left the two behind.
Jan and Sophia stood side by side, observing the battle unfold as Rollo and Erza fought valiantly, driving the waves of monsters back toward the Endlesscape.
In the back, Marcus focused on the gravely wounded, using only enough mana to stabilize them. With too many to fully treat, he prioritized survival—once a knight could be kept alive, others who could still walk carried them back to town for full recovery.
For the first time, Jan got a clear look at the Great Priest's face—worn with exhaustion, every line etched with the weight of battle.
"We should have brought Maria," he said, concern etched on his face.
Sophia shook her head firmly. "Trust me, we made the right call."
[Time Remaining: 20 minutes.]
'The mission is still going, huh? I wonder if it would only end with the death of the last monster on the field.'
*Rumble—*