The courtyard slowly came back to life.
Not because the fighting had ended, but because people realized the commander was dead.
The guards who had been struggling moments ago found their footing again. Adventurers who had been forced on the defensive started pushing the beasts back instead of simply surviving. Mages standing on balconies and rooftops began firing spells without worrying about hitting their own men.
The change wasn't huge.
But it was enough.
A fireball exploded near the broken gate, throwing three beasts off their feet. An orc adventurer carrying a massive hammer charged through the opening and crushed a horned beast with one swing. Beside him, an elf archer fired arrow after arrow, each one finding a weak spot before another beast could get close.
Every race in Shadehaven was fighting.
Humans.
Elves.
Dwarves.
Beastkin.
Even a few half-giants had joined the battle, using their size to keep the larger monsters away from groups of civilians.
Nobody cared where anyone came from anymore.
Right now, everyone had the same enemy.
Adrien looked around for only a second before tightening his grip on his sword again.
"They're breaking," Cedric said.
"They're panicking," Adrien corrected. "There's a difference."
Without someone leading them, the beasts had stopped working together. Some were still charging headfirst while others looked confused, almost unsure where to go next.
That confusion gave the defenders an opening.
"Push them back!" one of the city captains shouted.
"Drive them out!"
The call spread quickly.
The defenders answered with a roar and surged forward.
Adrien moved with them.
He didn't waste what little energy he had left on skills. Every movement mattered now.
A boar-like beast burst through a collapsed wall, sending chunks of stone flying. It lowered its head and charged toward a group of injured guards.
Adrien intercepted it.
He waited until the last moment before stepping to the side.
Its tusks scraped against his coat as it rushed past.
He turned with it and brought his sword down across the back of its neck.
The cut wasn't enough.
The beast spun around, furious.
Before it could charge again, Nyxaris lunged onto its back and sank his claws into its shoulders.
The beast screamed and bucked wildly.
Adrien stepped in and drove his sword through its skull.
It dropped without another sound.
A blue screen flashed for a brief moment.
[+740 EXP]
[Quest Progress Updated]
He barely looked at it before dismissing it.
There would be time later.
Right now, people were still dying.
A little further ahead, a young dwarf was pinned beneath a broken wagon while two wolf beasts clawed at the wood, trying to reach him.
Adrien sprinted toward them.
The first wolf noticed him and jumped.
He met it halfway.
Their bodies collided, but Adrien's sword reached first.
The blade pierced its throat before they even touched the ground.
The second beast turned toward him.
Nyxaris was already there.
The shadow wolf crashed into it from the side, sending both of them rolling across the street.
Adrien reached the wagon and lifted one side just enough.
"Can you move?"
The dwarf gritted his teeth and pulled himself free.
"I've had better mornings."
Adrien couldn't help giving a small smile.
"So have I."
The dwarf picked up his axe from the ground.
"I'm not done yet."
"I know."
The dwarf nodded once before running back into the fight.
Adrien watched him go for a moment.
People were tired.
Bleeding.
Scared.
But nobody was running anymore.
The city had decided to fight.
A horn echoed somewhere behind them.
Then another.
Cedric looked toward the sound.
"Those are the reserve guards."
Adrien followed his gaze.
Fresh soldiers were pouring through the northern street in organized lines. Heavy shields formed a wall while spear users marched behind them. Mages stayed in the center under protection, already preparing another volley of spells.
The timing couldn't have been better.
The scattered beasts suddenly found themselves caught between two forces.
"They planned for this?" Roland asked.
Cedric shook his head.
"No."
"They adapted."
Adrien nodded quietly.
"That's what good commanders do."
Another explosion shook the street.
This one came from much farther away.
A thick column of black smoke rose above the rooftops.
Cedric frowned.
"...That's the eastern district."
Roland looked over.
"There's another fight?"
"There has to be."
Before anyone could say more, one of the city scouts came running toward them.
His armor was scratched from head to toe, and blood covered one sleeve.
He stopped in front of Cedric, breathing hard.
"Sir... we've got a problem."
Cedric's expression stayed calm.
"What happened?"
"The outer wall hasn't fallen..."
He swallowed.
"...but something broke through underneath."
Everyone went quiet.
"The old sewer tunnels," the scout continued. "They're using them to get inside the city."
Roland stared at him.
"They had another route the whole time?"
"It looks that way."
Adrien's eyes narrowed.
That explained why the attacks had started in so many places at once.
This wasn't a reckless invasion.
Someone had spent time planning it.
Studying the city.
Looking for weak points.
The werewolves hadn't come here hoping to win.
They had come expecting to.
Before anyone could speak again—
A familiar blue screen appeared.
[Quest Updated]
Break the Horde
Current Progress: 38%
Primary Commander Eliminated ✔
New Objective:
Locate the source of the underground invasion.
Eliminate the remaining command unit.
Prevent the city from being overrun.
Bonus Objective Added
Protect the civilians trapped beneath the Eastern District.
Reward Updated
Additional EXP
Hidden Reward Conditions Improved
The screen disappeared.
Adrien looked toward the rising smoke.
"So there's another commander."
Cedric nodded.
"And if that scout is right, it's probably underground."
Roland picked his sword back up and stretched his sore shoulder.
"I was hoping for five minutes to catch my breath."
Cedric gave him a sideways look.
"You can rest after we're still alive."
Roland laughed once despite himself.
"Fair enough."
Adrien looked down at the edge of his sword.
There were small chips in the blade now.
Blood covered almost half of it.
His arms felt heavy, and his Shadow Energy was nearly gone.
He wasn't at his best.
Not even close.
But the city still needed every fighter it had.
Nyxaris walked back to his side and nudged his hand once.
Adrien scratched behind the shadow wolf's ear for a second.
"One more round."
Nyxaris gave a low rumble.
Together, the four of them turned toward the eastern district.
None of them noticed the pair of crimson eyes watching from the top of a distant bell tower.
The figure stood perfectly still, hidden beneath a dark cloak.
Below, the battle continued.
Above, the stranger watched Adrien without moving.
After a few seconds, a quiet voice drifted through the wind.
"So... the System chose him after all."
The figure disappeared before anyone looked up.
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sorry for the slow uploads speed, been dealing with exams but promise to do a 7 chapter mass release after it. pls bear with me readers. thanks and hope u continue to support and help spread the great piece of work you have been reading