Roshien Bridge was nearly one kilometer long and spanned between two towering mountains. It threaded through thin clouds above while facing a bottomless abyss below.
This bridge once served as a crucial passage connecting southern cities like Azure City, Shiranami City, and Takaiwa City to the Sacred Imperial Capital. It was also the vital artery linking multiple major cities within the empire.
But ever since the Sacred Imperial Capital was sealed off, monsters had roamed unchecked. Major cities began focusing on self-preservation and ceased meaningful communication with others.
Only relatively close cities—such as Azure and Shiranami—still coordinated out of necessity. During Shiranami City's last monster tide crisis, if not for Azure's aid, the consequences could have been devastating.
At this moment, the executive team from Shiranami City stood before Roshien Bridge.
Their leader was Ren, a specialist from Shiranami.
"Ren, we've confirmed the monster nest is right beneath the bridge. It's a swarm of 'Crimson Bats'—roughly twenty in number—and we suspect there's a Crimson Bat King among them," an executive officer whispered.
Ren frowned.
"Crimson Bats? Those things are a nightmare to handle."
These were highly agile, aerial-type third-tier monsters—fast, airborne, and vicious. Flying monsters were always among the most troublesome to deal with.
"Has the team from Azure Academy arrived yet?"
Five people alone wouldn't be enough to take on such a swarm.
"The Principal already contacted them—they should be here any moment."
Right on cue, several figures rushed toward them from behind—it was Kanji and his team.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. We're here," said Renji.
"Finally. Let's sync up," Ren replied.
Kanji, the captain from Azure, stepped forward.
"What's the current situation?"
Ren briefed her quickly.
"The bats are nested beneath the center of the bridge. Twenty of them, and a Crimson Bat King—a fourth-tier starter class."
The mention of that creature caused Red Wind, White Bear, and the others to tense slightly.
"If we let them breed here, the entire Roshien Bridge might eventually collapse. That would sever one of the last remaining routes to the Sacred Imperial Capital," Ren explained gravely.
"The Imperial Capital… no one's set foot there in years," Kanji murmured, still accepting the task without protest.
"We're here to support. You take command, we'll assist," he added.
Ren didn't waste time posturing.
"Good."
"If the bats scatter, we'll lose the advantage. So we'll try to draw them out, and you strike from the bridge."
"Got it."
Everyone moved quickly and efficiently. The two captains finalized their strategy, and the teams assumed their positions.
Kanji's squad stood at the center of the bridge, directly above the Crimson Bats' nest.
"Crimson Bats are aerial fighters, which puts us at a disadvantage. We need to end this quickly.
White Bear, Yellow Wolf, Black Serpent—you'll attack head-on with me. Red Wind, you'll provide aerial support.
Blood Moon, stay close to Red Wind and cover her. Got it?"
"Understood."
With that, Kanji gestured toward Ren—ready.
"Let's go!"
Ren raised her hand, signaling a teammate who immediately activated a spatial summoning circle, calling forth two second-tier Fierce Eagles—courtesy of a beast-taming ability.
Beast-tamers, like necromancers, could summon previously bonded monsters using special marks or rituals.
Four members boarded the two eagles, and the group took flight toward the bridge's center. Meanwhile, green wind energy swirled around Ren's body, transforming into wind wings and lifting her into the air.
Only a few with specific abilities—like wind or beast-taming—could fly unaided.
The two eagle squads flanked the bridge and unleashed massive fireballs. Ren enhanced them with her wind powers, fusing them into a giant fiery wave that surged toward the bat nest.
"Screeeee!!"
Screeching filled the air as dozens of dark red bats burst from beneath the bridge.
"Now!"
Kanji and his squad sprang into action.
He and White Bear leaped down, intercepting and smashing one of the third-tier bats mid-air. Kanji's beast element amplified his strength; his punches landed with devastating impact. His earth element boosted his defense, allowing his to tank most attacks.
White Bear, wielding thunder, transformed his body into a conduit for physical and electric damage—essentially a living battering ram.
Black Serpent, who usually relied on his snake familiar, fought solo this time, wielding a short blade in one hand and flame in the other.
Yellow Wolf didn't engage directly but deployed three flying puppets—ideal for this high-altitude skirmish.
"Thud!"
Their opening strike was successful—a bat went down fast.
As the team began to fall mid-air, Red Wind stepped up on the bridge.
"Hyaa!"
Wind spheres formed beneath her teammates' feet, suspending them temporarily in midair. The wind element couldn't lift others outright but could create solid wind platforms.
"Take this!"
She raised her arms again, conjuring more than a dozen floating wind panels for her allies to land on.
She was the lynchpin of this fight.
"Screee!"
The bats quickly noticed Red Wind and targeted her—knowing she was keeping her allies aloft.
"BloodMoon !"
Honoka shouted quickly. She couldn't maintain the wind platforms and defend herself at once.
Renji Takahashi—codename BloodMoon—understood immediately.
Activating Sage Mode, he took a deep breath. His senses sharpened immensely.
Boom!
He leapt into the air, becoming a streaking blur.
Slash!
With one swift move, he slit the throat of an incoming Crimson Bat.
"Watch out! Don't touch its blood!" Red Wind warned.
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