The battlefield shifted.
The Shaman's death rippled through the monster army like a wave, and the buffs that had been empowering the goblins and orcs faded completely. Across the ruined district hunters were beginning to push back for the first time since the invasion started.
Aiden stood near the broken street with Callum behind him, both of them breathing hard while blood dripped from multiple wounds. The ground was cracked with cars overturned and smoke rising from burning buildings. The air smelled of blood, dust, and mana that hadn't dissipated yet.
Callum's summoned beast was wounded but still standing, growling low as it watched the remaining monsters hesitate.
For a brief moment it looked like humanity might survive the wave.
