When the first ray of dawn crossed the ocean and illuminated the isolated island, the Tower of Heaven woke up.
Wes blew the whistle, the shrill sound tearing through the morning silence.
"Get your asses up, you lazy bums!"
Days of mental tension, combined with the early shift this morning, had filled him with pent-up rage. Cursing under his breath, he walked to the main gate of the cell block, calculating which unlucky soul he should use as a punching bag today.
Clang—
The heavy lock on the iron gate was undone.
The moment the gate was pushed open a crack, a figure shot out from the blind spot beside the door like a cheetah lying in wait!
Shane's arm locked around Wes's neck like an iron hoop. The force was so violent it instantly cut off any sound he tried to make.
Wes could only produce weird gurgle... gurgle... noises from his throat. His eyes bulged in terror as he struggled futilely for a second before going limp and collapsing to the ground.
"Move out!" Shane shouted in a low voice. He grabbed the longsword from the guard's waist and tossed the body aside.
He had no pity for these Dark Cultists who trafficked humans. They were all scum who deserved to die.
Erza and Simon, who had long been prepared, shot out like arrows from a bow!
The guards on the watchtowers on either side barely had time to react before Erza disarmed them, followed closely by Simon, who knocked them out with punches and kicks.
"What's going on?!"
Startled shouts came from other overseers deeper in the prison block, accompanied by the chaotic sound of footsteps approaching rapidly.
"Everyone, listen up!" Shane turned to face the prisoners inside, his voice clear and powerful. "We are leaving this island. If you want your freedom back, fight with us!"
The surroundings fell into a dead silence, with only heavy, suppressed breathing echoing in the air. Years of despair and fear had corroded the backbones of most people like rust; the very idea of resistance had been ground down to almost nothing.
Just then, a thin, weak figure suddenly grabbed the iron bars of his cell.
Shane made a small sound of surprise. He recognized the boy he had saved from the overseer a few days ago. He hadn't expected the kid to actually survive without being purged afterward.
The boy still had bruises on his face, but his eyes burned with fire. He screamed with every ounce of strength he had: "I've had enough! I'm coming with you!"
This scream was like a rock thrown into a stagnant pool, creating ripples.
Seeing the crowd beginning to waver, Shane decided to add more fuel to the fire.
He swung his sword and slashed at the lock trapping the boy! With a loud clang, the chains snapped. He didn't look at the boy but instead scanned the flickering eyes in the cells, raising his voice:
"I opened the door. But freedom? You have to fight for that yourselves. If you're afraid of getting involved... then stay in your cells and wait for it all to end!"
The boy broke free from the cell door and, bringing a few friends he knew well, stood behind Shane without hesitation.
He looked back at the hesitant figures and yelled angrily, "What are you still afraid of? Staying here is waiting for death! Rushing out is our only chance to live! We won't get a second chance like this!"
"He's right!" The first response finally exploded from the crowd. "Let's fight these animals!"
"We're dead either way, I'd rather die outside!"
"Count me in! I'm going too!"
One shout after another, like sparks landing in dry grass. More and more people grabbed the cell doors, the same light igniting in their eyes.
"Jellal, the rear is yours!" Shane gave Jellal a deep look.
"Count on me!" Jellal nodded heavily, his eyes determined. "Wally, Sho, Millianna, follow me! We're saving people!"
Without further words, the group instantly split into two. Jellal led his team rushing deeper into the prison, using keys looted from the guards to open cell after cell, gathering more strength from those yearning for freedom.
Meanwhile, Shane, Erza, and Simon led the first wave of about a dozen of the most fired-up slaves, charging toward the exit of the prison block!
Before leaving, Shane looked back helplessly. "Grandpa Rob, are you really coming with us?"
"Don't look down on me! I used to be a bona fide Mage!" Rob blew into his mustache and glared, insisting on joining the frontline team.
He knew he was old and didn't want to hide in the rear. He only wanted to burn up the last of his strength in this rebellion.
Shane couldn't stop him. He sighed and silently decided to keep an eye on the old man later.
"Enemy attack! Slave riot!"
By now, the guards who had reacted swarmed out of the barracks. Holding spears and swords, they blocked the exit of the prison block with ferocious faces, trying to suppress the riot.
A melee broke out instantly.
Shane took the lead. Dark golden light flashed in his hand, and the crimson longbow that once divided the sky and earth appeared again, emitting a heart-palpitating glow in the dim space.
"What... what is that?!" The overseers were intimidated by this sudden change, their steps unconsciously faltering.
"This state feels much better."
Shane's fingertips brushed over the warm bow. His eyes were cold as he pulled the empty string. An arrow made purely of scarlet Magic Power formed instantly.
Twang—!
The arrow left the string with a sharp whistle, burying itself precisely in the chest of the foremost overseer wielding a machete. The man didn't even have time to scream before he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground, silent.
Before anyone could react, Shane drew the bow again.
Twang! Twang! Twang!
Never missing a shot, fast as lightning.
Streaks of crimson light flashed in succession, and every arrow inevitably brought with it a blooming flower of bright red blood.
If anyone could see the Book of Heroic Spirits looming in Shane's mind right now, they would be shocked by the changes in the data:
Name: Shane
Alignment: Neutral Good · Human
Strength: E- E+ (Strength has clearly surpassed human limits; can easily perform feats considered impressive by normal standards)
Endurance: E- E+ (Excellent resilience at the body's limits; can support action in various extreme conditions)
Agility: E- E (Reached the top-tier level of ordinary humans; can perform daily activities with ease)
Magic Power: E- E (Can sense a weak flow of Magic Power; it is no longer blank)
Luck: EX (Holder of the Book of Heroic Spirits; cannot be measured by normal standards; maximum resistance to "Destined Fate")
Active Skills: None
The past few days of tempering his body with that ten-fold warm flow had brought about a complete transformation in Shane.
At this moment, both his Strength and Endurance had broken through to E+, his movements surging with majestic power far beyond that of a normal person.
Agility had stabilized at E Rank, possessing agility and coordination comparable to top-tier athletes. His Magic Power was finally no longer blank, allowing him to faintly perceive and guide its flow.
Right now, he was practically a "Miniature Heroic Spirit" walking among men.
Especially with the buff from his Noble Phantasm, the Crimson Longbow, he not only gained overwhelming ranged capabilities but also compensated for any lack of attack power. He was already showing the budding signs of becoming a Stat Monster.
"It's... It's a Holder Type Mage!"
"I know! This guy is the Mage who attacked us a few days ago!"
Someone among the overseers finally guessed his identity, their screams filled with unconcealable panic.
"Quick! Go get the Magic Troops!"