Chapter 66: The Split That Almost Broke Us
The battle ended as quickly as it had begun—just like Ryan’s first incursion into Dark Horde territory. A surprise assault, a swift dismantling of the enemy’s resistance, and finally, an overwhelming victory.
The elite warriors of the Ironblood Covenant now lay sprawled across the ground, motionless. Nearby, Alliance players erupted into cheers as they chased down the few Orc faction survivors still limping away from the chaos.
"Quick, let’s go take down that Guardian!"
Ryan scanned the battlefield. The area around the Guardian had cleared out—players gave it a wide berth, still haunted by the memory of its recent rampage. Even passing strangers avoided its vicinity, as though proximity alone would invite death.
The Guardian itself lumbered in slow, deliberate steps, its health fully regenerated. To Ryan, it now looked like a plump, juicy steak—just waiting to be carved.
"Can we handle it?" Riverbank whispered, unease lacing her voice. She had just witnessed the Guardian decimate dozens of players, and while she knew its power had come largely from the mob of attackers overwhelming it with disorganized aggro, the fear still lingered.
"Don’t worry," Moonlight Beauty chimed in over squad chat, her tone playful. "Our captain’s Featherlight—the legend with a full set of Glorious Achievements!" She threw Ryan a wink as she spoke.
"I trust you," Nightwalker added, his voice low and calm. "At least, you’ve earned that much." Then his form shimmered and blurred, slipping into stealth.
A transparent golden barrier shimmered into existence around Ryan. Divine Shield. A level 10 priest spell, capable of absorbing massive damage. As long as the barrier held, Ryan was untouchable.
He nodded to Riverbank, double-checked his inventory, then charged straight toward Guardian Isdal.
"Hey, look! Someone’s going after the Guardian again!"
The moment Ryan’s squad engaged, shouts erupted from players nearby. A small crowd began to gather at a distance—watchful, skeptical.