Chapter 43: Brutal Rule
The whole area meant for the fourth line was now completely cleared of enemies. Darian let out a breath when he heard the trio's response, then turned to the 30 surviving rookies and saw a fire light up in their eyes.
"Well... you've made it through the trial by fire and blood. I'm sure you're no less capable than the ones with a ring in the third line," Darian said casually. "The plan was to kill everything and move forward, right? So let's go."
Everyone nodded. They'd stared death in the face and didn't run. They stood their ground and survived.
Most of the Summoners were people who had already fought and trained a lot in life. But their Spiritual Guardians were still too green. Now, that had changed. Their mindset and will had grown stronger. If they managed to stay alive, their futures had just cracked wide open.
Niara went on ahead, the trio right behind her, while the 30 rookies followed in a loose formation further back.
They walked straight toward the third line, nearly five hundred meters ahead.
Each row had been spaced out by around five hundred meters, with another five hundred meters in between them. That space was crucial — it let those on the front lines fall back and recover away from the fighting.
Each of the four lines was split into two fronts based on the participants' power. In the case of the third, the front was made up of Summoners and Guardians with two rings, while the older ones with only one ring stayed behind, dealing with weaker enemies.
The rookies quickly crossed over, getting closer to the backline of the third row. That's when wicked smiles crept across Niara and Darian's faces.
Right away, they spotted five people fighting the Risen up ahead: the dragon-blooded couple, the elite rookie who'd gotten Niara's milk, and the two who helped move the Risen army.
All nine who were supposed to be defending the fourth line had ignored the Elders' orders and pushed ahead to the third, where the enemies were stronger and more numerous. There, they could rack up way more points.