When Ann left the group, the first thing she did was help those closest to her.
As it stands, the defending army was outnumbered, seemingly creating an image of an imminent loss. However, there was a reason, or rather two reasons, humans were currently the most populous race on this planet. Namely, their sigils and fetal organs.
With these two in their corner, humans were as predictable as the trajectory of a fly. Every human was an exception to their own race. It was impossible for other races to account for every sigil out there and then account for their fetal organ on top of that.
That was why when Ann joined to help, all it took was a single threadful blast. The squirrels were initially surprised by her appearance but quickly adapted and split. When she used a threadful blast on the one who split to deal with her, rather than attack or dodge, the squirrel decided to defend.
Let me tell you, even as the author, I'm a pretty dumb person, but even I know this was probably the worst thing to do in a situation like this. I mean, blindly taking a hit like that without knowing the effects of the attack is just asinine. I mean, the squirrel literally assumed that it was just like a normal blast, like a ki blast from Dragon Ball Z.
So when the squirrel used a skill, which reinforced and grew its fluffy tail out into a spiral-like shield, the threaded ball simply just caved and continued to engulf them. After all, it wasn't completely solid. With no other defensive measures, the threads cut into him from every angle, dicing him into a bunch of little charred pieces.
The other squirrel noticed this and was alarmed by how quickly their brother in arms died, leading them to try and make a tactical retreat.
However, it failed against the two and died a miserable death, the end.
…
Ann found no pleasure in this.
Oh shit, did I say pleasure!? Sorry sorry, I meant pressure. She felt no pressure from this.
She was already knocking on the door of rank-4 after absorbing soul cores for a few weeks. Now, if she wanted to progress, she could do it by slowly bullying more and more of those who were the same rank as her. Or, she could do like last time and fight those who were stronger than her. Of course, knowing her, she chose the latter.
It didn't take long for her to find a new opponent which was only a few miles away from where she started. At the time, once again, a soldier from the defending army was being ganged up on by two squirrels. This time, however, the defender was non-human, or rather, a kind of bird person.
And yes, all three were rank-4.
Not only that, but pretty much every other battle around them were of the same rank. Obviously, it was because while there was no distinct separation between the battles of different ranks, people naturally try to avoid hurting their weaker brothers and sisters in arms. Of course, the reverse is also true; those of higher ranks going after the weaker ranked enemies.
So when Ann clearly stepped into this area, those around immediately noticed her aura fluctuation. The enemies payed her no mind as they likened her to a moth heading towards a flame. A few of those defending tried to warn her but were either obstructed or just ignored by Ann.
The two squirrels attacking the bird also paid no attention to her, even having their back towards her. The bird saw her and when he saw the threadful blast culminating on her palm, he quickly prepared his retreat.
Although Ann tried her best to control it, the squirrels being rank-4 basically made it impossible for them not to notice the slight aura fluctuation. Yet, by then, it was already too late because even though they moved out of the way of the ball itself, they didn't get out of the range of its expansion.
Sizzling and popping could be heard as the scent of burnt flesh and hair covered the area. While the attack wasn't fatal as the squirrels' bodies were nourished by their soul juice, thus bringing their natural defense to rank-4, it annoyed them to a fault.
However, before the squirrels could respond "kindly" Ann's little stunt, the bird took the opportunity to also pull a stunt of his own.
It didn't take much for the bird person to take advantage and take flight. Using one of his race's innate skills, which tuned his wings to surrounding laws governing wind.
Now, despite not having a wind-attributed soul, with just the flapping of his wings, the bird conjured a hundred-foot tornado made of wind blades. It shredded anything and everything in its path; everything except the two squirrels as they had managed to dodge in time despite being momentarily distracted.
By now, Ann had caught up to the bird and looked at him from the ground. The bird man too looked at Ann, and because of the close proximity, he was able to see her aura fluctuation; he was able to see how close she was to breaking through. Though surprised, he now knew the reason for her seemingly daring attempt to fight those a rank above her.
For a moment, in his head, he questioned her choices as this could be taken as a very hasty and risky move to rank up quicker. However, he quickly realized he truly had no say in matters pertaining to someone he didn't know. So, why not help her breakthrough as shes also helping him by taking care of one of his enemies?
"I can see you're close to a breakthrough; may I lend a hand?"
Ann, for a second, was surprised that someone could sense her current status. But then again, her knowledge of the higher ranks were limited.
However, she still shook her head and smiled, rejecting his helping hand.
"No thanks, but I appreciate it though. I think I can handle one on my own, plus, you'll only stall my progress."
The bird man almost cringed at her response, as he knew she had misunderstood what he meant. Well, he somewhat expected it anyway since only someone prideful and confident in their abilities would do what she had just done.
Anyways, Ann would find out soon enough what he meant.
"Hey! You two lovebirds done squaking yet?"
Hearing the squirrel's squeaky voice, Ann almost laughed, but held it in as she activated her sigil. She then activated multiple rune formations which include her wings of light and her refractor shield. Then, with her will, a heavy sword made of light appeared on her right hand.
She did all she could in preparation and on the inside, she still had some hesitation. This increased further upon seeing squirrels using an innate skill.
In both their hands was appeared to be a brown seed made from their soul juice. And upon settling it within the earth, the ground suddenly began quaking.
In a matter of seconds, two hundred-foot tall trees sprouted from the ground, their roots writhing on the surface.