Akiol's hunch was right. The conditions to activate [Truth Twofold: Rot] were simple but time consuming to achieve. The Undead King simply needed to affect a certain amount of [Truth: Rot] to items. Each weapon that rotted away helped fill this condition.
It now became clearer as to why the undead's weapons were always rusted and dilapidated. Thanks to the Undead King's Truth, the weapons would always be afflicted with rot. Now that the entire battlefield was covered in the--once stone--sand any unlucky individual who touched the sand would find their equipment inflicted with rot.
Moreover this effect seemed to be exceptional effective to those of lower stages. The First Stage combatants the Guilds brought along for the experience found their equipment already falling apart. The Second Stages were able to hold out a bit longer but they were already experiencing the degraded weapons affecting their performance. The one who was suffering the worst however was Torch.
His robots were rotting faster than the equipment of First Stages. Due to their entire bodies being made of several parts the Rot was able to quickly take a hold and the massive army was starting the stumble and fall. The steadfast front line held by the bots was rapidly being disassembled. Their parts rusted, their movements slowed, and very quickly they fell into pieces onto the sand floor.
The higher quality gear and robots were able to hold on for a significantly longer time. Torch's personal bodies and the Knights of Round had essentially zero rust spreading on their bodies. Those who wielded Incredible or higher tier rarity items were able to hold out. However Incredible tier gear was rare to obtain for the average player, including those in Guilds.
Travis, Akiol, and Opportunity were also suffering from the Rot. Travis' gear was only upgraded from the extra Holy energy imbued in it, his armor set was still technically outdated. Excluding his mask and weapons, his equipment was beginning to grow rust. Opportunity's gear was also similarly outdated, her armor still technically a Second Stage set. Her two axes had consistently been around, and they too were now starting to rust. As for Akiol, his ring was fine but the scabbard of Stars was beginning to fall apart. Although he had gotten it repaired after the fight against Goju it wasn't quite the same.
Stars remained untouched by the Rot effect. A blackhole could certainly stand the test of time, much less be rusted.
Tilia's precious set crafted by the dwarves proved to be resilient against the Rot. Most likely due to it being closely tied to her War Sight. Regardless it was still a set meant for Second Stage, and the rust was very slowly climbing up her armor.
Yielya's equipment was mostly cloth, but it was even starting to show its wear. Her staff was able to fight against the effect, as expected from a treasure from the Holy. Mira's axe didn't rust, any form of damage the axe took would be replaced by a flow of blood and repaired.
Yet it seemed the effect of [Truth Twofold: Rot] was indiscriminate. The already dilapidated armor of the undead was quick to fall off and into pieces. The undead army was now entirely unarmed, but failed to let such a thing stop them. In terms of pure strength the undead held a large advantage. After all a portion of a player's strength was due to their equipment. There were very few who wouldn't be affected by their equipment being removed.
Thus the undead was far quicker to tear apart the players. As each player fell they rapidly rose again as an undead. This made the Guilds eat through their respawns given by the Guild Flag. Rapidly players were beginning to fight the undead versions of themselves.
Yielya turned about and felt defeated. This was entirely something she couldn't have predicted. The Territory was already troublesome enough, and now their equipment had failed them as well. Torch's unwavering army was now rapidly being torn apart. Every foothold they gained on this raid was shot down, every step forward made them take three back.
Everything pointed towards the Undead King! If they had a force capable of taking down the Fourth Stage this raid would've been a clear success! Even with a bit more information on the capabilities of the undead she could've changed strategies! Set up a proper supply line to replace fallen equipment!
Raising into the air the Undead King let his rusted scepter go, and it floated to his front. A husk of a laugh rang across the battlefield, "Such a futile attempt. To have gone this far only to fall short!"
Travis grit his teeth, "It's game over."
Opportunity gripped her axes, "I'm not dead yet though. I've barely started."
"Tsk, you adrenaline junkie. Doesn't matter, this is a peak Fourth Stage! I only fought to survive, yet it's clear no matter what I do I won't be able to escape this!"
"Your words don't match your will Dot! Despite you giving up I can't help but notice how tightly you're gripping those swords of yours."
Travis looked downwards and noticed how tense his body was. Not out of fear, but out of anticipation. He wanted to chalk it up to [Averoth's Lust for Battle] and its side effects. Yet. . .
Akiol took a step forward. The footsteps gathered the attention of the other two. His expression was unwavering, his eyes solely set on a single goal. The Undead King studied this expression, yet as he tried to discern the meaning of it he found only an endless expanse of stars. As if he was transported into space. It took only a moment for him to snap free of this illusion, but it made him curious.
His gaze turned back towards the battlefield. It was going to clearly be his victory, with the Territory and [Truth Twofold: Rot], the attackers lacked any form of an advantage. Yet as their equipment fell apart, and their comrades fell into battle. There wasn't a sign of despair.
Rather. . . they all seemed to fight with more vigor?
Returning his gaze to the three in front of him he noticed the same feeling from them. The want to continue to fight. Despite the fact that they stood no chance. Despite the fact that they were moments away from facing their end. They did not flee, they did not despair. They took another step forward and fought with anything they had!
Akiol's gaze turned into a faint smile, "Really, the people of this world are truly something else."
How many times must he be amazed at this planet's tenacity? Compared to his own world the players and people of this one were ever tenacious. No matter how badly they were pinned down they pushed back even harder. Time and time again, pushing themselves past their limits. Even with a disadvantage. The people of his own world seemed worn and fought only out of a need, often relying on a Hero to save them.
Everyone knew! This was not a winning battle anymore! So fight, because nothing else matters!
Further bolstering their vigor was Givale, she flew at an incredible speed above the undead army. Opening her jaw she unleashed a violent swirl of her magic. It twisted and bent the space, tearing apart the undead.
"Charge! If we're gonna die, at least get a few levels out of our efforts!", shouted a player.
The once war turned into a brawl as the players grappled the undead. Very few had weapons to utilize their Skills, and even less had armor to defend themselves. Only a few classes could continue to use their Skills due to them not needing a weapon. Yet despite this the player fought with every bit of their limbs! They still had their Stats, their Titles! As long as they had strength to fight, why not fight?!
Opportunity let out a laugh. Her joy could not be contained any further. Travis gripped his swords and a grin spread across his face. Fighting alongside crazy powerful idiots wasn't so bad, so like they say: when in Rome-!
Abyssal and Holy energy burst forth, they twisted and fought against each other. Yet when near Travis they united, and his weapons gleamed with their respective energies! Opportunity bent her knees and her physical appearance morphed.
'Agreed, let's do this until our end.' -Ryolu
One of Opportunity's eyes morphed to look like Ryolu's. Scales began to form on her skin and covered a third of her face. They spread up to her scalp and a horn began to grow through her hair. Ryolu flew off towards the largest horde of undead and started to unleash her powerful magic.
Across the battlefield the player occasionally found a random explosion occurring. Seemingly out of nowhere a flash would appear and silver energy would linger before it vanished all together. This effect was significantly stronger where the Guilds were located. This energy was already familiar to them, and they could guess who was responsible!
{Way of the Galaxy: Supernova Remnant}!
This was not a technique that required an expenditure of Aura. Rather it was more of a byproduct of the Hypernova! Such a powerful explosion let the Aura linger across the battlefield. Now with no control it began to react violently, causing it to snap and explode before disappearing. This was the true reason to Akiol spending so much Aura in the beginning!
Since this technique didn't harm the allies he designated, it served to close the gap the loss of equipment created! Taking up a stance Akiol prepared himself. This was it, the true and final push! No matter the outcome, they choose to fight!
The Undead King couldn't believe it. Every last one of them have lost their minds! What a pointless struggle! How infuriating! They come to his kingdom, attack his undead people, and now when faced with defeat they dare to fight as if everything was on the line?!
He would crush such tenacity here and now!