"Should I use the energy explosion? What if there's something stronger in the next wave?" I was sweating. I had thrown myself into danger, believing we were prepared. Now, I didn't know what to do, and time was running out.
"My lord, let me go! I will destroy them. It's the only way!" Yue Fei said, determination etched on his face.
I looked at him, weighing the possibilities. Deep down, I knew that if he went, he wouldn't return—there were simply too many enemies. No, I thought, the system was designed to help us survive in this chaotic world, not kill us all. I needed to think. Then it hit me—the most basic rule of RPGs. If there are zombies and skeletons, there must be a necromancer controlling them. It's the only explanation. I refused to believe wave after wave would come without a chance to stop them.
With my mind made up, I bet everything on Yue Fei. "Go around the side gate and use the forest as camouflage. There must be someone—or something—behind those beasts!"
"I can't leave you now. Who will guarantee your safety? It's too dangerous!" Yue Fei argued.
"Go now; that's an order!" I commanded firmly. "Trust me, because I will lead us to victory."
I could see the conflict in his eyes as he wrestled with his decision. So, maximum loyalty doesn't mean they'll follow orders to the letter, huh? If we survive this, I'll need to look into it.
Finally, Yue Fei relented, but not before I gave him the shield talisman. He promised he would return successfully before disappearing into the shadows. Now, with direct control over the soldiers, I felt the weight of leadership pressing on my shoulders.
I took out the energy explosion talisman, aiming it at the back of the enemy horde where the skeletons stood. I had only one chance—no room for error. Closing my eyes, I steadied my breathing.
Three,
Two,
One.
I opened my eyes, locked onto the target, and fired. A small blue ball materialized and rapidly expanded, engulfing everything in its radius. Even from this distance, I felt the force. The ground trembled, and a moment later, a deafening sound followed. The skeleton archers were obliterated, along with several zombies caught in the blast. A massive crater now stood where the archers had been.
"WOAH!"
"The Lord is powerful!"
The soldiers' morale soared at the sight of such destruction, but the battle was far from over. The zombies, devoid of fear, continued their relentless assault on the walls. They were stronger, more numerous, and we were exhausted.
As time dragged on, more gaps appeared in our defenses. The zombies breached the formation, attacking civilians. The monsters were ferocious, biting into flesh and tearing limbs apart. Seeing this, I ordered the formation to advance, barely managing to close the gaps. But the damage was done—five civilians were dead, and another fourteen were injured.
Just when we thought all hope was lost, the civilians sent to gather firewood returned. Thank you, Yue Fei, for your incredible mind. You really saved us here, I thought. "Quickly! Light the wood and throw it at those bastards!"
The firewood, soaked in fat, ignited easily. Flames engulfed the zombies, but their lack of pain and insatiable greed drove them forward into the fire. One by one, they burned to death. Time passed, and the stench of burnt flesh hung heavily in the air. This was our last stand—if another wave came, we would surely fall.
Thankfully, in the distance, I saw the figure of a man. Yue Fei. His clothes were shredded, his weapon destroyed and being used as a makeshift cane. One of his legs was missing, leaving a trail of blood behind him. Step by agonizing step, he moved closer before collapsing to the ground.
[Special wave concluded. Congratulations on a decisive victory!]