Strength - the more ancient times were the more strength was valued, in times when people had not even learned to make wooden spears yet, only strength mattered. Whose muscles were bigger and denser were the most important and were at the top of the food chain.
The world did not stand still, mankind developed, and the more technology appeared, the more other qualities began to be valued.
Equipment became important during the battle, and then physical strength no longer mattered. Even the best fighter could not withstand a direct rifle shot to the chest or have the reaction and speed to dodge a bullet.
However, technology surpassed humans only because the human body had limits, but what if there was some entity capable of making humans stronger?
Well, in that case, everyone's only wish would be to climb to the absolute top.
'What's going on...? Can Ethan be that strong?' Alisa gasped, looking at Magnus's painful face.
"How's that?" Ethan released his grip. Magnus immediately grabbed his wrist with his other hand, trying to somehow ease that vivid pain.
"Hah, not bad... Not bad at all..." Magnus smirked, not looking at what was happening, "Do you think there's a person capable of defeating you in strength? An ordinary human."
Ethan didn't answer right away, he looked at his palm and said, "I doubt it. Though, it depends on the person's original strength. If Alf were to face Alisa, who only absorbed one core, that is, she would have black veins. Alf would probably win. However, if she got to my level, I doubt Alf would stand a chance."
"I see." Magnus nodded, "So my muscles are still useful."
...
In the remaining time, Ethan, Magnus, and Alf prepared for the third wave. During this time, Alisa was assigning Sentinels, Guards, and Soldiers. Ethan had no control over this process as it was simple - whoever killed the most monsters would get a better position.
Everyone wanted to get what they deserved, so no one tried to cheat as it was a risk of incurring the wrath of the others.
"Damn! The bonus effect is awesome!" Someone exclaimed, holding up an upgraded sword. It was slightly larger than the Peasants', but far from the one Ethan used.
Each position had a different variation of the sword as well as a different multiplier to the regeneration effect, but only the Knights had a special ability.
[The third wave will begin in - 3:00!]
Everyone was in anticipation, only a few participants were drinking water from the fountain or eating some fruit at this time, although they were doing so because of nerves.
Two waves of monsters had already passed by and none of them had died, but that might have changed now.
In front were Ethan, Magnus, and Alf, a few meters away from the chain. On the left were Sentinels, on the right were Guards, and at the back were Soldiers.
Thirty men, or Peasants, had gotten their hands on the harpoons. They stood farthest back and waited for the moment when they could be of use.
[Time is up!]
[The third wave is beginning!]
[This is a special wave, so a coin will be tossed before it begins!]
"A coin...?" Ethan tilted his head in a confusion.
Whooooooooooooosh.
A massive coin appeared in front of the barrier, one half was gold and the other half was red. Then, the coin began to spin rapidly, as the two colors mixed.
This was happening within each tower, however, it didn't mean that everyone would have the same result.
"Oh, it's actually not like the previous waves." Emrim muttered, tapping the blunt side of his katana on his shoulder. Maris had made him a Knight, so he could use his weapon instead of the spear.
Maris frowned, "I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling we're not going to have much luck."
"Don't worry," Emrim shrugged, "I can handle any opponent."
"Your overconfidence is dangerous." Maris pronounced.
Their coin stopped, but now it was completely red, then a massive portal of scarlet flame appeared in place of the coin.
Ethan was looking at a very different scene, he watched a multitude of silhouettes emerge from a golden portal, emitting an aura familiar to him.
'I sensed the same thing from Zariel... so, it's an Angel portal or something, right? So now the opponents are different...' Ethan pondered.
The silhouettes were monsters resembling ghouls, only they had blue skin and wore old rusty armor with the same sword. They didn't look dangerous, but there were many, a lot of them.
Then, three knights in white armor came out of the portal. The armor completely concealed their bodies, and in their hands were long, sharp swords.
"That's not all..." Ethan gulped, staring at the massive figure behind everyone.
A four-meter-tall knight, lean but broad-shouldered, walked slowly, following the others. His armor was gold, and in his hands was a huge, three-meter-long sword with exquisite engravings.
However, the most notable detail was the two iron wings behind him, imitating those possessed by the Angels.
[Defeat 200 common monsters [Soldiers]!
[Defeat 3 Champions [White Guards]!
[Defeat 1 Commander, [Light Knight]!
[After an hour, the wave will end automatically, and all monsters will disappear!]
[If 50% of your team dies, the monsters will also disappear!]
[If you manage to defeat all the monsters, your tower will receive a unique upgrade!]
"Hah, a special reward for the special difficulty isn't it? What's more, I bet those bastards have cores in their bodies! That's what it's all about!"
Magnus immediately rushed forward.
He approached the Soldier and brought his hammer down on the monster's head with a powerful swing. Unlike White Guards and the Light Knight, Soldiers didn't have helmets, so this was their weak point.
The Soldier fell to the ground, but Magnus didn't stop there and the next moment, the hammer strike exploded the monster's head into bloody pieces.
"First one ready!" Magnus exclaimed with an excited expression. This brought him real pleasure.
Alf clenched his sword tightly, preparing to attack. However, something stopped him.
"What the fuck...?" Alf muttered as he looked at one of the White Guards.
The monster's sword flashed brightly, then the Soldier raised. The monster was still headless, but that didn't stop it from moving forward, straight towards Magnus.
Magnus jumped back before the rusty sword was to reach him.
"Well, well, it's turning out to be more complicated than we thought isn't it?" Magnus said at length, waiting for someone to join him.
"Hmm... 200 monsters is a shield for those three, and until we kill them, there's no point in wasting energy on the regular ones..." Ethan muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, then he looked at the chains lying on the ground.