After a brief exchange, the leaders of the six major guilds took charge, each leading their respective guild members to set up defenses.
As for the thousands of independent players without a guild affiliation, they were temporarily assigned under the command of the six major guilds based on their class and level.
Now, all of Darkstone's players stood united, sharing in both honor and loss.
There was no dissent as these lone players temporarily sought refuge under the organized guilds.
The atmosphere in Darkstone was palpably tense, with both villagers and NPCs displaying panic-stricken faces.
Their innate fear of the Legion of Cataclysm was deep-seated; all they could do was lock their doors and pray for the swift arrival of the kingdom's army.
The streets were filled with players wearing grave expressions, rushing to various points of the village to mount defenses under the guidance of the six guilds.
The once prosperous and peaceful village now bore a solemn atmosphere, facing the imminent cataclysmic invasion.
Even the winds that blew seemed to carry the scent of gunpowder.
"Dawn Guild has reached the western side of the village, no signs of the Legion of Cataclysm so far!"
"Rock Guild is positioned to the east, we also haven't spotted any of the Demon race."
The six major guilds had established a communication channel, allowing their leaders to exchange information and direct the battlefield.
Darkstone was situated beside a large river, a direction that didn't require defense.
Only a few scouts remained here to keep watch.
The eastern and western fronts of the village were guarded by the Dawn and Rock Guilds respectively, vigilant against any potential flanking attacks from the Legion of Cataclysm.
The remaining guilds - WindSong, Dragonstrike, Apex, and Prosperity - took charge of defending the village's front, which was the main assault direction of the Legion of Cataclysm.
Thousands of players, under the coordination of the guilds, assumed their positions.
Warriors stood at the forefront, shielding the magi behind them, while archers and other ranged classes prepared from vantage points like arrow towers and bell towers.
The battle was imminent, and anxious expressions graced everyone's faces.
The fearsome reputation of the Legion of Cataclysm was legendary, documented extensively on the game's official website.
Here they were, a bunch of newbies who hadn't even left the newbie village, suddenly pitted against such a terrifying horde of Demon race.
And with the looming threat of a complete level reset, the mental strain was immense.
"They're coming!"
"My god! What kind of monsters are those?"
"Is this the Legion of Cataclysm? It's horrifying!"
Archers and scouts positioned on elevated vantage points were the first to spot traces of the Legion of Cataclysm.
Every eye turned towards the forest straight ahead of the village.
As groups of grotesque [Abyss Imps] began pouring out of the trees, the full force of the Legion of Cataclysm unveiled itself before Darkstone's players.
The landscape was awash with demons, every nook and cranny teeming with their menacing presence.
The wind that blew towards them carried the pungent scent of sulfur.
Tens of thousands of [Abyss Imps], brandishing their large clubs and screeching in excitement, covered the terrain.
These creatures, with their green-brownish skin resembling goblins in stature, were the basic combat units of the Demon race army.
Though lacking in wisdom, they were vast in number and cunningly ferocious.
[Abyss Imp]
[Level 10]
[HP: 1200]
[MP: 0]
[Skills: Roar, Invoke Demon Blood, Basic Fire Resistance...]
Upon seeing the attributes of the [Abyss Imp], Sebastian's brow furrowed slightly.
Merely the most basic cannon fodder of the Legion of Cataclysm, and yet they were at level 10!
Not only did they have an HP of 1200, but they also boasted several skills.
For a level 10 warrior player, tackling such a creature would be somewhat challenging.
On the front lines, the number of [Abyss Imps] was at least five times that of the front row warriors!
Beyond the [Abyss Imps], stood some of the Legion of Cataclysm's intermediate military units.
[Blood Thrall]
[Level: 25]
[HP: 15k]
[MP: 8000]
[Skills: Inspiration, Group Valor, Blood Siphon…]
…
[Corrupting Earth Dragon]
[Level: 30]
[HP: 30k]
[MP: 10k]
[Skills: Corrupt Breath, Tail Whip, Harden Skin…]
…
[Demon Guard]
[Level: 50]
[HP: 80k]
[MP: 30k]
[Skills: Frenzy, Enhanced Blade, Ground Shockwave…]
…
Further back, the advanced military units of the Legion of Cataclysm were positioned.
Sebastian, with his current level, couldn't even discern their exact details.
But their menacing forms and overwhelming auras alone spoke volumes about the threats they posed, something the current players were ill-equipped to face.
Just as Sebastian was about to avert his gaze, an extraordinarily powerful presence manifested at the rear of the Legion of Cataclysm.
The owner of this aura sat on a throne atop a terrifying demon, one hand resting on his chin, leaning back lazily against the armrest.
With elfin, pointed ears, two horns sprouting from his head, and indifferent cruelty reflected in his deep green eyes, he exuded an aura of complete dominance.
Under that gaze, Sebastian felt as uneasy as a frog being eyed by a snake.
"That must be the leader of the Legion of Cataclysm!"
"I just wonder if he's the chief of the eighth or the tenth legion."
Sebastian pondered in silence.
Facing the terrifying Legion of Cataclysm, the players' morale immediately plummeted to an all-time low.
The overwhelming presence of the opposing forces felt like a colossal weight bearing down on everyone's hearts.
Even the guild leaders and top players from the major guilds looked ashen-faced.
Some of the more timid female players began to shudder uncontrollably.
Despair and fear spread silently.
"There are so many of them, and their levels are so high! Is this the true might of the Legion of Cataclysm?"
"How can we possibly hold them off? We're done for!"
"Forget three hours; we probably won't last three minutes!"
...
Despondent voices rose among the players.
Some even desolately dropped their weapons, their will to fight shattered before the battle had even begun, already contemplating surrender.
A mocking smile played on the lips of the demon seated upon the throne.
With a delicate, pale finger, he pointed towards Darkstone, signaling the onset of a full-scale attack.
A deafening roar erupted, and the legion launched their assault.
Tens of thousands of [Abyss Imps] screeched shrilly, swarming towards Darkstone like a tidal wave.
Facing this massive force, even the guild leaders from the major guilds were momentarily struck dumb, seemingly forgetting how to command their troops in the face of the enemy.
As the vanguard [Abyss Imps] drew closer, the front line of over two thousand warrior players looked ashen.
Their knuckles turned blue from gripping their weapons so tightly, exchanging glances, unsure of what to do next.
"Magi on the left! Cast Swampcraft, 500 meters ahead!"
"Magi on the right, release Fire Wall and Stone Shot indiscriminately!"
"Magi in the center, buff the front-line warriors!"
Amidst the prevailing panic, a clear and resonant voice rang out across the battlefield.
Its clarity and conviction made everyone turn.
It was Sebastian, face stern, amplifying his voice with magic to give out commands.
Sebastian's composed demeanor steadied the players, and they quickly responded.
Following his instructions, they promptly sprang into action.
For a moment, the battlefield was illuminated with the bright incantations from the magi, casting a myriad of colorful magical glows.