Skills that drained life force or power from other players were typically an aura materialization that can be pushed away if your aura is stronger, since every player in Rivershade's vicinity except Rage and Sensei had no aura Rage ordered Varon and Madeen to protect the other players while they retreated, Varon and Madeen quickly started calling the retreat order while Sensei and Phoenix protected the gate as it opened to let the players in, meanwhile Rage was keeping Rivershade at a safe distance from the gate.
"Useless cowards, all of you!" Riversahde yelled as he drained his nearby goons off their life force when they tried to flee Varon.
After everyone went into the gate, Rage and Sensei stepped into formation placing themselves directly between Rivershade and the gate, they knew that if he had his hand on more players he can infinitely increase his power until there is no one left, Jimmy noticed the same and signaled hunter to aim for the remaining players on Rivershade's side so that he can't use them to siphon more power.
Jimmy started weaving in spell after spell with Rivershade's players retreating back to the forest while Sensei and Rage kept taking turns trying to land a hit on Rivershade who was extremely agile now dodging all of their attacks.
Sensei slammed his shield down into the ground bursting out his shield aura and pressuring the air around Rivershade making his movement a lot slower with Rivershade's aura fighting his own back.
Rage took the opportunity that Sensei and Rivershade were at a stalemate and dashed behind Rivershade aiming for his blind spot.
Suddenly Rivershade gathered his aura into a barrier around him and exploded it sweeping both Sensei and Rage off their feet.
"You two fools stand no chance against his power" he sneered, his sword pulsating with dark energy that was familiar to both Rage and Sensei, somehow, Rivershade obtained demonic energy.
"How did he get a contractor so early?" Rage thought to himself, "Demonic energy can only be obtained after a contract with an archdemon, or if you are a demon yourself"
Recognizing the situation, Jimmy summoned the elements, creating illusions and illusions of illusions to confuse Rivershade to buy Rage and Sensei some time.
The air crackled with energy as Jimmy unleashed a dazzling display of magical fireworks, drawing his attention.
As Rivershade turned his focus towards Jimmy, Sensei seized the opportunity; using his immense strength, he hoisted a large piece of debris and hurled it towards the distracted Rivershade.
The large boulder collided with him, momentarily disorienting him.
Rage stealthily circled around Rivershade, using the chaos to his advantage.
He positioned himself behind Rivershade, gathering all his aura and condensing it into his dagger.
Jimmy and Sensei both knew what was coming.
"DON'T!" Sensei yelled as he slammed his shield in front of him and hid behind it conjuring a huge barrier ten times the size of his shield settling it between Rage and the town.
Rage released his aura, with a loud cry he focused all his force on his strike, he leaped forward as Rivershade desperately tried to make a barrier around him only to be shattered upon contact with Rage's dagger, his aura exploded into a straight line, piercing directly through Rivershade's chest and into Sensei's barrier which he held with all his might, the immense pressure of the aura was pushing him back as he dug his feet into the ground steadying himself before Rage's aura finally disappeared.
A moment of silence ensued as dust and debris covered the open field, after a moment Rivershade's body came into view, his chest pierced with Rage's dagger who was panting heavily as the Eternal Vanguard's guild master's body lied lifeless, staring blankly into the sunset, Rage drew his dagger from Rivershade's chest, wiping the blood off of it on his shirt.
The players and garrison who hid behind the wall slowly started poking their heads out, seeing Rivershade's liveless body on the ground with Rage struggling to his feet.
Sensei slowly approached Rage, his feet heavy and his body weary as he took Rage's arm around his neck.
They both looked up to the town's wall, locking eyes with Cedric and the others.
After a moment, Sensei raised his broadsword victoriously with cheers filling the air from above the wall as they town's gate was opened and Cedric and the remaining Highthorn members rushed out accompanied by healers.
The healers started treating their injuries, as Cedric approached both, "You are not just heroes; you are the saviors of our hometown, you protected us putting your lives on the line for total strangers, despite your noble lineage and your status; on behalf of this town and its people, I express our deepest thanks. we are once again forever in your debt." He praised them, but unable to meet their eyes in shame as he stood helplessly above the gatehouse the entire battle, unable to lend them his aid.
"Cedric, the garrison, the players and knights here would have never been able to fight without your commands, you don't always have to be on the frontlines to affect the outcomes of a battle, don't be ashamed" Rage replied helping himself unto his feet after the healers removed a portion of his exhaustion, "We still have other things to do" he continued, smiling at Cedric who struggled to hide his own smile.
Fangmaw rushed towards Rage licking his face and wagging his tail, as Rage laughed holding him up and giving him a tight hug.
Varon now knowing that he has to trust his lord's strength in protecting himself when he isn't around, didn't blame himself like last time, nor was he ashamed at his inability to fight by Rage's side, he was simply proud that he carried out the orders that were given to him during the battle, knowing that he did his part.
"It's been misfortune after the other since we came here man" Rage chuckled at Sensei who chuckled back himself.
"And somehow we both are the ones who end up in the ditch" Sensei replied.
"Cedric do we know how many we lost?" Sensei said to Cedric who frowned and released a long sigh.
"Fifteen adventurer from those who rushed out the gate to help you, everyone inside the town's walls are safe" Cedric said, knowing how heavy this news would weigh on them, after all they were all from the same continent.
"They'll have to be sent home for proper burial" Rage said to Sensei.
"And those we killed?" Sensei replied.
"Those too" Rage said looking at Phoenix, "Take them back through the gate, I'm sure the way out would lead to where everyone originally entered the gate from so you might get separated, don't say that we fought each other, that would lead the families of the players outside the gate to seek revenge, say that they fell to monsters who attacked the town we were staying in" Rage continued.
Before they started moving back to the town, their status window appeared.
HIDDEN MISSION COMPLETED - DEFEND OAKBROOK (A+)
CP: 500 (MAX)
REWARDS: +50K GOLD, +150K EXP, SPECIAL REWARD BOX
YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!
YOU HAVE LEVELED UP!
CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE REACHED LEVEL 60, YOUR DEMONIC ENERGY HAS BEEN UNLOCKED.
DEMONIC FORM ASSIMILATION RATE: 0%
It seemed like all of them got the same message simultaneously in addition to the hunters who helped during the fight, level 60 was the milestone where you unlock your first racial feature, for them, it was demonic energy, since they were of the demonic race, they did not require a contract with an archdemon to acquire demonic energy, all demons had it by default, but what took Rage by surprise was that "Demonic Form", he never saw it before during phase 1 of the game, and he had no idea what that assimilation rate was about.
"It looks like we'll be busy from now on" Jimmy pointed out, "Oakbrook will be the main area for all of the players for a little while, we are leveling up at an abnormal rate thanks to Rage's reward but the highest player level I have seen so far is around 30"
"Also, we need to look into the archdemon that Rivershade contracted, he couldn't have done that without a mediator, and I feel like that elven mage had a hand in this" Rage replied.
"This all can wait, for now let's get you inside" Cedric said helping Rage and Sensei to two nearby horses as they were escorted inside the town.
Cheers erupted as they went through the town's gate with locals and players alike gathered on the streets to express their gratitude, and thus the first battle of many to come came to an end, getting rid of Rivershade early was a part of their plan anyways, the eternal vanguard were a bunch of psychos who were a threat to the general safety of everyone, and with the master and second in command dead, they wouldn't recover anytime soon.
After a day phoenix set together a large group of players from different countries to take the bodies of those who fell during the battle back to earth through the gate, after he set off, Rage, Sensei and Madeen spent over a month searching for clues about Thaddeus or the mage while they were leveling up but they weren't lucky while Hunter, Jimmy and Varon were training the new Oakbrook garrison with Cedric.
"Phoenix isn't back yet, is he?" Rage asked Sensei as they sat in Eve's tavern after they finished training.
"Nope, haven't heard anything about him ever since he left with the bodies" Sensei replied taking a sip of his ale.
"I can see that he is okay from the clan window but what's taking him so long?" Rage asked himself.
"Maybe he wanted to spend some time with his family, make sure they are okay you know?' Sensei replied.
"Yeah probably, by the way, I'm planning on going with Cedric to the imperial academy when he's going back after two months" Rage leaned back on his chair crossing his hands behind his neck.
"What? why?" Sensei was confused.
"Don't you remember what Aelarion said when the gate opened? there are two more worlds that are connected to this one beside us, there is no guarantee they weren't here before us and we are also not sure of their plans, whether they are friendly or not, and I'm sure the capital will be a good place to start looking for them"
"What about Thaddeus?" Sensei replied.
"That's why we have to deal with that issue in the remaining two months, if we don't find any clues, we will have to storm the fort, but it would be extremely difficult without Phoenix's strength" Rage said letting out a frustrated sigh.
"Looks like there is a lot on the agenda" Sensei chuckled, "I also heard that the capital received news of the new adventurers flocking from a new continent to Oakbrook and are planning to send someone to take a look soon" He continued.
"Well, should I play as a noble again?" Rage chuckled.
"If you do we will have to do a lot of preparations, like putting Madeen in a cage for example" Sensei chuckled back.
"Well, let's leave a good first impression then shall we?"