As the moon cast its ghostly light upon the earth, the air thickened with the scent of blood, now more potent than ever. In the moments following Bai Shen's rallying cry, every candidate steeled themselves for battle. Here, amidst the shadowed battlefield, there were no healers or support roles—only warriors ready to clash steel with darkness.
Forming into ranks, the knights assumed the vanguard, their shields and swords a bastion against the encroaching evil. Mages and archers took their positions further back, ready to unleash their arcane fury and arrowed salvos. The knights' creed resonated through the ranks: "To reach a comrade, foes must first traverse our fallen bodies."
A chilling laugh cut through the night, "Impressive. Yet, all in vain. You're all but corpses walking."
"One hour... A mere hour is all it takes to end you."
"Such a shame your flesh won't grace our tables. The vitality of youth is such a delicacy."
The abyssal taunts, carried by the blood-streaked moonlight, sent shivers down the spine. Lin's face twisted in disgust at the cowardice on display. Xia Xue, terror-stricken, instinctively sought refuge by Lin's side, finding an inexplicable solace in his proximity.
As the dread swelled, a voice broke the silence, "Incoming!"
A gargantuan shadow loomed under the moon, prompting immediate action from the candidates. The detection spell whisked through the air, revealing the encroaching terror: [Filin Orc Warrior (Abyss Infestation), Level: 19].
A recollection stirred among the ranks, "The battle space has its limits—level 19 is the peak."
This reminder ignited a flicker of hope, "Right, level 19 is the cap here. We've overreacted."
Yet, as more monstrous silhouettes emerged, a stifling fear reclaimed its grip. These were no ordinary level 19 beasts but abyss-tainted monstrosities, their very presence a testament to the abyss's malevolence.
Amid this despair, Xia Xue clutched at Lin's attire, her voice trembling, "What do we do?"
Lin surveyed the oncoming tide, his analytical gaze noting the formidable size of the beasts. "Enhanced elite monsters," he mused, "Troublesome, but within my grasp."
His assurance did little to soothe Xia Xue's fear. Instead, her dread deepened at the mention of 'enhanced elite monsters.'
Lin, however, saw an opportunity amidst the peril, pondering, "Mutated by the abyss's influence, might they offer... experience?"
As the abyssal horde advanced, a sinister voice mocked their plight, "Scared? Terrified? Each of these beasts, empowered by my will, matches an enhanced elite. You face a mere hundred."
The demon's taunt hung heavy in the air, "A hundred souls against a hundred monsters. Will you face them alone or together? Let's make a game of survival."
Laughter echoed, freezing the very air.
As panic set in, with candidates retreating, Lin made his move. "Click! Porphy!" His skeleton warriors charged forth, Lin steadfast behind them.
Xia Xue, frantic, implored him to retreat, "What are you doing? Come back!"
Unheeding, Lin pressed on, a silent figure amid the chaos, prompting a flurry of detection spells to seek him out. [Lin, Level 16, Necromancer] — a class unfamiliar to many, sparking whispers and speculation.
Yet, in this moment of decision, only a handful rallied to Lin's side, among them Feng Xiu and Zuo Mei, prepared to embrace their end with the valor of warriors.
"The people of Shenxia fear neither war nor death!" they declared, their voices a defiant stand against the abyss.
The demon's sneer pierced the night, "Ah, some dare to challenge death."
"Your bravery deserves commendation. Yet, what a waste to snuff out such spirit. Why not join the abyss as my thralls?"
In the face of annihilation, their response was unyielding—a testament to the indomitable spirit of Shenxia's warriors.