"This is madness! The roads to the city are swarming with monsters, and you're telling me you can't send any help?" Baron Krasner bellowed, his face flushed with anger as he shouted at the image displayed by a glowing crystal.
On the screen, a man in a silver soldier's uniform with a jagged scar running across his face and a patchy black beard remained unfazed by the outburst.
"I've explained this multiple times, Baron Krasner," the man replied, his tone firm but weary. "We're currently dealing with an orc raid in the south and west, and we're also reorganizing our borders with the Werewolves. As for the mages in the capital, it would take them five days to reach you without teleportation."
"You are leaving one of the most mana rich area's in the Empire to be surrounded by magic beast. We said they have intelligence for Atlas sake!" Baron Krasner said furiously
It had been about two days since the magic formation had been taken out and the nobles have been trying to get the imperials to send reinforments but were deny constantly.
"As I've state before the uniqueness of your situation has been sent to the queens council and they understand your situation but at this time your situation is not among the top priorities of the Imperial Amry we don't have the ability to raise the dead and we have more dead men than living so 5 more days is what you'll have to wait before help arrives."
The communication screen disappeared right after he finished.
"Did that bastard just hang up on me!"
Baron Krasner was furious because he didn't know if they could last five more day. The Horde had at least a 50 thousand monsters and they never attacked they constantly used probing tactics and always attack when they least expected it. The only reason they hadn't been wiped out is because of the Marquis
'Seriously how could they just leave us on our own like this shit!' He thought
Baron Krasner was a short fat man with black hair. He had a scowl on his face as they were stuck in an impossible situation and they were all struggling to keep the monsters at bay.
"Lets just hope the barrier last 5 more days." He said with a sigh
***
"AAARRRGH! Damn it, why does it have to hurt so much!" Amir roared, his voice echoing through his room.
He was sprawled on the ground, writhing in agony as his body underwent the brutal process of ranking up. This wasn't just a physical challenge—it was a transformation of the soul itself, pushing him to a new tier of power. The transition was torturous, an evolution that twisted his body and mind in the most excruciating way.
For three hours, Amir had been trapped in this hellish cycle of pain. He had used the magic core from the village to force the breakthrough—it was the most powerful core he'd ever encountered. He still couldn't fathom how someone like the mayor had come by a D-ranked core.
Finally, Amir staggered to his feet, drenched in sweat, the floor beneath him slick with it.
"Ranking up is a nightmare," he muttered, catching his breath. "But the perks are definitely worth it."
He had made it—he was now E-Rank, and the power surging through him was intoxicating. Amir reveled in the feeling, knowing he had ascended to a new level. He had isolated himself in the soundproofed room to make the breakthrough, aware that the beast horde was beginning to attack. He needed to be at his strongest before stepping into the fray.
As he left the Guild, he was surprised at how normal everything seemed. The city didn't reflect the true danger they were in. The nobles had downplayed the threat, manipulating the narrative to keep the populace calm. In reality, all 2 million people in the city were trapped with no escape.
'I've got to hand it to the nobles—they really know how to deceive,' Amir thought, walking past vendors on the street.
Thirsty, Amir stopped by a juice shop. After picking out his drink, he approached the old man at the counter. Just as he was about to pay, a voice boomed from behind.
"Hey, old man, I'm here for the tax payment." A tall man with a tattoo of a snake coiled around a sword strode in.
"S-Sir, I don't have it yet... Please, just give me a bit more time," the old man stammered, fear in his voice.
"Time? What kind of crap are you trying to pull, old man? I said I want the money now!" the man bellowed.
Amir, seeing the situation unfold, quietly began to back away, not wanting to get involved. But before he could leave, a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
"Hey, kid, who said you could leave?" The man's voice was filled with anger.
Amir felt the force of the man's grip and immediately sensed he was E-Rank too. Annoyed at being dragged into a situation he wanted no part of, Amir spoke calmly.
"Just let go and leave me alone."
"Who the hell do you think you're—"
Before the man could finish, he gasped as a blade punctured his stomach. He looked down in shock at the sword, blood pouring out as he stumbled backward. As he fell, Amir turned and, with a swift slash, severed the man's arm.
The man's scream of agony drew everyone's attention. All eyes were on the scene as Amir stood over the writhing figure, his eyes cold and unfeeling.
Amir recognized the tattoo—this guy was part of the Sainthood Gang.
'Just perfect,' Amir thought, his expression darkening. 'Now I'm stuck in an unskippable side quest with these idiots.'
Amir knew how gangs like this operated—once their reputation was on the line, they wouldn't rest until they made an example out of him. He could have just taken the beating or robbery that was coming his way, avoiding all this trouble. But he was done bowing to others, done with feeling powerless. He'd rather die than let himself be robbed by such trash.
He glanced at the man bleeding out on the store floor, scoffing as he walked out. Now, thanks to his actions, he'd have to deal with the gang's inevitable retaliation.
'Maybe they'll just leave me alone,' Amir thought, clinging to a shred of hope.
But he knew better. The gang likely had members stronger than E-Rank, and he wasn't sure he could handle someone at D-Rank just yet. Pushing the thought aside, Amir made his way back to the Guild, his mind focused on finding Tabbatha. He needed to figure out how to join the city's defense efforts. His life was on the line too, and he wasn't about to leave his fate in the hands of the nobles.
The gang would just have to wait.