****(POV)

The trembling only becomes more intense the more time passes.

Why are we simply standing here like idiots?

Well, the answer is simple.

It is coming from all directions.

It is more like it is coming from 2 but extends so widely that even if we run full speed, we'll get caught anyway.

So are we just giving up?

Life, yes.

Spirit, no.

We'll kill as many as we can before that.

Whatever enemy is coming.

"What do you think it is?"

"Probably these creatures with long necks."

"How many?"

"Countless."

For him to say that there should be more than a few hundred at least.

Otherwise, he would be able to accurately determine their numbers.

He is that skilled.

"You guys have any regrets?"

"Well, we should have told people we were coming here."

"For sure, who will sing a song about us now?"

"I mean beats the time we thought we were gonna die starving."

"Fair enough. At least we will die standing!"

"Hell yeah!"

"*Sigh* I feel like in retrospect we should have waited for the sectmaster."

"Yep, totally true."

"I'm sure he would have dealt with the situation."

"He would have barbecued all of them."

"No, he would have tamed them all in a jiffy."

"Why not both?"

"Because people don't eat their pets!"

"No, I mean turn some into food the others into pets."

"I guess."

This gotta be one of the dumbest last conversations in one's life haha.

Oh well, whatever haha.

"Ah! Update! We should be able to see that side first! The biggest monsters are coming from this side!"

We all turn around watching the horizon.

Nothing.

"Brother, are you sure about that?"

"Eh? That's weird, I'm sure most of the disturbance is coming from there…"

"Look! Opposite direction!"

We turn and see a bunch of long-neck creatures charging over.

They are so strong that we can't even deal with one.

Now there are hundreds.

"Men! I want us to at least take one down!"

"Of course!"

"No one destroys us without a single casualty!"

"What's the plan?"

"Consume all your lifeforce at once! Go for a one-hit kill!"

"If we all strike the same one it will die for sure."

"They won't even get the pleasure to have a tasty meal!"

True. After our suicide attacks, we won't have any power left.

All the mana will be gone.

We will only be regular boring meat.

Devoid of any mana.

They will pay the price and won't gain a single thing.

No one messes with us!

"Prepare to self-destruct!"

"3…2…1…-"

"WAIT CHIEF!"

What now?

"Look there!"

The side where the biggest creatures are coming from?

That is when I see it.

It's not that the creatures are bigger.

It's simply that they are stomping on the ground harder.

One would describe their aura as cheerful.

The imminent confrontation nothing but a game to them.

The slaughter to come just them having a good time.

They are all charging at the same time.

Perfectly like the gears of a clock.

One that announces their opponents' imminent demise.

One that sends the clear message that the time to die has come.

There is no resisting.

There is no capitulating.

There is no running.

They are humans.

This army is one we know very well.

The banners too.

A lion.

A blood-stained lion.

One that doesn't especially look majestic.

One that doesn't especially look glorious either.

One that actually looks kinda plain.

Yet a symbol that would send true fear into the hearts of many.

Most sects on this continent hate and dread it.

Apparently so do the creatures.

They are confidently rushing toward us.

But then they notice the army.

Without even thinking, the ones in front abruptly stop.

Quickly the creatures are sent tumbling.

Trampled by the ones behind.

Except that these ones stop too.

Before long it looks like a mess.

Scary monsters all trying to get up.

Then finally managing to do so, for the most part.

Without even looking back they all start fleeing at full speed.

Leaving a few unlucky ones behind.

These ones were somehow badly injured in the stampede.

The troops quickly swarm over putting them out of their misery.

Then they butcher them.

Looking at their proficiency they are used to it.

We couldn't even kill one and here they are slaughtering them.

Well, that is to be expected.

Most of the battle formations we do know only work with a high number of troops.

The 20 of us are definitely lacking in number.

Then, one a man we know comes nearby.

One of the Old Lion's advisors.

He used to be his student.

"What the hell did the wind bring? An incompetent mage!"

"If you ask me, I'll answer a useless strategist!"

He starts laughing then quickly comes over to hug me.

"You should have waited near the cliff instead. Why did you go so deep in?"

"*Sigh* I found it weird that no one was welcoming us. Figured you guys were getting complacent."

"Naw, we saw you guys come in clearly."

"…"

He has a look that says he's enjoying it.

Most probably they had people watching over us all this while.

He keeps going.

"It was worth it! We saw all sort of embarrassing stuff HAHAHAHA!"

"…"

Yep, totally his style.

As one would expect as a strategist he is scheming.

Let's just say that his schemes are often wasted on useless stuff.

Like making fun of us.

You'd expect others to be angry, but nope.

They remember him.

Most anyway.

He is hard to forget.

"Shall we head back to base?"

"You guys have lived here a long time. It better be well designed!"

"Of course! Who do we think we are!?"

"Men that would just plop on the ground without bothering with tents to sleep."

"Well, that's not wrong."

"Men that would sleep with their armor and weapons in case of a night attack."

"Well, that's…"

"Men that would use any budget they have to buy swords when they are already carrying more than they'll ever need."

"What if it breaks mid-combat!?"

"I'm just teasing you."

Then comes forward a man.

Very handsome with long grey hair.

His eyes seem filled with experience.

That is coming from an experienced warrior like me.

"Oh, right. Let me make the introductions."

I'm definitely getting curious.

"This right here is an old companion of arms. He and his 20 brothers stated their own mercenary company a while back."

Then the man answers in a pleasant voice.

"Pleasure to meet you!"

He has an amicable smile.

Then my friend continues.

"This man here is the first elder of our sect."

Wait …

WHAT THE FUCK?!

SECT?!

THE Old Lion is in a sect?!