(The sun dipped low behind the craggy peaks that bordered the Dark Nation. The ominous winds from the cursed lands howled softly, like whispers of dread. Reyon and Evelyn stood atop a small ridge overlooking the massive stone barracks hugging the border.)
Reyon adjusted his gloves as they descended the rocky path toward the military compound. He hadn't set foot here since his last mission. The memories came flooding back—of pain, of battle, of near-death, and of the people who had fought beside him.
He glanced sideways at Evelyn. "It's the same as before."
Evelyn gave a small nod. "The land never forgets blood."
(They walked through the barracks in silence. The sharp clack of Evelyn's boots echoed across the stone floor. Soldiers stepped aside in silence, eyes widening as they recognized the Marshal… and him.)
They exited the rear gates and entered the open field. There, under the vast sky tinged orange with dusk, were the gathered squads—dozens of them, forming ranks with discipline honed by countless battles. Reyon's eyes instantly picked out his old squad. They stood near the front, and there—sword in hand—was Sylph.
He smiled faintly.
(Stepping forward, Reyon inhaled deeply, then raised his voice.)
"Now the time has come!"
(His voice boomed across the field, sharp and steady.)
"For decades, we've been stationed at this border. We've lost comrades—brothers and sisters in arms—holding this line to keep the continent safe from the monsters of the Dark Nation!"
(Murmurs stirred through the lines. The squads, though familiar with his face, now heard the fire in his tone.)
"This is all due to the Berserker. Cerberus."
(His eyes narrowed. He clenched his fist.)
"Due to him, all the strongest monsters have gathered here. If not for the seal, Cerberus would have already flattened this border and turned our lands to ash."
(A growl of agreement rolled through the squads.)
"But now… the seal has weakened."
(He paced forward slowly.)
"If we don't take the first step and subdue him now, we will lose more comrades. We'll bleed again."
(He halted. Raised his voice again.)
"So we've made a plan! All squads will combine and clear a path in the west to the middle zone. After that—Marshal Evelyn and I will subdue the Berserker ourselves!"
(His voice shook with force.)
"So give it your best. Move with precision. Fight with courage. And bring our people hope!"
(All squads roared in unison, "Yes, sir!")
(Weapons rattled. Soldiers moved like waves, preparing to depart. Amid the sea of motion, Sylph walked up to him, her silver sword resting against her waist. She looked calmer now—older, too.)
"Have you been well, Leader?" Her voice was soft, but her eyes held steel.
Reyon chuckled and waved a hand. "You don't have to call me Leader. You lead the squad now… and I'm proud to see how far you've come."
Sylph smiled faintly. "I thought I might finally reach you, you know. But you've gone even further now… become someone equal to the Marshals."
(She frowned.)
"But… I heard you're going alone to the east side alone. You'll take on Cerberus and two other S-ranks? You're risking too much, sir."
Reyon laughed lightly. "Don't worry, Sylph. I've thought it through. Just focus on your safety, okay?"
"Yes, sir." She stepped back with a salute, then turned to join her squad.
(Night fell quickly. Tents were set. Campfires dotted the edge of the forest. But the rumor mill churned with a fury.)
They whispered defeat of Marshal Derox and cold sword … about Reyon, the heir who refused the Phoenix throne… the man who carries the legacy of the greatest magician in history—Leywin. And whispers of worry for him as he alone would march to east region first and then would even fight cerberus.
(Sylph stepped forward before the murmurs turned to fear. She raised her voice to her own squad, drawing them near.)
"Now all of you, settle down and sleep. You won't get any rest in the coming days," she warned.
"This is war—our war against the Dark Nation. And even though he is marching line, But don't worry about Sir Reyon."
(She turned, eyes glinting in the firelight.)
"He carries Lord Leywin's legacy. He's the only Vector Magician after Lord Leywin. If anyone can walk alone into the east and come back alive… it's him."
(Silence fell. The soldiers nodded.)
Under the sky blanketed in stars, the camp slept.
[The Next Morning — Western Border, Middle Zone]
(With the first ray of sunlight, the squads marched. Evelyn strode in front, her voice crisp and commanding.)
"Squads Three and Six—flank left! Squad Nine, reinforce the rear! Don't waste mana. Prioritize ranged control and spear wall technique!"
(The soldiers obeyed with discipline carved from years of training. Under Evelyn's guidance, the battle formation moved like clockwork.)
Despite being one of the strongest Marshals, Evelyn never once lifted her blade.
She conserved every drop of mana—just as the plan dictated.
(Monsters—twisted hounds, berserk ogres, scaled centaurs—charged from the forest.)
But the squads cut through them like sharpened steel through cloth. Their coordination, refined under Evelyn's banner, was near flawless.
Hours passed.
Step by step, they carved through the west, reaching deep into the middle zone.
[Meanwhile — Eastern Border, Near Middle Zone]
Reyon sprinted alone through the blackened forest of the east. Vines like skeletal hands reached from the ground. The air here was thicker… hostile.
(Three goblin elites leapt from the bushes, howling.)
Reyon didn't even slow down.
"wind Spiral Pierce."
Waves of wind slashed the monsters
(A single twist of his hand—vectors twisted around his legs and shoulder—then with a boom, he vanished.)
(He stopped only to glance at a nest of trolls up ahead.)
Troll colony… And a big one.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Spearfall."
(The air turned cold. Countless blue lines shimmered above the forest like constellations. Then—)
CRACK!
The sky rained silver lances. Screams echoed.
Dozens of trolls were impaled before they could rise from their holes.
(Steam rose from the bloody soil. Reyon stood over the carnage.)
"This colony usually takes… both 7th circle elites with their full squads…" he murmured stretching shoulders
"But I guess I'm the squad now."
He walked through the battlefield casually, boots crunching over cracked bones.
(As he advanced, more beasts came—orc berserkers, shrieking gargoyles. It didn't matter.)
They fell like leaves to Reyon's spells.
With each step, he grew faster.
Each fight was effortless.
By the time he reached the end of the middle zone—he was still untouched.
[Edge of the Central Zone, East Side]
(Ahead lay death. The central zone—the heart of the Dark Nation.)
But no beasts attacked now.
Only silence.
Reyon exhaled deeply.
"All right…"
(He scanned the empty field. Then he raised his hands.)
"Vector Field."
(The air shimmered, folding around him like a dome.)
The invisible field created a repulsion barrier against monsters. Only strong beasts—S-ranks or higher—could push through.
He sat down in the middle, pulling his cloak around his shoulders.
"Aunt evelyn will send the signal when she's in place…"
(He looked up at the sky, calm for now.)
"Time to rest…"
(Within minutes, under the safety of his vector dome, he was asleep. Arms crossed. Face relaxed.)
(The storm would come soon enough.)