Year 24,991 | 10th Month Glacis | Day 20
BOOM!
A distant explosion echoed one last time in the background, just a collapsing beast corpse, nothing more.
The battlefield was quiet now. Too quiet.
The night of terror had passed, leaving only bloodstains, shattered stones, and silence beneath the rising amber sun.
WHOOSH…
The cool morning wind carried the lingering stench of death, but it was also a breeze of survival. Of victory.
The Otherworlder Ascendants young and old, middle-aged and weathered by the trials of this harsh realm moved methodically across the blood-soaked battlefield. Their hands, once trembling with fear and inexperience, now worked with practiced precision. Each step they took echoed the path they'd walked one forged in fire, blood, and survival.
Ding!
Ding!
Clink!
Mana cores dropped into space rings. Beast fangs, hide, bones, enchanted claws everything was collected, categorized, stored.
By 7 AM, the battlefield was alive again but this time, not with roars, but duty.
And now, after hours of relentless work....
Thud!
The last beast carcass fell into the ground, stripped and clean. The battlefield shimmered under the afternoon sun, nearly unrecognizable.
The towering protection barrier walls of Jakartha City loomed in the background, its glow dimmed, its work complete.
The hundred Otherworlder Ascendants stood together now cloaks torn, armor dented, some still wrapped in healing bandages glowing faintly from residual magic.
Before them, the Guild Staff of Jakartha bowed with sincere respect.
And among the group, the Otherworlders began to murmur.
----
Tch.
Lucas, a 2-Star Peak Warrior, clenched his jaw as his gauntlet-arm trembled slightly.
Crack!
Knuckles popped beneath reinforced steel.
"And here I thought I'd finally get to go all out... But those last damn beasts? We didn't even get to fight 'em. Just a blackout. Like someone hit pause on the world."
His eyes narrowed. "Still feels like I clawed my way out of hell."
Thump-thump.
Yuna's breath hitched. The 2-Star Peak Priestess wrapped her trembling arms around herself, fingers digging into the fabric of her robe.
"Don't say that…" she whispered, voice cracking. "I remember casting my final barrier. I remember seeing you bleed out like a fountain. It felt so real like my heart was breaking…"
Her words hung heavy, like fog laced with sorrow.
Bang!
Ralph, the 2-Star Peak Knight, slammed his shield into the ground. Dust flared around his boots.
"I puked blood in there…" he muttered. "And now? My real stomach still hurts."
Silence.
Then, a soft voice broke it.
"But none of us actually died… right?" Elise, the 2-Star Mid-Stage Beast Tamer, looked around with glassy eyes. "Just a... small number of deaths?" Her voice faltered. "Then whythat ?"is
"Even our battle with second wave 2nd stage Peak Stage beasts we lost so many of our members."
"I think it's because of that Jack boy, Who have information gathering minor blessings. He is really our savior because of him we can find weakness in Overlord 3rd Star peak stage beasts and able to kill them with our teamwork."
Click-click.
Zeke, the 2-Star Mid-Stage Archer, calmly loaded his revolver, eyes scanning the horizon as if expecting another wave.
"Because it was a beast tide," he said quietly. "Even if we fought side by side… even if it was a team battle, trauma doesn't go away. It sinks in. Deep."
A pause. "Still... we gained more than pain. Loot, experience... and maybe a little respect from the natives of the Samsara World."
Shhk.
A dagger gleamed in the light as Mina, a 3-Star Peak Assassin, twirled it between her fingers.
"Yeah. And that Soul Contract between us and the Guild? The natives of Samsara World. Because of that they didn't dare take a single bone from the battlefield.'
She smirked. "We get everything. Fair and square."
Cough-cough!
Aiden, the battered 2-Star Assassin Scout, wheezed a laugh from where he sat slumped against a rock.
"Hell yeah! And let's not forget the loot split among the five hundred of us... Hah! We're all gonna be rich!"
WHOOSH!
Suddenly, a cold gust swept through the clearing. It smelled of blood, burnt fur, and oddly wild herbs. A memory made real by sensation.
Everyone shivered.
"Hey guys don't get greedy."
Yuna lowered her gaze.
"...But what about those who did die?" she murmured. "The ones who fought on the outer walls? Their families... will they be compensated too?"
A long silence followed until Elise nodded, voice solemn.
"Yeah… they will. The Guild promised. That was the deal. No one's forgotten."
Thud.
A stray helmet rolled in the dirt, bumping against Lucas' foot.
One by one, the voices faded. No more bravado. No more jokes. Just the quiet hum of mana still lingering in the air.
And above them…
Beyond the thinning clouds and blood-streaked wind… the sun burned gold, warmer and deeper than before As if the very world had been watching.
As if the battle, whether illusion or real, had left something behind in the sky.
-----
The air was still. Silent. Almost sacred.
Then
Tap... Tap... Tap…
Footsteps echoed against stone as the leading staff member of the Guild stepped forward.
His voice rose, steady and powerful, each word carrying like a heartbeat across the quiet field.
"Attention, Otherworlder Ascendants who bravely participated in the extermination of the Beast Tide."
BOOM.
The memories came rushing back roars, blood, pain, comrades screaming. His words struck deeper than any sword.
"Once again, congratulations to all of you for completing your mission of protecting this city... and protecting your loved once."
Thud!
Every Otherworlder felt the weight of those words sink into their chest. Around them, Guild Staff bowed solemnly acknowledging the sacrifice with silence.
"Out of 500 Ascendants, many of you fought with courage, tooth and nail like true warriors.
Some of you were wounded. Some lost limbs. And…" He paused."…some gave their lives."
No one spoke. A quiet whoosh of wind passed through the group like a mourning breath.
"But all of you stood tall and faced death with honor."
"We are proud of you!"
Bang!
His voice hit like a war drum. "We are grateful to have come to this Continent of Otherworlders to instruct you, guide you, and help manage your growth."
"Watching your journey from powerless beings to refined warriors…Able to stand against a massive Beast Tide, all while still in the Mortal Tier from 1st Star Low Stage to 3rd Star peak stage beasts…"
His eyes glimmered not with tears, but with something stronger. Pride.
"…It fills our hearts with honor beyond words.
To witness how far you've come from nothing but raw potential, to warriors who stood against a Beast Tide. For us, the natives of Samsara World… it's a completely different kind of experience."
He paused, his voice softening, more personal now.
"It's so much different from watching your own descendants rise to greatness…From rags to riches, from helplessness to strength.
And watching an entire Otherworlders continent bloom with power born from ashes, built from nothing. It's entirely defferent feeling & whole new experience for us."
Ding…
A chime from the Guild's signal bell echoed softly behind him, as if marking the moment.
"You all proved your worth. And you have earned your future."
He raised his hand in salute.
"On behalf of all Jakartha City's Ascendants and normal childrens who doesn't even start their Ascendants Path are saved by your sacrifice, we say Thank you. And best of luck on your path forward."
WHOOSH.
A stronger wind blew, flapping torn cloaks and stirring dust around their feet.
Then, the man's voice grew firm and official now.
"Now… we come to the main topic."
"The Beast Tide Extermination Quest has ended. The loot has been gathered."
"Every action, every moment and information was observed and your bravery recorded."
"The Adventure Guild will distribute rewards based on your individual merits. This includes both survivors and the families of those who fell."
Clack.
A staff member stepped forward, holding a scroll, sealing the records.
"Rewards will be distributed tomorrow morning at the Adventure Guild Headquarters at Jakartha City."
"As for the fallen heroes…" His voice softened.
"…we will visit their homes personally. Their families will receive the compensation they deserve. And our highest respect."
He took one final step forward and bowed.
"That's all. Once again congratulations, brave warriors. Rest well. You've earned it.
See you tomorrow at the Guild…."
And with that
Tap... Tap... Tap…
Just like that, the Guild representative turned and walked away from the battlefield his back straight, his pace steady, like a man carrying the weight of both sorrow and pride. Behind him, the rest of the Guild staff followed in solemn silence, their footsteps fading into the distance.
----
Silence.
The Otherworlder Ascendants stood like stone statues. Not a word was spoken. Not a breath was wasted.
The speech…The memories of last night…
The images of friends who are now gone…flash like movie in their minds.
Thud.
Someone dropped to one knee, overwhelmed.
Others clenched their fists. Some let out quiet sobs.
It hit all at once like a second wave.
They had survived a true battle. A battle of life and death.
A few sniffled. One chuckled bitterly. Another looked to the sky as if asking for answers.
They were still here.
Crack.
A knuckle popped as someone grabbed their sword tighter. Even victory… came with pain.
Finally… after what felt like an eternity.
Sigh…One by one, they exhaled. Tired. Broken. Whole.
Without a word, they began walking. Turning their backs on the battlefield.
Back to their homes. Back to their families. Back… to peace.
At least, for now.
-----
To Be Continued…!!