The great hall of the Nameless Order was packed—every high‑ranking commander present. Fenric stood among them.
"Scouts report the Beast Queen has awakened."
General Shaw’s announcement hit like cold iron. Conversation died. Faces hardened. These men and women had spent years trading blood with Taotie packs; they knew what an awakening meant. When the Beast Queen rose, the horde surged.
"No time to waste," General Shaw continued. "If you have plans, speak now."
Silence. No one had ever fought the Beast Queen head‑on. No one wanted to bluff.
"Then we hold our posts," General Shaw said, rising. "Make ready for battle!"
"By your command!"
The commanders saluted and filed out. Fenric moved with the flow.
"Sir Fenric—wait!"
Commander Wu jogged up, unrolling a canvas belt. Twenty double‑edged flying blades gleamed inside.
"These are what you asked for."
Fenric’s eyes lit. But as he lifted one, the Samsara system chimed in his head:
Ding! Special item detected!
Oh?
Not bad.
He clasped his fist. "Much appreciated, Commander."
Commander Wu grinned. "If you want to thank me, kill more Taotie."
"That’s exactly why I had you make them."
"When this is over, drinks—my treat."
"Then it’s settled."
Commander Wu headed back to his line. Fenric strapped the belt and climbed toward the command tower, where General Shaw, Lin Mei, and Strategist Lau were already watching the distant canyon mouth.
Without turning, General Shaw said quietly, "Sir Fenric. If things go badly, withdraw. Guarding the Wall is our duty; you need not die here."
"No need for that," Fenric replied, smiling. "Better to spend the time figuring how to kill more Taotie."
General Shaw glanced his way upon hearing it, and asked, "Then—your assessment?"
"I’ve heard if the Beast Queen dies, the horde loses command. True?"
"It’s true," General Shaw said.
"In that case, I’ll try for the Beast Queen. Cover me when the time comes."
Heads turned when they heard the words. Lin Mei visibly startled. "Sir Fenric, the Beast Queen is ringed with guards. A strike will be extremely dangerous—please reconsider."
Strategist Lau’s brow lifted; he noted the concern in her tone.
But Fenric waved it off. "Relax. I don’t gamble on unknowns. If I can’t get in, I won’t force it."
"..."
The floor thrummed beneath them—dull, rising vibrations. Like distant thunder... or an avalanche of feet.
Moments later the canyon darkened. Taotie, rank on rank, poured through—so thick the ground seemed to crawl.
Fenric’s eyes sharpened. If I solo all that... how many points...
General Shaw’s expression turned grave. "Sound the drums. Battle stations!"
Signal runners echoed: "Beat to arms! Beat to arms!"
Boom... boom... BOOM!
War drums rolled down the Wall. Lin Mei saluted and sprinted for the Crane Army position. Fenric dropped from the tower to the parapet—front line, where the killing would be thickest.
The Taotie tide closed. At bowshot range the front ranks lifted snarling jaws, fangs slick, hideous and hungry. Fresh recruits shivered.
From above, General Shaw’s command rang out:
"Ranged attack! Trebuchets—loose!"
Signal repeaters relayed; crews fired. Dozens of flaming boulders arced high, trailing smoke.
Whump—boom—boom!
Impact blooms tore open the horde. Charred bodies cartwheeled; shattered Taotie rained down.
Fenric whistled softly. Never underestimate ancient engineering. The opening volley carved bloody lanes—but the gaps filled instantly. More Taotie surged.
"Come on... closer..." he murmured.
He slid a hand under his cloak, fingers brushing the cold steel of Commander Wu’s flying blades, and began to ready his harvest.