As watched as the Thssians, Aethyrians, and orc battled against the Achaemenidians who were beating them. Without wasting any more time, he cast several Void Bombs and started sending mana into the spells.


    ''This will send them reeling before Iunch my attack,'' he mused excitedly.


    They grew powerful and unstable, but As sent them slicing through the air before crashing into the horde of enemies. Explosions rang out, causing chaos among their ranks. He downed a few mana potions to top up his pool.


    ''I feel much better. Let''s bring some friends out for the fun.''


    After that, As summoned as many Dreadfiends as possible, totaling forty creepy-looking humanoids. He ordered them to attack the Achaemendians, who were taken by surprise as the creatures lunged at them.


    The Dreadfiends crashed into the enemy lines and tore apart the shocked soldiers. Then, As rushed down while summoning N, who stuck close as he used Void Step to crash into arge knight-looking man.


    He thrust his de through the soldier''s neck before he jumped to the side while casting Void Arrows that punctured the Achaemenidian armor. Dozens of soldiers dropped, which boosted the defender''s morale.


    Following that, the Dreadfiends tore a hole through the enemy army, allowing As to rush through while cutting down so many Achaemendians who tried to stop him. N followed behind and used her ws to kill.


    When As closed in on the defender lines, arge man blocked his path, causing him to skid to a stop. He looked at the man before narrowing his eyes while using Void Sight to figure out his rank.


    [Marcus Hammerheart]


    [Level: 450]


    [Rank: Master]


    ''Special forces, maybe? It doesn''t matter. They will die anyway,'' he thought before shrugging. As swiftly dashed toward the man wielding a massive hammer, narrowly dodging the iing swing.


    He ducked low, aiming a sh at the man''s ankles. In response, the Achaemenid leaped over the strike, forcing him to retreat just in time as the giant mmed his weapon into the ground.


    As started paying more attention and struck the man around his legs, causing them to shake just as N lunged at him. The knight was taken by surprise and crashed to the ground.


    The Dreadmaw Lioness lunged, attempting to bite the man''s throat, but he struggled to hold her back. In his distraction, he failed to notice As closing in. With a swift motion, As stabbed through the man''s helmet, blood exploding from the back of his head.


    Without hesitation, As leaped onto N''s back just as she surged forward, her powerful muscles propelling them away from the chaos. Meanwhile, the Dreadfiends held the enemy army at bay, buying them time.


    ''These creatures are useful,'' he mused. ''Maybe they''ll grow stronger over time?''


    As they fled across the battlefield, the defenders regrouped and charged at the Achaemenidians, determination lighting their eyes. They ignored As as the lioness leaped over the river andnded with a thud.


    He turned around to see the battle erupt again; As smiled before summoning more Dreadfiends and ordered them to kill as many Achaemenids as possible. Following that, N continued running across the destendscape.


    Farms burned in the distance, casting an eerie glow over thendscape as more bodies littered the road. Empire troopsy alongside Alliance soldiers, their lifeless forms piled up to one side.


    The scene made As think while ncing around, ''Did the defenders retake this part?''


    As scanned his surroundings, noting the bodies strewn about in various states of decay. ''Some look months old while others have been dead for a few days,'' he pondered while ncing around.


    Shaking his head, he pressed on, confronted by scenes of death and destruction at every turn. They navigated through burning viges and battlefields littered with the fallen, where scavengers picked at the remains of dead soldiers.


    ''The empire is causing so much chaos,'' As wondered. ''It looks like the Alliance will lose this war which means the Achaemenidians will surge north.''


    N continued their journey until the sunset, prompting As to instruct her to find a ce to rest for the night. Hourster, they settled on a mountain ledge that offered a stunning view of the vast forest below.


    ''Valoria is beautiful,'' As thought with a smile. ''I can''t wait to see the north.''


    As darkness descended, the air was filled with the echoes of monster roars and howls that reverberated through the trees. In response, N let out a fierce roar of her own, a powerful sound that echoed across the forest.


    ''I wonder what creatures are lurking in the darkness below,'' he mused while eating chocte.


    As set up his tent before settling down for the night. Much of his journey north had been like this—traveling with Theo or N, then resting amid the chaos surrounding him. Weeks had passed since he set out, and now he was nearing the wolf kingdoms.


    He attempted to contact Amethyst throughout his travels, but the Lover''s Band remained unresponsive, leaving him frustrated. As continued until he found himself in a mountain town, thest settlement, before reaching the city, where the girls awaited him.


    ''It feels like somethings blocking them from contacting me.''


    The town was called Mountainholm, and explorers used it as a home base for exploring the Northern Wastes. As was looking for some food to restock his Dimensional Storage before leaving this ce.


    ''Why do people look so angry here?'' he pondered while walking down Main Street looking for a decent food stall.


    Soon enough, As came across a stall selling meat skewers, the mouthwatering aroma drawing him in. He approached the stall and saw an old man standing behind the counter, patiently waiting for customers.


    As As neared, he removed his helmet and smiled, "Can I please get two hundred meat skewers?"


    Surprised, the old man raised an eyebrow but got to work, preparing therge order. As As watched the skewers cooking, another irresistible aroma caught his attention. He followed it to a nearby stall selling meat buns and dumplings.


    ''These smell delicious; I''m d I bought enough of them.''


    His stomach grumbled loudly at the sight, and he ordered two hundred of each without hesitation. The owners, clearly taken aback by the massive order, exchanged surprised nces but quickly agreed, eager to fulfill his request.


    Following that, As grabbed the meat skewers when they were finished and paid a few gold coins before returning to thest two orders. Once all the food was collected, he left Mountainholm as the guards would lock the town down due to an iing winter storm.


    ''This ce is gloomy and the people look angry,'' he thought while ncing at the dark building that led to the northern gate.


    Smoke came from the chimneys as children yed on the streets, only to scatter when As closed in on the gate. People watched him pass by as he had all his armor on, causing them to grow curious.


    A few minutester, he appeared at the northern gate and tried to walk out but was stopped by the guard, ''''Where are you going, little adventurer? It''s dangerous in the White Waster,'''' one of them revealed.


    As stared at them before responding, ''''It''s fine. I''m heading to Northreach City, where my party is waiting.''''


    The guards looked conflicted but nodded while opening a man-sized door that would let him leave Mountainholm. As continued traveling while eating meat buns beforeing across a crossroads.


    Hourster, As was walking through a tight mountain pass when he came across a trade caravan camped off the side of the road. As he got close, he noticed it was ransacked, and blood covered the ground.


    ''What happened here?'' he pondered while ncing around.


    Large man-like footprints littered the ground, along with the patches of blood staining everything around him. He was confused but knew monsters were attacking the people; shortly after that, he started looting everything.


    As pocketed the coins and continued down the mountain road. He summoned N, who immediately warned him, "There''s a powerful monster lurking, Master. We need to get out of here now."


    Before he could react, a sudden woosh filled the air. In the blink of an eye, a massive bird swooped down and snatched him up, lifting him high into the sky. Panic surged through him as the creature soared over the mountains, far from any chance of escape.


    The ground beneath As fell away as his mind raced, desperately searching for a n. With no time to spare, he thrust his de into the monster''s foot, but the steel merely nced off, unable to pierce its hide.


    He pointed his hand at the creature''s underbelly before casting Void Bomb. An explosion erupted, causing the monster to let out a pain-filled roar before dropping him, but the rough wind swept him along.


    As plummeted through the air, his heart pounding, but he held off, waiting to cast Void Step and break his fall. As he fell, the bird-like monster swooped down. Without hesitation, he began casting Void Barrage, aiming directly at the creature.


    The azure projectiles sliced through the air before peppering its torso, causing it to veer off course, but it managed to clip him with its beak.


    [Drop some powerstones,ments, and gifts to help the novel grow; I appreciate all the support you can give]