One-Eyed Monster

This pause caused Kuyi Tulan to misjudge. They thought the enemy would need time to regroup after retracting their formation. He felt his Alchemy Array had already demonstrated its power, and now they should transition from passive defense to active offense. In Kuyi Tulan’s view, even though the enemy had tens of thousands of troops, they were merely a single unit. The numerical advantage would soon be nullified by the Exchange Beasts. As long as Kuyi Tulan could provide endless Spirit Power, their Exchange Beast Alchemy Array could continue operating, and the advantage would naturally shift to their side.

However, underestimating an opponent is always dangerous. Kuyi Tulan had been blinded by these immediate gains and losses.

The enemy didn’t just possess tens of thousands of troops; they also had many Adventurers with Class. Their previous charges were intended to secure a swift victory, but it now seemed this conventional strategy was no longer effective.

When Adventurers with Class first appeared, battles between them were often fierce. However, due to their limited numbers, forming large-scale formations was difficult. Consequently, most Adventurers with Class on the battlefield served in support roles. Later, as various Empires recognized the benefits of these Adventurers, they established specialized teams within their Guardian Armies. Gradually, Adventurers with Class became the primary fighting force. Ordinary people were only summoned to serve in the Guardian Army during states of emergency.

However, the main combatants among the Adventurers with Class in these Guardian Armies were Fighters and Hunters. Wizards and Alchemists typically served in support roles, and Scholars were even rarer. Politicians were almost never found in the army.

This defensive battle by the Alchemy Workshop, however, defied convention, seemingly demonstrating something new to the world. That a mere handful of individuals could halt the charge of a vast army using a formation was nothing short of a miracle.

The enemy, however, was no simple group. Realizing the situation was unfavorable, they immediately adjusted their tactics. Their strategy remained to eliminate Kuyi Tulan’s group at the lowest possible cost.

Although Kuyi Tulan’s formation was powerful, its myriad transformations were all governed by Alchemy Equations. The opponents were not fools; they naturally understood this principle.

The Berserk Exchange Beasts were still present, now larger, baring their fangs and claws with ferocious expressions.

The enemy didn’t seem eager to attack them directly. The best way to deal with these Exchange Beasts was to decompose them. The enemy’s flags were seen fluttering, clearly issuing commands.

In no time, several dark-robed figures stood at the forefront of the cavalry encampment. They were all dressed in black—not the black robes of ordinary Wizards, but a black that seemed to absorb sunlight. These few Dark Wizards sat cross-legged on the ground, motionless. Any discerning observer could tell they were chanting incantations.

Soon, a disturbingly familiar scene unfolded on the battlefield once more.

The cavalrymen who had been devoured by the Exchange Beast rats suddenly seemed reanimated. They lurched to their feet, their eyes glowing with a red light that made them look utterly ferocious.

Previously, the Dark Wizard Reed, who had himself been devoured, had also summoned such Death Warriors. That massive host of reanimated corpses and skeletons had posed a significant threat. This time, these Dark Wizards appeared to be using the same dark arts to reanimate the fallen knights...

The Exchange Beasts immediately tried to devour them, but The Dead felt no pain or fear; they only knew how to obey commands. Thus, the Exchange Beasts’ attacks were utterly ineffective.

The Death Knights swung their blades. CRACK! A giant rat was cleaved in two.

When your attacks are useless against an enemy whose attacks can destroy you, such a disparity can be crushing.

Witnessing this, Kuyi Tulan paused his bold reflections. I’m not on the verge of collapse, he thought, but I am a little surprised. This dark magic seems more effective than my Exchange Beasts.

His Exchange Beasts also lacked senses; they were fearless and impervious to pain—qualities Kuyi Tulan valued most. He aspired to create an army just like that, one capable of executing orders without any fear. Honestly, right now, I’m a bit envious of those Dark Wizards, Kuyi Tulan admitted to himself. But envy is as far as it goes. I wouldn’t resort to such methods. I have principles. Using The Dead is something I would never do.

So, watching his Exchange Beasts being trampled by the Death Knights, he felt a pang of distress.

The Death Knights, devoid of senses, wouldn’t panic and break formation, nor would they crash into each other. Although not as swift as the living cavalry, their slow, steady advance was still highly threatening.

Their first line of defense, once so brilliant, was now gradually crumbling under this overwhelming pressure.

There were only about a dozen of them, theoretically at a severe disadvantage against an army of tens of thousands. So why did my formation make us relax? Kuyi Tulan wondered. That’s something worth pondering.

But there was no time for such reflections now. The enemy was closing in, albeit slowly.

The Alchemy Workshop’s Berserk Exchange Beasts were no longer as effective. Though ants and rats continued to emerge in droves, Consumption had no impact on the Death Knights. Even when dismembered, lacking arms or legs, they would still crawl relentlessly towards their target...

Kevin gripped his knife tighter, his gaze sweeping over his comrades. They were all braced for battle. Yuga and Kuren were on high alert. Joseph and Jemma were still scanning the enemy ranks, searching for weaknesses, but their furrowed brows indicated they had found none.

As the Death Knights drew near, the main enemy army, positioned a short distance away, also began to advance. They moved in formation, gradually forming a pincer to encircle them.

From the looks of it, the enemy doesn’t intend to annihilate us, but rather to surround us... Kevin mused. If we could just defeat those Dark Wizards, these Death Knights would likely fall apart, he thought.

Attacking the Dark Wizards, however, would be incredibly difficult. They were encircled by a tight guard of heavily armored Fighters, leaving no opening for an assault. Moreover, a formidable line of Death Knights stood between them and the Dark Wizards.

Kevin raised his blade; the Death Knights had already raised theirs, ready to strike.

Instantly, close-quarters combat erupted, each expert unleashing their unique abilities. Flames, gusts of wind—all manner of elemental powers flared to life. Yet, these attacks could only slow the enemy’s advance, not stop it.

Death Knights fell, only to rise again, continuing their relentless assault even when reduced to mere fragments...

Yuga’s wind blasts sent some Death Knights soaring into the sky, and Stan Sol’s Fiery Blaze ensnared another group. But these accounted for only a small fraction of the undead horde...

Meanwhile, in the distance, the main enemy army continued its inexorable advance...