This was coordinated warfare. Experienced generals who had conquered worlds. They knew how to work as a unit.

The greatsword general swung horizontally. A wide slash aimed at Aiden’s midsection. Aiden ducked under the Aura-enhanced blade by a hair. Three hunters fighting behind him didn’t have his speed. The edge cut through all three bodies at once. A spray of blood painted the pavement. Upper halves hit the ground still twitching.

The dual-axe general used both weapons in a spinning attack. Blades became a whirlwind. Aiden used Phantom Step and blurred out of range. The axes continued spinning outward. They shredded through a group of civilians trying to reach the Safe Zone. Bodies fell in pieces. Blood sprayed across brick walls. A mother holding a child got caught in the edge. Both died instantly.

A young awakener with fire magic tried to help. He launched flames at the chain-wielder. The orc walked through the fire. His Aura protected him completely. He swung the chain in a casual backhand. The spiked axe head caught the young man in the temple. His head exploded like a melon. Brain matter splattered across pavement.

An older hunter with earth manipulation tried to trap the greatsword general’s feet. Stone erupted from the ground. The orc flexed his Aura. The stone shattered like glass. He brought his blade down and cut the hunter from shoulder to hip in one strike. The body fell in two pieces.

Callum was struggling against the chain-wielder.

He fought with just his short sword against an Aura user. Losing ground with every exchange. The orc was toying with him. Laughing as he swung the chain in patterns too complex to predict. The chain wrapped around Callum’s blade and tore it from his grip. The sword clattered across blood-slick pavement.

Callum barely dodged a strike aimed at his head. The spiked axe passed close enough to cut strands of his hair.

Number One repositioned to protect its summoner. The gatling cannon roared point-blank. BRRRRRT. Bullets impacted the orc’s Aura. They ricocheted in sparks. Minimal damage. The chain struck the robot’s torso. Massive dent in the armor plating. Internal systems damaged. Error warnings cascaded across processors.

Callum retrieved his sword. His hands shook visibly. He was eighteen years old fighting something that had killed for centuries across multiple worlds.

Then Elena Reeves arrived.

She landed between Callum and the chain-wielder, with S-rank flames erupting around her body in a corona of orange and red fire that made the air shimmer with heat. A wall of fire shot up from the ground, forcing all four generals to step back while the assault rhythm broke.

She wore reinforced combat armor marked with the Crimson Phoenix Guild emblem, and the pressure radiating from her made even the Shaman pause his casting. She was mid-thirties with dark hair tied back and expression cold and focused.

Elena didn’t waste time, attacking the Shaman immediately with a compressed fire lance that launched at his chest. It moved so fast it left an orange trail in the air, though the Shaman blocked with a barrier of dark energy. The collision exploded with BOOM that shattered windows across the street.

Elena followed up with fire whips that cracked through the air, forcing the Shaman onto the defensive.

Now it was three versus four with Aiden, Callum plus Number One, and Elena versus four generals.

The Shaman split his attention between buffing his allies and defending himself, so his buffs weakened slightly as he diverted power to defense.

Aiden seized the opening.

He pressed the dual-axe orc harder while white Sword Aura blazed along his longsword. Downward slash that the orc blocked with crossed axes, then Aiden pivoted and thrust at the ribs. The orc parried and countered with a horizontal chop, though Aiden used Phantom Step and blurred behind him before cutting at the spine. The orc spun and blocked just in time.

They were evenly matched without full buffs.

But the greatsword general stepped in to support his ally.

The massive blade came down in an overhead chop. Aiden blocked with both hands on his longsword. The impact drove him to one knee. The street cracked under his boots. The dual-axe orc attacked from the side. Both weapons in a scissor motion aimed at Aiden’s head.

Aiden rolled forward under the strike. Came up slashing at the greatsword general’s legs. The orc blocked and kicked Aiden in the chest. He stumbled backward gasping for air.

Elena dueled the Shaman. Fire and shadow magic clashed in explosive bursts. Detonations left scorch marks on pavement and buildings. The Shaman was powerful but being pushed backward. His staff glowed with strain. He tried to maintain offensive spells and buffs simultaneously.

Elena cycled her flames hotter. Orange to white-blue intensity. S-rank mana poured into the assault.

Callum and Number One barely held off the chain-wielder.

The robot’s left arm was nearly useless. It fired with reduced accuracy. Callum bled from multiple cuts across his arms and face. Small spikes on the chain had caught him repeatedly. His movements were getting slower from blood loss and exhaustion.

The orc grinned. Enjoying the hunt. His chain swung in complex patterns that kept them both defensive.

The generals talked throughout the fight.

The dual-axe orc spoke between strikes. "You fight well for a whelp world." His translated voice carried easily. "Your sword comprehension is almost worthy."

The Shaman commented between spells. "This planet has more interesting warriors than our last three conquests. The King will be pleased with the strong ones we capture."

The greatsword general laughed. "Bringing their heads to the King as trophies. This one’s skull will look good mounted in the war hall."

The chain-wielder called to Callum. "The young ones always break the fastest. I will enjoy your screams."

Aiden took a heavy hit.

The greatsword general’s blade caught him across the ribs with full Aura behind the strike. The impact CRACKED two ribs and sent him stumbling backward while blood ran down his side. His vision blurred from pain.

The dual-axe orc was already moving in with both axes raised high and aimed at Aiden’s neck.

Elena was locked in a magical duel with the Shaman where fire and shadow exploded in waves that turned the street into chaos.

Callum bled heavily from multiple wounds while Number One had sustained severe damage. Warning lights flashed across its chassis.

In the background civilians and hunters kept dying as bodies hit the ground, screams cut off mid-sound, and blood pooled in the gutters.