[Aiden’s POV]

After the successful subjugation of another rift, we moved to our next destination. This raid seemed to have ended in loss as we couldn’t collect any corpses due to that ritual situation, so we proceeded promptly.

"You handled the situations well, Master. Such types of goblins are more difficult to deal with as time passes," Azravael spoke as he stood behind me.

I was looking at the passing clouds from near the railing as we traveled at the astonishing speed of Tidebreaker.

"It’s nothing, that’s my duty. I am more worried about us facing a Sovereign. All the bosses we encountered were amidst breakthrough or just on the precipice."

"At this rate there’s a high possibility of appearance of a Sovereign rank boss monster," I explained.

"If that happens, you should save yourself master. We will buy you some time," Damien spoke as appeared on other side behind me.

"If the monster has just ranked up, we could hold the line. My spells are potent enough if I use the reserved blood but he is right master, you should safeguard yourself first," Azravael added.

A small smile bloomed on my face, "It’s okay, I will think of something. You guys go rest, we will have to fight more," I replied to their wary.

"As you command, master," ×2 both nodded and left.

’System?’ I spoke mentally.

[Yes, Host.]

’Perform a gacha pull using 200 origin points on potions banner,’ I replied.

[Commencing 20 consecutive gacha pulls...]

System performed the usual pull mechanics while I waited. I had gained around 8000 Origin points till now from the attacks, so I decided to get some more types potions to aid in coming battles.

The result was within expectations with 1 SS rank potion and 19 S-rank potions. I stored them in inventory for now.

I paused my thoughts for a bit, letting myself breath truly. Again the thought of who could be behind this attack raged in my mind.

’I guess the council will have better answers,’ I thought.

I left the railings, as much fun it was to stand there and see the clouds move around me, I wanted to refill my mana before next confrontation.

Settling myself in Primordial Anchor Seat, I continued practicing the breathing technique until a knock on the door signalled that we reached our next destination.

I stood at the railings again, it had become my favorite position to stand now, as I looked over another rift location.

The moon hiding between clouds was making it difficult to get a clear sense as the day ended.

Although my sigil enhanced eyes worked, allowing me to get a better look at the enemy.

"Trolls," I muttered as my eyes scanned the surroundings.

Around 8 feet height, less intelligent and more brute forced. There marking appearance included greyish skin which was difficult to detect in the night.

However, the single horns on their head helped me with identification. They were on the low threat spectrum compared to other monsters due to their low intelligence.

But, it didn’t meant that they were easy prey. Their high stamina and overwhelming strength was cause for concern, especially if their numbers were this staggering.

I turned to face everyone gathered on deck, "This time we have trolls. They have high stamina and strength but low intelligence so make sure to not drag out the fight. Keep it precise and targeted."

"Although, they are one of the easily defeatable monsters we are facing but remain vigilant as we are seeing an unusual patterns with the bosses. So keep doing what you did until now." I addressed them.

"Any questions?" I added.

"No, Master," everyone responded.

"Good, let’s clear one more rift," I spoke as I turned towards the monsters again.

This time I kept my plan simple, I didn’t wanted to take any chances in terms of strength regarding trolls so I decided to go with precision.

Hundreds of mana nails appeared floating above our heads, the darkness of the night was doing a good job at hiding them so I added more nails than before.

With a swipe of my hand, all nails rained downward as we followed the trail of nails. Notifications of origin points piled up silently in the corner of my vision but I remained focused on the planning the fight ahead.

Everybody jumped down to attack, my vision was enhanced and vampires were basically beings of the night. I was thinking of the way so that the 3 humans and one dryad don’t face trolls at a disadvantage.

However, my worry was cut short as small spheres of light started floating around Britany and started spreading in the battlefield.

"Well, this solves the light problem," I commented as I notched a mana arrow on the bow construct, aiming at the heads of trolls.

This has almost became a routine, it provided easy pickings while giving me clear vision of the everybody’s fights, making it easier to command.

My small battalion followed the commands as I had stated. They started targeting vitals organs of the trolls, killing them easily. For a moment, I thought I should wake up Felicia and had her join in but I decided against it.

We kept pressing our assault on the trolls. Despite their numbers close to a thousand, they were dropping like flies. Seeing their numbers reduced, I decided to join my team on the ground.

I kept my movement easy with simple flow. Instead of only using fist, I used a arrowhead construct in my enclosed fist and smashed them into their heads, killing them in one blow.

However, I also noticed that they weren’t showing any behavior of panic or fleeing like other monsters.

Even if they were low in intelligence, they are supposed to have at least little bit of self preservation.

Feeling something amiss regarding this martyr behavior of the trolls, I kept my eyes peeled for the boss monster.

’Maybe he is in the rift, we didn’t have the chance to enter any of the rifts yet due to boss monster always emerging first,’ I thought, trying to make sense of the situation.

"Did anybody see the troll boss?" I asked. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"No, boss, we are looking for him, but he is nowhere to be found yet," Thane responded.

"No, master. We searched the entire field there are no monster of that calibre," Damien added.

"Let’s pick up the pace, I don’t like this situations," I ordered.

Without giving any more thoughts, we increased our pace of killing trolls. I wanted to enter the rift before any unfortunate situation took place.

Within half an hour, almost all the trolls were dead but the rift was still the same without any movement or fluctuations. Just as I killed the final troll, I spoke immediately.

"We have to enter the rift, the boss monster will be inside."

"Let me lead the way master," Damien spoke.

I agreed without any objection, however just as we were about step forward towards the rift. The atmosphere changed, the air that was flowing freely, suddenly became still.

I raised my hand to signal to stop, "Something is coming, back off," I shouted.

Everyone also felt the same pressure, as we all stepped backwards without much thought.

However, before we could back away completely, the pressure on us intensified dramatically as everyone stiffened.

My feet started pressing into the ground. My bloodline prevented me from bowing to anybody under any kind of pressure but it didn’t mean that I couldn’t feel it.

All my summons were on knees, except Damien who standing strenuously with red colored blood vessel visible on his pale face.

It looked he was using his complete strength just to keep himself standing. His eyes locked with me, like he wanted to convey something.

The next moment, I received a telepathic message from him, ’Pl-Please save yourself master, this is not a foe your highness could face at the moment.’

Seeing all my loyal summons like that filled me with pure rage, I didn’t wanted to leave then behind. I used the SS rank potion, which granted me 3X strength for 30 minutes.

As I faced the rift, a troll with two horns over 10ft in height came into view. His relaxed gaze was on me, only one standing at his Sovereign aura.

Under the effect of potion, I activated all my sigils increasing my strength multiple folds. Breaking free from the aura for a moment, I slammed both my fist in the ground while using Overdrive Fist.

The tremor resulting from the fist caused the troll to stagger. As he concentration broke for few moments, Azravael attacked like he was just waiting for the moment with hundreds of blood spikes.

"We will distract him master, please run," Azravael pleaded.

"I am sorry, but I am not leaving anyone behind. We are leaving together," I rejected his plea.

I could run and abandon them but I would be betraying their trust. I do want to save myself but not at expense of my loyal summons.

I focused my mana, as multiple mana chains erupted from the ground as wrapped around the troll boss, trying to pull him down. I used his breaking concentration to use the gauntlet skills.

"Damien attack!" I shouted. He moved instantaneously towards the boss, however, before his daggers could even reach, the chain broke wrapping the boss broke effortlessly.

"Hmph! You die first arrogant fool" the troll boss spoke for first time as he large fist moved at great speed, aimed at me.

"Master," the only one capable of moving Azravael and Damien spoke simultaneously, lunging towards me to protect.

But before they could reach, a water wall suddenly formed in front of me, absorbing the punch’s impact.

"I am right on time, aren’t I? Little master," a feminine voice reached my ears and a smile appeared on my involuntarily.