CHAPTER 104: BRIAN

"It looks like no one came here," Harry sighed. The cave was slightly off the main path leading toward the volcano and the settlement.

Harry looked at the entrance, memories flooding back of the time he had almost died here. He had promised himself he would return one day—and here he was far earlier then anticipated.

Truthfully, he still didn’t have the courage to enter alone. But this time, he had someone capable of fighting the Behemoth with him.

"Listen carefully. You may have killed some level nine beasts before, but this one is different.

First, it can control stone as effortlessly as using its own hands. Second, and more importantly, our soul attacks won’t be very effective. It has incredibly high soul defense, and its soul is far stronger than that of an average beast," Harry explained, including details about the environment inside the cave and the eggs laid there.

Meanwhile, Gracie and Harry were preparing to hunt the Behemoth. Deep in the forest, Tyler stood in front of a girl.

"Can you make something out of these?" Tyler asked a short, skinny girl with short blonde hair.

"Where did you find these?" the girl asked, surprised.

Tyler just stared blankly. He had no intention of explaining, nor did he have the time.

Cough... The girl turned back toward the resources and picked up an illuminating fruit.

"This fruit contains a lot of Yin energy. Just standing near it, we can feel its soothing coldness.

And this herb has a high concentration of Qi, which can help in breaking through.

And this one..." she continued excitedly, explaining each herb in detail.

Tyler smiled awkwardly. He didn’t really care what they were—but he knew how to respect someone’s passion.

"Can you make something to boost my cultivation? You can keep the remaining ingredients," Tyler asked right after her explanation.

"Really?" Her eyes sparkled, but then she said grimly, "The thing is, this fruit can be a main ingredient in a potion that could help someone break through two levels—three at best, one at worst."

"What’s the problem?" Tyler asked, noticing her grim expression.

"I’ll need six of these. But even then, the fruit’s Yin energy resonates with a feminine aura, so only girls can use it."

Tyler palmed his head. Such a valuable resource—and he couldn’t even use it.

He grabbed the items and turned to leave.

"Wait... if you’re desperate, you can still use it. But there will be some minor drawbacks, and you’ll have to be careful," the girl said hurriedly.

Tyler looked back, a wide grin on his face.

"I’ve got fifteen. Make it as fast as you can."

He didn’t leave the girl alone—not trusting her one bit. Who knew if she might run away or die?

Outside, the students were preparing for battle. The walls had been reinforced with multiple layers, and watchtowers had been built.

Sylas had organized the students into distinct groups. attackers, defenders, and support.

It was not a strict structure but it had eased the ways to distinguish.

"Where’s Gracie?" Theron asked, confused.

"She went out. Told me she’d return before the battle," Sylas replied what he knew.

"At least the deaths have stopped happening."

"Once we found those culprits, most had already escaped. So at least we’re free from that," Sylas said, getting ready for the fight.

There was still some time before the groups clashed.

In the north, a person stood atop a cliff, with nearly ten thousand students looking up at him expecantly.

His long stoic build gave confidence to the students.

Two students stood at his sides, pride on their faces with a hint of grin.

Brian held a sword adorned with black and red patterns.

"We’re here to fight, to win this war, and return to our homes and families. As you know, only ten thousand will return. We’ll make sure we’re among them.

Support me—and we’ll win this battle!"

His words rang with motivation, but toward the end, his tone turned mischievous.

"Did you expect me to say this"

The sword raised high in the sky fell with a graceful arc—severing the head of the student beside him.

The head flew through the air and landed among the crowd of ten thousand, the proud expression still etched on the lifeless face.

Gasps echoed through the crowd. Before the head could even touch the ground, the sword twisted again—this time toward the second student.

The student, already panicked, retrieved a wooden piece with intricate carvings.

But before he could activate it, his hand was severed from his shoulder. The hand fell, still clutching the wooden artifact.

Brian retrieved his sword.

"Haha, you expected a motivational speech? You thought you could manipulate me?" Brian laughed darkly.

His sword lunged again toward the student’s neck—but the student had already turned invisible and dashed away.

"Oh... my boy. Trying to run?" Brian mocked, punching the ground.

The cliff crumbled beneath them, and both Brian and the invisible student fell with it.

The crowd was still in shock, backing away in panic to avoid falling debris.

Feeling the ripples in the air, Brian thrust his sword—and blood began to drip.

He left his sword embedded, his laugh echoing ominously.

"You were fun to play with, manipulating individuals into killing. But you dared to manipulate me into starting a war against all the settlements? How naive."

A dark, abysmal energy surged toward the sword, and the man felt his Qi vanishing.

The essence he was pouring into his invisibility skill vanished—as if deleted from existence.

He was back, his invisible skill now deactivated. Everyone could see a guy falling down, his one hand severed.

Before he could comprehend anything, he saw his severed limbs falling beside him. Ignoring the pain, he grasped the wooden piece.

Mid-air, he activated the enchantment, and a portal began to form—but it was instantly erased from reality.

His body crashed to the ground.

"Not so fast. Let me help you," Brian said, retrieving his sword.

Before the man could react, his head was also severed—blood erupting like a fountain.