Chapter 118: Hero

As more and more beasts clawed their way up from the underworld, the sheer number quickly disabused Ash of the idea that he could simply escort everyone across the Ruins of Evercrest.

So… it was time to adjust his tactics slightly.

Ash looked at the three Level 1s around him.

“Summon whatever weapons you have. A bow or spear would be best. We’re holding this position.”

Jalen cocked his head at the sudden order.

“Huh? But—”

Whatever complaints he had died beneath Ash’s unyielding expression.

From atop the mound, Ash surveyed the sea of summoned and beasts scattered across the sprawling mounds below. The summoned players looked around in confusion, many collapsing to their knees in fear; yet the beasts showed no such hesitation, pouring across the ashy terrain and descending upon the nearest Dragonkin or Salamander.

“We’ll need to clear the area before moving on. Call for anyone you see to come here and establish a defensive perimeter. Focus on holding this position while explaining the situation as best you can to whoever makes it to us. Once we’ve gathered everyone nearby, we’ll continue to the crest of the next hill, then repeat the process from there.”

Obviously, they had their complaints and doubts about his orders.

Remaining in place rather than rushing toward those who needed help meant knowingly leaving some of them to die. But witnessing the sheer carnage unfolding below was enough to strip away any fanciful notions of heroism.

As Ash raised his bow and began charging an arrow, Lucia shouted:

“Everyone, come here!”

Although her voice was mostly swallowed by the choir of ruination, a few heard her and began running towards them. There were also those already fleeing uphill who needed little convincing.

In no time, nearly ten people were scrambling up the mound, stumbling over the shifting ash as they fled whatever had spawned behind them.

Some glanced over their shoulders as they ran. Others didn’t dare.

Ash paid them little mind.

His current priority was eliminating the monsters that had isolated lone Dragonkin.

‘[Focus].’

Ash’s fingers twitched, letting the empowered black arrow sail down the slope and straight into the chest of a Fire Golem.

[You have slain Fire Golem]

[First Kill Bonus!]

[+4 EXP]

The beast erupted in a burst of flames that quickly withered away, scattering embers across the scorched earth and leaving behind a tome where it had stood. But Ash cared little for drops. His gaze was already sweeping farther across the battlefield, searching for another isolated target.

A Firebound Hound barreled after a Dragonkin.

Ash drew and fired.

The arrow punched into the beast’s flank, but it kept running.

Another black arrow followed before the first had even finished dissolving.

[You have slain Firebound Hound]

[+1 EXP]

Ash immediately shifted his aim.

A second hound was closing from the opposite side. He loosed once, adjusted by a fraction, then sent another arrow into its path.

[You have slain Firebound Hound]

[+1 EXP]

‘Good, they’re starting to group up.’

As Ash had planned, those he’d saved instinctively rushed toward the nearest clusters of summoned rather than staying alone. One by one, the scattered figures began converging, small pockets forming throughout the chaos below.

Some fought back well enough to take down a hound or two, but the golems were proving far more dangerous.

With the Dragonkin in his view mostly grouped, Ash focused on saving the Salamanders still stranded between them.

A Fire Golem charged toward one from the left. Ash put an arrow through its chest before it could close the distance.

[You have slain Fire Golem]

[+1 EXP]

Farther out, something half-buried in the ash twisted toward another fleeing figure.

Ash fired.

[You have slain Seal Remnant]

[First Kill Bonus!]

[+5 EXP]

Then another hound broke from beneath the ash, freshly spawned.

Ash gave it a single breath before firing.

[You have slain Firebound Hound]

[+1 EXP]

The battlefield was changing by the second.

Those who had initially been dozens of terrified individuals scattering in every direction were gradually coalescing into groups. Some ran toward the people Ash had already saved. Others, seeing the growing crowd atop the mound, abandoned whatever direction they’d chosen and began climbing toward them instead.

Across the Ruins of Evercrest, players scrambled over ridges and shallow depressions, kicking ash behind them as beasts snapped at their heels. A few stumbled and were dragged back to their feet by strangers. Others ran alone.

With the last of his fifteen seconds, Ash managed to help the final straggler within his immediate reach escape their pursuer and join a cluster of other summoned.

‘Now… it’s up to them.’

Lowering his bow, Ash turned toward the group cowering behind him.

The situation there had deteriorated just as quickly.

At least twenty new people had reached the hill’s summit, their faces panicked and dismayed.

Many were screaming and shouting over one another, some demanding answers while others simply struggled to catch their breath.

A pack of Firebound Hounds had followed several of them up the slope.

Thankfully, they were being warded off and whittled down, but the lack of order was causing clear hesitation among those trying to attack.

There was also another group staring at Ash in awe. The mysterious archer wearing a crown of cerulean flame who’d saved them in the direst of straits…

Though they were equally confused as to why he’d turned away from the battlefield when there were still people clearly in need of his assistance.

Thinking quickly, and unwilling to reveal his glitch — or that he was practically incapacitated for a full minute and a half — he decided to bring the chaos under control…

And to do it in the way Ashley Grave, Epitome, knew best.

“I am Ash, Champion of the Dragonkin. The world you find yourself in is called Arcadia — inside a game called Rite of Ruin. I’m sure none of you were willingly summoned, just as I wasn’t…”

Most had quieted down and turned toward him.

The group fighting the hounds finally killed them and turned as well.

More and more summoned began to join the group, all waiting to hear what their hero had to say.

Ash’s gaze grew fierce.