The greenskins’ assault raged on. Over a hundred guards struggled to hold the line.

The captain dared not charge recklessly into the mountains—that was suicide. Mountain terrain favored the greenskins. Even at Tier-5, he wouldn’t take foolish risks.

A Tier-2 creature could wound a Tier-5 warrior. Among the greenskins, orcs typically started at Tier-2. Numbers alone could overwhelm him.

For now, defense and fire control were all they could manage.

Inside the carriage, the wealthy merchant trembled uncontrollably. *Surely a Tier-5 expert can handle this… right?* he thought anxiously.

“Attack!”

Greenskins surged from the hills—over a thousand goblins and orcs charging the caravan, their advance as slimy and repulsive as oozing sludge.

“Prepare to defend!”

The captain roared. Frustrated guards steeled themselves for the clash.

Goblin vanguards leaped into the wagons, smashing everything. The merchant cowered, covering his head as chaos erupted outside.

*Clang!* Steel met steel.

Shrieks and death cries from greenskins.

Roars and agonized screams from guards.

A young nun traveling the road spotted distant flames. Unsure what lay ahead, she quickened her pace.

Within the caravan, battle reached a fever pitch.

“Hah!”

The captain cleaved through Tier-1 goblins—one swing, one kill. They were mere trifles.

*Whoosh!*

An arrow struck his shoulder. An orc leader stood distant, bow drawn, eyes locked on him.

“So *that’s* their leader?”

Yanking the arrow free, fury ignited.

“Whirlwind Slash!”

Dozens of goblins shredded in an instant. He charged the orc.

“Piercing Thrust!”

*Clang!* A second orc lunged with a shield. The captain backflipped clear.

More greenskins swarmed, encircling him.

“Perfect! I’ll wipe you all out!”

Another whirl—goblin heads flew. Blood sprayed across the mob.

The orc leader licked blood from his lip and roared.

Greenskins surged inward.

*This looks bad,* someone murmured. *Taking the leader isn’t wrong… but charging alone? Reckless.*

Even Tier-5 couldn’t ignore numbers. Wearing him down would be easy.

*Squelch!*

Greenskins lunging toward Qin Yu were impaled from below by Silver Crimson Snow’s blood spikes. No denying it—the deaths looked excruciating.

“Snow, it’s time. End this quickly.”

“Just watch closely, Master…”

Her eyes glowed crimson. “Crimson… Fear!”

A Bloodkin aura crashed over the field. Greenskins froze. Even guards staggered in awe.

The merchant, already trembling as fists pounded his carriage, wet himself the moment Crimson Fear struck.

Mid-swing against an orc, the wounded captain froze.

“A… Tier-7?”

He never imagined Qin Yu traveled with a Tier-7 attendant.

Silver Crimson Snow rose slowly. Hand swept down.

“Bloodbog!”

The ground became a crimson bog. Blood-red tendrils erupted, dragging goblins under without struggle. Orcs thrashed briefly before vanishing beneath the surface.

The Tier-4 orc leader regretted everything. Too late.

“Die!”

The captain’s blade flashed. The orc’s corpse sank into the bog.

As the last greenskin vanished, the Bloodbog faded. Guards exhaled in relief—they’d feared being consumed too.

"Tch…"

All glory went to Silver Crimson Snow. Luna—the former Moon Deity—seethed inwardly. *If I were still Tier-10… a snap would erase them all. Yes, even Qin Yu and that smug Snow.*

Casualty report: twenty-eight dead, forty-plus wounded.

“Thank you for your aid, Mr. Qin Yu!” The captain bowed deeply.

“Nothing. Just passing by.”

Qin Yu felt Snow’s glare—*she* saved them, yet gratitude landed on *him*.

“Thank *her*.”

“Ah! Thank you, Miss Silver Crimson Snow!”

Snow’s irritation eased slightly.

The captain assumed Snow and Luna were enchanted dolls from the Alchemists’ Union—tools, not people. Qin Yu’s familiarity? Merely eccentricity.

Nearby, the newly arrived nun stared in shock. *Thousands of greenskins… gone in moments. That silver-haired girl…*

Her gaze dropped to fallen guards. Pupils shrank. A choked gasp. She stumbled.

"Hm?"

Silver Crimson Snow flicked her wrist. The girl floated gently before her.

"Ahhh!!!"

“Master, this is the one I mentioned.”

Qin Yu nodded, offering a warm smile. “Hello. You’re a player, right?”

"Um…" She nodded timidly. *If he’s a player… I’m safe?*

Set down, her legs wobbled. Qin Yu steadied her.

"Th-thank you…"

A blush warmed her cheeks. Her hand lifted—then dropped. *No need for gestures here.*

She’d never been good with people. Especially boys.

“You’re headed to the Holy Capital too?”

Noting her starter gear, Qin Yu guessed correctly. She nodded.

“You came from the Sanctum of Radiance?”

"Mm." *How does he know everything?*

“Then we’re headed the same way…”