Chapter 1051 Taking Charge
This was largely in part due to Niflheim's actions during their fight against Duke Zareign and the Night Terror Shadow Beasts, as well as their current clash with the shadahis.
Through his quick, well-timed actions and advice, Niflheim saved numerous people from the 9th Division and 5th Unit alike from spiraling into dangerous situations.
The 5th Unit's vanguard, in particular, had formed a great deal of respect towards Niflheim. He was not afraid to place himself in unfavorable positions if it meant easing the burden on his allies. Additionally, whether it was a person from the 9th Division or the 5th Unit, he protected them with the same level of effort and intensity.
Of course, it also helped that Halls and Guan Yu, two trusted members of the 5th Unit, took the initiative to follow Niflheim's orders while Izroth and Lances were preoccupied.
Although Halls and Guan Yu did not know Niflheim that well since their time together during the raid was short-lived, they did know that he used to be the top strategist of Blue Oasis. The two also knew that Niflheim was an upright man who did not shy away from upholding his word. That much was proven to them the moment he decided to walk away from Blue Oasis.
More importantly, Halls and Guan Yu understood that Izroth would have never given a position as his Lieutenant to someone he had no confidence in. The fact that Izroth was willing to trust Niflheim to that extent was good enough for them to lend him a hand.
Niflheim's gaze landed on Jol'Kil and Zel'Kan.
"Thanks to those two, the pressure on the vanguard has been reduced significantly. Still, even with their aid, it doesn't change the fact that we won't be able to hold these things back indefinitely." Niflheim thought to himself.
With every passing moment, the shadahis were becoming more aggressive and bloodthirsty. This made it easy to predict their movements; however, it also caused them to become much more challenging to face head-on.
The vanguard was doing their best to keep things grounded, but Niflheim could see the more minor flaws exposing themselves the longer the battle progressed.
Roughly an hour had passed since the raid on the Night Lord's Crypt began and both the 9th Division and 5th Unit had been on the move without rest. Being in the heart of enemy territory left them with no moment to catch their breath or be at ease. They remained on constant high alert and had to traverse the inhospitable environment of the Night Lord's Crypt.
Not only were these things physically exhausting, but they were also mentally draining and gradually wore down the allied forces within the chamber.
The 9th Division was a lot better off than those of the 5th Unit thanks to having consumed an Ocean Spring Pill. However, even the Ocean Spring Pill could not make up for the mental fatigue they were placed under.
Not to mention, the 9th Division had been through many intense situations over the past few days.
Their journey into Tempest territory and through the Ferae Jungle, their encounter with the Pzenium warriors in the Nightfall Glades, and now the battle at the Night Lord's Crypt—the members of the 9th Division had endured more high-pressure situations in the past few days than most players did in their entire time spent in RML.
Nevertheless, they continued to press onward without complaint. This was for one reason—the presence of their Captain, Izroth. Whenever those of the 9th Division started to think about how rough they had it, their thoughts always ended up shifting to Izroth. Compared to the things he was doing and the pressure he was constantly under, what right did they have to complain? If they couldn't handle their small portion of the burden, then why did they even join the 9th Division in the first place? These were the thoughts that lingered in the minds of the 9th Division members and caused them to fight through their fatigue. So long as their Captain was still standing and working hard, they had no intention of slacking off!
Menerva carefully observed the full scope of the battlefield from the back of where everything was taking place near the chamber's center.
Just like Niflheim, Menerva had also managed to garner the respect of those around her, especially the supporters and ranged damage dealers of the 5th Unit. At first, many of them found Menerva difficult to approach and speak with. There was something about her that gave off a certain unapproachable aura. It also did not help that Menerva spoke in a straightforward manner without being afraid to speak her mind freely.
Regardless, although it made Menerva hard to attempt to befriend, the way she carried herself was ideal for a person in command.
"Supports, do not attempt to reserve your mana! Be careful not to target the same creature twice with your attack! If you have exhausted all your offensive skills on a single target, be sure to switch immediately with someone else!" Menerva called out.
Menerva narrowed her eyes as she looked at the spatial rift at the chamber's center. She did not know what kind of secrets were contained inside that spatial rift; however, she was no fool. If a person like Izroth was that fixated on it, then its importance could not be understated. And, based on the recent events that transpired, it did not take much for Menerva to piece things together.
Whatever is on the other side of that portal must be prevented from coming through at all costs—that is what Izroth's actions told Menerva. In order to make sure that happened, Menerva spared no expense when it came to handing out precise directions.
"There exists no fluid synergy between our Division and the 5th Unit. The commands I give out must be as precise, to the point, and efficient as possible. Otherwise, the orders I give will only bring about more confusion." Menerva contemplated silently.
Menerva did not find it hard to come up with simplified plans on the spot; however, her true specialty lay in long, well-thought-out, and meticulous strategies. This kind of thinking on your feet with a constant shift of events and reacting in real-time was more in Niflheim's wheelhouse.
Seeing Niflheim being unafraid to take charge and lead the vanguard caused Menerva to have a newfound respect for the way he saw things.
Menerva could never imagine herself being at the mercy of her instincts and letting them guide her actions. To her, it was still inconceivable and a part of her would never be able to fully comprehend Niflheim's style. Nonetheless, she understood perfectly why Izroth decided to take her in alongside Niflheim.
At a glance, Niflheim's method seemed superior as it was certainly more effective in continuously changing moments. But, it had its disadvantages. For one, Niflheim's ability to see ahead and plan for the long term did not come close to that of Menerva's.
This is why, by working together, the two could cover for one another's weaknesses.
Menerva believed that, without a doubt, Izroth had already thought this through from the very beginning.
"I owe him a tremendous debt that cannot be paid in one lifetime alone. That is why, on that day, I made a decision. No matter what it may be, I will do everything in my power to see him succeed." Menerva thought to herself as she released the massive arrow from her bow.
The arrow pierced through the air and penetrated through one of the shadahi's, leaving a gaping hole in its chest area.
...
'There are some promising items, but... I suppose these three stand out the most.'
Izroth finally managed to narrow down the list of items from the event shop that could potentially work to close the spatial rift to just three.
The first item was capable of sealing space, the second item allowed the user to directly manipulate the surrounding space, and the third item generated something called spatial fissures that were able to collapse space itself.
Each of the items costs somewhere between 25,000 to 40,000 contribution points to purchase. Needless to say, this was a huge price to pay to seal a portal; however, with the discounts he had as well as the event shop discount voucher, the price itself was not an issue to Izroth. Not to mention, the payoff for a contribution as great as stopping an army of shadahis from marching onto the battlefield could not be understated.
What troubled Izroth was one thing—the existence on the other side of the spatial rift.
The red clouds that previously obstructed the view to the other side had fully dissipated, revealing the massive army of shadahis as well as the powerful existence bound by chains at the army's center.
'They're hiding it well, but... Ever since the coffin was destroyed, I could sense it—that existence has become restless. It's as if it's silently waiting for me to act.'