Cleaver Of Sin

Chapter 308: Three More Seconds [Bonus Chapter]

”Water-based ability users, drown them where they stand!” Baron Rivelle’s voice echoed across the city wall, sharp and brisk, reverberating through the air like a war drum. With that single command, the archers stepped back in seamless formation, and hundreds of water ability users advanced to the forefront.

Astra surged violently through their veins, pulsing beneath their skin like liquid light. As one, they raised their hands toward the sky, and the world itself obeyed their command.

The heavens trembled.

The sky rippled as though it had been transformed into a great liquid mirror. A moment later, the clouds swelled and split apart as if the heavens themselves had burst open. From that churning vortex above, an entire ocean came crashing down, an apocalyptic deluge pouring from the sky with the wrath of gods.

Torrential waves struck the plains with obliterating force, flattening everything in their path. Mountains of water crashed against the advancing Monster Tide, crushing beasts and creatures beneath their impossible weight. The sound was deafening, a constant roar of chaos as nature itself was weaponized.

Yet the water ability users did not stop there. They had no intention of simply drowning their enemies. This was only the first act. With a synchronized motion, they channeled their Astra once more, their energy pulsing outward like the heartbeat of the ocean.

The summoned waters responded to their will instantly. The raging tides twisted and churned, reshaping into countless blades that spun outward like living serpents of death. Vortexes formed, pulling monsters into whirling prisons of destruction. Massive spikes of water erupted upward, impaling anything unfortunate enough to be caught above them. Explosions of pressurized water followed, each burst strong enough to shatter bone and armor alike.

The once-clear ocean soon turned a dark crimson as blood mixed with water, dyeing the flood in grotesque shades of red and black. Torn flesh, shattered bones, and severed limbs floated upon the surface, painting a horrifying picture of devastation. The forest beyond the city wall, once teeming with life, now stood annihilated, flattened and carved apart by three successive waves of coordinated Astra-fueled attacks.

Then, the Baron’s voice came again, calm but resonant with purpose. ”Lightning-based ability users, step forward.”

Immediately, the water manipulators retreated with disciplined motion, and the Lightning ability users advanced, their eyes sparking with energy. They raised their hands toward the deluge still pouring down, harnessing the ocean that now covered the battlefield.

A blinding flash followed.

Bolts of pure lightning danced across the flood like silver serpents, their electric tendrils leaping from wave to wave, frying every creature trapped within the watery current. The scent of burning flesh grew thick in the air, mingling with the heavy smell of wet soil and iron. Screeches of agony pierced through the air, but the Lightning users did not stop.

Each consecutive strike grew stronger, more violent, feeding off the conductive ocean below. The battlefield became a sea of light and fire, as arcs of electricity illuminated the clouds like a storm given form.

At last, the Baron lifted a hand, signaling them to withdraw. Their task was complete.

With that, Baron Rivelle issued his next command, his deep voice rolling across the wall. ”Activate the siege engines!”

All along the fortifications, the city’s great weaponry came to life. Massive catapults, their wooden frames reinforced with Astra inscriptions, ignited their payloads, enormous boulders blazing with runic fire. With thunderous might, they released, flinging their projectiles into the distance. The air howled as flaming boulders soared like meteors, crashing into the Monster Tide below.

Simultaneously, the massive stationary crossbows, each fitted with harpoon-like bolts, were cranked into position. When they fired, the sound was like thunder splitting the heavens. The harpoons tore through the air, striking with explosive force that shattered everything in their path.

Explosions erupted across the battlefield, deafening, blinding, and suffocating. The ground trembled with every impact, yet no one on the wall flinched. These were soldiers of Rivelle, trained through years of endless Monster Tides. Chaos was their comfort.

But the monsters had not come unprepared. As though enraged by the slaughter, the front lines of the tide suddenly glowed with energy. Dozens of Astra energy flared open across their ranks, and from them, beams, flames, stones, and corrosive acid were unleashed with devastating speed, all tearing through the air toward the city walls.

”BARRIER!” the Baron’s voice thundered, his command cutting through the chaos like lightning through storm clouds.

At once, those gifted with barrier-type abilities stepped forward. Astra blazed into the sky as hundreds of shimmering domes, shields, and veils of energy formed before the wall, overlapping like a fortress of light. Their colors varied, gold, blue, emerald, violet, each reflecting the distinct nature of its wielder.

The Monster Tide’s counterattack struck a heartbeat later.

The impact was cataclysmic. Explosions crashed against the barriers, sending shockwaves that rattled the very stones beneath their feet. Several barrier users groaned, blood seeping from their noses and eyes as the strain intensified. Some dropped to one knee, clutching their heads as sharp pain split through their minds, but still, they endured. None dared to falter.

They poured everything they had into their barrier construct, reinforcing them again and again even as the force of the enemy bombardment grew unbearable.

Beyond the barrier, the world had turned into a painting of devastation. The sky itself quaked, filled with rolling explosions and waves of distorted energy. The space before the wall was a blur of chaos, fire, lightning, and dust merging into one endless cacophony.

Cracks began to form on the barriers. Hairline fractures spread like spiderwebs, glowing white-hot under the immense pressure.

”HOLD ON!” the Baron roared. ”THE ATTACK WILL ONLY LAST THREE MORE SECONDS!”

Three seconds. To most, that was nothing. But to these men and women standing at the edge of exhaustion, three seconds might as well have been eternity.

With desperate cries and clenched teeth, they channeled their remaining Astra, forcing it into the barriers in defiance of collapse. Their roars mixed with the sounds of destruction, their willpower alone keeping the city from being swallowed whole.

Then, at last, it ended.

The moment the assault ceased, the barriers shattered into glowing dust. One by one, the barrier users collapsed to the ground, drained and trembling. Some fainted outright, others vomited blood, while a few simply slumped against the wall, pale but conscious.

”Healers!” the Baron’s command rang clear through the haze of battle.

Immediately, healing-type ability users rushed forward. Radiant light spread from their palms as they placed their hands upon the fallen, channeling rejuvenating energy into their bodies. The wounded stirred, breath returning, strength rekindling. The battle was far from over, they would be needed again.

Outside the wall, the Monster Tide pressed forward with renewed fury. Explosions continued to echo across the land, shaking the fortifications. The Baron knew that preventing the beasts from reaching the wall was impossible; his true goal had always been to weaken their numbers first, to make their assault survivable.

But now, the time for long-range tactics had ended.

With titanic force, the monstrous horde slammed into the city wall. The impact sent tremors through the ground so powerful that several soldiers stumbled. If not for the earth ability users reinforcing the wall’s foundations and strength, the wall would have crumbled into rubble with the first collision.

The beasts began to climb, digging claws into stone and Astra-forged steel alike, scaling upward with terrifying speed.

”WALL SPIKES!” Baron Rivelle’s voice rang out once again.

Instantly, the earth manipulators responded. Astra flared beneath their feet as the very wall came alive, obeying their command. Jagged spikes of stone erupted outward, slicing through flesh and bone alike. Screeches echoed across the battlefield as monsters were torn apart mid-climb, their bodies falling in broken heaps below.

But even that wasn’t enough.

Some of the creatures didn’t bother with the wall at all, they leapt, propelled by immense strength, soaring over the battlements entirely. Others spread their wings and flew, diving straight toward the defenders.

But the Baron’s long-ranged attacks weren’t to end the monster tide before it reached the city; that was impossible for them. He had only wanted to curb and reduce their numbers.

”EVERYONE, ATTACK!” Baron Rivelle’s final order shattered the tension like glass.

And with that command, chaos consumed the Rivelle Barony.

The Rivelle Barony transformed into a living purgatory of death and blood. Astra energy flared like wild fireflies in the night, weapons clashing against monstrosity as soldiers screamed their war cries. The air burned, the earth quaked, and the sky itself seemed to wail under the weight of the battle.

The Monster Tide had reached the walls, and the true battle had begun.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: Everyone, we are currently ranked 38th on the Golden Ticket ranking. Do remember that if we climb to the top 10 this month, you will get 30 Chapters mass release. And also, I’m still doing super gifts for bonus Chapters. Magic Castle is 2 bonus Chapters, Spacecraft is 5, and Golden Gachapon is 10 bonus Chapters. Thanks for reading.