Chương 166: Five Fires, One Fate

A line was forming at the fortress gates, drawing in everyone from the camp. Under the moonlight and the tense hush of night, the group moved forward with a quiet seriousness, preparing for what lay ahead. Luke watched in silence as Mason handed out large metal shields to each person in line. They were heavy—crafted from repurposed armor plates, salvaged scrap, and materials collected over the past few months. Improvised, yes. But also ingenious.

In addition to the shields, each fighter received two healing potions. Mages were given mana potions, and Mason made mental notes as he distributed supplies, keeping the flow steady and deliberate. Metal shields. Luke's eyes narrowed. He had been inside that fortress before—he knew what was waiting. It wasn't just an enemy hideout. It was a den. There wasn't just one Midnight Warden inside. There were several. A full unit.

And while those creatures were technically lower in level than him, they were not to be underestimated. He had learned that the hard way. They were coordinated. Disciplined like soldiers. They had formations, tactics—military precision. And a leader who made them even deadlier. But from what he was seeing, this wasn't a blind assault. The shield distribution wasn't just a precaution—it was strategy. Evangeline had clearly shared valuable intel on what they'd be facing.

Luke noticed the pattern: if a fighter had enough stamina mastery, they could channel that energy into the shield, greatly increasing their defensive durability. It was a solid approach.

"There will be five squads," said Evangeline, appearing beside him. He wasn't surprised. She always seemed to show up when things were starting to click in his mind.

"The frontliners will carry the metal shields. Mages will provide support from the rear."

"Mages?" Luke raised an eyebrow.

"Against the Midnight Wardens?"

"That's why we're going in with stronger spells," she said with a shrug.

"But it's not all about firepower. The goal is disruption—breaking formations, stalling movement, creating openings. Battlefield control." Luke looked around and saw the squads beginning to form around familiar faces—people who had been at the meeting with Allison earlier.

"Each team will have ten members and a leader," Evangeline explained.

"You know them all: Gilbert, Eugene, Byron, Quinn, and Miriam. They represent the five campfires from earlier." Luke studied the formations carefully. It made sense. Everything was structured. Clear roles. Trusted leaders surrounded by their most reliable people.

"The shields are there to block Warden strikes while others push forward. If they wear armor, then we'll match them—solid defense and coordinated offense."

"And their leader?" Luke asked, his eyes fixed on the fortress. Evangeline nodded toward the command tent.

"The main team will deal with him. Allison, Mason, Dustin... and me. We're the strongest four the Haven has." Luke crossed his arms, staring at her.

"And me? Don't tell me I'm just here to cheer from the sidelines." She gave a slight smile.

"You're our guide to the third mechanism. Why risk losing someone so valuable? You already did enough—especially after taking down the Beast Lord on your own." Luke's gaze returned to the fortress. What she said made sense. But it wasn't enough.

"You really think I'm going to just stand here and wait? I'm going in."

"You sure?"

"I was ready to go in alone before. You stopped me, remember?"

"I do," she said.

"Because back then, it would've been suicide." She crossed her arms and studied him for a moment.

"But if you're volunteering now… I won't say no." Evangeline nodded toward the five squad leaders, who were now forming their lines with sharp, practiced movements.

"Our job is to keep the Warden commander busy for as long as we can while the squads handle the rest. We hold him off as best we can. And once their numbers start to drop, we'll get reinforcements."

"A solid plan," Luke said.

"But that place is full of tight hallways. I assume you've already decided where everyone's going?"

"Yes," Evangeline replied. The two of them started walking toward Allison.

"Hey, I tricked Luke into helping us fight the fortress boss," Evangeline said as they approached.

"I'm standing right here, you know," Luke muttered. Allison was leaning over a map on the table — a clean, detailed drawing of the fortress, far better than the rough sketches Luke had made in the past.

"You're really coming?" she asked without looking up.

"I don't want to pressure you."

"I am," Luke answered.

"After everything I went through since finding this fortress... I need to be there when it's finally conquered." The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Just don't stab us in the back like a coward," Dustin said, slipping on a pair of oversized metal gauntlets. Luke didn't answer.

"I don't think he should go," Mason said flatly.

"Why not? The idiot here even dueled Kruger and survived those psycho assassins," Evangeline said.

"I heard you stirred up quite a mess in the Safe Zone," Allison added. Mason fixed his eyes on Luke.

"The original plan was for the four of us to face the boss. We know each other's skills, our combat styles, our timing. We've been strategizing for months. If he slips up or takes a bad hit, who's going to help him? How will we know if he can keep going? He could mess everything up. We used all our healing supplies during the expedition. The only ones here now are the few Evangeline managed to bring."

"I have my own," Luke said, pulling a potion from his necklace.

"And if I die, I die. Stick to the plan like I was never there." Allison looked thoughtful.

"Mason has a point," she said.

"The strategy was built on managing the boss's attention — pulling him away, creating space for the other teams. If he targets the wrong group because we mismanage our spacing, they'll get hit from behind and wiped out. It's a real risk." Mason nodded toward Luke.

"And he's supposed to guide us through the new zone. The last thing we want is to lose him before that happens." Allison was quiet for a moment. Then she said, "Luke and I have been through a lot together. He won't get in the way. If we act like it's still just the four of us, he'll be bonus damage. At worst, harmless. At best, helpful."

"Do you have an epic skill?" Mason asked, his tone suddenly sharper.

"We planned this entire fight around the use of a few epic skills. We know our limits. Our weaknesses. Sorry, but I don't see how throwing an unknown factor into something this delicate is worth it. Unless you've got an epic skill too. Then, maybe." Epic skills were the pinnacle of power in the tutorial. Levels couldn't just climb endlessly — there were requirements. Most people in this world couldn't even dream of obtaining one. Luke didn't answer. He stayed silent.

"See?" Mason said, arms crossed.

"He doesn't. He'd just be a liability."

"I have one," Luke said quietly. All four of them turned to him in surprise.

"You do?" Allison asked, clearly intrigued.

"I told you. I killed the Beast Lord. Of course I have one," he said.

"What does it do?" Evangeline asked. Luke didn't answer. He didn't want to reveal it. That skill was his trump card.

"We need to know if we're going to adapt the strategy," Mason insisted.

"It won't be useful against the fortress boss," Luke said, calm but firm.

"So I'd rather keep what it does a secret." A brief, awkward silence followed. But Luke didn't seem to mind. Allison looked at him carefully.

"Do you still want to join us? Or would you rather be placed with one of the teams clearing out the Wardens?"

"I'd rather fight the boss," Luke answered.

"Mason?" she asked.

"If that's what you want, I'll accept it," Mason replied, though his tone carried a clear note of reluctance.

"Even knowing the risk." As Mason and Allison began discussing adjustments to their formation, Luke quietly stepped away, heading once more into the woods. The moment he left the camp's edge, Evangeline fell into step beside him.

"You still owe me something, Snow White," she said.

"What now?"

"Your profession. I remember very clearly — you said you'd tell me once Allison showed up."

"That was before I got such a… warm welcome," Luke replied dryly. Evangeline let out a light laugh.

"It's not like you didn't provoke them." They kept walking through the trees, their boots soft over the pine needles and snow.

"So why are you so curious about my profession?" he asked eventually.

"Because you know mine. And I'm curious. You know how to make hair dye — and I want to know what kind of profession lets you do that. What are you, some kind of artisan? Or fashion designer?" Luke stopped walking for a second.

"Making hair dye doesn't come directly from my profession. I just used the knowledge I've picked up and made it work." Evangeline gave him a thoughtful look, clearly trying to puzzle it out.

"When we activate the second mechanism," Luke said, "I'll tell you."

Everyone stood gathered before the towering silhouette of the second fortress. Under the dark, star-speckled sky, their forms were lit only by torches and the cold light of the moon. The group had taken formation, poised and silent. At the front, side by side, stood Allison, Evangeline, and the other leaders of the Haven. Evangeline stepped forward.

"For years, I passed by this place. I risked my life entering it. I faced those creatures alone, saw their glowing eyes in the dark. Sometimes, I even tried to fight them." Her voice held steady as she drew a breath.

"But tonight, for the first time, I won't be going in alone." She turned slightly, casting her gaze over the people gathered behind her—warriors, mages, rogues, faction leaders. Men and women who, like her, had bled for this world.

"You already know this, but it bears repeating. The Midnight Wardens guarding the mechanism are not ordinary enemies. They are different. They never leave the fortress. They're organized. Deadly. And they serve a leader even more dangerous." She pointed toward the fortress gates.

"Our goal is to draw them to the dining hall. Do not engage them in the corridors—ever. If you underestimate their formation, you'll be putting everyone at risk. Keep them focused on you. If they shift attention, if another group is caught off guard, they will die." Allison stepped forward next, her voice firm, her presence unwavering.

"This is the moment we've all been waiting for." She walked slowly as she spoke, her eyes moving across the faces in the crowd.

"For months, we've fought. Not just planned—fought. Every bit of experience you've earned, every monster slain, every friend lost... it all made you stronger." She stopped and raised her voice, clear and commanding.

"Tonight, we take a step that brings us closer to going home. But don't let that hope distract you. Every second inside that fortress will count. One mistake could cost lives. Trust your team leaders. And know this—my life will be in your hands, just as yours will be in mine." She turned, and silence followed—thick, breathless silence. And then— A low, solemn chime echoed across the Wild Zone. Like an old cathedral bell shaking off years of dust. Midnight had arrived.

Allison raised her voice once more, now thunderous with purpose.

"Tonight, we take back our road home!" A roar followed—battle cries, defiance, the sharp edge of hope laced with fear. As one, the group charged toward the fortress. That night, they would either activate the second mechanism... or die trying. On Luke's system display, a notification appeared: [Special Event Activated: Midnight Siege]