The battlefield was a gruesome scene of one-sided carnage.
Kaalmaahen's monstrous tribe mercilessly decimated Kev's forces. Kaal had cunningly chosen the opportune moment to strike, catching Kev's troops at their weakest, worn out from a fierce battle against Layos' Rankers.
Even the formidable Blood Punisher Force, led by Kev himself, struggled to put up any meaningful resistance against Kaal's overwhelming onslaught.
To Kev's astonishment, he encountered another unexpected monster on the battlefield, a fierce Orc named Baran fighting alongside Kaalmaahen's tribe. The revelation of two tribes of different racial identities working together in the Badlands was virtually unheard of, leaving Kev with an unsettling realization that a superior force might be manipulating the alliance between the two tribes.
Furious and anguished, Kev attempted to intervene and save his subordinates from their gruesome fate, but Kaalmaahen proved to be an impenetrable obstacle, skillfully thwarting Kev's every move to protect his comrades.
Though Kaalmaahen had risen in his monster ranking status over the decade, his attempts to kill Kev were repeatedly foiled by the Armored Knight's exceptional defense, fortified by a powerful spiritual artifact armor he donned. This impregnable armor had earned Kev the title of Armored Knight, making him a formidable force on the battlefield.
Kev faced a heart-wrenching reality, witnessing his loyal soldiers fall one by one to the relentless monsters. The deafening silence of his helplessness contrasted sharply with the chaos and violence surrounding him.
Kev could only watch with a mix of determination and grief as the monsters continued their brutal assault, their malicious grins a stark contrast to the horrors unfolding around them. The realization that the enemy possessed a superior intellect and cunning, uniting two tribes of different races for their own purposes, weighed heavily on Kev's mind. After all, this assimilation of tribes was a red flag for Edinburgh. It was as serious as the war with the Layos kingdom.
As the cries of agony echoed through the battlefield and the air filled with the scent of blood and violence, Kaalmaahen's tribe continued their relentless slaughter of both Edinburgh and Layos' Rankers until only Kev Larson and a few members of the Blood Punisher Force had remained on the battlefield.
Amid the chaos, the Armored Knight began to formulate a plan, determined to find a way to protect his remaining forces and thwart the monsters' calculated attacks. With ogre Overload Kaalmaahen and Orc Overlord Baran proving to be an obstacle he could not overcome directly, Kev knew he needed a strategic advantage to turn the tide of battle.
Drawing on his tactical acumen and experience as a skilled leader, Kev coordinated a strategic retreat, pulling his remaining forces back from the merciless clutches of the monsters using various emergency-only Trump Cards he had at his disposal. He sought refuge in a defensible position, using the natural terrain of the Badlands to gain a slight advantage over the encroaching monsters.
With his forces regrouped and his determination renewed, Kev prepared for the next wave of attacks, devising a counter-strategy to overcome the monsters' overwhelming force. The orc and ogre monster tribes may have united against him, but Kev knew that unity could also be their vulnerability.
As the tension in the air thickened, a resolute determination shone in Kev's eyes, his resolve unshaken even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The battle was far from over, and the Armored Knight was ready to reclaim control of the battlefield, one strategic move at a time.
***
As the battle raged on, Kev Larson and his team found themselves in a precarious situation. Enemies closed in from all directions.
"We... we are going to get surrounded," Kev muttered in a grim tone, sensing the impending danger. He turned back to face the forces of Kaal and Baran, who relentlessly pursued them.
"You betrayed us, Kaalmaahen," Kev's voice seethed with anger as soon as the monster and his forces behind him came into Kev's vision. He was trying to buy time for himself and his team, strategizing their next moves. While he had other cards up his sleeve, they required careful preparation and timing.
Kaalmaahen chuckled in response, seemingly falling into Kev's trap.
"Let's not pretend we were natural allies, human. You proposed slaying Layos' forces, and I did it for the resources you provided. But my loyalty was never for sale. I have only acted on the orders of my liege," Kaal asserted, commanding his tribe to stand down and let their allies close in. He knew Kev was trying to gain an advantage. However, Kaal was also wary of Kev and his potential kamikaze attacks.
Despite his anger, Kev recognized the importance of dealing with Kaalmaahen tactfully. The Ogre Overlord was cautious not to approach him recklessly, knowing the power of Kev's spiritual artifact armor. Kev had mastered using the artifact's intent-based magic, which made him a formidable opponent. Taking unnecessary risks was not in Kaalmaahen's best interest, especially with his reserves on the way.
'Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Who the fuck is the mastermind behind all this? Who the fuck is the monsters' boss?
Just like Layos had half-blood forces as backup and Edinburgh had Blood Punisher Force members in reserve, Kaal and Baran also have their own reserves. And they attacked with such precision and coordination that they almost behaved like Rankers.
These wild and unruly monsters have found a dreadful leader for themselves,' Kev realized, his mind racing to formulate a plan.
Kev knew they couldn't afford to wait for their enemies to fully surround them. They needed to act quickly and decisively. He rallied his remaining team members, their faces showing determination mixed with exhaustion.
***
'Guys. It's now or never. I don't want to say this. But some of us might die here. However, we will fight together, as one!'
Kev declared to his team members through voice communication channels, igniting a fire of courage within each of them.
As Kev prepared himself for the impending battle, a sense of familiarity tugged at his consciousness. Turning his gaze to the 3 o'clock position, his eyes widened in disbelief.
Emerging from the dense forest woods was none other than Meera Medinah, his long-lost subordinate who had vanished without a trace a decade ago.
"Meera? What the..."
AN: Baran was first introduced in chapter 425. He made subsequent appearances in chapters 620 and 636. Meera Medinah was first mentioned in chapter 720. She made subsequent appearances in chapters 857 and 891.
