The sun had risen and the light was shining on the camp.

Viktor came out of the tent stretching as if he had just had a good night’s sleep. Dressed in a bear fur coat, Viktor toured the tent to check on the conditions of the 1000 recruits.

The conditions at the campsite were bustling, but it was a little different from what he had thought. Several people were seen practicing swinging their swords, some were making breakfast, and some were treating wounds. Most of them appeared to be fine, only a few appeared to have minor injuries.

But even more surprising, some of them have already achieved the goals of this mission. According to Djinn, half of the recruits had already reached the peak of Earth realm. The rests are Earth Realm mid-stage.

Of course, this is good news for Viktor, as it means he has 500 fighters he can depend on for the challange

Not long after, he saw the figure of a woman who really caught his attention. Who else but Anna. She came out of the tent dressed in cotton clothes and covered in a thick blanket. Looks like she’s coming out to wash her face.

Seeing Anna’s figure, Viktor’s face turned bright. He immediately approached the girl.

“Anna, how are the recruits doing?” Viktor asked pleasantly.

Anna’s eyes looked Viktor up and down. After that looked at Viktor’s eyes with another disappointment

“You are in charge of this expedition. But you don’t know how they’ve been for the past two weeks.?” Anna shook her head, afterward leaving Viktor without an answer

Meanwhile, Viktor could only sigh. Every word he said always sounded wrong in Anna’s ears. Without Viktor knowing, Viez was already standing behind him.

“Ignored again by your crush boss?” Viez asked in an even tone. Viez had no intention of mocking Viktor at all. But still, Viktor was not happy with the question.-.

“Me? No way!” Victor snorted. “A Romanov will never be a simp to a woman, Anyway, what happened during my absence?”

Viez started to recount what had happened after Viktor’s two weeks of absence.

In the first week the recruits started conquering every level in the pillar. All went quickly thanks to their large number. The recruits were divided into two teams. The first team was led by Team Leader Golden Rose, Anna, and the second team was led by Viez.

Once a day, they take turns entering the pillar and doing farming. And so on until they reached level 30. Since to reach level 31 they need to pass the one-week challenge, they moved to another Pillar which was 10 miles from the first pillar.

The following week they did the same for the second pillar, finishing up to level 30 and then stopping.

After hearing the report, it was time to go for the next steps

When the sun was getting high, Viktor ordered 500 recruits to gather at the center of the camp. He divided the 500 people into two groups, one led by Anna and the other by Viez. But this time not as the Young Master of the Romanov family, but as Metal Guardian.

In the midst of the 1000 people who were at the Earth Realm stage, Viktor gave an encouraging speech to them.

“Congratulations on finishing the basic training, before entering the next floor 31, we will now go to do the first challenge!”

“Yeah!”

The voices of the recruits echoed in the air. They were happy, finally, the person they depended on the most began to intervene. This way they are sure, that nothing is impossible to complete an unsolved level.

After giving encouragement, Viktor led them into the Pillar. But before they left, Anna greeted Viktor who was in the Metal Guardian armor.

“Mister Metal Guardian. Let’s fight together.”

Anna’s words sounded sincere. It was completely different when talking to Viktor not wearing armor.

“Of course,” Viktor replied in a heavy tone. Loud voice like Batman hurt Viktor’s throat, but he still had to do it if he didn’t want his identity to be exposed.

After that, Viktor along with 1000 adventures entered the first Pillar and went to accept the challenge.

Are you ready to fight the challenge?

“Yes,”

1003 people have been registered for the challenge’s battle.

Good luck.

Although this will be Viktor’s second tries, making him to receive much less reward, he still choose to join

The notification of the challenge that Viktor had previously received appeared in front of him again. After Viktor accepted the challenge, the opponent they had to face on the first day appeared.

2000 Uruks Soldiers.

Before Viktor intervened directly to help finish off the Uruks, he wanted to check the recruits’ abilities first. As before, the 1000 recruits were divided by Viktor into two groups. Each group was led by Anna and Viez.

Viktor observed the group led by Viez first. They fought standard strategy. Recruits who have strong defense act as tanks, taking every damage, while those who have weak endurance but have high strength and spirit force act as damage dealers.

According to Viktor, the tactics used by Viez are standard but effective. It’s just that the recruits’ close combat skills are still lacking, thereby reducing the effectiveness of Viez’s strategy.

On the other hand, the tactics used by Anna are more attractive to Viktor.

Anna divided the formation into five ranks. The first lineup were spearman and swordsman. The second line was the troops of archers, while the rear line was their support. The other two groups didn’t form a long line, but it was more akin to a triangle in the position of the right and left wings.

Unbeknownst to Viktor, this strategy was first thought of by the lost hero name Alex.

The Uruks began to attack Anna’s line of defense. Seeing the hordes of Uruks coming rushing in, Anna shouted loudly. “Ice!”

Instantly a three-meter-high wall of ice stood up to block the rush of the Uruks. Instantly the sound of clashing and tantrums was heard. The Uruks tried to destroy the ice wall before them.

Anna, who saw this as an opportunity, once again called out for orders. “The archers are ready. Shoot!”

Instantly fiery arrows flew through the air and pierced hundreds of raging Uruks. The fire arrows did not pierce their skin and burn their flesh. Unfortunately, not all of them died, because the fire arrows could not penetrate the strong armor of the Uruks soldiers.

In addition, several soldiers managed to hide behind shields.

Of course, the ice wall didn’t last long. They started to attack the vanguard getting attacked by the Uruks soldiers.

“Do not be afraid! Use earth spells to protect your body! While the supporters launch lightning strikes!”

The recruits who were in the vanguard, their bodies were shrouded in earthen armor. Their movement effectiveness is reduced, but the body’s defenses are getting stronger. It took four slashes of the sword from the Uruks soldiers to injure the recruits.

As the battle in the vanguard took place, the thin air above them appeared small sparks of lightning. The number was small, then it grows more and more and creates thousands of lightning. Instantly lightning struck.

Blast! Blast!

The thunderbolt killed dozens of uruks soldiers, but not the recruits clad in earth armor.

Of course the uruks in the back row didn’t stand still watching their comrades get killed. Soon they came forward as reinforcements.

Likewise with Anna. “The vanguard stays on! The support line attacks them with spell plants!”

Instantly from the ground grew vines that tied the legs of the Uruks soldiers in the back row. Not only did they entangle their legs, but some of them were also wrapped around their necks so that the Uruks soldiers lost their breath.

Even though Anna’s strategy was effective in repelling the attacks of the Uruks soldiers, the recruits were still overwhelmed. Because they still have limited combat experience.

The few Uruks soldiers who were fighting at the vanguard of Anna’s formation could still withstand the electric attacks. On the other hand, in the back row, the Uruks soldiers were able to escape from the plant spells. The recruits began to be pushed back.

Anna gritted her teeth as her formation started to fall apart.

Suddenly, from above the sky the figure of a man whose whole body was covered in metal plunged down to finish off the Uruks soldier.

Splat! Splat!

Anna’s eyes opened wide when she saw the figure. “Metal Guardians!”

After killing five uruks soldiers at once, Viktor raised his hands and clenched his fists. “Don’t give up! The battle is still on!”

Viktor’s exclamation immediately caught the attention of the recruits. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. The eyes of the recruits that were originally dark have now become bright. Their morale increased drastically.

With Metal Guardians jumping into battle, the tide of battle changed.

———————————-

Written by Avans, Published exclusively by NovelFull,