Sanctuary: Safe Haven

A full day had passed within the dungeon, marking another opportunity for Canna to engage in war and collect souls for his dragon egg. As he checked his progress toward hatching the egg, he reviewed the current soul count:

21,124 / 1,000,000

Though the number still seemed a long way from the required million, Canna's spirits were high. His progress had noticeably accelerated, and the recent addition of a formidable ally had only enhanced his confidence.

Standing behind him was Grimruk, the black orc, gripping a menacing halberd with an air of readiness. The presence of Grimruk in his ranks made Canna optimistic about the upcoming war. He was well aware of how powerful his new subordinate was.

Earlier, Canna had been briefed on their next target: a goblin camp, but this one promised a different kind of challenge. The conflict ahead involved hobgoblins versus orcs, with the numbers in play being impressive—50,000 in total, with 35,000 goblins and 15,000 orcs.

The hobgoblins held a numerical advantage, outnumbering the orcs two to one. Among the hobgoblins, there were at least two hundred low-calamity and one hundred mid-calamity warriors. In contrast, the orcs, though fewer, were led by two great calamity leaders.

Canna had devised a strategic plan for this battle. Unlike their previous direct assaults, this time they would employ a more tactical approach. Mortem and Canna would use their summoning abilities to raise an undead army to weaken the goblins, while Vorgrim and Grimruk would engage the orcs directly.

The battlefield, a sprawling grassland, would allow for unimpeded movement. Both Vorgrim and Grimruk were eager to test their mettle, especially Grimruk, who had been honing his skills alongside Vorgrim. He was keen to see if his training had paid off.

As the red portal materialized once more, Canna addressed his subordinates with a determined gaze.

"Cause as much carnage as you can. I have only two rules: Don't die and bind those who surrender."

"Yes, master!" Mortem responded with enthusiasm.

"As you wish, my liege," Vorgrim replied with his usual calm. Grimruk merely nodded, his eyes blazing with a fiery resolve.

Canna felt a surge of gratitude for his reliable subordinates. He glanced back and saw Kael standing at the far end of the dungeon, watching them with an anxious expression. Canna waved and mouthed "BRB" before turning his focus back to the red portal.

The foes awaiting them were markedly different from their previous encounters. The increased quantity and quality of enemies would present a significant challenge. Canna and his subordinates would need to navigate this deadly dance with skill and strategy.

With a deep breath, Canna stepped into the portal. The familiar sensation of falling enveloped him as the scenery shifted to a sea of clouds. He braced himself for the impending battle.

Upon landing, Canna surveyed the battlefield. The grasslands stretched out before them, alive with the chaos of combat. Hobgoblins and orcs clashed in a tumultuous melee. The air was filled with the sounds of clashing weapons and battle cries. As Canna's gaze swept over the battlefield, he took in the sprawling scene with a mixture of anticipation and focus.

The expansive grasslands, dotted with the figures of warriors engaged in fierce combat.

Canna quickly assessed the situation and gave the command to Mortem to begin summoning his undead minions. Skeletal warriors erupted from the ground, ready to join the fray. At the same time, Canna activated Bahamuth's Bloody Ring, its crimson glow intensifying as he drained a significant portion of his health, stamina, and mana to fuel the spell.

He promptly cast the Rejuvenating Surge spell, lightning coursing through his body to restore his reserves.

[Bahamuth's Bloody Ring]

Army of the Undead: Raises a massive undead army to march for you, eradicating everything in your path, and bringing death to whoever is foolish enough to stand against you.

100 Skeleton Warriors

100 Skeleton Mages

100 Skeleton Archers

100 Skeleton Riders

50 Death Knights

50 Death Priests

50 Death Warriors

10 Doom Knights

10 Doom Liches

1 Corpse Collector

Cost: 1000 Mana - 70% of Health - 50% Stamina - 50% Mana

The undead began to emerge in the heart of the battlefield. Initially, only the lower-ranking undead appeared, but soon, the higher-ranking units joined the fray. The Death Knights circled around Canna, their instincts guiding them to protect their master. The Death Priests began their healing rituals, mending Canna's wounds and restoring his vitality.

The leaders of the hobgoblins and orcs were stunned. They had barely registered a white-haired human and three other figures falling from the sky when the undead army swarmed the battlefield, wreaking havoc. Things escalated further when Mortem activated his own "Army of the Undead" skill. The already numerous undead force doubled in size with even more imposing high-level undead.

Amidst this chaos, Vorgrim and Grimruk charged forward, their powerful forms cutting through the enemy ranks with lethal precision. Vorgrim's massive axes and Grimruk's halberd cleaved through hobgoblins and orcs alike with ease.

The plan was unfolding seamlessly. The undead army served as a crucial buffer, systematically depleting the hobgoblins' numbers and allowing Vorgrim and Grimruk to concentrate on the more formidable orcs. Canna watched the battle with a grim satisfaction, slightly surprised at the overwhelming strength of his summons.

Each Death Knight alone was a mid-calamity threat, and he had fifty of them at his command and another fifty with Mortem. The Doom Knights, classified as great calamities, numbered twenty on the battlefield, adding to the chaos. Most astonishing of all was the appearance of the Corpse Collector—a true-calamity entity, just one step shy of being a demigod.

Its appearance was straight out of a horror story: a massive undead standing five meters tall, with a muscular, pustule-covered body and a hook for a left hand. From Canna's perspective, the saliva dripping from its mouth seemed acidic. With a thunderous and menacing roar, the Corpse Collectors made their presence known, further escalating the battlefield's terror.

As the clash of steel and the cries of combat filled the air, Canna's thoughts turned to the future. This battle was just the beginning, and he was determined to lead his subordinates to victory.

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