The four strike teams launched their assault in unison. Henry, Jacobs, Nathan, and Harold, each astride their valiant warhorses, spearheaded their formations, charging headlong into the fray.

  The Necromancer, anticipating their attack, had laid a treacherous three-tiered defense.

  The outermost layer consisted of weak Skeletons and Zombies, their primary function to delay, buy time, and hinder the less formidable.

  The second line of defense was held by Rank 2 Undead such as Tainted Zombies, Skeleton Champions, and cunning Wraiths, interspersed with deadly traps: concealed spike pits beneath the barren earth, and razor-sharp metal wires strung at the height of a charging steed. Here, they were positioned to slow the advance of stronger warriors and present significant challenges to those of Rank 2.

  The third and deepest layer, surrounding the heart of the graveyard, was guarded by the Necromancer's most powerful Undead, true engines of war. Alongside them were meticulously placed dark magic spells, potent enough to grievously wound or instantly kill any who dared to approach.

  The four strike teams swiftly breached the outermost defense with relative ease, but as they entered the second layer, countless spike pits unexpectedly opened beneath their horses' hooves, and treacherous metal wires repeatedly snagged their advance. Left with no other choice, they were forced to abandon their loyal steeds and continue the assault on foot. The Undead lurking behind the obstacles were already poised to engage.

  Jacobs led his formation like a caged beast finally unleashed. His heavy greatsword swung with terrifying force, "CRASH!" - three Skeletons standing before him were blown away like straw dummies, shattering into pieces mid-air.

  "Die, vermin!" Jacobs roared, slamming the tip of his greatsword into the parched earth. A powerful tremor rippled outwards, violently shaking the ground and causing a wave of Zombies ahead to fall prone. Before they could rise, his comrades surged forward, swiftly dispatching them.

  Henry moved like a blur, a living arrow. He didn't unleash a flurry of blows, but each strike was lethal. A lightning-fast horizontal slash - the head of a Tainted Zombie was severed, falling to the ground with a sickening thud. Immediately following was a graceful spin, his blade scything through and crushing the spine of a Skeleton Champion, causing it to collapse into a heap of bone fragments.

  "Keep moving forward! Don't stop!" Henry yelled, simultaneously deflecting attacks and counterattacking, his feet moving with the fluid grace of a dancer amidst a rain of blood and white bone.

  Far off to the right flank, Harold - the Rank 3 Paladin - presented a starkly different spectacle. His pristine white cloak billowed in the wind, the warhammer in his hand, wreathed in holy light, formed brilliant halos. Each swing of his hammer unleashed a storm of light upon the Undead.

  "By the Light!" Harold bellowed, bringing his warhammer down with immense force. A blinding wave of light swept across the battlefield, incinerating the undead into ash amidst desperate shrieks. His pure holy power was the most terrifying bane of the Undead.

  Nathan led his formation forward slowly but with unwavering solidity, like an unstoppable war machine. The massive shield before him gleamed, his formation a tightly knit block of steel. Under the calm and resolute command of Nathan - the Rank 3 Shield Captain - their every step crushed the opposition.

  "Hold the formation! Three steps to the left! Thrust right!" Nathan's voice boomed amidst the clash of weapons and the savage roars of the Undead. He was a mobile fortress, deflecting any undead that dared to approach, perfectly shielding his comrades behind him.

  The clang of metal against dry bone echoed across the desolate land, shields collided with skeletal frames, and savage roars emanated from both sides, creating a deadly symphony in the land of the dead.

  Henry swiftly rolled to evade a surprise attack, then darted into the enemy ranks, his sharp sword slicing through the head of a hovering Wraith. His figure flickered in and out of the swirling dust, then suddenly appeared behind another undead, his cold blade piercing its spine from the rear. With the two light emblems he and Sophia wore, the surrounding undead were noticeably weakened.

  "Their weak point is the neck! Strike to the left!" Henry shouted, directing the soldiers fighting beside him, sharing his invaluable combat experience.

  On the left flank, Jacobs continued his furious sweep. With each swing of his greatsword, at least three or four Rank 2 undead fell, their bodies shattering into pieces.

  "Filthy trash!" he roared in fury, delivering a powerful kick to a skeleton, sending it flying into the air before cleaving it with a swift downward stroke, causing its remains to explode like splintered wood.

  However, the Necromancer's second line of defense was not so easily breached. Suddenly, from the dense bushes and undulating mounds of earth, fire traps and clouds of purple toxic gas began to appear, inflicting significant casualties on the Zephyros soldiers. Some unlucky soldiers stumbled into the traps, falling in agony.

  "Stay away from the purple smoke! It's poison!" Harold yelled, simultaneously summoning holy light to heal his injured comrades, the burning wounds and toxin-induced injuries gradually mending under the ethereal glow.

  Sophia, always at Henry's side, began to chant. Gentle streams of light magic emanated from her hands, purifying the toxic fumes. Then she used another spell to imbue the weapons of her surrounding comrades with light energy, causing each blade and spear tip to gleam with a pure ivory light, granting them power against the darkness.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  As Group One fought deep into the second line of defense, Group Two also launched their assault in unison. They quickly utilized holy water and purifying powder to suppress the undead in the outermost layer. This action was crucial, significantly reducing the pressure on Group One, because as the stamina of the outer defense line was depleted, they would no longer be able to encircle and hinder the advancing strike team.

  Normally, when the strike team penetrated deep into the enemy ranks, the outer defense line would tend to press inwards, forming a dangerous encirclement around the strike team. To continue their advance, they would often have to detach a small group in the rear to hold back the Undead, which significantly reduced their attack speed.

  Furthermore, the strength of the strike team would gradually dwindle after each breached defense line, sometimes leaving only a few individuals by the time they reached the Necromancer's position.

  Now, thanks to Group Two's attack from the inside, forcing the Undead to turn back and defend, Group One no longer had to endure the pressure of being encircled from behind, allowing them to fully concentrate on advancing forward.

  In less than thirty minutes of fierce fighting, the three strike teams had penetrated deep into the final line of defense. Flames raged from destroyed traps, and undead corpses littered the ground, creating a chaotic and deadly scene. Nathan's team was still steadily sweeping through the middle layer, their combat efficiency stable and effective.

  Meanwhile, in the heart of the base, within the encompassing darkness of a large tomb, the Necromancer stood silently, his bloodshot eyes following the unfolding battle, incomprehensible words murmuring from his lips:

  "Not bad… truly powerful. This must be why you were confident enough to charge straight in."

  He raised his gaunt hands, an eerie greyish-blue light gathering beneath his feet, drawing a complex summoning circle that pulsed with dark energy.

  From the cold earth, a series of new, mid-level undead emerged. They were larger, faster, and shrouded in a dense, bone-chilling killing intent.

  "Damn it…!" Henry gritted his teeth, sensing the sudden surge of danger.

  The Undead roared in unison with chilling sounds, the death knell echoing through the silent forest, heralding a new threat. These new undead were far more numerous and powerful than the previous defensive layers. Meanwhile, more than half of the holy water and purifying powder they carried had already been used.

  Just as the situation became critical, a pure, divine light flooded the battlefield, partially dispelling the darkness.

  Harold raised his radiant holy sword high above his head. A vast halo of light spread outwards, encompassing all three strike teams - "Holy Armor." An invisible layer of light armor enveloped their bodies, enhancing their defenses and granting them power against the darkness.

  Sophia and the other Mystics in the team acted simultaneously. Streams of light aura flowed through each comrade's sword and spear, bestowing upon them divine power. Henry felt a gentle yet potent energy coursing through the hilt of his blade.

  "Can't let these things block our path any longer!"

  Henry tightened his grip on his sword, charging forward like a black lightning bolt, piercing through the onrushing undead, heading straight for the center of the graveyard… where the Necromancer awaited him.

  The mid-level undead surged forth like a dark tidal wave, sharp claws screeching, cold white bones flashing amidst the swirling dust. Yet, the three strike teams held their battle formations, step by step, pushing deeper into the core, where the Necromancer was hiding.

  Jacobs was the leading spearhead. His greatsword was a storm of steel sweeping across the battlefield, no undead able to impede his advance.

  "Get out of my way!" he roared like a lion, unleashing a powerful horizontal slash.

  "CRASH!" - An entire line of mid-level undead was sent flying, their bodies shattering, skulls rolling across the ground.

  A colossal Rank 3 Bone Keeper appeared, jet-black armor covering its entire frame, the large sword in its hand moving silently as it stepped forward, blocking Jacobs' path. Jacobs narrowed his eyes at the monster, then charged into the attack without hesitation.

  The clang of metal echoed deafeningly, sparks flying in mid-air. Jacobs' heavy blade crashed down with terrifying force, creating shockwaves that churned up the earth. They exchanged nearly a dozen blows in just a few short seconds - but with a sudden, unexpected reverse strike, Jacobs deflected his opponent's hand, then immediately brought his blade down in a direct strike at the Bone Keeper's head.

  "CRACK!" - The thick black helmet shattered, the Undead Knight's head split in two, the eerie green light within extinguished.

  "Get out of my way, vermin!" Jacobs roared, continuing to lead the formation, nothing able to stop him from breaking through the enemy lines.

  On the other side of the battlefield, Harold was like an angel descended. His white cloak billowed with each powerful stride, his radiant warhammer mercilessly slaughtering the undead. A swarm of cunning Wraiths flew towards them, trying to latch onto the soldiers' souls, but the holy light emanating from Harold incinerated them in mid-air, leaving behind agonizing shrieks. He raised his hand, chanting an ancient incantation - "Holy Wave!"

  A blinding wave of light washed away dozens of Undead charging towards Harold, turning them into inert piles of ash.

  Henry moved through the chaotic melee like a black shadow. He constantly shifted, weaving through the enemy's attacks with skillful agility, counterattacking with astonishing precision. Every time an undead seemed to have caught him, a cold blade would suddenly appear from below, piercing their throats or splitting their skulls from the back of their necks.

  "The target is at the center! Eliminate the Necromancer!" Henry yelled, his voice echoing amidst the undead roars, his eyes as sharp as daggers.

  Sophia ran close beside him, continuously casting support spells. Brilliant arrows of light shot from her hands, piercing the high-level undead, causing them to falter for precious moments, allowing Henry to deliver the finishing blows.

  "We're close!" he shouted, his eyes having found their target. Ahead of them were only a few remaining layers of weak undead.

  Beside him, with a powerful "Rupture Breaker" strike, Jacobs shattered the last of the Undead blocking his path. Behind them stood the Necromancer, positioned in the center of a massive summoning circle that glowed eerily. His body was withered and pale, as if life was slowly abandoning him.

  But the bloodshot eyes still gleamed with a sinister and malevolent light.

  "Unexpected… you truly managed to break through. But… it's too late."