“I told you to fall back!” the general snapped, using the distraction to create distance between himself and the monster.

Ethan rolled to his feet, ignoring the fresh pain blossoming in his ribs. “You were losing.”

“And now we’re both losing,” the general retorted, though a grudging respect colored his tone.

The Crystal Ape beat its massive chest, crystals humming with deadly energy as it prepared another charge. Soldiers scrambled to form a defensive line, their faces pale with fear but determined.

“We need to coordinate,” Ethan said, mind racing through possibilities. “It’s expecting individual attacks now.”

The general nodded sharply. “My thoughts exactly.”

He turned to his men. “Spear formation! On my signal!”

The soldiers quickly reorganized, the front line kneeling with spears braced while the second rank positioned their weapons in the gaps. A bristling wall of steel points suddenly faced the monster.

“And what will you do?” the general asked Ethan without taking his eyes off the Ape.

Ethan’s lips curled into a cold smile. “What I do best.”

He unsheathed Han Wei’s sword, then pulled something from his storage ring—a small clay flask sealed with wax. The contents sloshed audibly as he hefted it.

“Oil?” the general guessed.

“Better,” Ethan replied. “Alchemical fire. Burns even underwater.” He glanced at the general. “I will distract it, you can find the right moment to attack with your men. Once you attack I want you to at least hold its attention for one second.”

The general nodded, a grim smile of understanding crossing his bloodied face. “One second is all you need?”

“One second is all I’ll get,” Ethan replied, already moving.

The Crystal Ape roared, beating its chest as crystalline growths flared with deadly light. It charged the spear wall with earth-shaking steps, each footfall cracking the ancient stone beneath.

Ethan darted to the side, Han Wei’s sword glinting in the sun as he zigzagged across the battlements. The blade wasn’t his preferred weapon, but it would serve its purpose—getting the monster’s attention.

“Hey! Crystal shit!” he shouted, slashing his sword against the wall to create a shower of sparks.

The Ape hesitated, its primitive intelligence recognizing the human who’d wounded it earlier. Its massive head swiveled toward Ethan, momentarily forgetting the spear wall.

“That’s right,” Ethan taunted, backing away. “Remember me?”

The monster roared, abandoning its charge to pursue this more hated enemy. Soldiers exchanged uncertain glances, unprepared for this change in tactics.

“Hold position!” the general barked. “Wait for my signal!”

Ethan led the Ape on a deadly dance across the battlements, always staying just beyond its reach. Each time the monster lunged, he dodged with Enhanced Speed, letting its massive fists crash into stone instead of flesh.

“Is he insane? One wrong move, and he is almost a banana to eat,” a soldier whispered, watching Ethan taunt the Silver-rank monster.

“Shut up and be ready,” another hissed back.

The Crystal Ape grew increasingly frustrated, its attacks becoming wilder, less coordinated.

‘Perfect. It’s losing its cool. But wow is it fast, it’s nearly putting up with my speed without any speed talent.’

Ethan’s eyes never left the flask clutched in his left hand. Timing would be everything. Too soon, and the monster might recover; too late, and he’d miss his window.

“General!” he shouted, ducking under another devastating swing. “Now!”

The general’s silver aura flared like a beacon. “ADVANCE!”

The spear wall surged forward as one, dozens of steel points driving into the monster’s back and flanks. The Ape howled in pain and rage, momentarily forgetting Ethan as it twisted to face this new threat.

That single moment was all Ethan needed.

He darted forward, Enhanced Speed carrying him directly behind the distracted beast. With precision, he hurled the flask at the monster’s back, aiming for the spot where the spears had already pierced its crystal armor.

The flask shattered on impact, alchemical fire spreading across the monster’s back in viscous blue flames. Simultaneously, Ethan activated his fire talent, pouring mana into the flames.

The blue fire turned crimson, then blazing white as it consumed the monster’s flesh.

The Crystal Ape shrieked, a sound like shattering glass amplified a hundredfold. It thrashed wildly, clawing at its burning back.

“PUSH!” the general roared, his silver aura condensing around his blade. “DRIVE IT BACK!”

The soldiers redoubled their efforts, spears attacking the monster from every angle. Each strike found its mark with precise coordination. Although the attacks weren’t lethal as they weren’t strong enough. They still did very minor damage that made the Ape angry and lose control.

The other monsters watching their leader lose immediately stopped their attack on the walls and returned to help their leader. Like a tide pulling back from shore, the lesser beasts abandoned their assault in favour of protecting the wounded Silver-rank.

Seeing that, Ethan smiled.

“Counterattack! Kill the monsters that are running, their backs are towards you!”

The general also glanced and noticed that, eyes widening at the tactical opportunity.

‘He is good..’

Sergeant Wei and his squad exchanged surprised looks, then broke into fierce grins.

“You heard him!” Wei shouted, raising his blood-stained spear. “They’re running! Chase them down!”

A young soldier hesitated, grip tightening nervously on his weapon. “Sergeant, is that wise? Leaving the wall undefended?”

“The wall doesn’t need defending if nothing’s attacking it!” Wei shot back, already moving. “Now move your ass or I’ll kick it down there myself!”

The soldiers leapt into action, racing along the parapet to rain arrows and spears on the retreating monsters below. Others rushed down staircases to engage directly, catching the creatures from behind.

“Front line! Leave the Ape! Attack the monsters, sandwich them. Leave the ape to the general and the officials!” Ethan commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos with unexpected authority.

For a heartbeat, the soldiers hesitated, caught between his order and their official chain of command.

“DO AS HE SAYS!” The general shouted, as he fought against the crystal ape who started regaining its footing.

That was all they needed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep