The first to strike were the Werebeast.
Their strength and agility were exceptionally high, and their reaction speed far surpassed that of humans. In terms of physical prowess alone, humans were simply outclassed and crushed.
The distance between both sides was only about three to four hundred meters, and the Werebeast closed the gap in just a few breaths.
With ferocious expressions, they charged like true wild beasts on a hunt. Roars erupted from their throats, echoing across several miles, causing any nearby animals to flee in terror.
Among the Corpse Hunterss, some who had previously clashed with the Werebeast had a flicker of fear in their eyes—the deep scars buried in their hearts were being reopened.
Yet, despite this, not a single person retreated.
Riku and a few trusted men beside him let out a roar, charging straight toward the more than a hundred Werebeast without a trace of fear.
"Charge————!"
The others were inspired by this courage and valor, and followed Riku to collide head-on with the Werebeast.
In such a charged atmosphere, even those Corpse Hunterss who had just felt anger and fear forcefully suppressed those emotions, raising their weapons to strike at the Werebeast.
The battle erupted at that moment.
Countless sounds of fighting and screams rang out, accompanied by the noise of blades slicing into flesh, composing a brutal symphony of the most primitive kind of war.
The Werebeast's assault was fierce. Each of them fought like a berserker, wildly swinging the weapons in their hands.
If their weapons were damaged or knocked away, they fought with claws and teeth.
In close combat like this, if caught off guard, even the Forest Elves and Dwarfs could be momentarily overwhelmed.
At first, he thought this would be a one-sided massacre.
But the abilities displayed by the humans exceeded all his expectations.
Every time his kin tried to strike at a human's vital area, a black mist would surge from the human's body, wrapping around their skin to form a thin, pitch-black film that blocked the Werebeast's attacks.
If they tried to forcefully break through, the durability of their weapons would visibly drop at a terrifying rate.
In just under five minutes of combat, the bone spear in his hand—crafted from the leg bone of a Giantkin—had already lost its luster.
This spear had been passed down through generations of Wolf Tribe chiefs; it was the strongest weapon in the entire tribe.
If even his weapon had ended up in this condition, the state of the other Werebeast's weapons needed no further explanation.
With their berserker fighting style, most of the Werebeast's weapons had already shattered. They were now forced to rely on fists in combat.
"Argh!"
In a moment of urgency, the Wolf Tribe Chief made a defensive error, and was pierced by the longsword of a Corpse Hunters—causing a pain so sharp, it felt as if it pierced his very soul.
The next second, the old chief's body erupted with explosive strength. He kicked the attacker in the chest, launching him dozens of meters away.
Such an attack would break several ribs of even a beastman; for a human, it would mean instant death.
However, that attacker used the momentum of hitting the ground to roll a few times, then wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth—and charged again, as if completely unfazed.
The chief quickly redirected his spear to attack the new target.
But the wound inflicted by the longsword suddenly sent a searing pain that nearly made him cry out.
"What the hell is going on?!"
He clutched his bleeding arm, a storm of fear rising in his heart.
Werebeast had extremely high pain tolerance. A few cuts from a sword or even broken bones wouldn't normally elicit a reaction.
But that sword strike, after piercing his flesh, brought an entirely unfamiliar kind of pain.
No—that wasn't quite right.
It wasn't unfamiliar. It was more like being burned alive. The pain clung to his bones, gnawed at his soul...
It was the same kind of pain caused by being corroded by spirit remains!
Realizing this, the chief's expression changed drastically, and he shouted:
"These humans' weapons are infused with spirit remains! Avoid their attacks at all costs!"
Unfortunately, this realization came too late.
Many Werebeast, relying on their physical advantage and employing a strategy of trading injury for injury, had already suffered various wounds.
Even though the humans had fused with Remnant Crystals and gained the ability to control spirit remains, their bodies hadn't grown any stronger.
In close combat like this, Werebeast still held a clear physical advantage.
On average, Werebeast could land ten blows for every single one they took from a human.
But that didn't matter.
Even if Werebeast struck ten times, humans could defend each time using their spirit remains.
And as long as the humans landed just one hit, their enchanted weapons would begin to deteriorate the Werebeast's condition more and more.
Ten minutes… fifteen… twenty…
Before long, the Werebeast, who had initially held a commanding presence and momentum, began to lose their edge.
And after surviving the initial onslaught, the Corpse Hunterss gradually gained the upper hand—transitioning from defending to actively chasing down their enemies, growing more and more excited with each strike.
Under their pursuit, more than a hundred Werebeast were beaten back, retreating all the way to their tribal encampment.
"Grandfather!"
At that moment, a small figure dashed out of the camp.
Hearing the voice, the chief's expression turned to panic.
"Why are you still here? Didn't I tell you to leave with the others?!"
Shielded by the remaining warriors, the chief barely managed to retreat to the rear. Gasping for breath, he sternly questioned:
"You are the young heir, the next leader of the Wolf Tribe. Even if we all die, as long as you survive, the tribe still has hope. Now leave at once!"
"No! I won't leave you behind, Grandfather!"
The wolf girl, though only about eight or nine years old, had a face filled with determination far beyond her age.
"Father is already missing. You're the only family I have left. I won't abandon you!"
"Foolish child..." The chief sighed in exhaustion. "I don't have long to live anyway. If I can die protecting the tribe, it will give meaning to these old bones. If I escape with you, I'll only be another mouth to feed."
"I can protect the tribe too!" the wolf girl insisted stubbornly. "If I use my power, not a single invader will be a match for me!"
"No, you mustn't—!"
Just as the chief's face turned grim and he was about to continue scolding her, the girl's aura suddenly changed.
A powerful gust exploded from her body, creating violent whirlwinds centered around her.
With a sharp cry, her blood began to boil, and the blood seeping from her pores stained the winds around her red.
In the crowd, Riku—still engaged in one-on-one combat with a beastman elite—suddenly looked alarmed.
Given his knowledge, he instantly knew what this was.
Every race had their secret weapons, their ultimate techniques.
For instance:
Heavenstrike of the Flügel (Angelic Race),Fallen Garden of the Elf Race,Primordial Rebirth of the Demon Race,And Blood Rupture of the Werebeast—
These were all terrifying, unreasonable powers that broke through all limits.
Even though humans had obtained power through Remnant Crystals, they still had no solution to deal with such overpowering abilities.
"Origami————!"
Faced with an unexpected situation, Riku didn't hesitate to call out to the one who had given them shelter and protection.
"BOOM————!"
Just then, a figure fell from the sky.
Wearing a snow-white dress, radiating a divine golden halo, Origami Tobiichi descended like an angel from above—her invisibility now undone.
The impact wave blasted away dozens of Corpse Hunterss and Werebeast alike.
Through the swirling dust, Origami Tobiichi walked forward slowly.
"Wolf Tribe Chief and Blood Rupture Individual have been captured."
In her hands, she held both the elderly chief and the young wolf girl.
"Battle over. Surrendered enemies shall not be killed."