Building The First Adventurer Guild In Another World

Chapter 319: War Ignition

For a fleeting moment, the entire ruined city was enveloped in an eerie silence, the kind that hangs heavy just before chaos erupts.

In that brief pause, Sage and Riven faced each other across the shattered ground, their eyes locked in a tense yet calm exchange filled with everything that had built up since their last encounter.

The wind drifted lazily through cracked buildings and desolate streets, stirring dust into thin streams that twisted like smoke. Surrounding them were hundreds of figures, frozen in place, watching, waiting, with hands resting on weapons and bodies coiled tight as if ready to spring at the slightest cue.

Not a word was spoken; not by Gregor or Brutus or Caelis, nor even Mina, who for once remained silent, her small hands clenched tightly as she gazed at the man responsible for so much suffering.

Valeria stood at the front with her sword poised lightly in hand, her crimson eyes fixed on Riven with an intensity sharper than any blade.

Then suddenly, everything shattered.

It began with movement so swift it blurred the line between stillness and action, a surge of energy erupting from both sides simultaneously as if an invisible signal had been given to all present.

The first clash rang out like thunder, shattering the silence completely, a forceful explosion sending debris flying as weapons met with a resounding clang.

Sparks shot through the air while the ground cracked further under the pressure of impact. In an instant, lines formed naturally as both sides surged forward, transforming the once-quiet ruins into a chaotic war zone alive with shouts and clashing steel.

Gregor was first among Sage’s group to act; his earlier restraint vanished as he charged forward like a streak of green light. His sword sliced through the air with a sharp whistle as he closed in on his nearest enemy in an instant, rage twisting his features.

The man barely raised his weapon before Gregor’s blade cleaved through him cleanly from shoulder to waist.

Without breaking stride, Gregor pivoted again; this time compressed wind gathered around his sword’s edge before launching forward like an invisible blade, cutting down two more foes in one swift motion and leaving behind a spray of blood and lifeless thuds.

Brutus followed closely behind him, hammer already swinging as he barreled into enemy ranks. Each heavy footfall shook the ground beneath him while he swung his weapon wide; its force created shockwaves that pushed enemies back even before contact was made.

When his hammer finally struck home, it crushed multiple foes at once, bodies crumpling under impact like brittle clay, as deeper cracks formed where it landed.

With grim determination etched on his face, Brutus pressed forward relentlessly; each swing left destruction in its wake while creating space for others to advance.

Vanthrice moved with a fluid grace, her figure blurring as she zipped across the battlefield like a flicker of light. Her bronze spear flashed in quick, precise strikes, piercing through enemies before they even realized she was there.

Unlike Brutus, who relied on brute strength, or Gregor, who charged in with raw aggression, Vanthrice’s movements were controlled and efficient. Each attack targeted a vital point; every step was calculated to minimize danger.

One moment she stood before an enemy; the next, she was behind him, her spear already passing through his back before he could react. As she maneuvered, her sharp eyes scanned the chaos around her, constantly adjusting to ensure that every strike counted.

Caelis held a position slightly behind the front line. Though quieter than his companions, his role was no less crucial. He focused on timing and positioning as he supported those around him.

His spear moved with practiced precision, redirecting attacks and creating openings, ensuring their formation held strong against overwhelming numbers.

His expression remained calm, but a cold determination burned in his eyes; he silently vowed that history would not repeat itself at any cost.

At the center of it all stood Sage, his gaze darting across the battlefield as he absorbed everything, the positions of allies and enemies alike and the ebb and flow of combat.

Despite his heart still simmering with anger, his mind remained clear and calculating. Without hesitation, he raised his hand; in an instant, multiple magic circles appeared around him, glowing brightly as they formed one after another.

Each circle pulsed with power as he began to cast spells: a fireball shot forward, not just any fireball but one that exploded on impact like a small blast, sending enemies flying while flames spread outward.

Simultaneously, wind blades sliced through another group of foes before they could react. His movements were smooth and almost effortless; spells flowed seamlessly from one to the next as areas around him transformed into zones of destruction where enemies dared not tread.

But the opposing forces were no pushovers, they were coordinated and prepared for battle. Their attacks came from multiple directions: some engaged directly while others flanked or targeted weaker members of Sage’s team.

The clash of weapons rang out continuously amidst the chaos, the sound echoing sharply as metal met metal and each impact shook the ground beneath them, causing cracks to spread and debris to rain down upon them in this already ruined city turned battleground.

Blood stained the earth, mingling with dust and stone, a chaotic tapestry where it became increasingly difficult to discern where one fight ended and another began.

Amidst this turmoil stood two figures untouched by chaos: Riven and Valeria.

From the very beginning, neither Riven nor Valeria had acknowledged the chaos surrounding them. Their focus was solely on each other, as if an invisible barrier separated their confrontation from the tumult of battle.

Riven stood with a faint smile, his single arm relaxed at his side and his sword held loosely. Opposite him, Valeria maintained a straight posture, her sword angled slightly downward and her expression cold and unreadable.

For a few moments, they simply observed one another while the battlefield raged around them.

"You’ve gotten stronger," Riven said calmly, his voice rising just above the noise yet reaching Valeria clearly.

Valeria didn’t respond right away; her gaze remained locked on him. After a brief pause, she replied in an equally calm tone, "You’ve gotten worse."

Riven let out a light chuckle that almost drowned in the surrounding chaos. "That’s a matter of perspective."

Another second ticked by before both of them moved.

There was no warning or preparation, just a sudden blur as they vanished from their spots. In an instant, a massive explosion erupted between them.

The force of their clash sent shockwaves across the battlefield, pushing back allies and enemies alike and cracking the ground beneath them.

Nearby structures crumbled under the impact’s intensity. Even those caught up in battle paused for a moment, instinctively reacting to the overwhelming pressure generated by that single exchange.

Sage felt it distinctly from afar, the sheer difference in power pressing against his senses made him glance toward where Valeria and Riven had been standing.

Dust and debris filled that space now. Before he could fully focus, another explosion followed, this one even stronger than the last, sending another shockwave rippling outward.

When the dust began to settle again, both figures were already gone; their presence had vanished from that spot.

A distant boom echoed through the ruined city.

Then another and another.

Each explosion grew stronger than its predecessor, marking a fight that had escalated far beyond its initial location, tearing through everything in its path.

Sage exhaled slowly, his expression tightening as he shifted his attention back to the enemies before him.

Yet he couldn’t shake off the weight of that clash, a stark reminder that while they fought here, another battle was raging elsewhere; one with stakes far greater than this moment alone.

Somewhere in the distance, hidden behind clouds of dust and collapsing structures, Valeria and Riven collided once more, their power ripping through what remained of the city as if it had never existed at all.