However, the players and Firewood Collectors knew nothing of what had happened to Ashes Guide.
After the effects of Ignorance had ended, large numbers of players traveled in groups. Guided by the Eye of Flame-Seeking, small teams gathered into armies and rushed toward the Eternal Summit.
Yet during this time, the Extinguishers were also quietly making their moves.
This time, The End did not arrive at the Eternal Altar ahead of schedule as they had last time. Instead, they dispersed their forces, planted footholds throughout the Burning Land, and continuously attacked the players, using small units to strike at and whittle down the players and Firewood Collectors.
Unfortunately, Wiserk, the Firewood Collectors' strongest combatant, had fallen into an Extinguisher encirclement within a swamp.
"Hehe—Wiserk of the Bonfire, the strongest Firewood Collector. I've heard much about you."
A wormman of The End gave an eerie smile. His clothing was exceedingly strange, as though it had been meticulously stitched together from great quantities of fresh flesh and skin.
Before him stood three Time Worms, along with several Purple Jar Fallen Fire Apostles of Fallen Fire Twilight.
"The strongest? I can't bear such a title."
Unmoved by the mockery, Wiserk narrowed his eyes as Warfire slowly began to burn.
"Coming away unscathed from the White Ruins inhabited by the Desolate Ferocious Elephant—that isn't something an ordinary person can accomplish. We've been watching you for a long time," the wormman said.
The Desolate Ferocious Elephant he spoke of was no ordinary monster. It was a "ferocious symbol" carrying a trace of the aura of Desolation Kindling.
Moreover, the place where it dwelled was far from simple.
The White Ruins were a unique region left behind from the Daytime Era, connected to the Daytime Kindling of old. From the players' perspective, it was a "special