Shien's Fighting Style and Strength

After leaving Tear Knight City, the convoy advanced in marching formation. Mounted scouts rode ahead, heavy shield-bearers and crossbowmen flanked the column, and the Recorder and technicians rode in the wagons at its center.

They had not yet entered the Graymist Defense Zone. Purified tundra lay freshly turned beside the road, which had been repaired and leveled, its waymarkers clearly visible.

Wearing a dark coat, Shien walked beside a wagon, his gaze sweeping both sides of the road. "The rebuilding and purification of this stretch of road are going fairly well."

The Recorder followed behind him, holding a road-condition log.

Shien's steps faltered slightly.

Something subtle changed in the air. A presence drew closer, bringing a faint pressure with it.

He looked down the road, then scanned the wasteland on either side. His expression remained calm.

"Whoa!"

A mounted scout up ahead reined in his horse and raised his left hand in warning.

"Movement ahead!" Another scout turned in his saddle, hand on the short blade at his waist, and searched both sides of the road.

The chill in the air seemed to congeal. Horses pawed the ground, their reins swaying gently.

"Column, halt! Stay alert!" Ivan ordered, his voice clear and forceful.

The guards quickly tightened formation. Heavy shields pushed forward, while the crossbowmen raised their weapons toward the low slope and the shadows beside the road.

Boom! The tundra beside the road exploded.

A Rift-Armored Charger burst from behind the low slope. Its four feet shattered the frozen ground, broken iron shards and black bone spikes embedded in its bone armor, as it charged straight at the front of the convoy.

Ivan immediately took command. "Front shields, hold! Rear ranks, rotate in! Crossbowmen, prepare three staggered volleys!"

The guards swiftly formed a standard marching battle line. Shields locked