The ever-growing beast horde

Two companies from the First Legion were the first to reach Egret Bay.

They were led by Aldrick, commander of the Seventh Infantry Battalion. He had served as a commander through fifteen blood moon seasons and had led several operations to clear river monsters near the Water Spirit Defense Zone.

Aldrick stepped onto the northern embankment and raised a hand to halt the troops behind him, then took his adjutant up to the crest.

The river had already turned dark red.

On the shallows near the transfer station, gray-white monsters were crawling out of the water.

Their breastbones were broad and flat, their limbs hugged the ground, and the two gill sacs on the sides of their necks opened and closed with every breath.

River mud clung to their cold, wet scales. Their bone claws dug into the embankment, scraping away a layer of wet earth with every step upward.

Aldrick recognized them after a few glances. "Coldmarsh Riftgill Beasts."

His adjutant raised a spyglass and scanned the riverbank. "About a hundred and twenty along this stretch. There are signs of movement in the reeds downstream, too."

Aldrick relaxed a little.

These creatures were hardly rare in the Water Spirit Defense Zone. The First Legion had encountered Coldmarsh Riftgill Beasts in several previous river operations.

The tactics for dealing with them were well established.

First, secure the high ground and have the shield bearers block the approaches up the embankment. As the Gillsplitter Beasts climbed, they would raise their heads, exposing their gill sacs and eye sockets. The crossbowmen behind the shields would concentrate their fire on those two spots. Any monsters that broke into the position would then be dealt with by spearmen thrusting through gaps in the shield formation.

This pack was even smaller. Dealing with it would