Ark Undead

The sound was deafening.

“I do not fight for the Shieldbearers you killed. Nor do I fight for the Ursus of the past.”

"I am here for the living infected. For a future that breaks free from the shackles of fate."

"Just like you. We are not fighting for what we have already lost."

"It's because we've already lost something that we decide we can't afford to lose anything more."

"Therefore, I will not give way. I will keep moving forward."

"Rhodes Island, your value will only be revealed after you kill me."

"Until then, just keep fighting. There's no turning back."

Amiya's lips moved slightly.

She didn't understand why, when there were no other solutions, a conflict between the two sides was necessary to reach the final outcome.

The doctor remained silent; he already knew the patriot's resolve.

Kal'tsit remained silent.

Patriot has transformed himself into a key to unlock all shackles. Now, all that is needed is to go forward on Rhodes Island, defeat him, and all conflicts will be resolved here.

The Reunion Movement remains the banner of the Infected, and their actions will not be regarded as an internal rebellion among the Infected.

Rhodes Island will also have the opportunity to resolve this crisis.

Patriots have made themselves the victims.

"Prepare for battle."

The doctor issued the latest orders and stood at the very front of the line.

"This is a battle with no way out... no, a war. Its brutality is beyond our imagination."

Patriot nodded slightly; he was extremely satisfied with the doctor's decision.

"This is a wise decision. Evil spirit."

"Here, the battle will be decided. The winner will gain the qualification."

"Go and see the final truth."

Rhodes Island!

The patriot raised his rifle, his voice calm and resolute.

"I will march."

...

When Patriot struck the shield for the first time, all the shield bearers followed his lead and stepped forward in unison.

It was like the tremors caused by the movement of a city wall.

The oppressive feeling was like a huge stone pressing down on their chests, making it difficult for the Rhodes Island operators to even breathe.

This is a battle with no winners.

But they cannot retreat.

Under the Doctor's command, Ace Squad and Amiya's squad went to stop the Shield Guards advancing from both sides.

Ace herself, along with Rosemary Amiya, led sniper operators and some casters to continuously hinder the Patriots' advance.

Ace hurled his shield at Patriot, but Patriot deflected him with his spear.

The force Ace experienced at that moment was an immense power he could not withstand.

In just one exchange, Ace's body flew backward like a cannonball.

"Warlock, hold off the other shieldbearers; sniper operators, everyone use explosive bolts to bombard the weak points of his armor!"

As the Doctor gave instructions, Kal'tsit and Rosemary used their Originium Arts to bombard Patriot.

Mon3tr's sharp bone blade swung towards Patriot, but its sharpness failed to pierce any obstacle.

Patriot simply raised his shield and pushed it forward, wedging it at Mon3tr's joint, thus blocking Mon3tr's thrust, which should have been incredibly powerful.

Rosemary's greatsword, lifted by her Originium Arts, slammed down on Patriot's knee like a falling sword of Damocles.

A tremendous roar.

While struggling against Mon3tr, Patriot managed to steady himself, raised his right foot, and stomped the greatsword under his foot. The ground shattered from his stomp, and spiderweb-like patterns spread outwards from the ground beneath the greatsword.

But that wasn't all. Just as Rosemary was about to control the other greatswords to blast forward, a layer of blood-red energy suddenly exploded from Patriot's body.

It was like dust leaking out, instantly enveloping the entire venue.

"This is Wendigo's sorcery! His body unleashes a 'cannibalistic' ritual; he himself is a giant sorcery device."

Kal'tsit said through gritted teeth as she controlled Mon3tr to stop Patriot's advance.

"This is the legend of the Wendigo's cannibalism, and every battle the Wendigo fights is a fight to the death. Because life returns to the bloodline, and the lives of others will be reborn within the Wendigo's body. Any life force lost in his cannibalistic rituals will become his nourishment!"

Ace scrambled up from the side at a remarkable speed and came to Patriot's side, slamming his foot into Patriot's mask.

boom!

Patriot's head remained motionless, only his crimson eyes beneath the mask looked at Ace beside him.

Roar!

Like a giant beast's low roar, the Mon3tr, which was originally able to contend with Patriot and restrain him, was suddenly slammed into Ace's side by Patriot's sudden force.

The two curled up into a ball and flew backward.

"emission!"

Seizing the opportune moment, the Doctor issued an attack order to all sniper operators.

The explosive crossbow bolts detonated in front of Patriot, raising a huge plume of smoke.

But only moments later, a huge figure emerged from the dust.

He continued forward without pausing for a moment.

"Doesn't this restrict him in any way?!"

Amiya murmured.

Patriot's eyes pierced through the dust, looking at the Rhodes Island crew standing before him, trembling slightly.

"Is this your limit?"

Patriot's steps never faltered, and his words, like a magical chant, permeated everyone's minds.

Amiya took two steps forward, straightened her body, and took a gentle breath.

Then, he suddenly activated his Originium Arts, enveloping the Patriot in front of him!

The patriot's vision, which was filled with red light, was suddenly shrouded in darkness.

He did not resist, allowing Amiya to link her spirit with his.

"Everyone, take advantage of this moment and attack... Ah!"

Before Amiya could even finish speaking, she felt a massive surge of emotions flowing into her from Patriot's mind.

Patriot closed his eyes and remained in place, letting Amiya link to his brain.

He knew who the other person was.

But now, he wants to use everything he has to make a prelude.

"Patriot... sir..."

"You can feel everything I feel, right, Caster?"

Amiya originally intended to use her Originium Arts to restrain Patriot's actions, preventing him from advancing and trapping him in an illusion, thus buying time for her teammates.

Unexpectedly, the patriots' emotions, in turn, restrained Amiya.

She couldn't break free, couldn't shift her position, but Amiya didn't back down. She gritted her teeth, faced the oncoming torrent, and plunged headlong into it.

That was the patriot's past, and the life he had lived through all his experiences.

Amiya witnessed Patriot's inability to save his critically ill wife, watching her die on her cold hospital bed, while he had to continue his journey to the battlefield.

He also regretted that he should have stayed on the battlefield in Ursus at that time, but he had no other choice.

Amiya saw it—Patriot's son. Because of Ursus's policies towards the infected, he was thrown into prison and died in endless torture and pain.

He also regretted that he should not have remained indifferent and supported the country at that time, and could only remain silent after receiving news of his child's death.

Amiya also witnessed Patriot rescuing Frostnova on the ice plains. The orphaned Frostnova became Patriot's new family. They were like two lonely monsters, embracing each other for warmth.

He also regretted that he hadn't been able to give Frostnova a carefree childhood. Instead, he had made Frostnova take on some of the burdens on his shoulders, forcing her to consider so much at such a young age, and even decide to exchange her life for a brighter future.

What Amiya saw and felt was an endless tide of regret and resentment that threatened to engulf her.

Beyond Originium Arts, Rosemary, along with other operators, continuously used her greatsword to bombard Patriot's body with Originium Arts.

His armor was cracking inch by inch, and his shield was missing a corner.

“Mr. Patriot... that's enough, that's enough... I understand.”

Tears welled in Amiya's eyes. As a teenager, she bore all of the patriot's emotions and went through everything with him.

Tears slid down Amiya's cheeks, and black mist involuntarily surged up her body, forming above her head.

Let me... give you this last...

After Amiya crossed that boundless river of regret, she will weave a fantasy to completely control the Patriots!

In order to give this respectable soldier a final moment of warmth, Patriot saw his wife, his son, and his daughter in his last moments.

They smiled and extended their hands to the patriots.

"Bozokastie, my love."

"Father, come here quickly!"

"Father, we're all waiting for you."

boom!