Crack! Crack! The next moment, the sound of shattering glass echoed from afar. Merrick's expression changed as he looked up toward the horizon. The sky, once a clear blue, now had a thick streak of black, as if something cut through it. A tide of black mist surged outward, filling the sky. "It's an eerie intrusion!" Merrick frowned, instantly recognizing what was happening. Beastly cries rang out continuously. The gash widened, and even from a distance, creatures could be seen stirring within it. "It's an invasion! Level one alert throughout the city! Everyone, be on guard!" The calm of the city was shattered. Guards, mages, all NPCs with combat abilities rushed to the city walls. The gash kept expanding, like a black abyss stretching across the horizon. Countless eerie creatures poured out.Unlike the bosses from the Tier Advancement Trials, these creatures came from unknown origins, each twisted and grotesque. Some were humanoid but headless, their place taken by writhing tentacles. Slime dripped from their bodies, corroding any stone or gravel they touched, sending up thick plumes of smoke. Others resembled octopuses but were covered entirely in eyes, each eyeball moving in a different direction. No matter their form, it was a terrifying sight to behold. As their sheer numbers loomed over Leafport, they devoured everything in their way. Merrick floated into the air, observing the overwhelming horde of eerie creatures. When he saw the first twenty in the front, he smiled knowingly. After all, they were a bunch of weaklings. Further back were eerie creatures hovering around Level 30 that could be defeated with one hand. Level 50 creatures were somewhat stronger, but no different from before.As for the ones around Level 70, they were stronger, but it made little difference. Level 90 creatures were powerful but still manageable. And finally, the Level 100 creatures were very strong. Given their corrupted-level boss status, they posed a threat to divine-level beings. Still, with caution, they could be killed. Even now, Merrick remained full of confidence. However, those Level 100 bosses weren't the limit. Merrick's gaze swept past countless eerie creatures, finally landing on the black gash in the sky. Three enormous, Level 100 Lord-level bosses slowly descended. Merrick looked at the three grotesque things, then at the endless horde of eerie creatures flooding their surroundings. Meanwhile, Aiden looked perfectly calm and innocent. It was at this moment that Merrick finally understood why this guy had insisted, so righteously, that he stay behind. He had even planned this far ahead. I'm dead, he thought. Merrick thought he could get through the day easily, not imagining he'd end up with a truly colossal mess. He had underestimated things! Merrick pulled a dried tobacco stick from his pocket, trembling as he lit it. He crouched down and took a puff. The thick smoke curled up, hiding his expression. There was no noble, righteous young man here. This was clearly a ruthless capitalist who wouldn't let a single opportunity pass by. He was just milking Merrick for all he was worth. Fine, he'd play along! Thinking back to how he had sworn Westhand wouldn't lose a single brick, Merrick felt a faint, bitter sadness. All that boasting had been full of hot air, nothing but the water that hadn't yet drained from his brain. "Is everything alright, Merrick?" Aiden asked with a cheerful smile."Don't worry." Merrick extinguished his tobacco stick, slowly rose to his feet, and clenched his jaw. He could lose a life, but he couldn't lose his pride. "I'm a man of my word. Westhand will remain unharmed, and…" Before he could finish, a roof tile flew from afar, hitting the ground with a heavy crash as it shattered. As the massive wave of eerie creatures approached Leafport, the entire city began to tremble. Merrick and Aiden were caught off guard. "Well, the city's been around for ages, so a few cracks are normal," Aiden said with a smile. "It's not your fault, Merrick." "These little b*stards!" Merrick exploded in rage. As a cultured man who had attended Runestone Primary, he naturally used a touch of exaggerated rhetoric. However, this was a slap to his face! He couldn't take it anymore and was going to unleash a massacre!He would shove these filthy, lowly creatures back into their mother nests! He would slaughter them all! "Goddess of Light, please hear the song of your most devout follower… "Lord of Life, I pray to you… I call upon my magic as the source, and bless myself with power…" Merrick began casting buffs on himself, still seething with anger.