Because of Gilgamesh’s sudden action, the battle instantly escalated into a

  full-scale engagement.

  Commanders ordered the archers to fire in unison and simultaneously deployed

  the chariot units.

  The chariots of both armies split into two groups, racing forward to target

  each other’s flanks.

  Chariots pulled by two onagers (wild donkeys) were tactical weapons meant to

  harass infantry rather than collide head-on with other chariots.

  Each chariot carried a driver, a spearman for close combat, and an archer for ranged

  attacks.

  As arrows flew from the front and the flanking chariots also loosed volleys,

  the shield-bearing infantry pressed close together and formed a turtle-like

  defensive formation.

  When the infantry tightened their defense, the chariots charged all at once,

  crashing into them to break their formation before pulling back again.

  A rain of arrows poured down thick enough to blot out the sun.

  When the shooting finally ceased, the generals issued the order for a full

  assault.

  All the infantry surged forward with battle cries and slammed into one another.

  With officers and soldiers tangled together, the war descended into a brutal

  melee.

  Ironically, the ability-users on both sides stood calmly watching each

  other, ignoring the blood-soaked slaughter around them.

  It was Eshiel who broke the silence.

  The flaming arrow he fired struck the ground directly in front of the enemy

  commanders and exploded.

  Eshiel sneered and spoke.

  “Did you come sightseeing? Hurry up and fight.”

  Kashirgal roared out his “War Cry” and charged forward, while Ashurgar, as

  if already prepared, transformed into a giant and rose to his full height with

  twin blades in hand.

  Abarakash created dozens of sand shields, ready to protect his allies.

  Tamar intertwined dozens of vines to form a defensive enclosure that

  shielded Ella, who had transformed into Liana.

  Around her, massive vines burst from the ground, writhing like enormous

  serpents.

  When Elaton and Eshiel mounted the vines, the stems coiled around their feet

  and locked them firmly in place.

  Using the vines’ mobility, Elaton rushed toward Ashurgar, while Eshiel slid

  through the air and fired a single meteor arrow at Thalia.

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  Boom!

  The arrow did not hit its target.

  Gilgamesh caught it midair.

  He fixed Eshiel with an icy stare.

  Ashurgar clashed with Elaton, wielding his terrifying twin-blade technique.

  However, the Hammer of the Earth that Elaton had obtained, combined with his

  monstrous strength, produced overwhelming power.

  When the hammer collided with Ashurgar’s massive sword, one side of the blade

  shattered instantly.

  The difference in their weapons was enormous, but Ashurgar tried to find an

  opening through his dazzling swordplay.

  Meanwhile, Azrael raised the bodies piled across the battlefield and formed

  a wraith giant.

  As a giant made from hundreds of wraiths charged forward with a bizarre shriek,

  Kashirgal met it head-on, swinging his execution blade with ferocity.

  Abarakash repeatedly blocked Eshiel’s sniping attacks and Tamar’s vine

  strikes with sand shields, guarding his allies.

  As Liana endlessly amplified her siblings’ strength and Tamar began providing

  sustained support, Uruk’s ability-users were pushed into a clear disadvantage.

  At that moment, Gilgamesh, who had been standing still, slowly spoke.

  “Thalia.”

  His voice was cold and heavy.

  Then, across the ground where they stood, a reddish magic circle began to

  spread.

  As the circle glowed, Tamar’s vines slammed down and were crushed flat against

  the ground.

  All the ability-users within the circle were pinned down by immense pressure,

  as if gravity itself had changed, unable to move.

  Thalia was shaking a staff that leaked red light. She was Uruk’s grand

  sorceress, one who could freely control gravity—that was the truth of Priestess

  Thalia. She spoke quietly.

  “So you are the ones who killed Marbala. She was… my younger sister.”

  Gilgamesh then drew a golden longsword from its scabbard.

  “I will kill you… insects.”

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