Spikes erupted across a forty-meter radius all at once, emerging from the ground like a forest of stone blades. Most awakeners in the vicinity were unable to heed Moon's warning due to slower reaction times or being caught mid-attack. They were all engulfed in the devastating area-of-effect assault.

Tens of awakeners disappeared as they died, their bodies dissolving into light. They respawned moments later within the same spike-filled zone, only to find themselves dying again immediately as stone pierced through their newly formed bodies.

The area had become an automated death zone. Even those re-spawning were losing lives repeatedly, trapped in a cycle of death and resurrection that drained their life pools with terrifying speed.

Within the span of seconds, many had already suffered multiple deaths. Some were dangerously close to permanent erasure.

Realising the catastrophic attack was claiming lives faster than anyone could react, Moon, Kael, and the other surviving awakeners needed to act immediately.

"Attack the bear! Earth mages, quickly destroy the spikes. We need them gone!" Moon shouted, abandoning his offensive against the creature entirely and focusing his elemental manipulation on removing the earthen spikes.

Despite being weak, these awakeners were incredibly useful to the fight. Their large numbers allowed Moon to be safer, with them dead, he would most certainly be one of the fewer awakeners focused by the bear, and he didn't want that to happen.

Fire wouldn't work efficiently for his goal. So, Moon switched to using his earth affinity through Five Element Affinity, altering the environment. It was a battle of elemental control against the bear's superior earth mastery, but Moon's Epic-rank affinity gave him enough power to make a difference.

Since there were so many spikes spread across such a wide area, Moon prioritized his skill strategically. He focused on saving those awakeners who'd shown the highest combat effectiveness before the technique activated, targeting the spikes around their specific spawn locations.

He removed clusters of stone around a lieutenant who'd been dealing heavy attacks with his team. Shattered spikes threatening a powerful warrior who'd been holding the front-line. Cleared space around mages who'd been contributing significant damage.

In the span of approximately thirty seconds of intense concentration and rapid elemental manipulation, Moon managed to save roughly thirty awakeners from permanent death by creating safe respawn zones before their lives ran completely dry.

As they escaped the death trap and retreated to safer positions, many turned toward Moon with expressions of gratitude.

"Thank you! You saved my life!" one warrior shouted as he limped backward, clutching a stamina replenishing potion.

"I owe you one!" a mage called out, her voice shaking with relief as she realized how close she'd come to permanent erasure.

"We won't forget this!" another awakener added, already moving to assist others still trapped in the spike field.

But Moon had no time to acknowledge their thanks. His attention snapped back to the immediate threat.

The Mountain Bear wasn't finished. The creature had already begun charging again, its massive body thundering directly toward Moon with the single goal of removing his existence.

The devastating spike technique had served its purpose perfectly. It had eliminated or severely weakened the overwhelming number of awakeners who'd been converging on the beast from all sides. Now, with most threats neutralised or forced to retreat, the bear could focus on its primary target without interference.

And that target was Moon.

The creature had recognized him as the greatest threat. The one who'd killed its assassin partner. The one coordinating defenses. The one who needed to die.

Moon's mana reserves were dangerously low after the extended battle and the intensive earth manipulation he'd just performed. His stamina was flagging. His body ached from dodging, casting, and constant movement.

But he couldn't stop now.

Lightning began crackling weakly in his left hand as he prepared for the collision.

Kael appeared at his side, fire already gathering in his hand. "We end this together."

Moon nodded grimly.

The Mountain Bear roared and prepared its final charge and it was nothing short of apocalyptic.

ROARR!!!

The creature's bellow shook the entire western section of Ironpeak Base, and in response, the remaining beast horde charged alongside their alpha. Dozens of creatures that had been fighting independently suddenly converged in a team death rush. This was the final gambit, the decisive push that would either break the defenders completely or fail catastrophically.

The bear led the charge, using all three of its massive arms as weapons of mass destructions. The two shoulder arms swept outward in wide arcs, crushing anyone foolish enough to remain close. The central chest arm struck downward repeatedly, pulverizing awakeners who tried to stand their ground.

Simultaneously, the creature channeled its overwhelming earth affinity to assault those at range. Stone spikes erupted along flanking positions. Boulders materialized mid-air and launched toward mage formations. The ground itself became a weapon, opening chasms beneath fleeing warriors and creating walls that trapped defenders in kill zones.

Moon, Kael, and the remaining high-level awakeners formed a desperate last line of defense.

"Hold the line! Don't let them break through!" the surviving lieutenant shouted, his voice hoarse from screaming commands.

Kael unleashed his most powerful fireballs in rapid succession, each explosion buying precious seconds. The spear woman fought with praiseworthy courage, her weapon finding the vital organs of beasts. Marcus, still weakened but refusing to retreat further, fought against the weaker beasts.

Moon channeled what little mana remained, alternating between lightning strikes to paralyze charging beasts and earth manipulation to counter the Mountain Bear's terrain control.

But it wasn't enough.

The sheer numbers were overwhelming. For every beast they killed, two more took its place. The Mountain Bear's relentless advance pushed them backward step by step, its three arms creating a zone of death that nothing could penetrate and survive.

A wolf-variant beast slipped past the frontline and lunged at Moon from his blind side as he focused his attacks on the bear.

Moon twisted desperately, his staff coming up to block, but the creature's momentum drove him backward. Claws raked across his side, shredding through his cloak and tearing into flesh beneath. Silver Skin absorbed some damage, but the attack was too powerful to completely stop.

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