“It’s too cold here. Let’s gather everyone and move out,” Wyn says as he starts waking his team, while David takes care of rousing the rest of the army.

  “Why are you up already, Oppa?” Mira asks, emerging slowly from her tent with Lisa trailing behind. Her eyes narrow as she notices Wyn. “Wait! Are you even healed yet? Let me take a look! Strip!” she demands, hands on her hips.

  “I’m fine, I’m fine. I emptied both cat saliva vials on myself,” Wyn replies, waving her off.

  “I don’t believe you. Let me check!” Ignoring his protests, she reaches to lift Wyn’s shirt from the back, causing him to visibly stiffen with discomfort. “If your vials are empty, how are you supposed to heal now?”

  “Relax! I can just use yours,” Wyn teases. “But seriously, I’ve got it covered. I collected some vials from the fallen. See? I have six now! Enough to share with all of us!” He pulls the vials from his pants pockets.

  With Yu finally stirring from his deep slumber, the entire army gathers around Wyn and David. David begins by announcing, on behalf of the nerds, that Wyn will officially take Wei’s and Steve’s place as co-leader of the army. Cheers erupt from the group, particularly from Wyn’s team, who seem the most energized by the news.

  David continues, explaining the latest update. “Now both Wyn and I individually have the ability to summon a moderator. However, if done alone, opening the portal will take more time.”

  “Also,” Wyn interjects. “David is now officially part of our team!”

  The announcement is met with wide smiles and excitement from his team. Lisa immediately charges forward, wrapping David in a warm hug, and the rest quickly follow, piling into the embrace.

  “Welcome, Mister David,” Lisa says as she sinks her face into David’s chest.

  “Thank you, miss. I’m honored to officially join as a fellow friend. Just to be clear, I’m not replacing anyone – Wyn is still the leader.” David responds. He feels their collective grip tighten around him, and for a moment, the team of five silently shares a heartfelt connection.

  “The tax system didn’t work. We were too weak to stand any chance against the gods,” a soul speaks up from the crowd, breaking the moment.

  Wyn releases his grip from David and steps forward to address the group. He announces that from this point onward, any essence obtained in battle will be shared equally among everyone. Factions are no longer necessary – there will only be one united entity working toward the same goal. The announcement draws cheers from the army, though the realization that they aren’t even halfway to the top quickly tempers the mood.

  As the army prepares to return to the same oasis they had emerged from, Wyn grabs a dog. Activating the translator feature, the trembling doberman hesitates but eventually begins explaining Ra’s peculiar obsession with cows.

  The story begins with the original Earth cows being abducted by aliens and subjected to experiments. Having suffered greatly, the cows rebelled in what they called a “moo d'état” and seized control of the saucer they had been confined in. The specific details of how this happened have never been told. As it turned out, the saucer was a sentient being with strength rivaling that of a Heaven guardian, its loyalty tied to whoever controlled it.

  Aimlessly wandering through space, the cows – lacking any sense of direction, obviously – eventually caught Light Force’s attention as they somehow found their way back to Earth. The saucer was captured and stored in Light Force’s void, within a space that became increasingly overcrowded over time. Before the Heaven and Hell divide, Light Force’s sought to offload the creatures inside to another space, appealing to various guardians across different levels. Most refused, citing the saucer’s immense size and power, but Ra, intrigued by its potential, accepted it into his domain.

  Miraculously, Ra and his fellow gods found a way to communicate with the cows. In exchange for sanctuary, the cows commanded the saucer to construct a massive pyramid as a symbol of mutual trust, turning it into part of the saucer.

  As for the gods' ties with cats, Ra had briefly encountered them before the Heaven and Hell split, admiring their elegance and cunning intelligence. But after the divide, the gods were forced to sever ties, and the adored creatures drifted away. Though the loss was profound, Ra chose not to dwell on it – especially since, for whatever reason, the cats couldn’t resist pooping all over the sand, as if old habits from their past lives still lingered. He never liked the smell much anyway, so shifting his full admiration toward the cows wasn’t too difficult.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Finally, the doberman explains how the dogs came to be in the oasis. Dogs and well-behaved souls were occasionally granted permission to leave the city, though they did so at great risk, as the sand worms lurked, ready to devour any who strayed too far.

  “Good job. Now scram!” Wyn barks at the dog, who flees on all fours, tail against its rear.

  As the army is being transported back to the oasis by the last two wind users, Wyn’s gaze drifts toward Mira. She clings tightly to Lisa, her arm adorned with James’ band pressed close to her chest.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t get to ask earlier, but how are you holding up?” Wyn asks.

  “Lisa’s still shaken,” Mira replies. “I’m doing my best to cope. I promise I won’t be a burden. If anything, I’m more determined than ever.”

  Yu shifts his attention to Wyn. “What about you? How are you holding up?”

  “Honestly? I’m on the brink of a breakdown,” Wyn admits. “But I’m holding it together because I still have you guys. What about you?”

  Yu hesitates, his expression unreadable. “I feel...numb. Like my head is empty, and I don’t even know what to think.” He pauses, his gaze flickering between Wyn, Mira, and Lisa before settling back on Wyn. “Thank you for taking the leader’s role. If we’re struggling, knowing you, I can’t imagine what you’re going through. You must be carrying so much more.”

  The team falls into a heavy silence, Yu’s words sinking deep. Wyn lowers his eyes, searching for something meaningful or reassuring to say, but nothing comes to him.

  David, who has been peering ahead for the oasis, finally turns back to the group. “There’s no point in comparing who has it worse,” he says, his voice calm. “Everyone here has felt the brunt of this, and none of it can be downplayed.” He glances at the team, his lips curling into a faint smile. “Let’s try our hardest to get back together – even if we’re in pieces.”

  David’s light chuckle breaks the tension, drawing faint smiles from the others. Gradually, the team falls into conversation – not as lively as usual, but enough to fill the silence – until they arrive at the oasis.

  Wyn exhales deeply at the sight of the portal. After everything that has happened, it feels more menacing than before, though he knows it’s just his imagination. A heavy weight pounds against his chest, each beat bringing a sharp, stinging pain. Turning to David, Wyn asks him to address the army.

  Standing near the portal as David speaks, Wyn listens but feels a growing sense of inadequacy. He doesn’t think he deserves this role – or perhaps, he just isn’t ready for it yet.

  “Let’s go, Wyn. Let’s head inside,” David says, giving Wyn a reassuring pat on the back.

  “Wait! Let’s go in together – all five of us,” Yu interjects.

  With the final headcount confirmed, sixty souls remain: fourteen from Skill Tree, twenty-six from Freedom Faction – six of whom are puppeteers – five from Imperial Order – four of them puppeteers – ten Neutrals, and the rest from Wyn’s team.

  Together, Wyn’s team steps into the portal, holding each other’s hands. On the other side, they emerge into a serene haven, a paradise alive with the sound of singing animals, real and full of life.

  “Oh, look! I’m a princess now!” a soul widely known as White Snow among her peers exclaims, standing at the head of the army as animals begin to gather around her. Small birds perch on her head and arms, chirping, while larger animals curiously sniff her.

  Suddenly, the animals start tugging at her, trying to pull her apart. Despite their efforts, her form remains intact – their strength no match for hers. Angry, she retaliates, dispersing the creatures and rolling them into snowballs as she laughs menacingly.

  “A bipolar princess,” Yu mutters.

  A sharp, piercing sound, reminiscent of a megaphone, echoes through the air, followed by a voice.

  “Please don’t hurt the animals. They serve as our surveillance cameras and are difficult to replace. Anyway, you must be the Hell army. Welcome! Just keep walking straight, and you’ll find a magical gate.”

  The army murmurs among themselves, uncertain of how to proceed. Unable to find any useful information on this level, yet reassured by the voice's repeated assurances of their safety, they move forward cautiously. Despite their vigilance, any sudden movement triggers an instinctive barrage of attacks, and some of the animals are unintentionally killed in the chaos.

  “I said, don’t kill the animals, please!” the voice pleads, a note of desperation creeping in.

  The army presses forward until they come across a large mirror wall, its surface gleaming and reflecting both the beauty of the forest and the whole group. Curiosity sweeps through them as they all gaze at the mirror, mesmerized by its clarity. Suddenly, the mirror ripples and swirls, almost as if it’s alive, beckoning them to enter.

  Taking no chances, the army quickly forms a chain, each soul gripping the hand of the one behind them. David, taking the lead, steps forward first, followed closely by Wyn. Then, one by one, the rest of the team follows.

  The army finds itself standing on the deck of a gigantic warship, its surface barren and devoid of decoration, stretching as far as the eye can see.

  "I've been waiting for you for a long time," a figure says, the same voice that spoke to them earlier.

  "Why does he look so familiar?" Lisa wonders aloud, squinting at the figure.

  "It can't be!" David exclaims. "Damien?"

  "Oh, so you already know me!" the figure responds. "This should make things even more complicated."

  "No way. Damien and the army of one hundred?" Wyn says, his voice laced with shock.

  "How? Did you betray Hell?" David presses, his suspicion growing.

  Damien raises both his hands in a gesture of peace. "There's much to explain. Follow me inside, and you'll see I'm not a threat," he says, inviting them to step forward.