Liam could instinctively feel a threat as if the grim reaper was coming for him. He knew he would be the enemy's target.
The veteran didn't panic. This wasn't the first time he had been in such a situation. His thoughts moved quickly, pondering briefly.
Usually this would be a great time to send out his thieves, but unfortunately those were preoccupied.
"Let me help you!"
"My barrier will shield you, my friend!"
Two familiar voices reached Liam's ears as Silver Blade and Radiant Shield offered their help. Liam did some brief calculation, nodding his head.
The fight continued for a few seconds until the mages had finished their casts. On Golden Fang's signal all kinds of attacks suddenly reached Liam.
The other Dream Avenue members stared at the sky in shock, as it suddenly changed colour. Fire, ice, holy, dark. All kinds of magic were bundled, causing a violent spectacle with the power to overturn the battlefield.
"Damn! Dodge, guys!"
"No, they are aiming for the commander!"
"Mirage!"
"Damn those b*stards."
The guild members cursed angrily, intensifying their attacks. The warriors who jumped into the crowd fell one by one while even the enemy tanks began to bleed.
Ironically Liam remained completely calm. He even had the leisure to kill a distracted enemy warrior.
A holy sword struck form the heavens at an incredible speed, like heavenly punishment. Radiant Shield reacted instantly, casting his [Holy Barrier] on Liam. Simultaneously Silver Blade used her [Aura of ranged protection].
While Radiant Shield didn't dare to get close to the magic damage, Silver Blade had no such scruples. She appeared in front of Liam like an impenetrable wall.
Unfortunately, not all skills could be blocked easily. The holy sword coming from above flashed through the air, striking right on top of Liam.
[-495!]
Radiant Shield's holy barrier rippled like a lake of water welcoming the impending rain, which came in the form of a plethora of magical skills.
Silver Blade narrowed her eyes as her body tensed up. A fast-moving ice spike shot through the crowd, ignoring its allies, aiming for Liam's chest.
Before it could find its target, it was blocked by Silver Blade's steady shield, shattering upon impact.
[Stance -16]
Silver Blade swayed as her last bit of stance was used up. Now she could only use her body to defend. The ground shook as a fire ball exploded above Liam's and Silver Blade's head.
[-61!]
Withstanding the impact Silver Blade scoffed. The damage wasn't even enough to prove useful in filling her passive. The difference in level and especially equipment couldn't be bridged easily.
Simultaneously she activated one more skill. It was [Steadfast], which could only be used after receiving magic damage and reduced incoming magic damage by ten percent for a while.
Golden Fang watched anxiously as his less than thirty mages fired their attacks. His expression hardened noticing that their attacks barely tickled Silver Blade. Only a few mages stood out dealing up to three hundred points, which was still not a threat to the tank though.
Those attacks which bypassed Silver Blade and reached Liam caused some relevant damage at around five hundred points, but they were blocked by the golden barrier enveloping the commander.
When the storm of attacks subsided Liam had not lost a single HP while Silver Blade was quickly back to full life with the help of Dream Avenue's healers.
Liam thanked his two tanks, continuing the fight as if nothing had happened. Meanwhile the other guild members felt the tension leave their bodies, replaced by righteous anger.
"How dare you gang up on our commander!"
"Guys, it's time for payback!"
"Destroy them!"
Shouts shook the battlefield as Dream Avenue surged towards the enemy. With the enemy warriors invading their backline dead, nothing held the guild back.
The guild members learned from their enemy, taming up on single players, bullying them with their numbers.
Since Dream Avenue had more people in the fight to begin with, the pressure which now befell Force of Nature was immense.
Seeing the situation turning unfavourable, Golden Fang didn't hesitate and ordered a retreat.
His fellow guild members showed reluctance but despite all their lust for battle they knew not to fight a losing battle, following Golden Fang's order.
Force of Nature tried to break away from the fight, but naturally Dream Avenue didn't want to let them off easily.
After a short chase however, Liam signalled everyone to stop. Chasing here was wasting a lot of time. He didn't want Force of Nature to succeed in retrieving the relic. He was certain that their current position allowed them to take it all.
Forming his own plans, Liam acted swiftly. As soon as Force of Nature left his view, he instructed his guild members. He sent the bulk of them in the direction of the relic, ordering Silent Acacia to seek out the nearby scout teams and taking command over them.
Liam himself took only 25 people back towards the base. Out of his friends only Balm, Cyclone, and Braag went with him.
"Mirage, are you crazy? Force of Nature lost at most forty people. How are we supposed to defend against them?!", asked Braag in shock as he followed Liam towards the base.
"Old man, just trust our expert. Mirage must have a plan."
Braag rolled his eyes seeing their guild leader's blind trust. It's not that he disparaged Liam, but that he thought Cyclone, as a guild leader, should not rely entirely on others.
Just now if the mages had managed to kill Liam, they would have desperately needed someone to step up and stabilize the situation. Thus, he decided to probe Cyclone somewhat:
"Guild leader. Why don't you try to guess what Mirage is planning?"
"Isn't it obvious? On one side we grab the relic and on the other we defend the base! If Silver Blade and the others win fast enough, everything belongs to us!"
"But how can we hold the base with twenty-five people?", asked Braag sharply.
"We still have that blizzard scroll. It should be enough."
"Didn't you see Mirage hand the scroll to Silver Blade?"
"Eh... really?"
Cyclone blinked, her mouth wide open. Suddenly she didn't feel so sure anymore. Turning her eyes she sceptically voiced everyone's confusion:
"Mirage, how do we defend the base?"
Having listened to the conversation Liam chuckled faintly:
"What do you think is our guild's biggest trump card?"
"Of course it's me!", proclaimed Cyclone proudly, earning her an amused gaze from her friends.
"Nice try."
The friends arrived at the town while talking, entering through the gate. No one figured out what Liam was hinting at. With a chuckle he pointed forward, stating matter-of-factly:
"This is our biggest trump card!"
Cyclone followed Liam's finger, staring at the centre of the town. She saw the command table revealing the battlefield's map.
Frowning, Cyclone figured that Liam couldn't hint at the command table since both guilds had this thing in their bases. Her eyes wandered some more and fell on an inconspicuous figure further down the road.
It was Fonor, standing below a tent, bent over a table of blueprints. The architect didn't have much presence in the guild war. Cyclone asked Liam before and knew that the NPC was more like a trophy displaying their guilds achievements and couldn't be affected by the war.
Still, thinking about the architect's effects, she asked puzzledly:
"Is it Fonor? Can he construct something for us?"
"Almost. Let me show you."
Knowing that it would be difficult to figure out on one's own, Liam led his guild members to the command table.
"Construction menu!"
When Liam called out, a menu suddenly opened in the air above the table, leaving the onlookers stunned.
"There is such a hidden function?", asked Cyclone in surprise, earning her a sigh from Liam.
"It's not hidden at all. You can read up on this in the guild association. Judging from Callida's reputation I guess Force of Nature should know as well."
"Hehe..."
Cyclone chuckled awkwardly feeling that she was lacking as a guild leader. Surprisingly it was Braag who patted her shoulder to cheer her up:
"Don't be discouraged! We all know you have been working hard to set up the guild and recruit members. Others already had existing structures, saving them some time."
"Right, you're a great guild leader, Cyclone!"
"You control the number one guild, who would dare to say you are worse than others?!"
Cyclone felt indescribable emotions seeing everyone speak up for her. She clenched her fists, her eyes filled with pride. Wasn't this exactly what she and Balm had been dreaming about?
Even Liam smiled encouragingly before turning towards the construction menu.
He threw a glance at their available points.
260 points. Corresponding to 52 kills. Meanwhile we have only lost 19 players. After this investment our chances will be great.
Liam calculated in his mind as he browsed through the options. A simple watch tower, able to drive back the fog, costs 10 points, which would be reduced to 8 thanks to Fonor's effect.
But Liam ignored it. He needed something which would allow the group of twenty-five to defend against nearly one hundred people.