God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.-Chapter 1146: Boiling Blood (2).

They found the new camp location an hour later.

It was a cluster of rocky formations that created a natural defensive perimeter. It was not perfect, not by a long shot. But it was significantly better than being exposed on open ground, bathing in the terrible energies of this foreign realm.

The rocks would provide cover from both Starfall and direct assault, and the narrow approaches limited how many enemies could attack at once.

Cain watched as his people set up their defensive positions with practiced efficiency. Magic Wards and Shields were established, with watch rotations between the various squads organized, and the wounded were given proper treatment. He watched Susan coordinate everything with calm authority, her natural talent for coordinating with larger groups shining through.

It was rather inspiring and nostalgic to witness.

Cain chuckled, "Must be the wind in this place..."

Then he paused for a min and realized that there was no wind.

Lukas and the Lightslayers took up positions at the most vulnerable approach points, ready to respond to any threats. Most of the Lightslayers possessed blessings that were directly attributed to the god they worshipped.

It was the same for the Beastmen and even the Pilgrims.

In the case of the Pilgrims, even though the power of Balangol was gone from their temple, the Celestial bonds that linked them with the deity was not broken. Getting rid of such things was much more difficult than it seemed.

Besides, although the god had returned back to whatever ether the dead gods dwelled, that didn’t mean it had lost its appetite for divinity.

In fact, it was far from it. The weight of the Divinity shackled was both inconsequential and overbearing.

A permanent stigmata. An anchor and an anvil.

As for the Lightslayers, Cain was quick to notice that they had no temple.

Well, they had once had an island all to themselves, but it had been eaten by an enormous, absolutely horrifying being. Back then, he had been only powerful enough to chip off the tooth of the thing.

Cain frowned, ’I wonder how I would fare against it now.’

He couldn’t be blamed for his curiosity.

After all, he had recently received a few new add-ons. It made sense that he would want to test his limits.

Cain sighed then shook his head.

He’d get to fight to his heart’s content very soon, that was for sure.

He could already see and smell a storm brewing in the horizon.

Hunter and the Beastmen established a perimeter patrol, their enhanced senses better suited for detecting danger in this alien environment. Despite there being no wind, Cain found that the general relative physical properties were oddly the same.

This phenomenon made absolutely no sense. But it was what they had to deal with.

As for Cain himself, he stood at the highest point of their new camp, looking out across the hostile landscape of the Graveyard of Stars.

His {Mana Vault} was still two-thirds full. The internal space within the vault grew alongside his own capacity.

Unsurprisingly, due to the sheer vastness of the power contained within the vault, the rate of energy recovery was simply not up to scale when compared to his individual recovery rate.

His contracted beasts were recovering but combat-ready.

The warriors that had accompanied him into this test were tired but unbroken. The Third Trial had only just begun, and already they’d faced down and destroyed an enemy force ten times their size.

It was simply unheard of.

A month in this place would mean a month of constant danger just like that.

They would be surrounded by the alien threats posed by this strange realm, and possibly more conflicts with other trial participants.

Things were shaping up to look quite eventful.

Cain flexed his fingers, feeling the power stored within him. The {Arbitrator’s Stamp} gloves gleamed softly in the strange light, their enchantments humming with potential.

With everyone having fallen into a delicate balance, into unordained roles, he had also come to accept it as well. However, he knew this was not something that would last forever.

Very soon, he would have to step up and become a reliable leader.

One that didn’t just throw responsibility onto others, but one that was willing to bear the vast majority of the burden, his back wide enough to engulf even the entirety of the heavens

Beyond that, there was also his confrontation with himself. He had become something frightening. A presence of annihilation capable of obliterating armies while being fragile enough that a lucky hit could vaporize all that he was from reality and beyond, leaving no traces behind.

Such a power... It was a strange kind of power.

Overwhelming, and yet, precarious.

But it was his power, and it was his to use as he saw fit. And so, the first thing he’d use it to do, would be to ensure as many of his people as possible survived this trial.

No matter what it took.

Before him, the camp was being established. Guards were being posted. People were finding moments of rest between the constant vigilance required to survive in this hostile place.

For now, they had shelter. They had resources. They had hope.

Hell, they had time to prepare for whatever came next too. As he pondered to himself, blades were being sharpened and inventory of bullets and arrows was being take.

Cain reckoned it would be a decent while before they encountered another confrontation. Still, being prepared didn’t hurt anyone besides the enemies.

Cain huffed and turned his gaze to the sky. The wind was dirty. No. It was dusty. The air felt incredibly static due to the abstract lack of wind.

In the distance, a pillar of flame erupted into the sky— it was one of the {Kaeler Fiend} bastions, burning with the eternal fire that characterized this universe. A reminder that they were strangers in an even stranger, hostile land, surrounded by dangers they barely understood.

Cain watched the flames dance against the multicolored sky and allowed himself a small, grim smile.

This was going to be a long month.