The main forces that could be gathered using only the magic stones within the base were archers, spearmen, and shield bearers at best.

Of course, upgrading weapons would make them stronger.

However, if Casanova's opponent was an Ent, the situation was entirely different.

The Ent, a gigantic tree monster, was nearly impervious to swords.

Furthermore, its sprawling branches could instantly massacre lightly armored soldiers.

If four Ents blocked a narrow passage, no matter how many archers and spearmen charged at them, they would melt away like ice cream.

In this battle, where his life was on the line, Casanova carefully observed his opponent’s movements and executed a meticulously planned strategy to exploit any weaknesses.

But something felt off.

‘By now, they should have attacked several times already.’

If his opponent had prioritized troops over securing additional magic stone collection sites, that meant he was aiming for an early decisive victory.

Casanova had preemptively built numerous Flame Arrays to counter an attack before his Ents were ready.

‘Something’s wrong. He hasn’t left his base yet?’

The two Hellhounds stationed at the enemy's base entrance were still standing guard.

His opponent had yet to take a single step outside his main base.

The longer this dragged on, the more advantageous it became for whoever collected more magic.

The one who gathered more magic would inevitably gain the upper hand.

‘No way?!’

A dreadful realization struck Casanova, and he sent two Claws that had been collecting magic to scout the area.

And just as he feared—

[Enemy detected.] [Enemy detected.]

At the 6 o’clock and 3 o’clock locations, he discovered the opponent’s magic stone collection sites.

Lee Shin had only pretended to be holed up in his base while secretly expanding his collection sites in two additional locations.

‘Damn it!’

He was actually gathering more magic than Casanova. Time was no longer on Casanova’s side.

Panic set in.

“Advance!”

Twenty Poison Spore Flowers and four Ents began moving forward.

But as they passed through the central battlefield—

Whoosh— Boom!

“Gah!”

“Ack!”

A massive boulder flew in from the distance, instantly crushing two Poison Spore Flowers.

‘Catapults?! Damn it!’

Beyond the hill in the central area, enemy catapults were launching boulders.

If multiple catapults fired at once, the fragile Poison Spore Flowers would be annihilated.

Realizing the danger, Casanova abandoned his advance and pulled his troops back.

‘This isn’t over yet.’

From three magic circles, he summoned eighteen Hellhounds.

Though weak in health, Hellhounds were fast, cheap, and could be summoned in large numbers. He planned to break through the enemy’s defenses with them.

But just then—

“Charge!”

“Obey the Contractor’s command!”

“For the Contractor’s victory!”

A wave of troops surged forth from Lee Shin’s defensive line.

[Knight: A warrior with exceptional combat skills. Armed with superior weapons and armor, they ride on horseback. When charging, their normal attacks deal triple damage.]

Ten knights lined up in formation and launched a simultaneous charge.

“Charge!”

“Charge!”

“Trample them all!”

The knights’ charge was terrifying.

From the rear, the catapults launched boulders, disrupting the formation of the Poison Spore Flowers. Seizing the opening, the knights surged forward!

‘No! Avoid the charge!’

Casanova desperately shouted his command. If the Poison Spore Flowers were caught in the full-force charge of the heavily armored knights, they would be trampled beyond recovery!

The Poison Spore Flowers frantically retreated to avoid the knights' charge.

However, the knights' charge was aimed at the Ents.

Crash!

Crack!

The heavy lances wielded by the knights effortlessly shattered the Ents' massive, sturdy bodies. The Ents, being slow-moving creatures, couldn't even evade the charge.

A difference in natural advantage!

The natural predator of an Ent was none other than a knight.

In an instant, Casanova lost all four of his Ents.

‘I can't just sit back and take this!’

He was already falling behind in magic collection.

If he retreated now after suffering only losses in battle, the situation would become even more dire.

As soon as the knights' charge ended, the waiting Poison Spore Flowers rushed forward and released their deadly spores.

Shhh— Shhhshhh—

The spores spread like a dust cloud in all directions!

But annoyingly, the knights swiftly turned their horses and retreated after taking down the four Ents.

As the Poison Spore Flowers chased after them, catapults from the rear launched boulders in response.

Boom!

“Kieek!”

“Kiik!”

Casanova lost two more Poison Spore Flowers and had to pull his troops back.

‘How is this guy supposed to be a rookie who just became a Contractor?!’

His understanding of unit matchups was flawless.

Knights were strong against Ents. When charging, they were also strong against Poison Spore Flowers.

However, once knights finished their charge, they were vulnerable to being surrounded and wiped out by a concentrated spore attack from the Poison Spore Flowers.

And what was the perfect counter to Poison Spore Flowers? Catapults!

By leveraging the battlefield’s terrain, Lee Shin had perfectly executed this combination.

‘But if I send in the Hellhounds, things will change.’

Casanova planned to use a combination of Hellhounds and Poison Spore Flowers to break through the enemy’s defenses.

As soon as the eighteen Hellhounds were summoned, he sent them toward the central battlefield where the fight was ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Poison Spore Flowers were ordered to wait just outside the range of the catapults.

But then—

Whoosh— Boom!

A massive boulder, launched from the west, crashed directly into the middle of the gathered Poison Spore Flowers.

“Gah!”

“Kiieek!”

“Kiek!”

Four Poison Spore Flowers were killed instantly.

‘What?!’

A catapult attack from a completely unexpected direction.

The enemy had positioned their catapults precisely at the outer edge of their range to strike.

Cold sweat dripped down Casanova’s face as he quickly pulled the Poison Spore Flowers further back.

But moments later, another catapult attack came, forcing him to retreat yet again. And then another. Each time, he had no choice but to keep withdrawing his troops.

By the time he regained his composure, he had been pushed all the way to the edge of the battlefield.

The enemy had gradually seized control of the battlefield, expanding their effective range with the catapults like a rising tide, leaving Casanova utterly trapped.

‘This is unbelievable.’

His opponent had precisely identified the optimal attack points for the catapults and was using them to take control of the battlefield.

Despite being someone who had fought in the Second Battlefield, Blue Rain, for a long time, Casanova was being completely outmaneuvered.

It wasn’t even that he had suffered a massive defeat.

Yet, somehow, the situation had shifted drastically against him.

‘I have to break through this pressure!’

Casanova gritted his teeth in frustration.

If he lost again, Amdusias would fall to the lowest rank.

At that point, he would no longer be allowed to remain a Contractor. His life of indulgence, full of pleasures, would come to an end.

‘If that was all, I'd be lucky! That bastard might even throw me into hell!’

Casanova was desperate.

He squeezed out every bit of magic power he had to assemble his forces.

A large number of Hellhounds, Poison Spore Flowers, and twelve Ents. He was utilizing the advantage of summoning monstrous troops en masse within a short time.

‘I’ll break through with sheer force!’

Casanova launched his attack.