John wasn't the only one in a pinch. Logically, if the others had efforts to spare, then he wouldn't be maimed previously and right now being strangled.
They had thought that the B rankers – even after becoming ten times stronger physically – wouldn't be lethal against A and S rankers.
They were mistaken.
When all the body's limiters were removed, what appeared wasn't just a simple boost of strength.
At the Snowdrifts side, a large barbarian faced off against Tommy. In the crowd they are like giants, standing head and shoulders above the others.
The two struck each other without bothering to defend.
Every punch they dished out, the barbarian would bleed while only a heavy thud resounded from Tommy's body when he was struck.
The Dharma constitution had been honed to the level that normal attacks would not scratch him.
However, if one observes carefully, the one being forced back is not the barbarian. After every punch, Tommy's figure is the one being slowly pushed backwards as snow and soil were dug up by his heels.
Above them, Luciette whose figure seemed to be dancing safely over the savage brawl, fluttered past the dangerous blows exchanged below. In one smooth motion, she took aim and lightly delivered the sharp point of her rapier into the temple of the Frosthral warrior.
It penetrated across the head so swiftly that only a trickle of blood rolled down his cheeks as the gleaming metal came out from the other side.
However, without even the slightly flinch, the barbarian cranked his head, ripping the weapon out of her hand as he looked at her with a frightening smile, "Hi girlie!"
The War God Tattoo did not allow him to die even with a weapon in his head, at least not until his life force is used up.
Her normally-lethal attack is only a mosquito bite to him right now.
An arm shot forth and grabbed the lithe young woman on her ankle and then yanked her over.
Tommy who is still raining blows down had to stop as Luciette suddenly appeared before his fists. He tried but wasn't fast enough as several sharp yelps escaped from her throat as the attacks he launched struck. Tommy wasn't pulling any punches as he fought and thus it was nigh impossible to brake mid-way.
Three depressions in the shape of his fists appeared on Luciette's torso. Without needing a close examination, he could tell a few of her ribs are cracked and her merdians were knocked into disarray.
There are not many could receive his punch and leave unscathed.
Nearby, the eagle-eyed Edward noticed the situation and he went uncontrollably into a rage. No, even if he couldn't see, he would not miss the sound of her voice.
Ignoring the warriors that are attacking him, the archer tried to extract himself and rush to her side. However, just before he could reach, a large hand slammed down on his back and smashed him into the ground.
With his face pushed against the ice, he heard a snicker close to his ears as someone whispered with rotten smelling breath, "Laddie, stay and play with me."
His enraged state caused him to be careless.
If he was far stronger than his enemies, it wouldn't be a problem, in fact, the anger might've helped him.
But, currently, the warriors under the War God Tattoo had incredible perception and wouldn't miss a single opening nor overlook any opportunity.
Kairos' instinct was correct. They do need something to extract them from these crazed barbarians.
The situation on Esley's side was no brighter. The very first line are made up of members of Avgust Arthur's Wispy Willow and these soldiers are as tough as they come.
They grappled with the crazed barbarians and fought bloodily.
But these veterans that are only around B and A ranked died swiftly.
Yet, despite the violence of their exchange, they continued to fight the barbarians fiercely, all the time with a smile on their faces.
It seemed that pain is only a switch to them that could be shut off at any time.
The only reason their team had not yet been routed are the Martial Generals and the Great General Avgust that held up the line. They are the only ones who could stop these attackers from rushing deep into their ranks and tear out the throats of their ranged support and medics.
Unlike Avgust who is at Triple S rank and could handle himself, the generals of the Wispy Willows are only around S rank. They are inferior when compared with the power granted by the War God Tattoo however, these men welcomed the battle, even revelled dearly in it.
Psychopaths.
Even the Frosthral suicide squad felt their enemies these time aren't right in the head. To face death with a smile is strange, but to face it with anticipation like these warriors... it only caused the barbarians to feel a frightening chill down their backs.
The Saint Empire being the number one military force on Gaia isn't just an honorary title.
Just how are these troops trained to become such killing machines?
The Assault Bear unit commanded by Diao Ling are less crazy. They wandered the frontlines like phantoms. Even when their enemies have incredible perception they are hardly detected.
Their mission is to protect the Wispy Willow who are their shield, and attack anyone being stopped by this human-wall.
Unfortunately, the War God Tattoo does not only grant undying and limit removing abilities. It also maximise the barbarians' affinity towards Time and Space.
Their concealment technique was useless before those who could sense subtle changes in their surroundings.
Soon, the Assault Bear unit were beaten back and the situation of the Wispy Willow unit became even more dire than before.
All this time, the Flame Cloud unit are using their strongest binding techniques.
Seals, entrapment runes, illusion and cage stratagems treasure, lit up the skies as they flew into the chaotic melee.
Some of the attacks homed in on the Frosthral barbarians, but most struck friends and foes alike. It didn't matter in either case, because it is a race against time.
Sihala, Martial General Gu, Esley, the three great generals, and the many leaders of Snowdrifts threw in their lot.
The enemies, despite being strong beyond common sense were contained.
At this time, from their west, the last group of ambushers arrived.
They were waiting down the ravine, in case the Saint Empire forces decided to head west instead of east.
The moment these reinforcements saw their foes, they activated the War God Tattoo stratagem. Strange warlike-patterns appeared on their skin and instantly they felt their life ebb away. In exchange, tremendous power suffused them, and their eyes and ears felt clearer than ever before.
Loud boisterous roars erupted from their throats, and like wild beasts, these new force charged towards the Saint Empire soldiers.
"Brothers, form ranks!" Tommy shouted suddenly in response to the new threat. Those that paid close attention would've noticed that he has different clothes on than previously.
As a commander of many, his words now held considerable weight, and his timing was impeccable.
The Snowdrifts barbarians quickly gathered, with Red Blade, Swordy and Sword Slave at the front most.
"War beasts!" He commanded, and thousands of mounts moved to respond to his command.
These creatures howled in anticipation for the coming battle. They are the true colossal on the battlefield, each of them standing taller than a human, and some even as large as a building.
At the front most, the Armoured Giant beat his chest, his eyes crazed with bloodlust as froth dripped from his lips. The war beasts are also a considerable fighting force.
Lastly, Tommy roared, "Royal guards, where are you?!"
Around him, men and women in shining armour stood at attention and these knights shouted their loyal response, "For the empire! For the emperor!"
Tommy nodded in satisfaction, "Good! Then follow me into battle!"
A thousand paces away, the enemies charged.
The Snowdrifts barbarians looked at each other with their blood reverberating with battle fever.
One of them asked, "Uhhh... do you think we should shout something also?"
"We don't serve Saint Empire."
"Then... FOR SNOWDRIFTS!"
Swordy who heard this cry, immediately shouted it like a slogan, "FOR SNOWDRIFTS!"
It isn't strange for barbarians who easily have their blood heated up for battle to have battle cries. When he heard the Vestimore royal guards gave such loud a roar, he is already itching to join in, so when he heard someone on his team shouting, he didn't hesitate to join in.
With one of the leaders of the barbarians roaring aloud, the others also followed suit.
"FOR THE SNOWDRIFTS!"
An ear-shattering rumble struck the incoming Frosthral reinforcements before they arrive.
Quite a few faces darkened, but they did not slow down.
The fame of the Snowdrifts had already spread into the other nations as a terrifying powerhouse.
They were quick to deduce what kind of existence will be meeting them on the battlefield. The War God Tattoo had given them power, but it didn't take away their ability to think. These Frosthral barbarians braced themselves and smashed bodily into the guards in shining armour and the traitors.
However, as expected of the retainers of Galahad Vestimore, they held fast.
The royal guards are all at the level above A rank, moreover, each of them are geniuses that attained knighthood by proving themselves in battle. Battling evenly with enemies a few minor stages stronger than their cultivation is only the minimum criteria.
While individually, the power of the War God Tattoo makes the B ranked barbarians even more powerful than they are, the royal guards' true strength appears when fighting in a group.
After blocking the initial impact, the royal guards immediately tightened their ranks and used their armours to push their enemies back.
They are shoving the barbarians into a smaller area so that less of them could attack at any time and more of them had to wait for their turn.
Even without commands, the royal guards could act like war leaders and easily identify the most suitable battle tactics to be used.
The Snowdrifts barbarians on the other hand didn't have such expertise, but they followed wherever the front led like wolves pouncing on sheep, and just as effectively joined in the formation.
Tommy's timely interception stopped the worst from happening and suddenly the battlefield reached a state of fine balance.
Of course, this thin equilibrium will only last for a while.
An armless barbarian with a gaping hole in his chest rushed towards Kairos.
He had timed perfectly and he propelled himself forward with his mouth wide open aiming at the young commander's neck.
Surprisingly, Kairos did not react in time, and before everyone's eyes, he was knocked over.
Perhaps it was because everyone were too occupied, or maybe the attacker who had no weapons had been underestimated, he managed to slip past.
In a battle, the symbol of each army is flown proudly on flags. The flag bearer must proudly hold it upright at all time, because if it falls, then it means that the army no longer could defend even its own symbol.
Likewise, a commander has the same symbolic meaning for an army. If their leader was taken out, the soldiers' morale will drop just as quickly.
But, what if, one who is a hero in the people's eyes had been subjugated, even for an instant?
The moment Kairos who was at the frontlines was attacked, everyone who saw felt a great fear.
Those nearby were the first to react, but even those as far as the vanguard's defensive line tried to rush over. They ignored their superior opponent, and charged towards Kairos. In an instant, the death toll shot up.
The first leader of the Saint Empire army to fall was Martial General Gu.
Displaying valiance beyond human, he reached before everyone else despite being further away. With one arm, he grabbed the barbarian on top of Kairos and flung the man over the top of everyone's heads, then he bent over and looked at the young commander.
A smile erupted on the old general's face, and he roared, "HE IS FINE! NAY A SCRATCH ON HIM!"
This great yell jotted Kairos out from his trance, and the first thing he saw was a severed arm struck in the chest of the man before him.
The hand, despite separated from its owner, remained filled with power, and it stiffly pierced the old general's chest with no signs of relenting.
Kairos widened his eyes as he recognised who stood before him, and then, Martial General Gu's face fell though he remained proudly upright on his feet.
Without hesitation, Kairos instantly sent the man into his Crystal Valve where the medical team are at, but as an Origin Cultivator, he had felt the last life force leaving the general's heart.
Following Martial General Gu, the remaining defensive line broke.
It was a thin balance thatwas easily destroyed. The Frosthral barbarians had finally gained passagetowards the backrow and could now deal some real damage to their foes.