Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

In a sudden twist, the enemy general shifted his stance, his intention clear: to strike Rain with a counterattack the moment Rain closed the distance. The general's movements were precise and calculated, and it seemed as though he had Rain figured out.

But in the crucial instant before their fists collided, Rain's right hand, guided by instinct and experience, pulled back slightly, diverting the trajectory of his strike.

In a split second, Rain's right hand transformed into a shield, and his left fist, fueled by the might of his Earthen Fist technique, surged forward. The enemy's eyes widened in astonishment as Rain's calculated move disrupted his expectations.

The impact was a double blow, a criss-cross, where Rain's left fist collided with the enemy's torso even as his right hand deflected the impending counterattack.

In boxing, a criss-cross is a counter-punching technique where a boxer simultaneously strikes with one hand while using the other hand to guard or deflect an opponent's counterattack. It's a skillful move that requires precise timing, coordination, and anticipation of the opponent's actions.

In Rain's case, his mastery of both martial arts and magic allowed him to execute this technique with a deadly precision, catching the enemy off guard and delivering a powerful blow while minimizing his vulnerability to a counter.

The sound of punches echoed like a lightning bolt in the area… alongside the sound of the Enemy's general head cracking and neck-snapping. The enemy general was sent flying in the distance and spun in the air for around one hundred meters before he fell and rolled on the ground without being able to move an inch. He was already dead, after all…

The Iron Fists skill has leveled up.

An unknown skill leveled up.

The Punch Mastery skill has leveled up.

An unknown skill leveled up.

…

After a while, the notifications stopped coming, and Rain saw himself breathing roughly. That fight took a lot of him physically and mentally, but it wasn't over yet… Rain could feel the eyes of the enemies on him, and he didn't have much energy to spare.

"Men! Charge forward and kill them all!" Branden shouted.

From the left flank of the battlefield, Branden emerged, leading a determined charge of mercenaries who had rallied to his side. The sight of his friends and allies, including Cor, by his side, bolstered Rain's resolve. They were here to capitalize on the opportunity, to seize victory, and to bring an end to the conflict that had gripped the land.

As Branden's forces surged forward, the collective energy of the human soldiers surged as well. It was as if a spark had ignited in their hearts, rekindling their determination to stand against the invaders. The atmosphere on the battlefield shifted, the soldiers now recognizing the tide turning in their favor.

Rain could see the renewed hope in their eyes, the realization that they had the upper hand. The once-daunting enemy forces that had seemed insurmountable now appeared vulnerable. With renewed vigor, the human soldiers pushed back against the enemy, their battle cries echoing across the field.

Branden's arrival had injected a fresh surge of determination into their ranks. Rain could feel the shift in momentum, the rising crescendo of their collective will to reclaim their land and secure their future.

"I should as well… urgh," Rain grunted in pain. "Maybe I actually shouldn't and leave this much fun to the others."

Rain took a step forward to join the fray, but then he felt a sharp pain in his right leg… he didn't notice it, but his previous charge was so powerful that it hurt his right foot, and now he couldn't step in that well. Rain wouldn't be able to show even half of his strength without his dominant feet.

That only showed that his body was too young for that kind of strain, or perhaps he should train harder. Either way, he felt like he had done enough in that battle and now he deserved a good rest and some good healing.

Revan strode past Rain, their eyes locking for a fleeting moment that conveyed a silent understanding. Revan then assumed a commanding stance with purpose in their stride, leading the royal guards into the fray. The presence of the royal guards, combined with Revan's steadfast leadership, injected an extra surge of morale into the human ranks.

As the royal guards joined the battle, the human soldiers rallied around their determined leaders, fighting with a renewed sense of purpose. The combination of Branden's mercenaries, Cor's tactical prowess, and Revan's royal guards created an unstoppable force that pushed back against the enemy lines.

The magic-wielding enemies, once so confident in their advantage, found themselves at a loss. Their attempts to deploy their powers were met with fierce resistance and unwavering determination from the human soldiers. The sky-high morale among the humans was palpable, a contagious energy that spread like wildfire through their ranks.

Without their fallen general's leadership and facing the human defenders' unwavering spirit, the enemy's tactics began to falter. As Rain observed, the enemy's cohesion started to crumble, their once-coordinated efforts giving way to chaos and confusion. It was a stark contrast to the unity and determination radiating from the human forces.

And then, as if in response to the shift in momentum, the rain finally ceased. The clearing skies and the cessation of the downpour seemed to symbolize the turning point of the battle. With the weather's change, the magic-wielding enemies began to retreat, their confidence shattered, and their resolve waning.

Liss, Asche, and Terra arrived at that time as well, and they formed a barrier around Rain. The enemies weren't that close, but some were still fighting so they could try something against Rain.

Terra looked like she had a lot to say, but she knew that it was useless, so she just silently treated Rain. While he had been reckless, the results speak for themselves… he basically ended the war by killing two of the enemy's generals… the war was over.