Chapter 74 Death
A tremendous explosion.
The air became a wall, pushing in on me.
The next instant, my feet left the ground, and my body was sent flying.
Including me, the members of Cutting Squad were blown away by the blast for dozens of meters, but Expert explorer's physical body was much more resilient than a normal person's. The blast itself didn't have that much killing power, and since I had taken a safe distance beforehand, I was able to withstand it without a problem.
On the other hand, as a "Beginner Swordman," my physical strength is several levels lower.
I hastily deployed [Aura Armor] to withstand the blast.
I adjusted my posture in mid-air, using my hands to slide down the snowy slope and land safely.
After killing my momentum and sliding for several meters, I finally confirmed the location of the blast epicenter――where Nord was supposed to be. But Nord's figure was nowhere to be seen. The snow around us had been blown away by Io's [Fiery Deathstorm], so there wasn't much steam obstructing our view. However, at the spot where Nord was supposed to be restrained, a [Giant Heavy Dragon Scale Spear] was stuck in the ground, looking like a giant bone.
When I looked around the blast epicenter, Io's Magic Squad and Garon's shield team seemed to be unharmed.
They probably used [Dome Shield] and [Fortress] together. The magician who had been covered by them didn't even get a single scratch, and hadn't moved an inch from their spot.
After confirming Io's safety, I looked up at the giant Dragon Scale spear stuck in the ground.
Nord's figure had vanished, and there was no sign of their body regenerating.
So, had Nord died?
The answer was yes, but it was clear that didn't mean the end of the battle.
Nord had died. But the parasitic creature that had made Nord's body special was still alive.
"What the...?"
I couldn't help but mutter to myself.
That crimson-black, slimy mass. I had heard the information about it from the guild's scouts. But there's a huge difference between hearing and seeing it. I've never seen or heard of a slime with this kind of appearance. I mean, how is it even floating in mid-air?
It looked like a crimson-black, amorphous, and eerie mass floating in mid-air. No, it's not a mass, but more like a crimson-black, semi-transparent liquid... That might be a more accurate way to describe it.
Calling it a slime is way too understated.
It floated in mid-air, squirming and changing shape before my eyes.
From a simple spherical shape, it transformed into a complex form.
First, wings grew out of the sphere. Six to 12 pairs of crimson-black wings spread out wide.
Next, the spherical part of its body began to change shape, slowly but surely. At first, it had a large, fetus-like head. Then, it gradually grew, changing from an infant to a girl, and finally, to a mature woman.
"――――――――."
The scene was so surreal that everyone present was left speechless.
What appeared was a beautiful woman with 6 to 12 pairs of wings. She wasn't wearing any clothes, and her stunning body line was shamelessly exposed. Her figure was so divine, as if crafted by a god, and her beauty was worthy of being called an angel or a goddess.
However...
Her beauty was only skin-deep. Her entire body, including her wings, was formed from that crimson-black liquid.
It was all just a mimicry of shape, and her true essence was that of an amorphous, slime-like creature. She didn't have eyeballs, but somehow, I could sense her gaze.
That's because, in the place where her eyeballs should be, a golden light was residing, as if it were a substitute for her eyes.
Parasite... No, I'm sure of it. [God's Remains Labyrinth] had an incident called the "Great Outbreak," where multiple parasitic creatures, the source of Unique Individuals, emerged. And now, the main body of that parasite is right in front of me.
Let's call it... a false angel.
The false angel's gaze, without flapping her wings, was fixed on me, floating in mid-air.
It's not just me.
I glanced around to confirm that everyone was surrounding me, and then I spun around once on the spot. The moment my gaze finally stopped at a certain point, I felt like I had finally broken free from my restraints.
I stored the Black Radiance in my Storage Ring and took out "Jadeite" instead.
I infused my aura and drew my sword.
My unique sword technique, [Blast Flying Blade] variation――[Roaring Wind Blast]
Boom――
The aura cannonball shot out from the tip of my sword, piercing the false angel and easily blowing its entire body to smithereens.
The loud explosion echoed, and the other members also snapped back to reality.
I started running forward, shouting towards Io.
"――Io!! Hold your ground!!"
For an instant, Io turned around, and I showed him "Jadeite".
If it was Io, who had fought alongside me to take down numerous unique individuals, he would surely understand what I was trying to say.
As expected, Io immediately began giving out instructions.
"Don't let it escape! Cutting Squad, take it down to the ground! Don't let it move freely! Garon, try to defend against its attacks or restrain it! Magic Squad, use Wind Magic to disrupt its movements!"
Io was already preparing himself while giving out orders.
He was probably preparing Flamemagic.
On the other hand, the false angel, which had lost its form and dispersed into countless fragments, suddenly reassembled itself in an instant, taking back its original shape.
It looked like it hadn't taken any damage at all.
In reality, it was likely that it had taken almost no damage.
Whether I could call that regeneration ability or not was questionable, but it was clear that a half-hearted attack wouldn't work, just like with the previous aberrations. Moreover, since it had 'shed its host' and was now in a semi-liquid state, I couldn't even use Dragon Scale spears to restrain it like I did with Nord.
But.
I knew how to take it down.
The false angel, despite being in a female form, was slightly larger. Its height was hard to estimate, but it was probably around 2 meters (≈6.6 feet) tall.
But even though it was large, it wasn't like Nord, who was abnormally gigantic.
The reason we had to restrain Nord was that we couldn't disintegrate and incinerate its massive body all at once. And the false angel wasn't that enormous.
So, its defeat method should be simpler than Nord's, and the same method used on other Unique Individuals should work.
Therefore, I switched to my sword "Jadeite" and Io prepared his Flame magic for incineration.
If there was a problem, it would be that the false angel's goal, now that it had abandoned its host, was probably to escape, but――Lady Eva's [Four-Square Boundary Disruption] was still active. No matter how hard it tried to flee, the false angel couldn't escape.
Normally, a false angel that had lost its host would weaken, and with time, our victory would be certain.
However――
I swung my sword.
My unique sword technique—[Whirlwind Continuous Blade].
I released countless blades, waiting to surround the false angel. Just like with other Unique Individuals, I planned to create a cage with numerous wind blades and slash it while trapping it.
The other strategy members also moved according to Io's instructions, blocking the false angel's path without flapping their wings, and each of them launched their attacks.
The false angel, which had been moving erratically, trying to escape, reacted intensely when it saw my [Whirlwind Continuous Blade].
"――――!?"
As soon as it noticed the wind blades circling around it at a certain distance, it released thunder from its entire body.
Thunder Magic――[Stormbreaker].
The wild thunder released by the false angel, along with the other numerous attacks, erased all of my waiting [Whirlwind Continuous Blade].
"This guy!?"
A bad premonition ran down my spine.
I couldn't believe it, but I unleashed [Whirlwind Continous Blade] once again.
The parasite pointed the palm of its hand at me.
Thunder magic――[Thunderclap]
I dodged the multiple lightning bolts coming at me by using [Rapid Flash] to move quickly.
However, [Whirlwind Continous Blade] wasn't so easy to dodge. The wind blades were erased by the lightning before they could even surround it.
I'm certain.
"Damn, it knows...!!"
I sprinted across the snowy ground, trying to circle around to its blind spot (if it even had one). But it didn't avert its gaze, its golden eyes fixed on me without blinking.
It's clear it's on high alert.
Or rather, it's on high alert against [Whirlwind Continous Blade].
It doesn't seem to consider my other techniques a major threat, so it's probably true.
It must know that [Whirlwind Continous Blade] has killed other Unique Individuals, and that it's effective against it too.
And what's with it being able to use lightning magic even after losing its host?
Could it be that it can also use the abilities of the monsters it's devoured or parasitized?
Since it's a parasitic existence that can take over monsters, I might have underestimated it by thinking its true body was weak. Could there be a parasite stronger than its host?
Various thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant.
But none of them were certain, and the only thing I knew for sure was that I couldn't trap it with [Whirlwind Continous Blade] as things stood.
"What a pain...!!"
Still, I had to find a way to trap it somehow.
If it's on high alert, then I'll just have to push it to its limits and see what happens.
For that, I'll start with...
My unique battle technique――[Rapid Flash][Skywalk Rapid Flash]
I leaped into the air, soaring even higher above its head.
Up until now, Fiona and Glen's attacks had kept the enemy from moving around much, but it was uncertain how long that would last.
I took a position above the enemy, making sure not to let them escape into the air.
I planned to keep my distance and continue attacking, hoping to find a way to turn the tables. If I got too close, the others might accidentally hit me, so I had to be careful.
But the false angel didn't care about the numerous attacks coming from the ground and charged straight at me from above.
"!?"
Suddenly, why...?
There was no time to wonder.
The false angel transformed its arms into long, sword-like variations. Its arms didn't just resemble swords; they were actually black and radiated magical energy, not aura.
(Heavy attribute, you say!?)
I instinctively sensed the familiar black color. The false angel had given its arms the heavy attribute, hardening them like swords.
This ability was never used when it was parasitic on Nord.
It seemed like it was hiding it... or maybe not.
The reason it could float in mid-air was because it could use heavy attribute magic, and I couldn't believe I hadn't realized it sooner.
"Tsk!!"
I let out a sharp tongue-click and reflexively counterattacked.
My unique sword technique, Super Technique――[Splitting Light Flash - Wind Fang].
While it wasn't my ultimate technique, I didn't hold back at all.
In that moment, I could unleash a maximum-power strike without hesitation. It might not be enough to take down the false angel, but I was confident it would bisect its body and temporarily scatter its limbs with the storm-imbued blade.
I unleashed my fastest sword technique towards the false angel.
The false angel crossed its sword-like arms to defend against the attack.
"Jadeite" easily sliced through the false angel's hardened arms, thanks to the heavy attribute.
――But just then, the false angel's magic kicked in.
(Ugh, this guy...!)
Despite being an experienced fighter, I was caught off guard.
You can't underestimate the enemy's strength, especially lately. At the very least, you can sense whether you can cut them down or not.
I judged that I could easily cut off the false angel's hardened arms. And that's exactly what happened.
However, "Jadeite," who had slashed the parasite's arms, stopped just a few centimeters in front of its face.
Even if I pushed forward, it wouldn't budge. It was as if the force behind my sword had suddenly vanished, leaving me with an unreasonable feeling.
When I looked, a faintly glowing transparent light plate was floating in front of its face.
It was an incredibly thin light plate, almost nonexistent. It had blocked my attack and was protecting it.
I only know of one ability that can do this.
"――It's Space magic!?"
My whole body's hair stood on end.
This can't be happening.
Even in the [God's Remains Labyrinth], where all sorts of monsters appear, there has never been a monster that uses Space magic throughout its long history. It's a special magic that only the bloodline of the [Four Great Families of the Seals] can use.
But...
I didn't have time to think about why this guy could use Space magic.
"――――!?"
A magical energy beam shot out from close range.
The source was the false angel, and the target was me.
I, who had been on guard against magic attacks, wrapped my entire body in a thick [Aura Armor].
"――――!?"
The next instant, my vision changed.
What reflected in my eyes was the [Four-Square Boundary Disruption] barrier wall. My vision was spinning, and I felt like I was floating in mid-air, falling.
I adjusted my posture in mid-air, used [Skywalk] to kill the falling momentum, and hovered.
From there, I quickly scanned my surroundings with my eyes, grasping the situation.
"――――!!"
I couldn't even muster a bad attitude anymore.
I was at the edge of the barrier. [Short-distance teleportation]. The false angel didn't use attack magic or anything. With teleportation magic, I was the only one sent flying here.
――I got done in.
――This is bad. This is really bad.
I never thought I'd be sent flying to a different location without even getting to fight, leaving me all alone.
It's only a matter of seconds before I can get back to the original location from the edge of the barrier. If the false angel couldn't use Space magic, it wouldn't be a problem, but if it can, that's a different story. If it's determined to do so, several people will die in those few seconds.
I opened my eyes wide and looked at the center of the barrier.
However, the false angel was already gone from there.
It was flying at high speed towards one of the 4 corners of the barrier, opposite from me. There were no casualties among the extermination team members yet. Many attacks were being launched into the air to restrict its movements, but it was avoiding them with Space magic or some other method, flying straight without dodging.
Instead, there was no sign of it attacking the explorers on the ground.
Still.
(This is the worst)
I thought, and kicked the air with all my might, using [Skywalk Rapid Flash] continuously and flying through the air at full speed.
[Four-Square Boundary Disruption] is an arbitrary phenomenon that can completely block the passage of existence. That's not an exception even for teleportation magic, and it's impossible to enter or exit the barrier without a mage's permission.
Since Lady Eva and the other mages have already recognized the false angel's existence, it shouldn't be able to exit the barrier even if it uses teleportation magic.
But if it's Space magic, it can interfere with Space magic.
Maybe, just maybe, it can break through [Four-Square Boundary Disruption].
I can't let it escape. I was getting anxious.
That anxiety turned to fear in the next instant.
As I gazed at the false angel's back――I suddenly realized.
Far beyond the false angel, a figure is running on the snowy ground. A person with a red long ponytail. Fiona.
Fiona's running speed is much slower than the false angel' flying speed. Considering the difference in speed between the 2 and the distance Fiona has taken the lead, she must have started running towards the boundary of the barrier a few seconds before I received the teleportation magic. In other words, before the false angel started moving towards the boundary.
Why was she able to move so early?
Was she scared of the false angel' strength and ran away?
What a joke!! I know better than anyone that Fiona isn't that kind of girl!!
The direction Fiona is running. The direction the false angel is heading. The answer to everything lies there.
It's Lady Eva. I don't know how she detected the false angel' movement beforehand, but it's clear that Fiona is trying to protect Lady Eva.
So, I was terrified.
It's bad!
For an instant, the faces of my 3 friends who died in the stampede flashed through my mind.
My blood vessels expanded as if my blood was boiling, and my muscles tensed up. At the same time, my heart felt a frozen, aching pain.
I don't know if the false angel can break through the barrier or not. But if it clash with Fiona, what will happen?
Fiona has definitely gotten stronger. Unbelievably strong, in an extremely short period of time.
But even so, if she faces the false angel alone, she has no chance of winning. If it seriously tries to eliminate Fiona, she won't last even 3 seconds. An enemy who can use Space magic is that much of a threat.
――[Skywalk Rapid Flash][Skywalk Rapid Flash][Skywalk Rapid Flash]
Hurry. Hurry. Hurry. I have to hurry at full speed.
In my line of sight, the false angel overtook Fiona and struck the barrier wall where Lady Eva was.
Right after that.
The supposedly unbreakable barrier was shattered, ridiculously easily, like a joke.
Fiona caught up to the false angel who destroyed the barrier.
Fiona unleashed countless slashes at the false angel' back.
Sword Dance Maiden skill――[Dance of Final Flash]
The powerful slash that converted the accumulated buff effects into attack power effortlessly sliced through the false angel's entire body, tearing it apart.
I――,
"――Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!"
I hastened.
I forcibly increased the output of [SkywalkRapid Flash]. My shoes flew off, and the uncontrollable aura cut through my legs, causing blood to spurt out and dance in mid-air.
But even that wasn't enough.
I released aura from my back like wings.
My clothes on my back tore, and the recoil of the released aura accelerated me even further. It's so excruciatingly painful. There's a lot of bleeding. But I didn't care and increased the output even more.
――However even that wasn't enough.
Not enough. Not enough. Not enough!!
Many thoughts flashed through my mind like a strobe light.
Should I use that? No way, there's no time. Should I attack from here? No, it's faster to keep running. How can I get its attention?! Ugh, how do I do it?!
While I was desperately searching for a method, I had already realized it in my heart.
The false angel, which had been torn apart, was naturally regenerating itself.
Fiona, who had moved behind Lady Eva, glanced at me and――――smiled.
Despite my wish to escape after breaking the barrier, the false angel didn't flee and instead raised its right arm towards Fiona. Its elbow and beyond transformed into a long, sharp sword, stained with dark blackness.
There's no time left.
There's no one around Fiona who can save her.
――――Death.
An all-too-certain future of death.
I stretched out my hand. I didn't even know what I was screaming.
The hand I stretched out grasped nothing――.
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