The impending battle appears to be escalating towards a violent confrontation. However, the question that arises is which side will be the unfortunate victim of this tragic outcome.
Lync had risen to his feet once more, and his emotions were akin to a tempest. The sight of Vania served as a reminder that she was responsible for the demise of Fushu, a dear friend who shall never return.
He was determined to seek retribution, but he must first vanquish Azagoth. With his companions by his side, he feels that anything is achievable.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Berla asked Lync, still worried.
"Yeah, I am, you don't need to worry so much about me.." he pat her head whilst wearing a smile.
Although Berla is of a small stature and shares the same age as Nyx, who is sixteen, she desires to be treated as a lady by Lync, despite being five years his junior.
It is important to note that Berla is outspoken in her request for respectful treatment.
"Can you not do that, Captain.." she pouted. "I'm not a little girl anymore you know.."
Still, he ruffled her hair whilst chuckling, "Yeah, but I like to think that.."
"Enough of this! Let's begin!"
Azagoth, the mad General, charged towards them with lightning speed, carving the ground beneath him as he appeared before Beltin. His halberd was aimed straight for Beltin's torso, but Beltin was quick to react.
With his Unique Skill, [Superior Force], he immediately halted Azagoth's motion. The force was so great that it held Azagoth in stasis, rendering him incapable of moving. Beltin's quick thinking and superior skills saved the day.
"He's frozen in place" Yugta mentioned, he'd never seen Beltin use this before.
"Quickly! Everyone attack him at once!"
Beltin, a demihuman with exceptional skills in knife throwing, swiftly informed his opponents before launching four seemingly ordinary knives towards Azagoth.
However, as the knives approached their target, they surged with electric energy, transforming into blue streaks of light that pierced through Azagoth's chest and sent him hurtling backwards.
Beltin's expertise in knife throwing, combined with his remarkable speed and stealth, truly sets him apart as a force to be reckoned with.
Azagoth was propelled backwards with great force by the powerful projectiles. Positioned behind him was Yugta, who was poised to launch his attack. Employing the use of [Mirror Magic: White Storms of Beautiful Reflection], he cast a spell that summoned a mirror.
This mirror projected a golden beam that propelled Azagoth upwards. Subsequently, the mirror multiplied into thirty mirrors, enveloping Azagoth in a surge of golden beams that culminated in a mighty explosion.
"Alright! My turn!" Berla's voice was a soft one.
A beautiful adventuring female mage with aquamarine-colored hair that came down to her shoulders and crystal clear blue eyes and pale skin.
Berla, a Disciple-class (4th rank) water mage, held her magic staff, [Aqua Martia], with a firm grip. It is worth noting that her staff has a strong affinity for water magic.
As she hails from Zestria, it is only natural that she practices Zestrian Magic.
As the violent release of energy resulting from Yugta's attack died down, she prepared herself. Gathering her mana she closed her eyes and uttered the required incantation.
"To thy kings of the ocean and thy gentle streams of the undine, I call to thee that my prayers be answered. Let the waters climb from the depths and wash away all evil... Water Dragon!"
A Veteran-class (3rd rank) magic spell that had the ability to conjure droplets of water. These droplets surrounded Berla and then, with great force, flew like bullets from where she stood. The power of these droplets is such that they can tear holes into stone.
Despite the droplets perforating the body of Azagoth, he showed no signs of pain.
However, after Berla struck her staff on the earth, the droplets combined to form a spiraling dragon made entirely out of water. This dragon struck Azagoth with a torrential blast, which dealt physical damage.
After so many attacks, Azagoth fell to the ground. They were worried as to why he hadn't expressed pain of any kind so far, but they didn't dwell on it too much.
"Our turn Dvena!" said Lync with a tight grasp on his longsword.
She unsheathed her blade in response. "Are we using the new combo?" she asked.
"Definitely.." he replied with an energetic smile.
The two individuals exhibited remarkable agility as they appeared to move with incomprehensive speed, delivering a series of swift and devastating slashes to Azagoth.
The technique was executed with such precision and speed that even an individual utilizing the Additional Skill of [Wild Sense], which is capable of predicting movement, would not have enough reaction time to defend themselves against it. This is particularly true if the user is already physically fast.
They called it [Thunder God Classless Assault] an attack so brutally fast that you can only see your life flash before your eyes.
The implementation of this ruthless technique resulted in the complete reduction of Azagoth's body into torn pieces of flesh. Lync and Dvena ceased their actions after successfully executing the maneuver, their swords now stained with Azagoth's black blood.
The swift nature of their attack left Azagoth with no opportunity to respond.
"We actually did it?" Yugta was unsure if they'd succeeded.
"Why not? He's a writhing mass of flesh.." Beltin mentioned, he felt proud his Unique Skill was what guaranteed their success.
"Now for her.."
Lync turned to face Vania, they were already done with Azagoth. In all honesty, he was a letdown. After all the excitement he had about fighting the strongest, only for him to fumble.
"Are you done studying them Azagoth... you really should take this more seriously." Vania uttered.
Simultaneously, their attention was drawn towards the remains of Azagoth, who had been fully restored and made whole once again.
"I suppose you're right.." Azagoth responded, hale and hearty.
This remarkable feat was largely attributed to the Additional Skill [Rapid Regeneration], which, due to Azagoth's status as a necromantic summon, is considered an Integral Skill. It is worth noting that this ability is innate to potent corpses that have been resurrected from the dead.
"Impossible! After all those attacks he's back in one piece?!" Yugta was dissatisfied.
"Rapid Regeneration? Very few people have that skill.." Berla knew the rarity of such a skill, for him to have it meant Vania was stronger than she originally believed.
"After everything! Tch!" Beltin uttered.
Dvena had no words. The best description for her was "shock."
"Save your assessments for later, we're all that stands between him and Glinforst, we will not fall to one man!" Lync did his job as a leader, he motivated and guided them when all hope seemed to be lost.
...
On this occasion, Berla took the initiative and launched the first attack.
She firmly planted her staff into the ground and recited the necessary incantations for the spell [Earth Cannon!]. This resulted in numerous boulders of earth being hurled at great speeds towards Azagoth.
Simultaneously, Lync provided support by executing a series of powerful fire slashes that formed a formidable curtain of flames, capable of engulfing and incinerating Azagoth.
Azagoth, with his battle-honed instincts, leapt gracefully into the air before delivering a series of deadly strikes with his halberd, piercing the ground below.
The sheer force of his attack caused widespread devastation to the surrounding area, eradicating the projectile boulders that had been fired at him and extinguishing the flames projected by Lync. An impressive display of Azagoth's skills in battle.
'They have no chance of defeating Azagoth, he's a battle maniac. He'll erase them before I can even utter an incantation..' Vania chuckled menacingly. She enjoyed the destruction he brought.
A boulder, dislodged from its resting place, tumbled towards Berla with alarming speed. However, Beltin, with his expertise in lightning magic, acted swiftly and cast a B-rank spell known as [Electro Field].
This spell, both defensive and offensive in nature, effectively incinerated any external force that dared to make contact with it. As a result, the boulder was reduced to mere shreds upon impact with the field.
It is without a doubt that Beltin is one of the most skilled Adventurers in Endlave, and his quick thinking and mastery of magic saved Berla from certain harm.
"Thanks Sir Beltin.." she expressed her gratitude while addressing him in a formal manner.
"Just call me Bel.." he insisted, "..and besides, party members have to watch each other's backs.."
She wore a radiant smile in response to his words. Her arms were wrapped around her staff as she stood behind him.
"Now let me show you all, a glimpse of my strength!" the grip on his halberd intensified.
Azagoth executed a decisive slash with his halberd, the [Crusher], striking all five of his opponents with great force. The power of his attack was so immense that it cleaved the ground beneath them in two, splitting the surrounding countryside.
This devastating attack was one of the many techniques that earned him the title of Mountain Crusher, as it allowed him to wipe out vanguard forces in mere seconds.
All of them were completely wiped out, and it is noteworthy that the attack was not even magically enhanced. It was solely due to the physical strength of one man, Azagoth.
As a result of his might, Beltin's arm was dislodged, Yugta's vision became blurry due to his shattered spectacles, and Dvena was rendered unconscious.
"Like lambs to the slaughter.." he said.
They'd all fallen. He loved to give his opponents a sense of hope so he could "crush" it when they least expected it.
The remaining dust that had covered the area cleared, revealing a clear image of Lync standing in front of Berla with his arms spread out to shield her. It is evident that the moment the attack occurred, Lync chose to prioritize Berla's safety over his own.
Even Beltin, who was closest to her, could not protect her again, but Lync stepped in to do just that. Despite the numerous deep wounds and cuts on his back caused by the attack from Azagoth, Lync remained steadfast in his resolve to protect Berla.
It is truly admirable to witness such selflessness and bravery in the face of danger.
"Impressive.." Azagoth commended his foolishness.
Thud. His black and blue body hit the ground.
"Captain.." tears pooled out of her eyes, she always had to be the one everyone protected. She hated the fact that everyone treated her like she was so important.
It was not due to her "status," but rather her tender age of sixteen. With so much life ahead of her and battles to be fought, it was in their best interest to ensure her safety. Despite any potential toll it may take, this decision was made with utmost confidence.
"Berla... run..." his voice was frail.
"I can't do that. I won't leave you guys." her tears had weight behind them, the constant reminder of her uselessness to them ached her. How would they be beaten and battered while she was allowed to run. If that isn't the height of mediocrity then what is?
"...you're a more dangerous man than I initially thought." Azagoth didn't know Lyncʼs name but instinctively knew to kill the source of this team's motivation and then Beltin.
"Allow yourself to be claimed by death." he took a stance to prepare himself to hurl his halberd at Lyncʼs head. Since he was immobile it would be an easy target for him.
Beltin was weak, but still tried desperately to crawl "No! Stand up Captain!" he pleaded with a slightly coarse voice.
"Sir Lync!" Yugta couldn't see, but he knew the Captain was in danger.
She could've done something, anything. But fear made Berla quake in her boots, her legs turned to jelly and her tongue was tied, paralyzing fear gripped her. The realization that she was weaker dawned upon her.
And finally, Azagoth hurled the halberd for Lync. Berla being near him meant she'd definitely suffer the same fate. Death.
"Captain noooo!" Beltin screamed. But what more could he do?