Red flowers bloomed on the pure white snowy landscape.
"Cough!"
The figure that coldly looked down upon the dying giant men glanced around.
The surroundings were stained with blood, and there were people in black standing behind him.
"Why on earth ..."
The lone survivor, an child who couldn't comprehend this, looked at them with questioning eyes.
However, the people in black, ignoring the child's words, quickly moved.
"We've secured our target. Let's withdraw before..."
They had prepared in advance and decorated the surroundings with the corpses.
Dressed in clothing bearing the imperial insignia, the corpses were quickly arranged to appear as if they had fallen in battle against savages.
"As soon as the preservation magic is released, we'll leave."
Shortly after, the Black Magicians who had come together released the preservation magic on the corpses and left immediately.
The people in black, with the child in tow, used a teleportation circle prepared nearby to teleport away. Considering the cost of using teleportation, it was clear they were not ordinary individuals.
The destination was not far from their temporary hideout.
The people in black who had teleported to the small cabin-like building handed the child to the waiting individuals.
"Phew! We finally succeeded! I thought I'd go crazy after lurking for almost a month."
A Black Magician, removing their black hood and releasing the preservation magic on the corpse, exclaimed.
At that moment, a figure who appeared to be the leader of the people in black extended their hand in silence.
In response to the gesture, the Black Magician humbly shook their hand.
"Geez, is there no such thing as accumulated friendship between us? At least say 'thank you' for your hard work."
"The operation is over. Pay your fee."
"Just wait. Lord Hegel is on his way."
As those words ended, someone appeared through a teleportation circle.
It was Hegel, wearing a black overcoat and a hood.
There was a dusting of snow on his hat, indicating he had been in the snowy landscape.
"Good work."
"Thanks to Lord Hegel's guidance, the mission was easier. Hehe."
While the Black Magician was chattering, Hegel took a hefty pouch from a pocket of his spatial artifact and tossed it to the Black One.
With a clinking sound as the metal hit, the pouch landed in the hands of the people in black.
Opening the pouch to check its contents, the man in black nodded.
"I've checked it."
"Tell Fade that a gathering will be held soon."
"I'll deliver the message as soon as I get back. See you."
After Hegel nodded, the people in black left the cabin.
As the mercenaries departed, the Black Magicians and Hegel, along with the young boy they had brought with them, were left behind.
"How old are you?"
The child answered Hegel's question without hesitation.
"Eight years old."
"Aren't you scared?"
"I'm not scared at all. My father will come soon and kill all of you!"
The child actually glared at Hegel, as if daring him, rather than showing fear.
Hegel smiled at this sight and made a reassuring gesture.
"Before you go, take a bath. Handle him with care, if possible."
"Yes, Lord Hegel."
"Indeed, 'wrath' is quite different. It's tempting to experiment with."
As Hegel watched the struggling child being taken away, he immediately spoke to another subordinate.
He had not participated in the operation but had been waiting here in advance.
"Was there any trouble?"
"We confirmed contact with Fade by the Morne faction, as you instructed for monitoring."
"Who made contact?"
"It was Quentin Brook, Morne's first disciple."
"He couldn't have stayed still."
Hegel nodded, as he expected this outcome.
Carefully, one of his subordinates asked, "Are you okay?"
"What do yoyu mean?"
"Adrias Cromwell."
"Not dying is the best-case scenario, but even if he dies, I have plans in place, so it doesn't matter. Anyway, I'm curious about what Quentin used."
"I'm sorry. We couldn't find out that much. Fade is also maintaining a neutral stance in this matter..."
"It's alright. First, focus on dealing with Wrath. Summon the assembly. There's a chance that the assembly will be held more frequently."
Hegel brushed the snow off his clothes and moved away.
"Of course, send an invitation to Adrias as well. If Adrias can attend this assembly..."
His shadow seemed to ripple and transformed as if it were smiling.
"It will become quite a useful piece."
.
.
.
.
The Chaos Mimic, surrounded by black flames just like before, extended one of its arms, as if one arm were enough.
Realizing that it was more urgent to extract the main body from the box, I immediately summoned Galakshur and shouted to Dianne, "Dianne, think of running away no matter what."
The arm of the moving Chaos Mimic extended flexibly.
"Retreat!"
Dianne shouted and brought out the Roar of Dawn.
Among the students who were present, some had experience facing it before and had already fled, but the others, mostly Rodren Academy students who had upper grades, had strong pride.
"We are magicians too!"
Someone shouted and cast a spell.
The spell was not some run-of-the-mill magic; it was an intermediate-level spell with a strong magical power.
The magic soon headed toward the Chaos Mimic with hope, but when it touched the blazing arm, it vanished as if it had never existed.
"Ah..."
The student's expression changed, realizing the futility of their efforts.
The students who had finally witnessed the absurd abilities of this monster with their own eyes began to step back.
However, the Chaos Mimic wasn't inclined to let those who attacked it go without a fight.
Kuwoo...
In an instant, its elongated arm came dangerously close to the students.
"I'm going to use spatial teleportation, so don't resist!"
Dianne shouted and used magic.
As a result, spatial teleportation magic was used right where the students were standing, narrowly avoiding the attack from the Chaos Mimic.
I never expected such a lure. It's better this way.
In the meantime, I had already rushed closer to the box where the main body was hidden.
I had intended to lure the Chaos Mimic with Dianne's Roar of Dawn, but reaching the goal was enough.
-Quad&^#@^@!
As I approached the box, the seemingly ordinary box wriggled, and another arm emerged.
Squish!
Galakshur blocked the arm and roared.
Simultaneously, the black blade, already glowing, began to emit a sizzling sound.
[Additional damage is dealt to the monster.]
[Additional damage from the Dark attribute is dealt.]
With unexpected bonuses, it sounded like the blade was blazing.
-Kui$%!^@&
The Chaos Mimic's arm writhed in visible agony.
"Is that good?"
Of course, I couldn't be too relieved.
The moment the main body came out, the time to shed blood would come, and I was aware of it.
However, if the main body didn't emerge, I couldn't touch the box, so I had to get that thing out first.
Uwoong!
In the distance, Dianne's staff emitted light.
The Chaos Mimic, whom the magic didn't affect, fired spells as if to provoke.
Kwagwang—!
Mana was obliterated, but the physical force unleashed was sufficient to harm the Chaos Mimic. However, the Mimic's arm seemed unharmed, so Dianne's attack didn't seem effective.
Squizzing!
It was the same on this end. Despite having only one arm, it was comparable to Galakshur's abilities, I couldn't get any closer to the box.
"Dianne! Adrias! Professors are here!"
One of the students who had run away came back and shouted.
Simultaneously, Tolman emerged with thick gauntlets on his hands and quickly wedged himself between Dianne and the Chaos Mimic.
Kwaang!
"This is a trap I've never seen before."
He seemed to be under significant strain as he clenched and unclenched his fists.
Even so, Tolman was a considerable force to be reckoned with, so I was somewhat relieved.
"Dianne, are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm more worried about Adrias..."
She still pointed at me, who was still facing off against the Chaos Mimic's arm and blade.
"Magic doesn't work. It has a unique property that absorbs all mana."
"So that's why my attacks didn't work. I understand."
Tolman immediately shouted to me, "Adrias, can you hold out?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll trust you."
With those words, Tolman imbued himself with magic, then quickly rushed out.
His magic was a unique combination of martial arts and magic, making it quite innovative.
It wasn't long ago that he earned the title of a Warlock.
'It haven't been evaluated yet. I know the reason for the delay, too.'
With hisis knight-like speed and movement which were bursting forth, and he quickly approached the box with the arm.
Judging the part he should strike in an instant, it was clear that he was an outstanding Battle Mage.
Kwa-a-a-ng—!
But even with his swift movements, the Chaos Mimic's arm came back faster.
With a massive shockwave, the Mimic's hand bent back.
Tolman was pushed back quite a distance by the impact, but compared to the grotesquely contorted Chaos Mimic, he was relatively unharmed.
"It's not an ordinary trap."
The Chaos Mimic seemed to sense danger and turned its attention from me to Tolman.
"Dianne, use spatial teleportation magic for me. It doesn't matter where the destination is; it's to confuse the enemy."
Hearing Tokman's words, Dianne immediately used magic. Given the urgency of the situation, there was no time for detailed responses.
Uwoong!
As Tolman's location changed in an instant, he quickly assessed his new position and moved.
But Dianne's magic didn't stop there.
Uwoong! Uwoong!
In the midst of the rapidly evolving situation, there was no time for detailed communication.
Tolman, who had been chasing him, was momentarily confused by the spatial teleportation. Didn't they say, to deceive the enemy, you must first decieve your allies?
Spatial teleportation magic wasn't a one-time deal.
-Kuimur#$@%
At the moment the arms chasing Tolman lost their bearings, Tolman, who had spatially teleported to the other side of the box, struck the Chaos Mimic with full force.
Kwa-a-a-ng—!
A massive explosion resounded.
It seemed like it was all over, but unfortunately, the true power of the Chaos Mimic only manifested when its main body appeared.
And during that time, I had prepared separately for the main body.
'Thanks to Tolman, I've bought some time.'
While Tolman diverted the Chaos Mimic's attention, I was able to secretly use magic without anyone noticing.
With this, I should be able to hold the Chaos Mimic somehow.
Initially, the plan was to lure the Chaos Mimic with Dianne's Roar of Dawn, but it seemed like it didn't matter.
The important thing was to extract the main body, and Tolman had just achieved that.
-Cr$@zk&!^#bam
"What on earth...?"
The box was undamaged. Tolman's attack was aimed directly at the box, but it was surrounded by some black substance, and it didn't leave a scratch.
"It's the Chaos Mimic's main body."
Its form was grotesque, resembling no known creature. If one had to compare it to something, it had a shape similar to an octopus, but its appearance was unlike any known species.
-Grr&%!Eeee$!#
The Chaos Mimic's main body, with a total of 13 arms, revealed its gigantic central body and countless eyes, which were closely attached to its body, gazing at us.
I had expected this, but it seemed that Tolman and Dianne were quite shocked by the sight. Even if it had only two arms before, facing a monster with 13 arms wouldn't be a pleasant experience.
"Please."
I whispered secretly to someone, gripping Galakshur tightly, and rushed forward.
"Adrias, it's dangerous!"
Tolman's urgent shout reached me, and at the same time, the 13 arms of the Chaos Mimic began to move.
Whoosh— Kwaang!