They waded through the pathways like the tide of promised death. Yet, strangely, Michael felt no fear. The terror that had once gripped him—when he had first faced had been replaced by a cold, hard resolve. He did not fear them, not anymore. Not after seeing their bodies consumed by flames, the sound of their agonised screams—these images were etched into his mind, a reminder of their mortality.
They were monsters, yes, but they could be killed no matter how large a number they had.
Michael synergized [Whispering Arrow], the only spell he knew that could do harm to those creatures, and showered them with it.
It took dozens of arrows made out of compressed air to take down three or four of them. The spell was effective only when striking their eyes, a nearly impossible feat given uncanny agility and sheer numbers. Michael wished he knew something more powerful.
"Is that the only offensive spell you know?" Isha asked.
Michael gnashed his teeth but nodded.
"Pity," Isha said. "If you had known a stronger spell, we could have easily dealt with these Titan Spawns between the four of us. But at least you know something and you have incredible Mana reserves. Not as much as mine, but as much as Nairobi. Even most Mages do not have a third of Mana reserves that you do. And you are only a High Practitioner."
"Are you here to talk us to death or help us defeat those things?" Michael growled. He did not like her lecturing attitude—it was almost condescending. He felt as if she was looking down on them.
"Of course, I'm here to fight," she said, scowling at him. "But one must not start a fight before accessing the situation, knowing your parties' and the enemy's strengths and weaknesses. I had hoped you knew at least one fire based spell. But we can't have everything, can we? Still, you did incredibly well with your defensive strategy."
"It was not my idea, or Liam's, for that matter. The village mayor thought of this strategy. We only followed it through."
"Then your mayor is to be lauded for his decisive mind."
"You are still talking, Isha," Nairobi said. "The roaches are closing in and I don't believe this inner trench will be much help."
Michael frowned. What did she mean it would not be much help? He and Liam had worked hard to build that trap alongside the villagers.
Nairobi's words hit him like a cold wave after a glance at the trench that confirmed what she had said.The trench was overflowing with water. It appeared that the rain was working against them.
Apparently, it seemed these Titans spawn could swim with no problem at all. Michael had expected those enormous things to swim.
"I can see that. But let us wait. I want more of them to jump into the water," Isha said.
Isha did not wait long though, when the trench was crowded with the swimming Titans Spawns, she stretched her hand and muttered a spell.
[Lightning Shot].
Something like a crossbow bolt made entirely out of lightning shot out of her hand in rapid succession, striking the water that filled the trench? Electricity crackled and steam rose from the pool of water.
The Titan Spawns did not stand a chance. The electricity tore through the water, leaving behind a trail of charred and lifeless bodies. None of the monstrous creatures that had jumped into the trench survived.
"Nicely done," Nairobi said. She raised her hands, palms open to the incoming tide. A surge of mana erupted from her, flaring into projectiles of fire. The flames arched through the air and wherever they landed, screams of agony echoed before being silenced by the flames that consumed the roaches.
Where did she learn a Fireball spell?
As Isha and Nairobi unleashed their attacks on the roaches, he focused his attention on the enemy's path. He summoned his own [Whispering Arrows]—he could not allow them to take all the credit. Michael had to do something as well, so instead of targeting the Titan Spawns directly, aimed for the rocky terrain they were traversing. He unleashed a barrage of arrows, shattering boulders. As the ground crumbled beneath their feet, the hapless creatures tumbled into the fiery pit and died—few fell to his arrows.
Michael's spells might not have possessed the raw, destructive power of Isha's or Nairobi's, but the way he used it was no less effective.
Liam followed Michael's lead, targeting the remaining boulders with his own magic. With each fallen boulder, the insects' advance slowed, their numbers dwindling as their path was cut off one after another. Eventually, the last of the rocks crumbled, leaving a chasm burning with flames between them and the insects.
No more boulders fell from the sky to produce other pathways for the roaches. Michael let out a sigh of relief–but too soon. A wave of blue passed over the burning trench, the ring of defensive flames winked out. The Titan Spawns undulated like a black ocean and surged forward.
Michael heard levelling up notifications. Fuck you, system! Is this really the time?