The heat in the volcanic space had increased significantly. Minerva and Naviga were breathing heavily, their expressions wry as they faced the remaining 50 fire giants. Two of the larger, more furious giants growled loudly, their red eyes fixed on the duo. With a commanding swing of their massive stone maces, they ordered ten 1st Core Essence fire giants to advance. This made both Minerva and Naviga tense.
Minerva glanced at Naviga and said, "We have to give it our all here. Use everything you have; this fight is even more dangerous now."
Naviga nodded, her grip tightening on her sword. The ten advancing fire giants were slightly taller than most of the others. Their skin was a deep red but not as dark as the elite fire giants behind them. They charged with speed, emitting guttural sounds of fury as they approached.
Minerva quickly took out an Ice Blast Talisman and hurled it toward the advancing giants. One of the fire giants swung its massive stone mace, infused with fire, to intercept the talisman. When the two collided, the talisman exploded, sending a blast of icy shards toward the fire giant. However, it only managed to slow its pace slightly, doing little to halt its momentum. Meanwhile, the remaining nine giants continued to close in.
Naviga, seeing this, swiftly retrieved a Sword Talisman from her storage ring and threw it toward the group of giants. The talisman ignited, releasing a brilliant white sword light that streaked toward the giants. One of them, wielding a mace enhanced with fire energy, stepped forward and swung to meet the attack. The clash of fire and light sent sparks flying, the fire giant barely holding its ground against the talisman's power.
The remaining fire giants turned their attention to Minerva. One swung its massive, fire-infused mace toward her, while others followed closely behind. Minerva immediately activated Fire Breezer Art: Phoenix Guard Defensive, summoning flames to form a protective shield around her. The fiery shield flared brilliantly, managing to deflect the first attack. However, the combined force of five giants proved overwhelming.
Minerva managed to block one giant's attack with her shield, but the other four maces struck her-on her shoulder, leg, arm, and stomach-sending her flying backward. She crashed into the volcanic ground, her red dress already burned to tatters by the heat and flames. Only her red bra and panties remained, and even they were singed at the edges, leaving scorch marks on her body. Gritting her teeth, she struggled to stand, her body covered in fresh wounds, blood trickling from the impact points.
Naviga noticed one fire giant slowing its pace, likely due to its earlier clash with her talisman. Seeing an opportunity, she activated Phantom Moon Step Footwork, her movements becoming swift and fluid as she dashed toward the unprepared giant. As the giant raised its mace sluggishly, Naviga unleashed Eclipse Slash Sword Art: Eclipse Crescent, a sharp, glowing arc of lunar energy. The attack sliced cleanly through the giant's arm, severing it completely.
"Host, two attacks are coming from your side!" Chip's voice echoed in Naviga's mind, prompting her to react instantly. Using Phantom Moon Step Footwork again, she dashed backward with graceful precision, evading the incoming strikes. The two giants that missed their target smashed their maces into the ground, one accidentally hitting the wounded giant Naviga had just attacked.
The blow sent the injured giant sprawling, its stomach and severed arm gushing molten blood, while blood dripped heavily from its mouth as it let out a guttural cry. The chaotic clash created a momentary opening, but the fight was far from over.
Even though these ten fire giants were at the 1st Essence Core level, their universal essence was roughly equal to Minerva's and Naviga's. However, their raw physical strength and elemental attacks made them as formidable as middle-ranked 1st Essence Core magi. The remaining fire giants shifted their focus toward Naviga, their massive footsteps shaking the ground with every step.
Naviga quickly adjusted her stance and targeted the giants approaching from her left. Activating Eclipse Slash Sword Art: Eclipse Thrust, her blade shimmered with concentrated moonlight energy as it launched a piercing strike toward the nearest giant. The fire giant retaliated by swinging its stone mace, enveloped in blazing fire essence. The clash of moonlight and fire caused a violent explosion, sending shockwaves through the space. Dust and molten blood sprayed into the air as both forces canceled each other out, leaving the ground scarred and smoldering.
Meanwhile, Minerva, still reeling from her injuries, grabbed one of her high-quality healing potions. She knew she only had three left, All her resources are managed by Minasa, so she receives a limited number of potions and talismans. Drinking the potion, she felt a warm surge as her wounds began to mend, though not completely.
Standing up with renewed vigor, She focused her mind on her soul point, and then suddenly her sword glowed with purple. Her sword, now glowing with a radiant Amethyst Flame, instantly captured the attention of all 50 remaining fire giants. Even the two elite giants, standing at the back, paused and turned their gaze toward the weapon.
The Amethyst Flame, burning fiercely, exuded an oppressive heat that intensified the already unbearable temperature in the volcanic space. For a moment, the giants hesitated, their fiery rage replaced by an instinctive fear of the overwhelming power emanating from Minerva's blade.
Seizing the opportunity, Naviga activated Phantom Moon Step Footwork to close the distance to one of the distracted giants. Her movements blurred as she appeared beside the towering creature and unleashed Lunar Edge Sword Art: Crescent Moon. The glowing arc of her blade struck the unprepared giant at its neck, slicing cleanly through. The giant's head toppled to the ground with a thud, its body collapsing in a pool of molten blood.
The remaining fire giants, witnessing their comrade's fall, erupted in furious roars of "GRAAA!" Their earlier hesitation vanished, and they charged recklessly toward Minerva, ignoring their fear of the Amethyst Flame. Five of the giants surrounded Minerva, while three more advanced on Naviga, the volcanic ground quaking under their combined weight.
Despite the giants' relentless fury, the battle raged on with both sides fully committed. The air in the volcanic space grew thicker, filled with ash, heat, and the sharp scent of blood.
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