Before Shingin could steady himself, a suffocating wave of pressure struck from the side. With no time to think, he raised his water sword to block Watcher 21's crushing punch head-on.
Boom! The impact nearly disarmed him, and Shingin's body was thrown violently to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Watcher 21 advanced with measured steps, as immovable as a mountain. He flexed his fists, his voice low and unrelenting.
"Stop struggling. You've already hit your limit."
Shingin struggled to his feet, his breaths ragged but his resolve unshaken. Clutching his sword, its edge glinting coldly in the dim light, he smirked.
"Limit? That's for you to worry about."
The power of his alien soul surged within him, igniting the water at his feet into a turbulent vortex. Streams of liquid coiled around his body, exuding raw energy. The air grew tense as the watchers closed in.
"Finish him!" barked Watcher 23. Together with Watcher 21, they charged at Shingin, while Watcher 25 commanded his swarm of venomous snakes to close in from all sides.
Facing three simultaneous lethal assaults, Shingin's eyes grew unnervingly calm, absorbing every detail of the peril around him.
"Yaaaah!" Shingin roared as his sword erupted with radiant blue light. Channeling every ounce of his remaining strength, he slammed the blade into the ground. A colossal wave of water exploded outward, scattering the venomous snakes and forcing Watchers 23 and 21 to retreat temporarily.
But this wasn't over.
In a split second, Shingin locked onto the nearest target—Watcher 23. With the precision of a spring-loaded arrow, he propelled himself forward, gliding across the ground like a streak of water.
"What?!" Watcher 23 barely had time to react as Shingin's blade pierced his shoulder, an alien soul-powered shockwave following suit, sending him staggering backward.
There was no time to catch his breath. From behind came the slithering hiss of venomous snakes and Watcher 25's cackling command to strike again. At the same time, Watcher 21 had regained his stance, his iron-like fists hurtling toward Shingin once more.
Shingin retreated, his body near its limit. His movements, once swift and agile, were now hindered by exhaustion and injury. His chest heaved like a bellows, yet his eyes still burned with defiance.
"Not over… yet," he whispered, gripping his trembling sword tightly. Though its glow had dimmed, its edge remained sharp, a testament to his unyielding will.
A Glimmer of Resistance
Shingin scanned his surroundings, his mind racing to formulate a plan. Thirty watchers had him surrounded, their predatory intent suffocating. Each exuded a unique aura—some ominous and deep, others wild and ferocious, and many more lurking unseen, like shadows waiting to pounce.
Watcher 21 loomed closer, his massive frame causing the ground to tremble with each step. Behind him, Watcher 25's sinister smile grew wider as more serpents emerged from the shadows, slithering toward Shingin like an advancing tide.
"What a spectacle," Watcher 20 remarked from his elevated perch. He gazed down at Shingin with chilling indifference.
"Caught in the center of it all, and yet you still manage to look so pitiful. Quite the show for the livestream."
"Broadcasting how so many of you can't handle one man?" Shingin shot back, his voice strained but laced with mockery. Though his grip on his sword tightened, his sharp gaze betrayed no hint of despair.
Before Shingin could continue, Watcher 20 appeared to his left like a phantom. His soulless eyes gleamed from behind his mask as he swiped his hand, unleashing invisible blades that sliced through the air from every direction.
Shingin leapt instinctively, water jets beneath his feet propelling him away from the assault. But no sooner had he evaded than Watcher 23's dagger streaked toward his throat like a viper in the dark.
The blade narrowly missed its mark, grazing Shingin's shoulder and leaving a deep gash. He winced but retaliated instantly, his left hand delivering a water-powered punch that forced Watcher 23 to retreat into the shadows.
"Still breathing, are we? It won't last much longer," came Watcher 20's dispassionate voice from above. His tone now carried a faint trace of irritation.
"All units, converge. Finish this!"
At his command, the watchers began to move as one. Some launched frontal assaults, others circled around, while Watcher 25's snake swarm expanded to form an impenetrable ring. They aimed to completely extinguish any hope of escape.
Shingin could feel the danger closing in, but his heart remained steady. He knew that even the slightest hesitation would mean his death. With his alien soul burning within him, he summoned every drop of power he had left.
"You think you can stop me with this?" he muttered, his voice low but resolute. His water sword flared to life, its faint glow reigniting with the intensity of a blue flame. His body, battered and bruised, seemed to defy the very laws of nature, drawing strength from his will alone.
"None of you… are worthy to keep me here!"
With that declaration, Shingin surged forward, ready to carve his way through the encircling deathtrap.