Chapter 19: The First Wave (3)
As our combined forces surged from both sides, we gradually began to exert pressure on the towering Boss Monster, pushing it back step by step.
In a futile attempt to intimidate us, the creature unleashed a deafening roar, only to have its efforts swiftly quashed. Mages from each hero's party synchronized their powers, conjuring a cacophony of magic that converged into the beast's gaping maw, silencing its roar with a display of sheer magical prowess.
Hero Maximus, his laughter resonating triumphantly, vaulted off the creature's hulking back and plunged his weapon into its hide. "Victory is within our grasp!" he bellowed with infectious enthusiasm.
Just as we readied ourselves for the final, decisive assault, the monster convulsed violently, flinging Maximus off its back with brutal force.
"Urg!" Maximus soared through the air, his form colliding with a sturdy tree before plummeting into unconsciousness.
The colossal creature leapt back, evading the impending onslaught from the assembled heroes. It releases it's thunderous roar again, but this time, it was much more stronger than the previous as it rippled through the air.
"Hero!" Maximus's companions rushed toward their fallen comrade, only to have the very ground beneath them give way.
"Watch out!"
Without hesitation, my gaze met Seraphina's, our unspoken understanding prompting her to weave protective enchantments around me.
As the magical buffs took effect, I surged forward like a lightning bolt, seizing the two women from Maximus' party with swift precision. I hoisted them onto my shoulder and propelled myself skyward, narrowly escaping the collapsing ground below. The rush of air whooshed past us as we soared above the tumultuous terrain, the threat of disaster left behind for the moment.
""Are you both unharmed?" I inquired anxiously as I checked on the two women. Seeing them in relatively good condition, a heavy sigh of relief escaped my lips.
Seraphina swiftly joined our group, her soothing magic washing over the two women as an additional measure of assurance.
"Sylvia... Aria..." Seraphina's voice resonated with a mixture of concern and relief, drawing the attention of the two women.
With her indigo-colored hair slightly disheveled from the recent turmoil, Sylvia, one of the women, lowered her head in a gesture of gratitude. "We're truly grateful, Hero Julius, and you as well, Seraphina."
Before Seraphina could respond, the looming monster behind us unleashed another thunderous roar, its bellowing echoes reverberating through the air.
As our collective attention fixated on the monstrous presence, a scene of pure dread unfolded before us: the creature's severed limb underwent a grotesque transformation, morphing into a new wing that sprouted from its very back.
In that chilling instant, it became glaringly evident—this was its second phase, a new level of threat and power.
A deafening roar split the air as the beast heralded its transformation. Our hearts pounded in response as an ominous realization settled in. The heroes, united against this monstrous adversary, braced themselves for what was to come.
Then, with a sudden and shocking burst, the creature exhaled an immense ball of fire, an infernal projectile hurtling menacingly in our direction.
"Everyone—!" Lady Eveline's warning was a desperate cry, but the warning was tragically too late. The fiery onslaught struck the vanguard, obliterating one hero and their six companions in a cataclysmic explosion, leaving only two survivors, grievously wounded while clinging to life amidst the devastation.
As if that weren't enough, the monster's wings beat with incredible force, sending nearly invisible blades of wind slicing through the air toward the remaining heroes.
With dread tightening my chest, I saw my sister, dangerously close to the danger zone. Instinct fueled my actions—I lunged forward, grasping her and propelling us away from the impending onslaught.
The wind blades found their mark, leaving shallow cuts on my arm, but determination coursed through me.
Adrenaline surged through me as I sprinted, my resolve unwavering. I kept running, carrying my sister to safety, my focus unwavering despite the searing pain etching its mark on my arm.
Having narrowly evaded the danger, I gently set my sister on the ground, ensuring her safety before pivoting my focus back to the distant and menacing form of the monstrous creature.
"That monster is too strong..."
Gritting my teeth against the agony radiating from my injured shoulder, I shifted my gaze to the others, my breath coming in ragged gasps. With a tentative attempt to reposition my arm, a sharp ache jolted through me.
Are we... going to lose?
As a sense of despair threatened to envelop those around us, a piercing scream suddenly shattered the tense atmosphere.
"Lead it below the cliff's edge!"
The urgent command echoed through the chaos, prompting me to swiftly scan our surroundings, my gaze zeroing in on the direction from which the voice originated. I followed the direction of the voice and saw the indicated spot. It was as if a glimmer of hope had pierced through the darkness.
However, it appeared that the others were engrossed in assisting their fallen comrades and hadn't caught wind of this vital piece of information.
"Concentrate your efforts on guiding the boss monster below the precipice will be our last chance!" I bellowed, my tone laced with authority.
My companions exchanged glances, acknowledging the plan. My younger sister wiped the sweat from her brow and steadied herself, both hands thrust forward as if aiming an arrow, her remaining mana pooling for a decisive strike.
"Fire Ball!" She chanted, conjuring a colossal orb of flame that slammed into the creature's face, the exertion leaving her breathless and her strength depleted.
Infuriated, the monster charged, a primal roar reverberating through the air. Scooping up my sister, we bolted, footsteps pounding the earth in a desperate escape.
Lady Eveline, her devoted cohort, and the few other conscious heroes trailed behind us, determination etched across their faces, even as fatigue gnawed at their strength.
Just as we neared the destination, the beast noticed that something was wrong, halting abruptly. My heart sank as I watched it exhale an inferno in our direction.
"Shit!" I cursed aloud as the fireball crashed into the ground, the impact causing tremors that threw us off balance.
With renewed resolve, the monster lunged forward, its gaping maw claiming one of the heroes in a gruesome manner. In a gruesome twist of fate, his upper half was flung toward me and my sister, sending us both tumbling.
With a desperate maneuver, I twisted my body, allowing my back to collide with a nearby tree. The impact jarred through me, and I couldn't hold back a pained grunt, my mouth soon filled with the bitter taste of blood.
My sister's unconscious form remained clutched tightly against my chest. Gingerly, I assessed her for any injuries, a sigh of relief escaping my lips when I found her relatively unharmed.
As my gaze flickered toward the others, I was met with a distressing sight. Lady Eveline lay unconscious, her companion struggling to carry her to safety. A knot tightened in my chest as I observed the valiant efforts of her companions, willing to put their lives on the line to divert the monster's attention from their leader, us and the remaining heroes alive.
Ahhh.... I guess we really lost.
Foooosh-!
Just as the shadows of unconsciousness threatened to engulf me, a deafening crash shattered the air.
Crash-!
My hazy vision caught a glimpse of the monster's head, now a gruesome mess against the fallen cliff. Emerging from the wreckage, a figure rose above the monster's lifeless form.
Struggling to keep my eyes open, I gazed up at the man who had seemingly saved us. But the fear that gripped my heart was far more powerful than my injuries.
With the last reserves of my fading consciousness, I triggered my system to assess the man's status.
=====
𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲: Saber Gladiolus (Temporary)
𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸: C-
𝗝𝗼𝗯: [Hero (Temporary)]
𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: [??? (Locked)]
[𝗛𝗣: 379/1,800]
[𝗠𝗣: 28/3,000]
𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:
- [𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (Lvl 2)]: Improve attributes and combat prowess.
- [𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (Lvl 1)]: Basic ability to instantaneously move short distances.
𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀:
- 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 23 (+3.20)
- 𝗩𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 14
- 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 18 (+2.00)
- 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀: 20 (+7.40)
- 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 100
=====
Barely clinging to consciousness, my hazy vision remained transfixed on the figure who had triumphed over the formidable monster. A swirling whirlpool of awe and trepidation churned within me, even as my fading senses attempted to comprehend the stranger's extraordinary capabilities.
Descending down from the vanquished monster's lifeless form, he pressed his hand against his mouth, blood staining his palm as a cough racked his body.
"I suppose attempting to manipulate electrons separation in my current state was undoubtedly a grave mistake..." He managed to utter amidst coughs, the taste of blood tainting his words.
"I truly must delve deeper into the intricacies of Electric Magic. Even armed with my comprehensive knowledge of electricity grounded in scientific principles, the complexities that arise within the realm of magic are astoundingly confounding... Ah, should I alter my course toward Central City as an alternative to my initial intention of venturing into the ruins?"
His fingers threaded through his disheveled hair, further disarraying the locks that framed his furrowed brow.
"The very notion of transmuting plasma into an explosive instrument appears to be an endeavor riddled with insurmountable intricacies...! God, even the words I'm saying are starting to become complicated!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone