The house was within the site of the summit. As Simonn walked further and further, he couldn’t help but be worried. What if a battle broke out and she gets caught in it? What if they know about her?

Cold sweat forming under his palms and he felt as each step pressing harder into the ground. The plan was to meet other Acolytes and to determine who the friend or foe are then get out and go home. With Neila nearby, his options to escape were limited.

“Master, it is unwise to show weakness and hesitation.”

“I know.”

“Just in case, use this.”

“How reminiscent. You fixed it.”

Felix handed a mask much like his, but it was a half mask with a slit opening over the eyes.

“What will we do when the others arrive?”

“We’ll try to talk. Chances of them wanting to talk this out looks slim.”

The summit took place on open plains. There, two other individuals turned to Simonn and Felix. One stood proud and confident while the other kept to itself.

The one on the left had skin as white as snow, almost glowing. At first glance, he could be mistaken as a spirit. He had rather long but spiky platinum hair as his blue and red eyes stared down the newcomers. He stood proud in his long white coat provided the winter’s chill around him, creating a ring of frost from his spot.

His knightly posture granted him the honour of being the Acolyte of Justice.

“S’been a while, you two. Simonn, looking as grim as ever.”

“Sure. Whatever.”

“Still the same ol’ grumpy kid. What bout you, Felix?”

“Darnick, I heard you went back to Carchen.”

“The snow elves wanted to see their representative after we defeated the Shadow Lord. I was living happily until I heard Vassal stirring up trouble.”

Darnick lightly tapped his shoulder with his sceptre. He unbuckled his shiny buckler from his belt, tightening the straps around his wrist.

“Anyways, we can’t be careful around Vassal. Who knows what’s going to happen? Depending on the situation, I might have to side with or fight against you.”

“We hope we are able to remain on neutral ground with everyone.” Felix nodded. “Bardock?”

Bardock who was sitting stilly kept its crosshairs shaped pupils on the three. Drones and floating mechanical shields orbit around it, ready to defend against any attackers.

Anyone who saw it would immediately think she was a young girl with odd skin color. She was the final product, a masterpiece from a renown engineer who sacrificed himself to perfect her. She had synthetic hair, steel as her skin. She wore a dress decorated with frills and her unfashionable, bulky mechanical boots were connected to her legs.

[Answer: This unit serves no purpose in this battle. To document the defeat of the Shadow Lord was my final task.]

“Why are you here then?” Simonn asked.

[Answer: My purpose is to document events. I am curious of the outcome. And to reunite with everyone else… I looked forward to it.]

“Ha! How wholesome! I did not think automations could exhibit emotions. Your creator managed to persuade me otherwise!” Darnick laughed.

[Gratitude: Thank you. I’m certain my creator would appreciate your praise-.] Bardock’s drones suddenly flocked out, spiralling around her. [Warning: Abnormally high magical waves fluctuating detected within the area. High probability of Liandra arriving.]

Lightning sparked from below as a crack burst in mid air.

“Felix, close it.”

“Understood.”

Felix crouched near magic circles and began editing the contents. He tapped on the characters, scrambling the ordering of the phrases. A few moments later, a portal formed, but it was unstable. It quickly collapsed on itself and vanished.

“Guys, seriously?” Darnick sighed. “Well, you never liked her anyways. That much I know.”

“It was Master’s orders.”

[Comment: Your reputation precedes you, Simonn.]

“You’re so terrible~! But I love that side of you.”

From another portal, a well-endowed woman riding on a flying staff shot out from the veil.

She was blindfolded, but as soon as she stepped onto the field, she turned a lovely smile towards Simonn. In return, he clicked his tongue in disgust.

“Oh, Simonn~. I missed you.”

“Don’t you dare come closer to me. I’ll cut off your head.”

Unlike Darnick, Simonn showed no interest in her alluring body. He made a repulsive expression and avoided further eye contact with her.

“How mean! It’s been a while since we’ve spoken and you’re ignoring me?” She pouted. “You even tried to close my portals.”

“Your point?”

“That was for Vassal and Olga.”

“You’ve chosen your side.”

“That depends on you.” Liandra caressed her wine-coloured spear in a lewdly manner. “Now he’s going to be a bit late, but that’s convenient for me. I came here early to make a bargain. I can help you.”

“A bargain?”

“You plan on opposing Vassal, no?”

“That’s because he sent Demons to attack me first. Are you suggesting you’ll help me?”

“That depends~. There’s a certain boy I want. Despite tying to seduce him or showering him with my affection, he’s not accepting me. Simonn, if you become mine, all my magic, my knowledge will be yours to use-.”

“You either don’t fight or you’re an enemy. I won’t lower myself to you.”

[Comment: A quick decision.]

“The same goes for you, Bardock. Stay neutral or I’ll fight you too.”

[Acknowledged: I shall abide to my decision.]

“So you’ve made your choice then, Simonn?”

Two figures teleported on the field. One of them held onto the blade of hope that freed the world from the Shadow Lord’s grasp. The saber had a small yin and yang theme to it seeing its white curved blade and a black hook on the bottom of the handle.

His follower, a giant figure marched in with her fiery battle axe. A quiver of javelins in tow crafted from materials harvested from danger beasts.

This concluded most of the hero’s party making an appearance.

Vassal, the Hero. Olga, Acolyte of Fury. Liandra, Acolyte of Sagacity. Darnick, Acolyte of Justice. Bardock, Acolyte of Fortitude. Felix, Acolyte of Retribution. Simonn, Acolyte of Defiance. The only one missing was the Acolyte of Fellowship.

Simonn readied his guard as soon as he spotted Vassal. He set down his coffin and took out his morning star.

“Yo, everyone. Sorry for being late.” Vassal waved. “We were midway travelling through the portal when the exit closed on us.”

“That was Simonn.” Liandra crossed her arms.

“Ah?! Simonn, you jerk! Wait, not everyone is here. Where’s Goodman?” Olga said.

[Comment: It is plausible Goodman had forgotten about this meeting.]

“Probably drunk at a bar. We know how much he loves drinking and talking and blabbering. I bet he’s passed out.” Darnick answered.

“That sounds like him.” Vassal made a small smirk. “Oh well. There’s no point to wait for him if we don’t know when he’ll show up. Since everyone here knows about me, I’d like to know where you all stand. Shall we start the summit?”

Bardock, with the help of her drones stood up. She did a small curtsy before speaking.

[Response: This unit will not take part in this battle if possible. If Gehenar Ruins remain untouched, I will not take action.]

“My reason is the same as Bardock. So long as Carchen is unharmed, the snow elves and I will not fight.”

Immediately two of them declared themselves to be neutral. Simonn had hoped he could question Vassal before Darnick answered, but he lost his chance.

“Noted. I will restrict Player entry to both locations. Olga?”

“I’ll stand with you, Vassal. If any fools decide to go against you, I’ll make sure to give em a clobberin’!” Olga’s declared, glaring at Simonn.

“Real funny, Olga.” Simonn frowned. “You guys sent otherworlders and Demons my way. You expect me to just start complying to your threats without complaining?”

“They were not deployed by my will.” Vassal answered. “I had fellow researchers run experiments. They wanted results.”

“That doesn’t change the fact you let them run rampant.”

“I apologize on that of behalf of them. I did not know you were there.”

“It’s not about me and your apology isn’t enough. The fact you had them marching my way, I already considered that a threat from you.”

“Then what would you have me do?”

“Pull back.”

They glared at each other for a second, but that second felt longer than it should’ve with both of them putting their hands on their weapons.

Vassal stood the tip of his blade on the ground, standing proud and firm. The air around him changed as his atmosphere became more hostile.

“I was already being considerate to let you talk since you were the one who stole the memorandum from me. Even so, if you give up the one you stolen, I still need the other half locked away in Yilan or Sivaria.”

“You mean this?”

Simonn tapped on the book holstered on his side.

“Yes. Give it to back.”

“As much as I’d like to avoid fighting, I can’t declare myself neutral then. This thing is more valuable than you and I.”

“I didn’t want to do this. Is there no way for us to get along?”

“There never was.”

“Then I have nothing else to say to you.”

“Master!”

Simonn looked down to his chest to find a bleeding wound.

His eyes followed the trajectory where the shots came from. Before he could judge the location of his attacker, he received a headshot. Two more, his head snapped upwards, smoke rising from his face and collapsed on the ground.

Before anyone was able to react, before Felix could warn his master, Simonn was quickly taken out.

“Sorry Simonn. It didn’t have to end this way.”

“You got Goodman to join?” Liandra asked.

“It took a lot of persuading.”

Bardock deployed drones to protect herself while Darnick took a defensive stance, scanning for the sniper.

Felix charged forward to avenge Simonn. His guillotine blade clashed against Olga’s fiery axe. In terms of raw strength, Felix knew he stood no chance against Olga, but he was confident he moved faster than her. Their power matched for a moment, sending shockwaves across the plains.

Olga was the Acolyte of Fury. She and her battleaxe could effortlessly shred any defence she determined an annoyance. On the battlefield, she often acted as the arrowhead to break the enemy lines and wreak havoc among ranks.

But now, she was granted a chance to fight an equal.

“Ha! Now we get to see who’s the stronger one once and for all!”

Each time she swung her fiery axe against Felix’s weapon, embers sparked, and a wall of raging flames stopped Felix from trying to launch a counterattack.

Felix felt each clash numbing his arms. He tried to distance himself, but Olga stuck to him and kept him on the defensive with her endless barrage.

“Take this!”

Her axe swung diagonally upwards.

He felt light, his legs lifted off the ground.

“?!”

He suddenly found himself flung into the sky. He soared past the first layer of clouds, helplessly waiting for gravity to pull him back down.

While in the air, Felix spread his arms to reduce the speed he fell. At the end of his descent, his opponent would certainly bat. Mist formed beneath his mask, cloaking him as he began descending. The ball of mist dropped down on Olga just as she slammed it with her full strength. She whipped up a whirlwind that parted the clouds hanging above. Seconds later, the clouds flooded the sky again.

She felt a hard object, noticing she hit Felix’s guillotine. The power she put into her attack was distributed into a shockwave, ripping trees out of the ground.

“He’s gone?!”

“Over here.”

Felix approached her side with his fingers fanned open like a claw ready to rip her in half.

Before he was able to reinforce his attack with a spell, he felt a disturbance. Felix suddenly felt his strength sapped from him as he tripped forward.

“Not so fast, Felix. Did you forget I’m here?”

“Liandra, what are you doing?! I was supposed to fight him!”

“This isn’t the time to play around.”

“Olga, you’ll get your chance.” Vassal said.

“That was Goodman who shot Simonn.” Darnick shouted in disbelief. “Vassal, you coward! Using such underhanded tactics is unforgivable!”

“Darnick, save it. Simonn is down. With Felix also being held down by Olga and Liandra, Goodman has locked you as his next target. As long as you keep to your promise and not attack, I will honor my promise and not let any Players cross Carchen’s land. Liandra, as we bargained. Simonn’s body is for yours to take but give me the Memorandum.”

“With pleasure~.”

“Giving me away without my consent. You’re pitiful. You need to do a lot more than that to kill me.”

“Vassal! Get away from there!”

[Flames of Envy] breathed out of the coffin, igniting everything in its path. Vassal stood his ground, taking the full blunt of burning wave without hesitation.

“Vassal, are you alright?!” Olga yelled.

“I’m fine. It’s harmless.”

Vassal swept his blade and cleared the burning field. His body, even his clothes remained unscathed. He was enveloped by a layer of impenetrable holy light which protected him from the flames and a cone of land behind him.

“You’re still alive, Simonn. I’m relieved. No friend of mine should be that weak after everything we’ve suffered through.”

“Yeah, no thanks to you and Goodman.” Simonn spat out bullets from his mouth. He threw his broken mask aside. “I got lucky.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call that luck. You’re strong and I don’t want to fight you. In any case, I demand you hand over what’s rightfully mine.”

“Sure, I’ll give you a nice swift death you deserve since you asked nicely.”

Simonn walked over to Felix and gave him a kick.

“Felix, get up. Stop acting. We’re going to fight for real.”

“Understood. However, we’re outnumbered two to four.”

“Exhilarating, isn’t it?”

A collection of magic circles conquered the skies. They siphoned moisture from clouds above, creating an array of spells. Black icicle swords took form, bolts of lightning charging up, all waiting for the caster’s signal to be deployed.

“Quit hiding behind Bardock, cheapskate!”

“This is a battle. Complaining against underhanded tactics are considered a positive compliment. If you cannot comprehend the basic survival tactics in a life or death situation, you are nothing but a fool.”

“Wait till I get my hands on you!”

As Olga restarted her battle with Felix, she noticed her foe was running in circles around the sturdiest defender of the Acolytes, Bardock, for cover.

Bardock relentlessly tried fleeing the battle between them. Each time Olga swung her battleaxe, one of Bardock’s mechanical shields instantly deployed a barrier to fend off attacks that indirectly headed towards her.

[Annoyance: I do not wish to participate. Please leave me alone.]

“Sorry, Bardock! Goodman, I need you to stop Felix for one moment!”

Felix immediately used the broad blade of his guillotine blade to block gunshots from the forest. He sensed bloodlust and instantly turned around parrying Olga’s axe. He received a strong blow that threw him fall back to the edge of the forest where he was greeted by another burst of heavy projectiles.

He heard a thump. Turning around, he saw Olga draw a javelin and hurling it at him in full force.

He clapped his hands, catching the spear with its tip inches from puncturing his mask. The power behind Olga’s javelin throw continued pushing him back as his blade, strapped on his back, blocked a bullet storm from Goodman’s barrage. His heels plowed through the ground for a good ten seconds before he mustered enough strength to redirect one of Olga’s javelin into the air.

Even when he let go of it, the spear soared past the clouds. Felix knew he was strong, but Olga was in a league of her own. The underside of his gloves was basically shredded from catching that one spear.

“I know I’m the slowest of us bunch, but I’m hella strong enough to make whatever I throw fast!”

Felix spotting a growing shadow under him. He raised his guillotine up as Olga pounced on him from the air. He miscalculated, thinking Olga was aiming to land on him.

She pressed down on the terrain around them, making a giant crater and raised uneven footholds. Taking advantage of her surprise, she knocked Felix’s balance off then charged at him.

“Gotcha! You can’t run now!”

Olga had already reeled her weapon, cleaving it past his collarbone and stopped where his stomach was. She twisted her weapon, separating his upper half vertically.

“Uwah! You didn’t try to dodge that…”

“That was the plan.”

Like a possessed doll, Felix’s mask snapped towards Olga.

Mist poured out of the supposed injury. He grabbed Olga’s battleaxe and pried it out of his body. His injury mended itself like time on his body was rewinding.

“No matter how many times I watch that, it’s disgusting. Are you immortal?”

“I am not.”

“You don’t say. You look immortal.”

Felix ignored Olga’s compliment. His guillotine blade extended like a switchblade, chopping into his opponent’s weapon handle. Embers spat out of the clash as Olga’s fiery battleaxe activated a defensive ward to protect her.

The guillotine snapped back to its original form. Felix quickly brought it down, forcing Olga to hold up her weapon to block it. A ring of fire ripples away from them as soon as their weapons clashed.

“Ha! Not bad!”

“That so?”

Taking this chance, Felix delivered a quick punch into her stomach and sent her tumbling back. He unrooted a burning great oak, roots and all, about five storeys tall, hurling it at her. He reeled his weapon back then threw it like a hatchet and began sprinting after it.

Felix leaped in the air and made a fist as he soared towards Olga. He made sure the tree struck first, then his weapon, adding a dropkick then his fist. In total, four quaking strikes shook the ground and he knew all of them connected.

There was time for a quick breather as Felix retrieved his weapon while scanning for Olga’s condition through the thick cloud of smoke. He wasn’t able to verify the body, but something hurled towards him as it split the dust cloud.

He dodged it in a nick of time to save his head from caving into his body.

“That was a good warm up, don’t you think? I’m getting all fired up now!”

The tattoos around Olga’s arm began spreading all over her body, and turned her white hair, red. The whites in her eyes turned black with red pupils.

She held fragments of her broken axe.

“Ah. It broke. I’m going need to ask Liandra to make another one for me.”

“You’re getting serious.”

“Of course! After we defeated the Shadow Lord and its servants, there aren’t many things that can go toe to toe with me anymore! Anyways, you should get serious if you don’t want to be knocked around like a sandbag. The axe that was supposed to act as my limiter broke, so I’m going to need you to keep up with me until I can get back to normal!”

“Is there no way for you guys to talk this out?” Darnick plead. “What are you guys trying to achieve by killing each other?”

“That is a question Vassal should answer. I’m fighting to protect my livelihood.” Simonn answered.

“Then give me the Memorandum. I’ll swear to never bother you again.”

“It’s too dangerous. Both books should never be together. Who knows what it’ll do? It might destroy the world.”

“I need it for the sake of the world!”

“Look at what you’re doing first! You’re killing everyone in your way just to fight against some unknown disaster that’s unlikely going to happen!”

“ENOUGH! You don’t know what I saw after we defeated the Shadow Lord! I’m doing this to save everyone!”

Simonn slammed down his coffin just as Vassal slashed vertically, shooting a white wave of energy. It detonated before contact, scattering invisible blades of wind mowing down grass.

“Vassal, do you need my help?” Liandra asked.

“Please. If we kill Simonn here, there will be less obstacles to deal with later on.” Vassal pressed on his earpiece. “Goodman, forget Felix. Focus fire on Simonn. If we can take him out, Felix won’t be much of a problem.”

Flares flew above the forest. They exploded like fireworks, hovered stilly for a second before the scattered projectiles homed towards Simonn.

As Simonn turned his shield, Liandra dropped her icicles and lightning bolts behind his back. Five more projectiles shot out of the forest, ricocheting off Liandra’s magic and attack Simonn in all directions.

Using [Void of Gluttony], Simonn waved the coffin in a circle, consuming all projectiles in the area. He quickly searched the area, trying to locate Vassal in this raining havoc.

He jumped, kicking off the coffin and performing a back somersault while dodging Vassal’s slash aim at his back. Simonn swat away two more rounds in mid air, before turning his attention back to Vassal.

Vassal spun around and brandished his sword only to be blocked by the handle of Simonn’s mace.

“Simonn, stay still and die for me like a dear~.”

Liandra fiddled with a web of lighting then clapped her hands and manoeuvred her flying spear above him. A grand magic circle formed over the tip. It sparked and scrapped the surface of the earth with many branches of electricity.

Simonn ran around, dancing within the storm. He focused everything to dodge her spells, taking precaution to not let her activate their secondary effects. Lightning bolts clawed against the earth, drawing scars. They would sweep close but would miss him at the last moment. Amidst the chaos, he suffered a gunshot in his arm and a slash from Vassal.

“Tch. This is a bit too much, don’t you think?”

He finally withdrew from the thunderstorm. As he moved back, Liandra swooped down and waved her spear at him. She looked at him with a lusty expression. A wicked smile stretched from cheek to cheek while he could hear her rough breathing.

“I’ve missed the chances to see you up close! You’re as cute as I remembered.”

“You’re disgusting. Buzz off-.”

Simonn noticed Liandra’s spear appeared distorted. It looked like light bent around it. He pulled his coffin away at the last moment and backstepped away.

“Magic enchantment?”

“Anything the blade touches will be ripped into shreds, down to their molecules tearing away. Ah~, but don’t worry. I’ll put you back together.”

And the only things that can block it are energy type barriers. It sucks that I can’t use magic naturally.

Simonn could not afford to block as Liandra’s spear would cut nearly everything in his possession in half. Instead, he brandished his mace to hit the handle where she did not enchant it.

“I think I’ve bought enough time, Vassal.”

“Shit. You guys are taking turns wearing me out.”

Simonn’s attention turned back to Goodman who prevented him from escaping Vassal as Liandra withdrew. Each time he deflected a bullet, they curved back to him. He was forced to use [Void of Gluttony] and [Flames of Envy] to protect himself whenever he could.

Vassal came in hacking and slashing. His blade suddenly illuminated brightly, extending its energy to become an extension to his next attack. He held his blade in a rapier stance from a distance, thrusting forward and shooting out a bolt of light instantly penetrated Simonn’s shoulder. It punched through the magical enchantments made to nullify high level spells.

“There’s almost no delay and it skips past [Void of Gluttony]. That’s kinda overpowered.” Simonn grunted, holding onto his bleeding shoulder.

Thankfully, that attack is short ranged and takes a while to wind up. I can’t afford to give Vassal another chance like that or I’ll die.

“Thank you. I’ll make sure the next ones will hit your vital points.”

“I would say that too, if I wasn’t being ganged up.”

Every time Simonn attempted a counterattack, Goodman would force him to block. Liandra would aim for his blind spots, concealing Vassal’s presence under her magic barrage. Simonn could block physical objects formed by magic, but energy-based spells were problematic.

If he wasn’t careful, one good spell could immobilize him.

“Master, dodge!”

Suddenly, Felix zoomed by him with Olga hammering her fists on his weapon. She sent Felix skiing across the battlefield, landing another punch and threw him rolling on the ground. Once she made her descent, Olga crashed into the earth and wreaked chaos on the surface.

Even Felix is having a hard time against Olga’s berserker mode. He’s being outclassed in strength and speed. If only we had one more to join us, I can hold two off on my own.

“To think this is the Olga who wanted to have babies with you.” Simonn suddenly said.

“W-What are you saying at this time?!” Vassal yelled.

Simonn deliberately broke the tense atmosphere to fill his lungs with air. Any time he could stall was a luxury as his opponents were serious to take his life.

“Don’t let up! He’s stalling!” Vassal roared.

“Sharp, but this is enough even though it was a one second timeout.”

Darnick stood as a bystander, helpless in this situation. He looked to Bardock, documenting everything happening in front of her.

As the Acolyte of Justice, he joined Vassal’s group to defeat the Shadow Lord because his beliefs were to help those who were troubled and eradicate evil doers. The longer he observed the fight, the more he grew restless. He knew if he were to fight, the people of Carchen would be involved, but Vassal has grew into this tyrant threatening order in this world.

[Question: Have you decided?]

“I can’t stand aside any longer. It seems I must give into my beliefs. I have no choice but to apologize to my people after.”

Darnick raised his scepter.

“Gurd! O’Earth Elemental! Our dearest mother earth, giver of life. Heed my helpless call and bestow your parental guidance to my cause. I wish to protect those who couldn’t but with your wrath, grant me the privilege to strike upon the wrong doers with nature’s might! Foram, Maks, Ruh, Jeltz, Val, Exlas, Ashent! Crystal Overburst!”

The earth that had been laying dormant underground compressed into mass in form of large crystalized shards. It took a little preparation for their shape to become concrete. When Darnick has felt his magic had been completed, he summoned large crystals from below to separate the enemy from Simonn.

Darnick bent his knees slightly, preparing to throw himself into the fray. He held his buckler and hurled it like a frisbee. A sonic boom echoed through the air as it collided against Vassal’s sword.

The shield was a magic item. Its outer golden rim surrounded a polished white marbled board. The smooth luster surface could reflect images like a mirror. When Darnick twirled his finger, he was able to remote control his magical equipment to return, but grazing Vassal’s back in the process.

“Darnick!”

“Sorry Vassal. This can’t go on any longer. You’re going to ruin even more lives if you continue down the path so I will have to stop this evil of yours.”

“It’s a shame then.”

“A shame indeed. You were a person I respected, but you’ve changed. Carchen will be opposing you. I will eradicate those devils you control if they ever so set foot into my territory.” Darnick, tossed a container of high grade healing ointment to Simonn and raised his buckler. “How bad are your injuries?”

“Minor. It took longer than I thought for you to join.”

“You-! You planned for me to join?!”

“Hey, I didn’t ask you in the first place. You volunteered.”

“Simonn, darling~,” Liandra hollered. “If you’ve given yourself to me, I would’ve joined you.”

“Not even in my next life. Fuck off.”

“Instant rejection. That’s a bit harsh-.”

Simonn suddenly grabbed Darnick’s head and pushed him down. They dodged Vassal’s blade by hair’s breath.

“Holy, you saved me, Simonn.”

“We’re even.”

“It doesn’t matter if you have Darnick to help you. I’ll kill anyone in my way!” Vassal’s hand manifested a fireball. “Sei, O’Fire Elemental, governor of blazing wrath, I call you to answer my bidding, wreak havoc onto those who oppose my might! Pik, Zek, Jeltz, Val, Exlas, Exles, Dupil, Ashent!”

“He’s trying to keep us in one place!”

Vassal pushed out his palm, pressing a red magic circle into the ground. Flame pillars and molten lava ooze from the ground at random location and intervals. The raging flames spat embers, spreading more rapidly across the field.

“Here me, Ank, O’Light Elemental! Lux Aragius! Testavane Hugilos!”

He then raised his blade in the air, summoning a death ray of light targeting Simonn and Darnick.

“Get behind me!”

Darnick raised a field of crystals to help refracted some of its power elsewhere, but the laser still reached him. He immediately deployed a magic barrier and used earth magic to help stabilize his footing from Vassal’s death ray.

The immense pressure from blocking one of Vassal’s spells costed his shield arm temporarily. He couldn’t feel his arm, let alone move it. He could see blood flowing down to his fingertips.

“Gurd, O’Earth Elemental. Awaken from deep slumber, obey my demands. Give into your voracious appetite, devour those who walk on you. Rip and tear, devour and consume all those who dare to challenge your insatiable greed. Ulos, Larv, Zek, Ruh, Gruk, Nalus, Cirl, Ashent, Holk.”

Just then, Liandra controlled the earth around Darnick. Wicked branches made from the earth surrounded him meaning to consume and skewer anyone it captured.

“The earth around us!”

“Got it!” Darnick responded. “Ank! O’Light Elemental! As a seeker of truth and justice, vowed to rid the dammed, I call forth your holy smite to deliver those who oppose your wish! Grand Reckoning!”

Darnick’s weapon painted intense light over the plains. Right before the earth closed on him, a magic circle formed underneath and raised a large cross, clearing flame pillars and destroying the land around him in order to escape from Liandra’s magic.

“Status.”

“Healing it will take too long. I can still cast spells, but I can’t defend as well as I will be able to.”

“Got it. I’ll take care of Vassal and Liandra. Go find and stop Goodman.”

Darnick’s expression appeared to want to object, but he knew better than to argue in a battle like this. He began sprinting towards the forest where the last gunshot was heard.

“You think I’d let you?”

Vassal threw a sword beam towards Darnick, but Simonn’s coffin intercepted it.

“Who asked you? You’re supposed to fight me.” Simonn smiled, snapping his fingers. “[Luster of Pride]!”

The coffin’s silver frame illuminated annoyingly bright. Vassal tried sheltering his eyes, but the light that hit him blinded the edge of his vision, forcing his attention back on Simonn.

“Simonn!” Vassal roared.

His eyes were bloodshot and full of vengeance. He held his saber overhead.

“Holy Sword, as the Hero you have chosen, bless me with the fullest wraths of your power. Give me strength to bring down this evil, leave no evil. I wish to lay judgement on opposers who dare to go against my will.”

In response to its prayer, an aura of holy light gently wrapped around his sword and reached beyond the dark clouds.

[Critcal Alert: High magic influx gather in this area. Evacuation is advised.]

“Vassal?! Just when I was having fun with a worthy opponent.” Olga clicked her tongue. “We’ll continue this fight, Felix. If you live.”

“Oh dear, looks like its time to go~. Simonn, if you die, make sure to keep your body intact for me okay?”

With that, Bardock, Olga and Liandra quickly fled the scene.

“Master, what’s wrong?”

“Everything.”

Chills came from an unsettling feeling of death. Not his death. Cold sweat dripped down Simonn’s face after the realization of the Hero’s upcoming attack. He wanted to turn back, but that would give away his worries.

His field of vision became fully white, brighter by the second. The effects of [Luster of Pride] no longer affected Vassal to prematurely launch a blitz.

I can defend myself but, if he swings that now, Neila will get hit. He’s getting too serious.

“I will give it my all in this attack. You will not survive.” Vassal declared.

“I have the Memorandum on me. If you obliterate me, you’re going to destroy it.”

“You would’ve destroyed it already if you didn’t want me to have it. That means I know the book will be unharmed after this attack.”

Felix immediately rushed in with his weapon and swung it as hard as he could. His blade bounced back from an impenetrable veil of energy.

“Master, it’s no use. He’s invulnerable while charging that attack.”

“He tanked the Shadow Lord long enough for us to heal up, remember?”

“Yes. I figured it’d be worth a try. Master, can you stop it?”

“I can.” Simonn smirked. “If he’s getting serious, I should get serious as well. I am the Acolyte of Defiance. Moments like this are what makes me a hated cheater. I’ll show him he can’t just do what he wants and put him in his place.”