Apophis raised his arms and the black mist vanished, only to be replaced by a strange glow.
The players facing him felt a strange sensation throughout their bodies. Bits of earth began to float as though gravity had reversed—
And then Zelda's men began to rise as well!
In a split second, Zelda realized what this must be! The ~Telekinesis~ skill from the Esper tree, though far more powerful than she'd ever seen it before! Apophis was attacking them while hardly lifting a finger!
Most of the Hyrule players reacted by activating protection and dispelling skills, but many were too slow.
Apophis clenched his fists, and those players exploded into red mist.
But no sooner had the remaining players freed themselves than they fell back down into a pool of gleaming black water, still reeling from the shock of seeing their comrades die like common insects.
They understood much too late that it was another of Apophis's Esper skills.
Apophis ignited the black water as though it were gasoline, combining ~Firebending~ and ~Waterbending~ to activate their bonus synthesis ability.
The flame quickly rose to 1500 degrees Celsius, searing all the players to ashes who hadn't activated a full invulnerability skill!
Zelda, of course, was skilled enough that she had thought to throw up her own ability in time, and she survived this attack.
Pro-Streamer and the few neutral players who watched from a distance this sinister spectacle were horrified. This wasn't a fight, it was an execution!
Pro-Streamer said to his stream, "Unbelievable! Really, I've got goosebumps! Zelda, one of the best players in the world, accompanied by the elites of the Hyrule guild, has been slaughtered in a battle so one-sided that it's as though their enemy has been grinding for years more than everyone else!"
Zelda's group had only a few survivors left. The remainder were in terrible shape, and their morale was completely broken.
Despite this, some players tried to counterattack while they had a few remaining moments of invulnerability, but Apophis's ~Susanoo~ manifested and easily blocked their attacks.
The black flames began to redden stone and melt metal. Apophis, who already had a demonic physique and aura, gave a light smile. He opened his hands and injected a huge amount of energy into ~Waterbending~, causing the liquid flame to surge in every direction, filling the nooks and crannies of the huge city of Nokful!
Zelda was totally disoriented. She had lost almost all of her soldiers in the blink of an eye. Apophis was so much more powerful than them that Zelda seriously considered fleeing, despite her pride! If they stayed much longer, Apophis's black flames would surely consume them.
But Apophis was determined not to let them escape. He invoked ~Dark Lord of Flames~, letting him shape the fire into a cage around Zelda's remaining group!
Suddenly, a titanic laser beam struck ~Susanoo~ and pulverized the surrounding buildings!
Apophis stopped fighting and turned to see the new attacker.
A magnificent Esper of the Nestarian species stood upon a high building. His appearance was magnificent—long white hair, perfect skin, cyan eyes, and golden armor.
It was the world-famous superstar William Woke, AKA Lucifer, one of the best players in "Horus!"
Behind Lucifer was another person whom Apophis knew well.
A human warrior wielding a two-meter tall hammer.
Ceasar.
Several landing ships were also visible behind them.
Apophis exchanged glances with these two "guests." He could tell at once that this was about to be the fight of all their lives.
