Souta checked the system's timer and noted that there were only fifteen minutes left.
The [Burning Ring Seal] floated in front of him, and from it erupted a roaring sea of flames, surging toward the location of the device housing the Cancelling Rune.
The blazing conflagration streaked through the sky, capturing the attention of thousands of onlookers below.
Whoosh!
Abruptly, a figure materialized before the approaching flames, extending both hands to envelop the inferno with a formidable energy, halting its advance.
The figure was a woman shrouded in a black cloak, beneath which she wore striking crimson attire. Her tall, imposing frame measured seven feet, and her red eyes burned with intensity. Long scarlet hair fluttered in the wind, and a dark blue beret, adorned with red jade, graced her head. Her hands were encased in gloves of a deep crimson hue.
Souta arched an eyebrow upon seeing the woman's arrival. "Red Mist... a name known far and wide, I presume. It's clear you won't allow me to destroy that device without a fight."
"Blood Lightning Monster, you stand no chance alone... With me guarding the device, you will not succeed," Red Mist responded with icy resolve.
Souta didn't immediately launch an attack. He recognized Red Mist's formidable reputation and understood her strength, even without witnessing her in combat. After all, she was famous like Anti Mage in the game. In this time period, she might be weaker, but she should still surpass Boulder Jack.
"Who said I'm handling this alone?" Souta replied with a smile, gesturing downward. "See those warriors down there? They're responsible for destroying that device. I can entrust that task to them. My role is to ensure you don't disrupt their mission."
Souta cast a brief glance at the system timer, realizing the gravity of the situation. 'If they can't destroy it, I'll do whatever it takes to ensure it's destroyed before the time runs out. However, it won't be easy with her in the way.' he thought.
Red Mist's lips curled into a faint smile as she responded, "Oh, so you intend to thwart me? I thought it was the other way around—that I was preventing you. After all, you've just defeated Boulder Jack. It seems you hold me in high regard."
Her long crimson hair billowed in the wind as her energy surged. Flames began to dance around her, and the temperature soared rapidly.
...
Alice led the charge with her spear as if it were a streak of lightning, piercing through the enemy ranks with lethal precision. Eilish remained at the rear, alongside other mages from the Athens' Champion, ready to unleash powerful spells when the opportune moment arose.
"We're closing in," Alice remarked as she cast a determined gaze ahead.
A colossal pillar of light stretched upwards, connecting to the barrier overhead, and it stood just a short two kilometers from their current position. While the distance seemed trivial given their formidable abilities, the enemies guarding it were bound to pose a formidable challenge.
"We'll break through their defenses," Alice declared resolutely. With a powerful sweep of her spear, she cut down enemies left and right, leaving them sprawled on the ground like fallen grass.
Leilus, Drami, Sekmet, Marcus, Paolo, and others trailed behind her, all now Shackled Realm experts in their own right. Their strength and battle-hardened experience allowed them to keep up with the intense combat. They had faced numerous life-and-death situations in the past, forging them into formidable warriors ready for this crucial battle.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Alice jumped back and thrust her spear forward. Her spear emitted a faint glow, and a blade of light appeared, swiftly intercepting her opponent's attack.
Alice narrowed her eyes but didn't cease her assault. She executed her spear skills with precision, thrusting multiple times at her adversary.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The exchange of blows continued for several rounds until the Blue Cross Squad joined in. Together, they fought as a unit for a minute before finally defeating the Three Shackle expert.
Alice knew she could have eventually defeated the opponent on her own, but time was of the essence, so cooperation was vital.
"We should keep moving."
The group continued to advance, encountering dozens of enemy forces blocking their path. Fortunately, their numbers weren't overwhelming, likely due to ongoing battles in other parts of the battlefield. The warriors of Athen's Champion pressed on, determined to reach their objective and break through the barrier.
Clang! Clang!
The battle intensified with each passing moment, and casualties mounted on both sides. The conflict showed no signs of stopping unless one side emerged victorious.
Eventually, the group found themselves drawing closer to the device.
Alice and her companions laid eyes on it, a triangular object slowly rotating at the center of a massive circle. Below it, an elevated platform was adorned with various materials, emitting the blinding light.
"Eilish!" Alice called out, her gaze locked onto the device.
"On it!" Eilish leaped forward and aimed her staff at the object.
A magic circle formed beneath her feet, and a sharp jet of water shot towards the device.
Swoosh!
However, just as the attack was about to strike the object, a figure materialized and intercepted her, preventing the attack from destroying the device.
A man radiating the aura of a Three Shackles Realm appeared. He pointed his sword menacingly at Alice and her companions and ordered, "Go! Kill them!"
Several figures surged forward, charging at the group.
Alice wore a grim expression looking at this.
...
Zone 2, a region under the rule of the Windi Clan.
Schine walked with a solemn expression towards the Windi Clan's household. His destination wasn't the pillar of light where the device was situated; he had another purpose for returning to his clan's abode.
He passed through the barrier without acknowledging the clan's soldiers. Most of the clan's experts had joined the ongoing war, leaving only a handful of individuals behind.
Finally, he reached the basement.
Inside, Schine found a lone figure standing in front of a palm-sized, glowing white sphere. This figure was all too familiar to him.
"Edmar... What have you done?" Schine's voice trembled with a mix of anger and sorrow.
The figure turned around, revealing the youthful face of a young man. With short blonde hair, smooth skin, and piercing blue eyes, he was Edmar Windi, Schine's own child.
"Father..." Edmar whispered as he met his father's gaze.
"Edmar, how did you come to know about the existence of that orb?" Schine inquired, his voice retaining a note of composure.
"Father, you can't hide everything from me, especially if it concerns our clan," Edmar responded.
"Why did you do it? Why did you open the barrier and allow those people to destroy our country?" Schine's voice was laced with disappointment and frustration.
"Are you certain that it's me?" Edmar's face contorted with emotion as he stared at his father.
Schine remained composed. "Then, why are you here?" he asked calmly.
"You!" Edmar's teeth clenched, and he shook his head before bursting into laughter. "Hahaha, Father, why? Why didn't you listen to me? We should have destroyed this barrier long ago! Why? Why are you confining us to this small space?"
His expression bordered on madness as his aura surged, creating a powerful gust of wind that shook the entire basement.
"The restraint of the Five Master Clans! The All Filter Barrier Formation! It's a prison, keeping us locked away here! I refuse to remain trapped and stagnate forever! I want to venture out and explore the world! Why? Why does this barrier persist? It's holding us back! It's the reason none of us can reach the Hero Realm! It stifles our potential! This abominable thing must be obliterated! I've had enough of it!"
Edmar's voice echoed in the chamber as his aura continued to intensify.
Schine calmly advanced, his measured steps deliberate as he addressed his son. "Do you understand that this barrier has protected us all this time? It prevented the invasion of neighboring countries. They've coveted our land, but this barrier deterred them. It's the last protection granted by our god."
"Protection from our god?! That's nonsense! Our god imprisoned us in this forsaken land known as Selnes Country! We need to shatter it!" Edmar shouted, his voice filled with fervor. "Patriarch Hoei proposed it as well! We can't remain stagnant! Why can't you see that?"
Schine shook his head slowly, his expression resolute. "It appears that my words won't reach you. Regardless, you've allied yourself with our enemies, putting our country in peril. I will not act blindly in response to your actions."
"You intend to kill me? Then, try it!" Edmar roared, charging towards his father.
Schine raised both hands, gathering the wind's power within his palms. "This is the legacy of our ancestors. Do you comprehend what it means to break through under these circumstances? My son, you've been misled by those individuals."
As Edmar and Schine clashed, their strikes created a shockwave, causing the confined space to tremble, and the basement itself to crumble under the force of their battle.
Boom!
A colossal explosion rocked the Windi Clan's stronghold.
