In another dimension...
Asfrith and Thousand Earth exchanged a glance, sensing the overwhelming aura of a fifth-stage monster permeating the air.
"The presence of a fifth-stage monster... Is our opponent powerful that they resorted to that level of power?" Thousand Earth muttered, analyzing the shifting energy.
Asfrith's gaze narrowed in response. He sensed imminent danger and realized the situation was turning dire on their side.
"Hmm..." Thousand Earth paused, detecting a crucial detail. He turned to Asfrith and spoke, "Enjoy yourself... Our objectives here are fulfilled. We shall cross paths again in the future... With your strength, I trust you'll withstand the onslaught of Man-Eating Tamer."
With those words, Thousand Earth vanished into the air, leaving Asfrith standing alone. Asfrith's mind echoed with the name "Man-Eating Tamer."
Could it be that the escalating energy surge was caused by this very individual?
Moreover, from Thousand Earth's words, it appeared they intended to depart from this realm soon, leaving Man-Eating Tamer to sow chaos and destruction in their wake.
Asfrith's thoughts were occupied by the recent events. The sudden appearance of the fifth-stage monster within the All-Filter Barrier Formation had brought an air of imminent collapse to the once-protected realm.
"Today marks the end of the renowned All-Filter Barrier Formation," Asfrith muttered, contemplating the unfolding chaos.
Feeling the exhaustion from his relentless battle with Thousand Earth, Asfrith took a moment to assess his condition. He sat down and coughed up blood, acknowledging his numerous injuries incurred during the intense combat. His defenses were in tatters, leaving him vulnerable.
"In this state, even a Four Shackle opponent could overcome me. The altercation damaged my field and defenses extensively. The same could be said for that guy perhaps that's why my opponent withdrew; continuing the battle would only yield more harm," he murmured, leaning against the wall as he contemplated the situation.
...
Adel soared above, enveloped in azure flames, his hands brimming with swirling energy.
With a forceful shout, he unleashed his attack, [Frost Flame Vengeance], a torrent of icy blue flames surging outward, freezing much of the area.
However, the centipede remained unfazed, merely retaliating with another devastating beam.
Cursing under his breath, Adel swiftly maneuvered to evade the incoming blast.
Meanwhile, Shen Yao appeared above the monstrous centipede, her radiant golden aura coalescing around her fists, poised for a powerful strike.
"Eat this!"
Shen Yao roared as she punched the head of the centipede. The impact of her punch sent shockwaves everywhere, but the centipede emerged unharmed. It simply moved forward, repelling her with an expanding energy field.
Bang!
She rolled in the air before managing to stabilize her posture, tasting a bitter hint of blood in her mouth.
"Tsk! I need more power... I won't be able to injure it at this rate."
Shen Yao clicked her tongue in annoyance. The centipede's exoskeleton was remarkably tough. Piercing it with her attacks would be quite the challenge.
Her only chance lay in targeting the same spot Souta had cut.
Shen Yao narrowed her eyes, focusing on the enormous slash on the centipede's carapace. She then glanced upward, noticing dozens of peculiar creatures.
"Shikigami... So that woman decided to help. Well, she has no choice since a fifth-stage monster has appeared."
In the next moment, she dashed towards the centipede once again.
Boom!! Boom!! Boom!!
The overwhelming power of the fifth-stage monster resonated throughout the dimensions. Countless individuals felt its impact and couldn't help but tremble in fear. Those from the Selnes Country and the locals of these dimensions were engulfed in despair.
Shen Yao and Adel exerted all their efforts to restrain the fifth-stage monster. Allowing it to escape into another dimension would result in devastation.
[Destruction Frost Blaze]!!
Adel roared, launching a bluish beam towards the centipede.
Swoosh!!
The centipede made no attempt to evade the beam. It plowed ahead, colliding with the attack.
Bang!!
Shen Yao narrowed her eyes as powerful shockwaves spread out. She took a deep breath and continued her assault on the centipede's body. Focusing on the wound inflicted by Souta earlier, she directed her attacks while the shikigamis worked to restrain the monster.
Bang! Bang!
Shen Yao and Adel were no longer operating at their peak capacity. Continuous combat had drained Shen Yao's stamina and energy, leaving her depleted. Adel faced similar exhaustion. Even before the appearance of the fifth-stage monster, they had already dispatched hundreds of Man-Eating Tamer's minions.
Shen Yao swiftly maneuvered through the air, observing dozens of energy beams aiming at the centipede's legs. The beams were fired and began tracking her movements.
However, she wasn't the sole target. The shikigamis were also pursued by numerous energy beams.
Swoosh!!
Breaking through the blueish beam, the centipede surged forward, prompting Adel to cease his attack. He swiftly maneuvered, evading the relentless pursuit of the monstrous creature.
"Where is that cursed exorcist?!" Adel exclaimed in frustration. "She vanished after leaving some of her shikigamis here!"
Adel lamented the absence of Naruse, realizing that her presence could have neutralized Man-Eating Tamer while they confronted the centipede.
Observing the decreased number of fourth-stage monsters around Man-Eating Tamer, Adel inferred that he couldn't control all his minions simultaneously.
Swoosh!
Man-Eating Tamer clenched his teeth in frustration. Shen Yao and Adel were continually evading and assaulting his strongest minion, still alive and resilient.
"These pests! If not for the barrier, they would be dead by now."
He was pressed for time. It was imperative to eliminate these two adversaries swiftly.
Reluctantly, he decided to engage in the battle personally. He wasn't keen on doing so because physically, he was weaker than Shen Yao and Adel. Without his minions, they would have easily overpowered and defeated him.
Man-Eating Tamer floated, eyes filled with rage, as he observed Shen Yao and Adel. His fourth-stage minions hovered around him, ready to act at his command.
Swoosh!
Shen Yao deftly dodged incoming beams and delivered a forceful punch to the monster.
[Seeker of Golden Fist]!
The impact of her punch momentarily halted the centipede. It turned to face her, clearly affected by the power of her strike, causing blood to ooze from its wound.
The next moment, Shen Yao's eyes widened as a chilling sensation ran down her spine. Reacting swiftly, she shifted her position.
Swoosh!
A dark green energy beam whizzed past her previous spot with intensified force, creating shockwaves that jostled her slightly.
It dawned on Shen Yao—she wasn't the target. The attack was aimed at Naruse's shikigamis.
The energy beam engulfed the shikigamis, erasing them from existence.
Boom!
"Damn it!" Shen Yao cursed under her breath.
Though she and Adel were the primary force in this confrontation, the shikigamis provided significant support. Losing them increased the burden of battling a fifth-stage monster.
"I'm already worn out... If I were at my best, I could have held on longer," Shen Yao murmured. Despite her exhaustion, she refused to yield. Emitting a radiant golden glow, she struck the centipede's wound with a powerful blow from her fist.
[Golden Arhat Fist]!
Simultaneously, Adel emerged from the smoke, pressing both palms together to unleash a blueish flame aimed at the centipede.
[Destruction Frost Ray]!
Boom!
A colossal explosion ensued. The merging golden and blueish lights twisted in the air, obliterating almost everything they touched. The energy fluctuations ran wild, while shockwaves rippled out in every direction.
The centipede screeched in agony, blood streaming from its wounds. Its emitted light dimmed as its tattoos vanished and its spikes retracted.
Ohm!
Rolling in the air, it shook off Shen Yao who had been on its back.
"It's reverted to its original form," Shen Yao remarked, wide-
eyed at the centipede's transformation. "It couldn't sustain its released state for long."
"It's a relief, but we've expended too much energy just now," Adel stated, his eyes narrowing. "However, it doesn't mean we're out of danger. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up."
Even though the centipede reverted to its original state, the threat it posed remained significant. Being a fifth-stage monster, its power was undiminished despite the damage Shen Yao and Adel inflicted upon it. It still loomed as menacing as before.
"We're not left with much of a choice," Shen Yao said with a forced smile.
The centipede pivoted its massive body, fixing its gleaming eyes directly on them.
