Chapter 213: Who’s Going to Save You Now?
In the blink of an eye, the red-haired woman lunged forward and swung both of her long daggers at Shaan with brutal force. Shaan tried to block the attack, but the distance between them was too short. He knew he wouldn’t stop it in time.
’SMASH!’
Shaan rolled to the side, managing to dodge the woman’s attack just in time. He immediately launched a swift counterattack toward her, but her reflexes were lightning-fast. She swiftly crossed her daggers and intercepted his attack before his blades could reach her.
’Cling! Cling! Cling!’
Damn it! Shaan tightened his grip on his dual short swords, his jaw hardening. I never expected this woman to block my attacks so easily. But I can’t let her win.
[Aspira Ignis Activated]
[Remaining Aspira Ignis Capacity: 77%]
A powerful surge of energy rushed through Shaan’s body. Heat coursed through his veins and strengthened every muscle. Without wasting a second, he unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks against the masked woman.
Strike after strike crashed toward her from different angles. The pressure forced her backward, and for the first time, she struggled to keep up with his assault. Good. The tide had finally started to turn. At least now, he had a chance to defeat her.
"Take this, damn it!" Shaan roared as he drove forward with another fierce attack.
Focusing his mana on his legs, he shoved the woman and immediately delivered a powerful kick to her stomach. In an instant, she was sent flying violently, her body smashing into a pile of empty boxes stacked on top of the watch tower.
"I’m sure she can’t move after taking a hit like that," Shaan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and took a deep breath. "Now, I have to meet up as soon as possible with...."
"I’ll admit it," she said with a smirk. "Your attack actually hurt."The woman said, slowly standing up and brushing aside the debris around her. "But now... I won’t mess around with you." She tightened her grip on her daggers. I’ll make sure you die!’
Shaan’s expression stiffened. "W-wait... what is she—"
A burst of purple light suddenly erupted from the woman’s body. The energy spread across the floor, forming a glowing summoning circle in front of her. The air around the watchtower grew heavy. Shaan instinctively took a step back.
Then something began to emerge from the circle. A massive black wolf crawled out of the glowing symbol. Dark energy wrapped around its body like living smoke. Its burning crimson eyes locked onto Shaan. The creature bared its enormous fangs and growled. A chilling killing intent swept across the tower.
"A da-daemonist?" Shaan’s voice trembled. His face turned pale."Damn it. So this woman is a daemonist too. In that case, I have to ask Robin Hood for help right now before—"
Just as Shaan tried to call for Robin Hood, the woman suddenly appeared right in front of him. Shaan tried to block her attack, but it was too late. The woman immediately launched a counterattack at Shaan, sending him flying and slamming him into the pulley pole at the top of the tower.
"Argh!"
Fresh blood mixed with the pouring rain and splattered across the floor. Pain exploded throughout his body. The blow hit so hard that even standing felt nearly impossible.
Damn it...I never expected things to turn out like this.
"I-I can’t lose here." Shaan spat out a mouthful of blood and slowly pushed himself back to his feet. Rainwater streamed down his face. "I absolutely cannot give up now!"
[Aspira Ignis Activated]
Mana erupted through his body once again. Ignoring the pain, Shaan charged forward and unleashed another furious assault against the red-haired woman. However, something had changed. The pressure she radiated now felt completely different from before. Stronger...Far stronger than before. The woman effortlessly deflected every strike he launched.
"Argkkkhh"
Her fingers wrapped tightly around his throat. In an instant, she lifted him off the ground. "So..." the woman said with a cruel smile. Thunder rumbled across the dark sky behind her. "Who’s going to save you now?"
Shaan’s chest felt increasingly tight. The woman’s grip tightened even further. making it difficult for him to breathe. To make matters worse, Shaan’s entire body grew weaker until his two dual short swords fell to the ground.
"W-what should I do now—?"
[Shaan!]
A blazing arrow suddenly shot toward the red-haired woman. In an instant, an explosion occurred and struck her. Her body crashed into a pile of wooden crates, scattering debris in every direction.
[Hey, Shaan! Are you alright?]
"Ro-Robin Hood," Shaan dropped to one knee and gasped for air. "Thank you."
[Shaan, hang in there, buddy.] Robin Hood stepped beside him and helped him back to his feet. The archer frowned as he looked at Shaan’s battered condition[Seriously, what were you thinking?]He lowered his bow for a moment.
[Why didn’t you call me when you were one step away from dying?]
"I tried," Shaan replied in a hoarse voice before a violent coughing fit interrupted him. "B-but she grabbed my throat before I could do anything. I almost died."
Robin Hood fell silent for a moment, processing Shaan’s words. [Yeah... fair enough.] Robin Hood drew his bow, seeing the woman’s silhouette standing there.[Let’s focus on taking down that crazy woman first.]
The woman slowly stood up and immediately commanded her daemon to attack Shaan. In an instant, the ferocious wolf darted forward and attacked both of them.
"Robin Hood, use the Swift Quiver skill and paralyze that creature." Shaan channeled his mana into his legs, preparing to dash toward the woman, "I’ll handle that woman."
[I understand.]
Robin Hood immediately fired several arrows at the ferocious wolf all at once. However, the beast moved with astonishing agility. It twisted its body in midair, dodged every arrow with ease, and sprinted straight through the barrage. Without slowing down, it leaped past Robin Hood and charged directly toward Shaan.
[Damn it! I won’t let that thing interfere with Shaan!]
Quickly, Robin Hood spun around and fired his arrow straight at the ferocious creature. In an instant, a loud explosion occurred, sending the creature flying off the tower.
[Bullseye! Take that, you ugly bastard!] He lowered his bow and glanced toward Shaan. [Now nothing can get in his way.]
Meanwhile, Shaan poured mana into his legs.
Power surged through every muscle. Without hesitation, he launched himself toward the red-haired woman at blistering speed.
Rainwater exploded beneath his feet. His dual short swords flashed through the air as he swung them forward with lethal intent.
’I’ll make sure this woman will—’
’DOOOONG...’
"A signal from the leader," the woman said, slowly pulling something out of her pocket. "The time has come."
However, just as Shaan was about to unleash his finishing blow at the woman, she immediately threw something to the ground. Instantly, a bright light halted Shaan’s movement and temporarily blinded him for a few moments.
"D-damn it!" His vision turned completely white. "What... what is that light?!"
The light effect slowly faded until everything returned to normal. However, the red-haired woman had vanished. No traceS like the wind. Damn. It seemed she had deliberately used that object to escape the situation.
[Hey, Shaan. What happened to that crazy woman?]
"She got away." Shaan walked toward the spot where she had stood and picked up the object she had thrown.
He turned it over in his hand and examined it carefully.
"I have no idea what this thing is, but its effect feels similar to a flash grenade or some kind of magical flashlight."
[Ah, I see.] Robin Hood nodded thoughtfully. [In that case, you should report this information to—]
’SKRREEEEEEE!’
Shaan froze. The familiar cry echoed across the sky behind him. ’W-wait... that sound...’
Shaan immediately turned around and saw a phoenix flying toward the Twilight Sanctum. He also saw the vehicle carrying Miss Khaya along with the other daemonists right in front of the Twilight Sanctum’s gates. A wave of relief washed over him. At least they had returned safely.
"We need to meet Miss Khaya and the others immediately."
Rain continued to pour over Twilight Sanctum as Shaan descended from the watchtower. The battle on the tower had ended. But the real fight for Twilight Sanctum had only just begun.
