As we went deeper into the enemy lines, we started to get hounded by 9th-stage demons all around. It wasn't safe at all, but with me guarding the front, Fang guarding the left, and Igni guarding the right side, we could still maintain the safety of the others behind.
Namia was the only one who was treated roughly. She was left a few meters behind us to hold the rear alone. Although Fina was able to send support to her every now and then, she was still basically fighting one-against-many.
Unlike before, it was now harder to just mow our way forward. The pace at which we eliminated the 9th-stage demons wasn't enough to prevent them from approaching.
"Everone! Let's step up our game!"
I shouted as I started to activate Lifeblood at the lowest setting. Now that I'm about as strong as a 5th to 6th-stage monster, the lowest setting of lifeblood could only reduce a second of my lifespan for every minute it's used. It was basically negligible, but even dust, when piled up, becomes a mountain.
Ember frowned upon seeing me release a bloody aura as the lifeblood activated. However, she too should understand that, as things were, we couldn't completely eliminate everything around us in time. Diving too deep was a little of a miscalculation on my part, I admit.
As I started using one of my forbidden skills, Fang also started to move wilder. She used [Shadow Skip] with a new move [Lance of Darkness] that impales everything with a spire made out of solidified shadows from below the enemies' feet. Since she couldn't impale large monsters easily, she also used [Body Reinforcement] and the true [Shadow Clone], which was different from my imitation.
In just a split second, dozens of Fang's clones were running around the battlefield, busily engaging and attacking anything that moved. However, as she did this, her main body started to move sluggishly. After all, it was hard to control all her clones at the same time. In this aspect, the imitation [Shadow Clone] that I made was better since each clone had its own mind. I lose out in terms of numbers, though, as even at my best, I could only do ten clones.
Our clearing rate has increased significantly as a result of her clones adding to the mix. Seeing how the two of us became reapers across the battlefield, Igni too started to use all her powers. Before, she was using [Flame Clad: Battle Mode] with many support skills. However, she turned off the [Flame Clad] and only left the [Flame Edge] in her hands.
With her increased control, unlike before, when she became naked after turning it off, her clothes were now safe from getting charred. However, they quickly began burning after the [Flame Edge] in her hands started raging with blue instead of red flames.
"[Flame Edge] plus [Temperature Control] plus [Extreme Blaze]!"
The sword of fire in her hands quickly transformed from a mere one-and-a-half meter into a long spear sword dozens of meters long and about three meters wide. Since it was made of flames, it had no weight at all. However, the air around the sword was blurred, as if in a mirage. The temperature was enough to melt everything around Igni, even the ground she was stepping on.
The demons around her began to move away, afraid of the extreme heat that they were feeling, exuding from her. However, they couldn't run far before the sword mowed them down.
With a single swing, she killed tens of 9th-stage demons simultaneously, burning them until not even ashes remained. Yet, with how hot Igni was, everyone else also took distance from her, isolating her slightly. Despite being vulnerable from all sides, no demon dared approach her anyway. Igni dominated a small space, creating her own territory amidst the swarm of enemies.
If we have rankings for contribution to the battle, then Igni would definitely come in second. Why second? Because Ember would definitely be the undisputed first place.
The only reason why the three of us frontline fighters could rampage to our heart's content was that Ember was completely shutting off all attacks that came from all over. Since the cannons and the railgun were unable to damage the monsters, she instead focused on defense.
The throne transformed, breaking down into dozens of smaller plates. Each plate was diamond-shaped, with a meter across the longer diagonal and about a foot on the shorter one. The plates were harder than steel, able to even block a direct hit from a 9th-stage demon without deforming. However, there's not even the need to receive attacks directly.
Ember skillfully used the plates so that long-range attacks would end up being deflected in another direction, hitting other demons and gravely injuring them. Not only that, she kept watching over the three of us, blocking all attacks that were sent our way. Although her kill count was low, Ember's support points were definitely through the roof.
Fina, the current weakest in terms of battle potential, could only provide support to Namia, who was having an easy time covering our rear. Only the two of them were performing subpar compared to the others, but that's pretty understandable.
Fina was just a tamer a short while ago and was completely unfamiliar with her newfound powers, while Namia was originally our enemy and was only under a Faux contract right now. I don't want to put too much pressure on Fina, and I still have things I want to ask Namia, so keeping their current position should be in the best interest of both sides.
As we were getting lost in our killing spree, the surrounding air suddenly changed. The entire field was suddenly covered with rapidly developing undergrowth, making it extremely difficult for us to move.
"This is..."
I squinted my eyes, looking at the magical plants that were growing at a rapid pace, slowly enveloping not only the demons around us but also ourselves.
"Oh no!"
After I realized what it was, I quickly turned back and shouted to the girls.
"Turn back! We've entered the domain of a 9th-stage tamed monster!"
We need to retreat quickly, or we'll end up getting hit by friendly fire!
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶