300 Releasing a Natural Disaster
However, before we attack, we need some planning. After all, even if we rushed in, the only ending is us running back outside its range in panic.
[666 Chains of Demon's Grasp] is a sealing technique that utilizes its target's power to seal itself. Furthermore, it even comes with an automatic function that hinders anyone who tries to unlock the seal.
Fortunately, from Fatima's explanation, the base of the chains is extremely fragile and would only require a light touch before breaking. Without that reassurance, I might've been forced to use [Echoing Thunderclaps] as I first planned.
The first ten minutes we spent studying the rules behind the attacks were to ensure that we could survive them at any moment. After thorough testing, we found that each of those light javelins takes half a second to form before it can come rushing down.
Furthermore, after each wave, there are three seconds of gap before the next wave comes. In short, we can take advantage of that short window to slowly work on dismantling the seal.
"Then, let's begin!"
I announced it to everyone who was already in position.
Our plan was simple, with one of us moving in, attracting the first wave of attacks, and escaping. The others would then take advantage of the three-second gap and unseal as many chains as they could.
After I gave the signal, I ran forward, invading about ten meters into the "forbidden zone". As expected, the light javelins started forming, aiming in my general direction.
"NOW!"
After determining the exact timing, I started running back to where I came from. At the same time, the girls who were outside of the attack's range jumped in and started whacking the base of the chains nearby.
While testing, we managed to destroy 50 out of the 666 chains. That was due to our prioritizing safety over the target. Now, however, as soon as they entered, each one of them had already destroyed five chains.
In a single wave, we managed to destroy 60 chains!
After that, the javelins started manifesting, aiming for the ones who were inside the range. As soon as they noticed the formation of the attack, everyone turned tail without hesitation and retreated to safety. At that instant, I and the rest of the girls went in and did the same thing, whacking the chains and destroying the seal slowly.
Just as I was destroying the tenth chain in my range, the light javelins started manifesting on our side once more. This time, we retreated as the opposite side rushed in.
This exchange continued for about five minutes until the remaining chains were only about a dozen. It took so much time since, as we cleared the outer chains, reaching the deeper ones took more time. Still, with only a dozen left, this should be the last wave.
After seeing the formed javelins chase the other group, we started running forward, aiming for the nearest chains to us. Of course, each could only cut one chain before the next barrage of javelins formed.
However, instead of retreating, I turned on Lifeblood and skipped between the six remaining chains, waving my sword gently and tapping the bases in a single motion.
*Clang!* *Crash!*
As soon as I destroyed the last few chains, the javelin forming in mid-air dispersed like gathered dust. Furthermore, the door that was previously sealed started swinging wide open.
"Ugh!"
However, the scenery in the middle of the door was hard to see. It was so bright that looking at it directly was nearly impossible.
*FWOOOOOOM!*
A powerful wave of energy suddenly swept across the field, making us, who were near the door, stumble and fall to the ground.
As we were unable to stand the pressure released by the door, another powerful wave of pressure started pushing down on everyone. Even I, who was pretty resistant to such pressure and intimidation, was finally forced to kneel on the ground.
"What a powerful aura!"
The door was one thing, but this beyond-god-level angel was scarily powerful! With it just stretching its wings, the scenery was already starting to blur due to the density of energy around it.
One by one, like a poorly oiled machine, the angel started moving its wings. The numerous cracking noises surely aren't part of my imagination.
After it finished stretching its wings, the monster started to rise from its kneeling position. As soon as it stood up, I realized that this androgynous-looking angel was actually female. Her assets were astounding, not just because she was a giant but also relative to her size. I guess if she were human-size, she'd be around the same as Fina.
[Finally...]
A gentle and soothing voice echoed inside my head.
As soon as it did, a blast of energy swept across the entire field, sending everyone rolling backward a few times. There was no exception. As soon as everyone was back on their feet, I called them to gather behind me.
After the last blast of energy that sent us rolling, the angel stopped in place and started stretching her whole body. Although it was a feast for the eyes, given that she was only wearing a sash of cloth across her chest, fear of the unknown was grasping our hearts.
'So this is a beyond-god-level monster!'
Even with her just standing about fifty meters before us, my entire instinct was shouting for us to run away. However, our destination was literally right beside her, so it was impossible.
[Hmm? Humans... And beasts? Are you the ones who set me free?]
When she finished her short stretching, her pair of golden eyes stared at us. At that moment, I felt my entire body stiffen. Although I knew that I needed to move, my body refused to budge even an inch.
Before anyone noticed, a lyre appeared on her right hand. Although it was just a simple musical instrument, just looking at it was enough to send cold sweat rolling down my forehead.
'That instrument... That weapon is bad news!'
Just looking at it was enough to make me think so. I guess it's partly due to the extremely dense energy wrapping around it.
[I've been stuck in that seal for over a hundred years already... You have my thanks.]
As she finished her words, she held the lyre as if hugging it and plucked a string.
"...!"
A wave of dense energy covered us, not allowing any movement.
[As a sign of gratitude, I'll be sending those who meet the requirements out of the Otherside.]
Within my view, I could only see a bright light coming from behind. I wanted to turn around and look, but the dense energy was holding me in place. Even my mouth refused to move, unable to speak. I feel as if my entire body was buried in concrete, completely immobile!
A few seconds later, the bright flash of light faded, and the hold of the dense energy on our bodies loosened. I quickly turned around, checking on the girls, but the sight made my face turn pale.
Behind me, only Igni, Threya, and the pug remained.
"W... Where's everyone...?"
Ember, Fang, Fina, Yorm, Judy, Minerva, Hekate, and Fatima. Where did all of them go?!
"Kuh! You damned monster! Return everyone to me!"
Completely letting the despair and anger take over, I pulled my sword over my head and charged toward the angel. However, with a simple pluck of a single thread of her lyre, my movement stopped completely.
[What's wrong, human? Why are you enraged?]
"Kghh!"
I wanted to curse at her, but the hold on me was too strong. I can't break through it, even if I force myself. Just as I was about to use Lifeblood and forcefully break through the dense energy's control, her next words made me stare blankly ahead.
[I just sent them back to the human world. Isn't that the reason you're here in the first place?]
'Sent... back?'
Just as my mind was having trouble processing the information, the new skill from the system, the Mental Scape, activated by itself.
"(Master! We were suddenly teleported away, but everyone was safe. However, we're currently surrounded by Demons of at least 8th-stage. We need support ASAP!)"
Ember's voice echoed inside my head, sending the despair and fear in my heart away in an instant. However, as her words sank into my brain, I suddenly realized the situation that they were in.
Judging by the urgency in her voice, their situation must be pretty dire. There's only the 7th stage and below with them, so that means they would need to protect everyone while fighting.
'Fortunately, there's four of them at the 7th stage, so they can cover all four directions. However, they can't last long against multiple 9th-stage attackers.'
Although their situation is precarious, ours, who were left, was pretty much the same. Now that I knew everyone was safe, my mind finally had time to think about the reason and implications of us being left behind.
I turned to the angel, who had already released the dense energy attack on me.
"... Does this mean we need to reach the door with our own strengths?"
Join me in my lonely discord server: https://discord.gg/DEVbwSbZUh
Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnovel(.)com