After dispatching that group of Rank 4 Mortals, the battle was intensified as more and more Rank 4 enemies appeared.
Casualties also started to pile up that even some of the Champions started to be injured from the relentless attacks of the Dark Soldiers and the Corrupted.
It has already been 16 hours since the start of Yuko's Transcendence and the marching of the enemies in a bid to stop it. After not having any success despite the casualties we received, three Corrupted sacrificed their bodies to summon a Smoke Incarnation. Right. Just like that Smoke Giant from before.
Was it possibly a unique and rare item for the Dark Soldiers? I was actually waiting for it but only now did they use it.
The Smoke Incarnations didn't have the same body build as that Giant before but they surely have the same strength. Rank 5 Mortal.
When they appeared, most of the soldiers became too frightened that they froze in place. Some even run away instantly upon seeing them.
Upon seeing that, Zerina looked at me, her eyes were asking me if she could go and deal with those Incarnations of the Dark World Transcendents.
With her strength, she could but like everyone, she hasn't rested yet.
"Are you confident?"
Upon my question, her eyes brightened and she nodded confidently. Even after a prolonged battle, she hadn't run out of stamina yet and among everyone, she has the highest kill count. As the only Rank 5 Mortal here, it's easier for her to get out of any dangerous situation she would be put into.
Well, there's also me who always made sure she wouldn't be trapped.
Looking at Zerina like this, she has already grown to be this strong. From that determined noble lady who wanted to escape their manor, she's now a proper warrior that could take down even an enemy at the level of the Smoke Giant from before.
I already stopped going to the frontline at around 8 hours to replenish my used Flux Energy. It's naturally regenerating from my real body after all. Until now, I was only using my control over World Energy to use the Spells and Skills I had to support Zerina and anyone I could see in a bind.
Yuko was still above and even after 16 hours she still hasn't emerged from it. The opened Door of Transcendence somehow had a thin film covering it which made it impossible for me to see what's happening inside. Even if I didn't want to worry, not seeing her current state for this long was burning through my patience.
During the 16 hours that passed, loud rumbling sounds of thunder and explosions could be heard from inside it which only stopped when it reached the 10th hour ever since she entered the Door.
However, even if that stopped, the Door of Transcendence continued to hover in the sky silently. The sun has already risen and she's still in the process of her Transcendence. Maybe I would be experiencing the same thing. After 16 hours, my real body was probably worrying as well.
"Daisuke. The Knights and Wizards were all exhausted, what should we do now?"
Caila asked after seeing Zerina rushing towards one Smoke Incarnation. The Corrupted and the Dark Soldiers might have slowed down but with 3 Smoke Incarnations in their current ranks, the fort was about to fall already.
"1 hour. Isn't that the estimated time for the Allied Forces to arrive?"
"Yes, we only have around 30 minutes after considering the state of the fortress and the soldiers we have. And it might be lower than that."
"Then we have no choice but to hold on, Caila. Yuko might come out soon. Let's bet on that and defend that Door."
"I see, there's no other choice, huh?"
No matter how strong they are right now, even Caila has already shown signs of exhaustion, Noelle was already slumped behind us, trying to recover her World Energy and Reinys was still trying to lead the Wizards I left her but they're also almost out of World Energy to cast their skills.
I looked at Zerina first and saw that she's still faring well against two of the Smoke Incarnations. Using her Runes to empower both her offense and defense, she's almost like Yuko at keeping the other at bay while focusing on one.
If I let the others die this time then Zerina will have a more difficult coping with them.
Haa… Am I too focused on my Companions that I somehow neglect the fact that we needed the soldiers to raise the chances to win? Thinking back to the past 16 hours, that really seems the case. Especially when I left Reinys to command the Wizards that was supposed to be led by me.
"Caila, have everyone crowd around me, I'll help you all to replenish your World Energy."
Energy Control is my strongest asset, using it to empower everyone, this is the best support I could give apart from the Domain of Valor.
Hearing my words, Caila immediately gathered the current survivors to crowd around me.
The walls were already destroyed to the point that it was already useless to defend them, so upon pulling everyone who was still standing, the Dark Soldiers and Corrupted started to fill the fortress ground and surrounded us.
But that's enough. As soon as they gathered, I immediately activated my Transformation Skill, Energy Incarnate before raising my hand to stir the surrounding World Energy.
When the remaining soldiers felt that, they all looked up and found a cloud of World Energy gathering above us. Through my Energy Control, I started to pull it down, creating some kind of zone around me wherein the World Energy gathered.
"Don't hold back on your Skills and Spells! Use everything you have. When you're empty, fall back and bathe in here!"
I shouted. Though that sounds amazing they're already doubtful.
"What are you all doubting for? This guy is the Hero's Support. Look!"
Surprisingly, Reinys was the first to step in and bathe in the World Energy zone I was maintaining.
Under their doubtful eyes, her previously exhausted look due to the depletion of Energy started to ease up, in just around 30 seconds She flew from where she was and unleashed a Level 4 Spell towards the incoming enemies.
Not only her World Energy was replenished, but her Spell also gathered smoothly due to the denseness of World Energy in the surrounding.
Upon seeing that, Caila and Noelle followed after her.
And with three of them setting an example, the Champions also started to bathe in the zone before going back in front.
With the strongest setting the trend, the doubts in their eyes were then replaced to hope. Due to that, before the enemies reached us, everyone had already replenished their World Energy.
With Zerina fighting at the forefront against the 2 Smoke Incarnations, the last stand against our enemies has started.
-
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Due to how focused I was at maintaining the World Energy zone, I lost sight of Zerina's battle and Yuko's current Transcendence.
It's already 45 minutes since we started our last stand and even with the unending supply of World Energy from me, we still lost 50% of our numbers.
"Daisuke! Look above!"
Just as I was thinking of her, Zerina's voice rang in my ears. I looked at the direction where it came from and saw her flying from where she was fighting earlier. The two Smoke Incarnation were already nowhere in sight.
"Idiot. Look up. The Door, it's opening up."
Reinys' voice also rang out beside me.
Upon hearing that, only then did I understand that I was too occupied with maintaining the zone.
I shook my head to clear it up before following what they said.
Up above, the Door of Transcendence has started to shine brilliantly that it even beat the sun at its current brilliance.
Apart from me who was too focused earlier on maintaining my control, everyone was already looking up above, be it allies or enemies.
Our allies had a hopeful look while the enemies were immediately filled with dread.
Has Yuko completed her Transcendence?
When that thought came to my mind, the brilliant light coming from the Door of Transcendence intensified and the surrounding World Energy including those inside the zone I was maintaining stirred and rumbled as an unfathomable aura spread out across the whole Fortress.
And after that, an unrestrained Aura of Transcendence instantly drowned the area along with a series of notifications.
[A Transcendent has been successfully born!]
[Every being recognized by 'The World' will all receive a permanent power-up of 6 Strength, 6 Endurance and 1 Intelligence in celebration for the birth of a Transcendent. Note: This is a one time bonus.]
[You're an Incarnation, you cannot receive the power-up.]
[ 'The World' has revoked your power-up.]
Err… Why show the notification then? To frustrate me?
Haa… But with this, it's confirmed, Yuko has completed her Transcendence! That's enough for me to celebrate.
Of course, not only me received the notification. Everyone who was not corrupted got it and that made them cheer from where they are. Not only they survived, they even witnessed the Birth of the first Transcendent.
"Retreat idiots! A Transcendent has appeared in this world!"
From the front, the hoarse voice of a Smoke Incarnation rang out which woke up the stunned Corrupted and Dark Soldiers who were eager to end us earlier as they started to turn around and retreat.
However, before they could start sprinting out of the fortress, Yuko's melodious voice filled our ears from above.
"I believe you all came to stop my Transcendence, why not stay and leave your bodies here? Hmm? Awakening!"
[Hero Yuko used her System's Ultimate: Awakening, the surrounding area will be engulfed in her Awakening Aura granting 50 Strength and Endurance to her registered Party Members; 25 Strength and Endurance to non-Party Members. This only applies to beings recognized by 'The World'.]
[All Spells and Skills will be temporarily strengthened due to the Awakening Aura.]
[You're an Incarnation, you will only receive 50% of the effect of Awakening Aura.]
"Dai-kun, I've succeeded!"
From up above, though she said that imposing speech just now and activated Awakening, I could see Yuko's radiant smile and her overflowing joy as she slowly floated down to where I was with her arms wide open.
Understanding her intention, I also smiled at her and opened my arms to catch her.
When she landed in my arms, Yuko immediately tightened her hug in a bid to share her current joy with me.
"Congratulations, Yuko. You're now a Transcendent."
I said as I started patting her head which made her giggle cutely. Despite her becoming a Transcendent, she's still the same Yuko who wanted to be pampered and praised by me.
"Un. I'll tell you my experience in it later."
After she satisfied herself in my arms, she went back to her Hero persona as she flew in the sky once again to lead everyone.
Due to the Awakening Aura and the power-up from 'The World', the already battered group of survivors was once again energized as they started cutting down the enemies who were trying to run.
And from outside, the marching of the supposed Allied Forces has finally appeared.
Err… at least they appeared. However, with Yuko succeeding at Transcendence, the outcome has already been decided.
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