"Ember! Irja!" Monady had no choice but to shout at us when she heard the sudden explosion behind them. Being locked on by Larnel, she and Udann couldn't move carelessly, lest they wanted to be sniped by that finger attack.
Faren was already a bit exhausted while Axter was still warily weighing in his choices. In the end, we have no choice but to protect ourselves here.
I looked down at the woman in my arms, there's a surprise on her face but it vanished almost instantly when the situation finally registered in her mind.
When she started wordlessly struggling, I let go of my hold of her and let her feet land on the ground.
"H-how did you do that?"
As she faced the opponent in front of us, a telepathic message came from her. Judging from how she almost stuttered, the way I pulled her into my arms like a magnet surprised her.
"Simple Energy Control. It only worked because you're unaware. Anyway, heads-up Irja. That woman's not simple."
At the same time as I finished sending that reply to her mind, Rowena started moving again. That kick of hers was probably a part of her skill. Although there are no physical changes in her body, that yellowish aura surrounding her body contained most of her exuded energy.
Being this close, it allowed me to observe more quirks of this 'higher world' denizen.
Her strength was not as exaggerated as that of Larnel, however, she's still stronger than us. She's nearing 500. On our side, I'm only reaching the early 300 even with the full buff and Irja is at early 400 or mid.
I once mentioned that the tens of UPL gap can decide a battle. However, I was wrong. That assumption was only applicable to Mortal Ranks or early Rank 1 Transcendent. Perhaps, around 200 UPL. Now that I'm experiencing the battles here I observed that Rank 2 Transcendents could hold themselves against another at the same rank as long as the gap wasn't above 200.
If I further evaluate it, 200 will be an overwhelming advantage, 100 will be an advantage and below that could still be bridged by the other factors.
Going by this standard, I could only be a support for Irja. If I went head-on against her, I would be crushed. I could sneak in some attacks but unless she's in a critical condition, all that would do to her would be an ant's bite.
Last time, that guy was only nearing 400 but because I took his head-on attack, my body tried to withstand the force he generated.
Taking my thoughts from analyzing our opponent, I communicated with Irja once more, asking her about her skills and everything she could do.
If I wanted to fully support her, I needed to know everything about her.
Understanding my intention, Irja nodded. However, before that, we have to dodge again!
Upon sensing where Rowena would reappear again, I instantly sent a telepathic message to Irja instead of carrying her in my arms again.
BANG!
Another crater and another look of disappointment filled the blonde woman's face. Without wasting any moment, she once again disappeared and this time, as soon as I sensed where she would be, she's already in the process of reappearing!
And this time, her sole target was me!
My overthinking mind started working rigorously to think of a solution to avoid this crisis. I could block but I'm afraid my arms wouldn't be able to endure the force of her attack. I could dodge but I could only activate the base version of the Flash Steps and it wouldn't take me far from the point of impact.
Weighing the two options, I could only choose the latter.
Flash Steps!
BOOM!
Under Irja's eyes, I was probably seen by her being hurled out of my previous position. Before I noticed, I was already caught by her, reducing the injury that I should have gotten.
Before she could even utter words like 'Are you okay?' I held onto her arm tightly to convey that we have to dodge once again.
As if by luck, Irja understood my intention and immediately raised her broomstick. After spinning it a few times and injecting it with her Dark Energy, it became like a rotor blade which propelled us backward dodging another attack by Rowena.
Although there were also sounds of explosions and shouts not far away from us, we didn't have the capacity to check their situation, the range of my Domain exceeded the distance between us. I warned them before about it, let's just hope that they would be mindful of that.
As soon as we landed back on the ground, Irja's voice entered my mind as she started telling me every skill she could use. There's truly a lot but I'm confident that my mind could process all of it faster than those at my level.
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While Daisuke and Irja were being besieged by a single opponent, Monady, Udann, Faren and Axter were dodging every attack from Larnel.
Monady thought of helping the two but if she left the three with her, one or two of them would no doubt die from one of Larnel's attacks.
Moreover, she was also wary of the man in glasses called Yordi. Apart from appearing in front of them and ordering Rowena to take care of the two, he calmly stood next to Larnel without any hint of taking action.
'They have to survive. Ember deduced their origins and I also arrived at the same conclusion. That guy is also single-handedly supporting all of us. If he dies, our chances of winning will drop to its lowest.' Monady thought to herself.
Compared to the freed Transcendents, she was considered an elite or what they called the Crimson Seed of the Dafirae Tribe. If nothing goes wrong, she was guaranteed to become an Exalted. Her status was even higher than Grenol. At the moment he's currently stronger and someone older than her that's why she let him lead while she aimed to gather experience at the forefront of this space.
"Monady. What do we do?" On the side, Faren called out to her in a weakened voice. Because of what he did earlier, he's now almost spent. He believed that if they failed to find a solution or if their reinforcements failed to arrive on time, he would surely die in here.
Instead of Monady, Axter answered him, "Continue dodging or try to risk it by going head to head against him. We're all considered melee combatants, If we don't shorten the distance we'll be sitting ducks here waiting to be hit by one of his finger attacks."
He rarely talks but he's a reliable ally. When Monady heard that, she immediately backed up his observation.
They all know they couldn't rely on the two behind them at the moment. With Daisuke's buffs still in place, they shouldn't waste it by only dodging.
"Ember will survive that. I know. He's not a simple Rank 1 Transcendent. I'm the weakest among you four but I also agree with rushing forward rather than stay at a distance." Udann also commented.
"You heard them Faren." Monady turned her head to her fellow tribe member before fixing her gaze to the still crazily laughing Larnel.
She's already somewhat infuriated from his earlier remarks about women. However, she couldn't act on it alone or it will be a suicide. She's clear about the difference in their UPL but she couldn't also just send these three if they're unwilling.
But upon hearing their words and looking back to her train of thought, she suddenly realized how na?ve she was, 'I'm supposed to be their leader… I should be the one making the call after assessing the situation and not wait for their suggestions. I know why my old man put Grenol beside me. It is to learn from him.'
With gritted teeth, she shouted, "I will go in first. Axter, follow behind me. Udann, maintain a certain distance from us and watch the man in glasses and Faren, transform to a Crimson Spirit."
When the three heard her commands, they were only momentarily surprised before nodding at her. She was fairly passive ever since they set out and this was the first time she really gave a proper order. Even when they were saving that scout, the tone of her voice was almost pleading when she asked for anyone to rush forward.
Without looking back behind them where explosions and debris flew around, Monady circulated her energy to her feet and launched herself towards the laughing Larnel.
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After another close dodge, more injuries such as bruises and cuts from the debris appeared from my body that I couldn't treat yet because of how relentless her attacks came.
At that moment, the blonde woman suddenly stopped in place to look behind her.
Taking that as a chance to breathe, Irja and I also drew backward widening the distance between us.
"Hmm? Your comrades finally got the guts to attack Sir Larnel. However… they are just rushing to their deaths."
From a distance, I could see Monady and the other three charged towards the laughing Larnel.
I see, so that's why she stopped. Even though she's relentlessly attacking us, she's still monitoring what's happening there.
Looking at how they charged in a coordinated fashion, someone or perhaps Monady finally took the helm of command.
I noticed how she's always waiting for Grenol's instruction or deciding after hearing everyone's suggestions. But that guy who couldn't see what's happening here wouldn't be able to give a proper instruction rather than basic ones. Even if he's a strategist, this isn't a war that involved hundreds or thousands so… it's either Monady or someone else entirely.
"Why are you so sure? They're not weak chickens delivering themselves to a slaughterhouse!" Upon hearing her, Irja was incensed.
However, Rowena only shrugged before putting back her attention to us.
"Your anger is unnecessary. You two will soon follow after them."
After saying that, the yellowish aura around her became compressed which somehow made her whole body emit a golden glow of her energy. Even her blonde hair became tinted-gold as if a golden ray of light was shining around her.
Because of what's happening to her, we once again focused on her. Whatever's happening with Monady and the others, there's no way to observe them anymore. We have a more pressing situation in front of us.
I couldn't confirm it yet but her UPL seemed to have increased. They also have buff skills! No wonder she said that they're rushing to their deaths…
I didn't have the time to warn Monady and the others anymore but…
"Irja! Transform to Vibrant Spirit!" I hurriedly shouted before also triggering my Energy Incarnate Transformation.
It's a do-or-die situation. If I still keep hiding what I can do, I will really be buried in this space.
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