In an instant, as the commander, Finn issued the order for combat.
-----------------------------------
Even when besieged on all sides and surrounded by monsters, Finn unwaveringly issued the order to fight.
As always, Finn, as the leader of the team, stood at the very front, no matter how you looked at it!
At his command, whether it was shaken comrades or elves disgusted to their very core, all of them reflexively raised their weapons and assumed battle stances.
Even Ais, whose mind was still in chaos, instinctively placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Ais, that thing is no longer a spirit. It's just a monster swallowed up, obeying nothing but greed, plunder, and full of primitive desires. Do not falter, calm your spirit, this is when everyone needs you most, !"
He held the girl's fragile shoulders, shaking her slightly, trying to snap her back to reality.
"F-Fron…"
In the hollow depths of the girl's golden eyes, a faint light returned. Gazing at the young man's face right in front of her, she raised her hand and gently caressed his cheek, whispering softly.
"That… isn't a spirit, is it?"
Fron smiled, gently reassuring her.
"That's right. That's not a spirit, but a fallen, twisted monster obeying only its primal desires! It just wants to eat you! Remember, Ais, it's only a monster!"
"..." The girl's bewildered gaze gradually regained clarity.
Her eyes focused on the young man's face, then shifted one by one to her companions.
"Ais, have you woken up?"
"…." The girl silently nodded.
"Good. Then… everyone, fight!"
As the adventurers raised their weapons, she smiled , and the battle began!
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud,
Gigantic worms and Violas, numbering over a hundred, charged at the adventurers like lunatics.
Shrill screams and roars shook the air, the overwhelming tide of monsters pressing down with suffocating force.
But this time, their enemies were no ordinary adventurers!
Facing the incoming horde of rainbow-colored monsters, the adventurers instantly raised their special "Durandal" weapons.
"Well, Finn. I don't need to be on rear guard anymore, do I?"
"Yeah. Whatever happens, just don't let the line break!"
"Hahaha! Finally, my blood's boiling again!"
Gareth brandished his double-bladed battle axe, bellowing as he led Tiona, Tione, and Bete in a headlong charge.
From above, the waves of monsters and a handful of tiny black specks clashed in moments!
Though the numbers and sight were overwhelming, in an instant, double-bladed axes, short swords, two-handed great swords, and halberds shattered and severed the monsters' bodies.
Slash, slash, slash…
"Careful, their corrosive spray attack!"
"Hmph, too familiar already. These trash only have that trick!"
Using his incredible speed, Bete darted among the monsters, his twin blades slicing relentlessly, throwing the enemy into disarray.
Watching the frontliners' battle, Finn once more gave decisive orders.
"Lefiya, target that fallen spirit, full power chants only!"
"Raul, Anakitty, Alicia, Elfy, the four of you use magic swords to support the front!"
"Understood!" The elf girl raised her staff, a red magic circle forming beneath her feet as she began chanting.
At the same time, several supporters drew long, powerful magic swords, unleashing chantless magical bombardments with every swing!
BOOM,
Ice, fire, lightning, light!
The beams released by the magic swords were the very nemesis of these lesser monsters, their extermination speed even surpassing that of first-class adventurers.
If not for the fact that magic swords shatter after exhausting their mana, this endless horde would surely have perished under their might.
"Haha, not bad, huh!? Magic swords have bite!" Watching the weapons she forged unleash such power, Tsubaki grinned.
"But hey, I can't just sit back either. Cutting down some small fry's pretty fun. Let's go!"
"W-wait, Tsubaki!"
Slash,
Raul's words caught in his throat…
"W-what the hell!? Raul?"
He stared in shock as the smith casually cut an enemy in half with a single swing, shattering even its magic stone. He was at a loss for words.
"Tsubaki's that strong too?"
"What are you saying? Cutting monsters is my specialty."
"Raul, Tsubaki is a Level 5, a first-class adventurer!"
"..."
As his companions fought fiercely, Fron turned Ais toward him, lowering his head slightly to meet her eyes.
"Ais, can you do this?"
"Y-yes."
"Then go!"
Nodding once more, she stepped out of Fron's embrace, staring down the monster that made her heart tremble. Forcing down her unease, she gripped her silver rapier tightly and joined the chaotic front line.
Slash,
With sharp eyes, she dashed like the wind, swinging her beloved sword to release a slash. Seeing her cast aside hesitation and regain her fighting spirit, Fron smiled faintly.
"Alright, I'll get started too!"
…
Gripping his staff with both hands, Fron began chanting.
"Fron, you and Riveria stay back, don't chant magic, remain on standby!"
"?"
"Finn?" Riveria, staff already raised, was suddenly stopped by Finn's sharp command.
She knew his command style was always decisive, never hesitant, but this time…
"My thumb keeps throbbing in pain. It's been so long since I've felt this. Something is coming!"
The pallum leader's rare bitter expression appeared.
"Then, Lady Riveria, standby. I will chant defensive magic!"
"I'm counting on you, Fron!"
What was about to come, Fron remembered vividly.
No longer a spirit in essence, but still possessing spirit power!
That possibility could only mean…
"[Dance with me, great spirits of air, sovereigns of light.]"
Fron's chant rang out, a massive magic circle glowing beneath him, larger than any before his upgrade. The rising mana turned into starlight, fluttering around him.
"[I, who am bound by pact with the Guardian of the Forest, call upon the song of the earth, shield us, protect us, !]"
, ?
Halfway through his chant, Fron's eyelids twitched violently. Not only him, but everyone froze for a brief instant!
And the cause of this , the anomaly that shattered their understanding, came from the corrupted spirit's mouth, who started chanting magic with a twisted smile.
"[Burn, O flame-]"