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Seeing that the point of the sword was about to pierce Myne's neck, wind blades suddenly flew from the depths of the forest. Wherever they went, whether they struck leaves or trees, everything was cut down. Even the thick, sturdy trees couldn't withstand the force, emphasizing the extreme sharpness of the blades.
Irene immediately sensed the danger and abandoned her attempt to kill Myne, swiftly drawing her sword to parry the incoming wind blades. If she didn't react in time, she risked being sliced in half. The collision between Irene's sword and the wind blades produced powerful sounds, and sparks flew everywhere.
The onslaught of wind blades forced Irene to retreat repeatedly. Not only her, but everyone present faced similar attacks. Even Jack, who was not far away, stopped attacking Motoyasu and turned to counter the incoming threat.
Although the wind blades were powerful, injuring Jack and the others was not easy. Those attacking from the shadows seemed to understand their strength well.
Before the wave of wind blades had ceased, a barrage of fireballs descended upon Jack and the others like a rain of fire.
"Everyone, be cautious! Defend with all your strength!" Jack shouted after blocking a fireball with the two swords in his hands.
But his warning wasn't necessary, as everyone managed to hold their ground against the fiery rain. Despite the fireball attack covering a large area, its individual impact was not as formidable. Still, the fireballs made it challenging to focus on Myne and Motoyasu, giving the two of them a brief respite.
Jack and the others quickly noticed that the falling fireballs did not target Motoyasu and Myne, indicating that those in the shadows were likely their reinforcements. At this moment, Jack saw that Motoyasu and Myne began to flee, and the fireballs had ignited nearby bushes and trees, sending plumes of black smoke into the air.
If this continued, they risked suffocation from the smoke or being trapped by a forest fire, regardless of whether they succeeded in killing Myne. Indecisiveness would lead to disaster.
Jack and Irene exchanged a glance, instantly understanding each other's thoughts—they had to escape the predicament, even if it meant enduring some injuries. In an instant, both vanished from their positions; Jack rushed into the forest, while Irene pursued Myne.
The magician lurking in the darkness seemed to notice their intentions, intensifying the magical onslaught. The number and power of the fireballs increased, accompanied by a fresh wave of wind blades.
Desperation forced Jack and Irene to retreat once more. As they lessened their defensive focus, they both sustained minor injuries under the relentless barrage of magic. Fortunately, their quick reactions ensured only superficial wounds.
"How many magicians are hiding in the forest?" Jack muttered while blocking a wind blade. "The volume and coordination of these spells feel like they're targeting an army."
"It's clear that we're facing an army of magicians," Irene replied, her expression serious as she fended off more spells.
"Lilith, do something! You're our only magician! At least find us some space to maneuver!" Jack called out.
Jack's group, comprised mostly of close-combat fighters, struggled against the seemingly endless barrage of spells. For warriors, getting close to a magician was key; failing that meant enduring a one-sided beating—a reality no different here.
"I understand, but give me a moment to finish chanting!" Lilith responded urgently.
"We'll cover you," Jack assured.
As soon as Lilith began her chant, Wadsworth and two others braved several magical attacks, stepping in front of Lilith and fending off incoming fireballs and wind blades with their weapons.
"Thank you!" Lilith acknowledged before raising her hands and beginning her chant, "O source of strength, I command you in my name, interpret everything, and protect this person! Intermediate Flame Vortex!"
As her incantation concluded, a swirling vortex of flames appeared in midair above Jack and Irene, shielding them from the falling fireballs.
"There are too many fireballs—I can't hold them off for long!" Lilith warned.
"Got it!" Jack replied, preparing for their next move.
Irene and Jack vanished from their positions once again.
Irene seized the opportunity to continuously accelerate. The moment she broke free from the protection of Lilith's Flame Vortex, her speed reached its peak, leaving the falling fireballs to strike only the ground behind her. At the same time, she swung her sword with relentless precision, cleaving all the incoming wind blades in her path. Moving at an extraordinary pace, Irene charged into the forest.
Suddenly, screams erupted from the depths of the forest, and the barrage of magical attacks ceased abruptly. It was evident that Irene had engaged the hidden magicians.
Seeing the opening, the others quickly followed suit and rushed into the forest without hesitation. For a warrior, once they closed the distance with a magician, what followed was always a decisive confrontation.
Meanwhile, Jack re-engaged Myne and Motoyasu. Despite Myne's critical injuries, which left her on the verge of death from severe blood loss, Motoyasu had only suffered minor wounds and a bruised ego. His fighting capability remained mostly intact.
Jack and Motoyasu resumed their battle, with Jack gaining momentum, inflicting two fresh wounds on Motoyasu in rapid succession. Although these wounds only grazed Motoyasu's skin, they didn't seem concerning at first. But as Motoyasu glanced at the injuries, he noticed the edges darkening, and a wave of dizziness hit him.
"Lightning Gun!" Motoyasu shouted, releasing a powerful skill to force Jack back a few paces. Taking this brief moment, he inspected his wounds and confirmed his worst suspicion—he had been poisoned.
"Coating your sword with poison, how low can you go?" Motoyasu muttered, his face paling.
Jack's response was calm, "Don't worry. This poison won't kill you. It'll only make your limbs numb and your mind sluggish. You're already feeling dizzy, right? Soon, you'll lose consciousness entirely."
As Jack spoke, Motoyasu's vision blurred further, and he saw Jack multiplying from one to two, then four. Finally, darkness consumed him, and he collapsed to the side.
Just then, a man in a black robe and hood appeared beside Motoyasu, catching him before he hit the ground. In an instant, three more robed figures emerged, flanking Myne and the two female adventurers.
Their sudden appearance changed the atmosphere drastically, creating an air of unease and tension that spread like a chill.
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