Irelia, in pain, created an ice barrier to push Kai back.
Since Kai wasn't holding Icebreaker, he couldn't do anything and had to retreat, watching her struggle to stand up while clutching her throat.
The whole group stared at Kai with eyes wide open, as if they'd seen a ghost.
Yeah, they'd seen Kai heal wounds instantly before, but they never expected him to resurrect even after losing his head.
Even Pandora, who had been utterly crushed under Irelia's foot, was perfectly fine on Kai's shoulder.
"H-How are you still alive?!" Baron said in shock.
"The power of friendship."
"Don't joke around! What the hell can friendship do about losing your head?!"
"Well, ad to revive?"
Honestly, Kai had no idea either—this snake earring was still way too mysterious.
"You done talking?!"
Irelia's hoarse voice rang out. Kai looked at her with a pretty confident expression.
The dagger he was holding was a ranged weapon disguised as melee.
And since it was a hidden weapon from his Gear sword, she was either suffering soul damage...
Or she'd been hit with deadly poison, a random debuff, massive mental reduction, and soul damage all at once—that would suck big time.
She was breathing raggedly, then twisted the mana inside her, drawing everyone's attention.
The wound from Kai's stab slowly closed, and the familiar mana source healing her was Pandora's mana.
"..." Kai glanced at the little innocent octopus standing on his shoulder and patted her head.
"Pi?"
"Sorry, won't let you get killed again next time."
Pandora had really been killed—it was just that since she was symbiotically bonded to him also she's a divine creature, she resurrected instantly upon respawning right next to him since he was still alive.
But yeah, every death will reset her like new, just like when she decided to leave with him.
And no, this wasn't fun for him at all.
Irelia wiped the blood from her mouth, her eyes filled with hatred as she glared at Kai.
"What're you looking at? First time getting manhandled that hard, missy?"
"I've truly underestimated you, you bastard. You and that octopus are tougher than cockroaches."
"I'd suggest you take a look at yourself too—you're starting to look more like a cockroach than us."
Irelia narrowed her eyes, her hands radiating terrifying magical power.
Then she tensed up, her hair flying wildly like a Super Saiyan.
Uh oh, she mad.
Luckily, she was doing that classic anime thing—increasing power with a long wind-up time.
'Her absorbing Pandora's mana has definitely made her stronger... Ugh, I really need backup.'
He looked around: Reito was unconscious from mana depletion, Abaric was badly injured and not awake yet, Vakoth... Seeing him shattered into pieces but still alive was insane.
Baron was like Reito, Aura was... out cold. Only Kanna, Lily, and Violet left.
Damn, Kanna and Lily weren't fighters, but Violet was standing there with them, munching popcorn while watching him solo her friend!
What the hell was this bitch doing?!
"Violet, you—"
"I'll pass."
"...I didn't even finish asking."
"I'm out of ammo. Good reason, right? Teehee?" Violet stuck out her tongue and knocked on her head.
I hate you, Violet. Hope someone bashes your head and gives you amnesia.
"Hey, Kai..." Baron's voice came up.
"Hm?"
"That octopus... She can curse Gear or whatever, right?"
"Yeah? Wait, don't tell me...?"
"Yeah, make my Gear auto-regen mana. I don't care about any curse drawbacks."
"...Okay, you said it yourself. Stick your hand in Pandora's mouth."
"Ew, what the fuck?!"
"Quit nitpicking!" Glancing at Irelia powering up, Kai urged Baron to just do it if he wanted in on the fight.
"Oh, Lily! Heal Abaric quick! I need more support. Kanna, cast rune buffs on us to boost power!"
"But she keeps using AoE spells—I can't move!" Lily said.
"I'll keep her busy as much as I can. And you, Violet, go fuck off and sleep, you useless!"
"Oi!"
"I wanna join too," Aura's voice piped up.
"Go hug Violet and sleep," everyone said in unison except Violet.
"...Ugh, I don't wanna hug Violet."
"You guys hate me that much??"
Baron's hand got yanked into Pandora's mouth—he felt the gross, slimy wetness inside and hated it.
But as soon as he pulled it out, Baron felt his mana regenerating rapidly!
"Every lightning shot costs you one strand of hair—that's the curse."
"...That's it?"
"Yeah."
"Oh..."
"...Actually, you'll also get diarrhea—"
Irelia blasted ice mist at everyone, making them feel bone-chilling cold.
"D-Don't think about that!" Kanna yelled, drawing a rune line.
Suddenly, everyone felt scorching hot.
Especially Kai—he was burning up along with Pandora.
"PIPIPIPI!!!!"
"YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO TURN PANDORA INTO TAKOYAKI!!!"
Lily rushed to Abaric. Baron cracked his knuckles and pointed straight at Irelia.
"You orphan bitch, I've been holding back on you long enough! You didn't just hurt my pride—you hurt Kai too. I'm executing you right here!"
"Shut your mouth, you rich-brainlet twink gay wannabe," Irelia shot back.
"I'll microwave-roast you, you ice slut."
"Oh yeah? Then I'll turn into a freezer for everyone—let's all die frozen together for fun?"
"You think—"
"ETERNAL ICE RAGE!!!"
Oh shi—SHE USED THAT FORBIDDEN SPELL AGAIN!!
"BLIZZARD!"
Instantly, everyone felt the bone-piercing cold.
Except Kai—he was on fire.
Irelia charged at him, hand touching Kai.
"Freeze!"
Kai got frozen solid, flames and all, with zero logic.
"GRRR!!" She raised her fist to shatter frozen Kai.
Snap!
A finger snap from Baron—electricity surged around her and zapped her.
Surprisingly, it worked.
"Her defenses are down! Must be Kai's doing!"
"Hahh... hahh..." Irelia panted in pain, body exhausted.
'I can't lose... I can't fail!!!'
"Eternal ice... Rage!!"
Her eyes glowed, body erupting mana everywhere.
Phase 2 begins!