Chapter 212

Shadows.

The passages Gulshan could utilize.

The more shadows there were, the more elusive Gulshan became.

Impossible to catch.

There was no need to think about who had the overwhelming advantage in this environment.

A reversal of that.

That was my method of attacking Gulshan.

‘If having many is advantageous, then reduce them.’

Reduce the shadows.

This seemingly impossible method became a viable option with Elaine, the genius mage, by my side.

By freezing the shadows with thick ice.

‘Of course, not all of them.’

There were two types of shadows.

Moving shadows and stationary shadows.

The shadows attached to us were moving shadows.

Because their positions changed as we moved.

On the other hand, the shadows of fixed objects were stationary shadows.

The place where Gulshan had just emerged from after dodging Leon’s attack was one of them.

Freeze all those stationary shadows without exception.

That would drastically reduce the number of possibilities.

Gulshan wouldn’t be able to use any passages except for our shadows.

It meant we only had to be aware of that and react accordingly.

That alone would turn the tables.

Because we could significantly reduce the enemy’s advantage.

Gulshan also seemed to realize that, as his expression changed.

His face contorted into a scowl.

“You damn brat, trying to outsmart me? Who do you think…”

Gulshan’s figure suddenly vanished.

“You think I’ll let you get away with that, you bastard!”

Gulshan emerged from Elaine’s shadow.

But I had already anticipated that.

Of course, he would try to kill Elaine, the most threatening person, as quickly as possible.

Clang!

My Turtle Sword blocked Gulshan’s black hand.

“Ugh, this damn bastard, every time…”

Gulshan trembled with rage.

I ignored him and shouted,

“As quickly as possible, Elaine!”

“Got it!”

Elaine started running.

As if we had made a promise, we all moved together.

Because we knew what the priority was in this battle.

Now wasn’t the time to rush into a fight.

It was time to protect Elaine and create a favorable environment for us.

If we could do that, the tide of the battle would turn in our favor.

“Ice Field.”

Elaine started covering the ground with ice, as quickly and accurately as possible, wherever there were stationary shadows.

“Damn it! Stop it right now!”

Gulshan, growing impatient, launched a series of attacks.

“Not a chance.”

“You can’t reach her.”

Clang!

Clang!

But every time, Leon and I blocked Gulshan like a wall.

It wasn’t that difficult to defend against attacks with such an obvious target.

“Tsk.”

Gulshan, realizing that, suddenly started moving erratically.

He pretended to target Elaine, then suddenly emerged from Annette’s shadow.

But I was also wary of that.

It was an obvious choice for the enemy to target the weakest opponent.

– Executioner’s Enhanced Strike.

The strike that could react the fastest to any blind spot was unleashed immediately.

It had already been proven in the previous battle that it was also a highly effective defensive technique.

Clang!

“Ugh!”

Gulshan’s figure faltered slightly, as if he hadn’t expected such a quick reaction.

It was probably also due to the powerful force behind the strike.

‘An opportunity!’

Seizing the opening, I went on the offensive for the first time.

– Net Slash Form.

This time, using a defensive technique for offense.

My sword drew a dense net of lines, trapping Gulshan.

It was a technique that lacked power but was difficult to dodge.

But.

Gulshan’s figure vanished like a flickering flame, just in the nick of time.

Was I too late?

‘No, I felt it.’

It wasn’t my imagination.

Gulshan reappeared on the other side, glaring at me with blood dripping from his arm.

Emitting a suffocatingly intense killing intent.

Meanwhile, Elaine had finished her work.

No, there was one left.

I pointed my finger with a smirk.

“Can you move aside? That seems to be the last one.”

“You damn brat, how dare you…”

Gulshan gritted his teeth, his clenched fist trembling.

He seemed to be on the verge of losing it.

“I said move.”

– Flying Slash Form.

I unleashed a gust of sword wind.

“Pathetic!”

Gulshan didn’t dodge the sword wind but tried to take it head-on.

He would definitely be capable of doing that.

But that was exactly what I wanted.

That’s why I had deliberately provoked him and hurt his pride.

An ice shard, sharp as a needle, stealthily pierced towards Gulshan’s back from behind.

Elaine’s work.

Even though we hadn’t fought together much, we seemed to have good synergy.

Our minds were in sync even without making eye contact.

Just as the ice shard was about to reach his back, where his heart was located.

Gulshan, in his agitated state, seemed to notice the sneak attack.

“Huh?!”

Gulshan twisted his body in alarm.

Thud!

The ice shard pierced his back, but not his heart.

My sword wind followed closely behind.

“Ugh!”

Boom!

Gulshan kicked off the ground and dodged to the side.

The sword wind narrowly missed, tearing through the air.

“Too bad. It would have been nice if it had ended there.”

I clicked my tongue.

I had hoped to exploit Gulshan’s tendency to lose his cool when agitated, but such great luck didn’t seem to be on my side.

But in the meantime, Elaine had covered the last spot with ice.

With this, all the stationary shadows were rendered useless.

The momentum had clearly shifted in our favor.

“I told you to move.”

I sneered once again.

A psychological tactic to agitate him.

But this time, Gulshan was different.

“Kekekeke… Khahahaha…”

Gulshan suddenly burst into laughter.

It was a creepy, grating laughter, mixed with a metallic sound.

Thud!

Gulshan covered his mouth with his hand and then removed it.

At that moment, the laughter vanished from his face.

“I’ve been underestimated by these brats. Me, the great Gulshan.”

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Gulshan, with snake-like movements, ruthlessly ripped out the piercings from his nose and ears.

Flesh tore, and blood splattered.

A perfect act of self-harm.

But it was self-harm that exuded intimidation towards his opponents.

“Ugh.”

Annette, unable to watch, averted her gaze.

“His aura…”

Leon frowned, muttering as he sensed the change in Gulshan’s energy.

At that moment.

Gulshan’s entire body was engulfed in a black aura, as if he was on fire.

That black aura was the source of Gulshan’s power.

It was the reason why he could use shadow magic and block an Orichalcum sword with his bare hands.

To unleash that power throughout his entire body, not just a part of it?

It was reckless, even for someone with superhuman abilities like Gulshan.

Forcibly breaking through his limits.

‘He’s going all out.’

I realized.

Gulshan was determined to kill everyone here.

Even if it meant destroying his own body.

‘Alright, good. Let’s go all out.’

I calmly composed myself.

Now, in this enclosed space, with Elaine’s support, was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to eliminate a formidable opponent like Gulshan.

The conditions were perfect to seal off his troublesome shadow magic to a large extent.

‘I’ll kill him here.’

Gulshan, the Shadow, Number 9 of the worst organization, Red Rain.

It was impossible for me to kill him alone.

But with my comrades.

If my comrades and I joined forces.

My eyes hardened with determination.

“Everyone, stay focused. He’s going all out, ready to risk everything.”

“He’s not the only one risking everything.”

Leon’s spear gleamed with silver aura.

Leon was also ready to unleash his full power.

As expected of the Lightning Spear.

Reliable.

“For everyone’s sake, we must.”

Elaine said with a determined gaze.

My friend, who I felt both grateful and sorry for.

And a friend I could rely on.

Feeling emotional, I said quietly,

“Thank you.”

“N-No… To s-suddenly say that in this atmosphere…”

Elaine blushed.

The tense atmosphere was instantly broken.

Well, it was fine, wasn’t it?

I smiled faintly.

“I-I’ll do my best too!”

The moment Annette shouted energetically.

Gulshan’s aura finally exploded.

A black aura that weighed heavily even on the air.

“Die. Die. Die. Die. Die. Die. Die. Die.”

Gulshan’s body, muttering like a madman, leaned back and then shot forward like a spring.

“He’s coming!”

With my warning, a life-or-death battle began.

* * *

Block.

Clang!

Block again.

Clang!

“Ugh.”

As I lost my balance and staggered from the powerful force, the third attack struck.

A relentless barrage, leaving no room to breathe.

At that critical moment, a spearhead enveloped in silver aura pierced the enemy’s side.

Sizzle.

Gulshan’s other hand, emitting a fierce black aura.

Boom!

A tremendous clash.

The aftershock was so strong that my vision blurred.

But I had already regained my balance and launched an attack.

Attack.

Swish.

Attack.

Swish.

Another attack.

Clang!

The last attack of my three-hit combo successfully caught one of his hands.

Elaine’s ice blades, sharp as a storm, struck.

Gulshan, judging that it was impossible to block, sank to the ground.

But I had already reduced his options.

I immediately thrust my sword towards my shadow.

Thud!

Thud!

My judgment was spot on, but he didn’t just take it.

My sword and his black aura pierced each other.

“Ugh.”

“Gah.”

Gulshan and I groaned.

I kicked Gulshan.

His aura also enveloped me.

Thud!

Clang!

My kick, lacking power, landed, and I barely managed to block his aura with my sword.

My body staggered once again.

My battered body, covered in wounds both big and small, screamed in pain.

“Senior!”

Annette hurriedly approached me and sang a healing song.

Meanwhile, Leon and Elaine engaged in another fierce battle with Gulshan.

“Thank you.”

Even in that urgent situation, I thanked Annette.

If it weren’t for her high-level healing magic, I would have already collapsed and become a corpse.

Perhaps my other comrades as well.

“D-Do your best!”

Yes, I had to do my best.

Because I had to survive.

Me, and all of us.

I gripped my sword tightly once again.

“Come at me! I’m ready!”

I roared.

* * *

“Holy shit, is this guy even human?”

Slain, covered in blood, exclaimed in disbelief.

“She’s not human, she’s an elf. A dark elf, to be precise.”

Lucia interjected.

She was also covered in wounds.

Her clothes were soaked in blood, as if they were originally red.

“…I’m so sorry, juniors. I’m not much help as a senior. I hope I can be of more help in my next life…”

Allen, as if he was on the verge of death, left behind his last words.

Covered in blood, his eyes unfocused, he definitely looked to be in bad shape.

Slain exploded in anger, his veins bulging.

“Ugh, whose side is this guy on? What the hell is he talking about?!”

“I agree.”

Lucia also clicked her tongue.

But the funny thing was that Allen’s absurd behavior had actually brought a little life back into the atmosphere, which had been completely demoralized.

“We can do this. We can do it.”

Camian was still burning with determination, despite his battered body.

His eyes were still alive.

A truly protagonist-like will.

But the situation didn’t look good.

“Yeah, damn it. I wish I could say the same.”

Slain’s negative words.

That alone showed how dire the situation was.

“There’s nothing we can do anymore, is there?”

Lucia shook her head.

She seemed to have already given up.

“Are you done with your last words?”

Natasha approached them nonchalantly.

Swish.

She raised her sword, the blade empty.

Slain and his group flinched reflexively.

Because that sword was the terrifying weapon that had put them in this state.

“Then let’s end this.”

“Damn it!”

Just as Slain shouted in frustration.

Something completely unexpected happened.

“Aaaaaargh!”

A scream of agony, filled with pain, came from beyond the ice wall.

Slain and his group immediately recognized it as Gulshan’s voice.

Natasha froze, her expression hardening.

At that moment.

“Now’s our chance!”

Lucia, quick-witted as always, ran towards the ice wall.

“Quickly, break this and run to the other side!”

“