Aster stood in place after seeing that his attack was ineffective. His face was the very definition of shock, with his eyes wide in disbelief.
"Good work, Aster!"
But then, Mistelle's words brought him back to his senses. He turned toward her and saw that, using the time Aster had bought, she had finished casting a powerful-looking spell!
"Kyuin Thorne Ambuor Mythra Sirreo Gala Spicht! Tree God's Wrathful Iron Spear!" Right then, Mistelle's shout echoed.
The roots of the trees around her started to rise, like long, gigantic spears, ready to attack at any given moment. Each of the roots seemed to be coated in a thin layer of metal, increasing their destructiveness and toughness. Read exclusive content at m_v-l'-novelhall.net
The sharp roots shot forward, piercing multiple of the Anti-Human Movement guys who got slowed down by Aster's frozen area. In just a moment, the several dozen enemies fell to only five survivors!
Mistelle, however, didn't lower her guard down despite practically winning already. After all, she could tell that the remaining five composed more than 90% of the power of the previous group.
"They're strong. Be careful, you three!" She warned.
Aster, of course, didn't listen. Instead of staying put, he changed his approach and started to use flames instead of ice. He waved his hand, sending a powerful wave of heat reaching 10,000 degrees Celcius!
The five saw the fluctuations of mana in the air and moved, but they were a step too late. The hoods covering their bodies were burned to a crisp, revealing their full appearance to the four.
"No way..." Mistelle, upon seeing their state, had her face turn pale.
The five all had monstrous appearances, but unlike the ones behind, facing Helvetica, who looked like they lost all rational thinking, the ones before them right now had calm eyes. "They... are Second Gens!"
"...?"
Aster was, of course, clueless about the term. However, Cassy and Kali knew what the term meant, and also started to show expressions of disbelief and half-resignation.
"This is bad..." Kali murmured.
"M-Miss officer, can't you call backup?" Cassy asked with fear covering her face.
Mistelle, hearing Cassy's suggestion, quickly moved. She pulled out something like a rocket firework from her spatial pocket—similar to Aster's team's Spatial Fanny Pack—and poured mana into it.
*PSHEEEEW!* *BOOOM!*
"Oh no, you don't!"
But Mistelle was a step faster, doing a follow-up. As soon as the enemy moved, she had already cast her spell in advance, prioritizing zone suppression over damage. She used Tree God's Wrathful Iron Spear once again!
"GRRR!"
The enemy saw that the roots were prepared as if waiting for him, causing him to growl in anger. He tried to evade as much as possible, but since the numbers were too overwhelming, he was pushed back gradually. His back was already at the boundary of Aster's burning zone, and one more step would mean he would return there to get cooked!
"...!"
Then, without warning, a large root burst through the midst of the smaller roots. It was both sharp and quick—enough that if he didn't dodge or protect himself, it would without a doubt pierce through his body!
He quickly crossed his arms to block the root, successfully stopping it from injuring him. "ARRRRGH!" But upon doing so, he was pushed back by its large mass and into the burning zone.
He was forced to stay there for only five seconds before his body disintegrated into ashes. The other four saw this and started to panic completely. They didn't want to die just yet!
Instinctively, they knew that what would give them the highest chance of survival was to escape in different directions at the same time. As such, the four ran in random directions and started to dash through Aster's burning zone.
"... Heh."
But after killing the first one, something changed in Aster. His eyes burned with disdain, as if he were looking down on his enemies. A hedonistic smile covered his face.
"Bastards, you think you can escape from me?!" He shouted.
His hand moved, as if twisting something. Right then, the large zone of flames was divided into four. Each of them is centered around one of the enemies!
"ARGH!"
Screams of pain followed as they tried to run out of the zone, but Aster also moved the zone with them, keeping them locked in the middle of it. His control suddenly jumped multiple levels, reaching the point that he seemed to have mastered it!
"Mistelle! Kill those four! Hurry!"
Kali pulled at Mistelle's sleeve, her face covered in worry.
"Don't let Aster kill them, or it'll be too late!"