As Arame Koushi sank into the shadows, a flood of dozens—perhaps nearly a hundred—monsters poured forth before Souichirou and the others.
But all of them were
First Rank
.
Likely rushed into existence just before being swallowed by Irena's
Shadow Send
, they were incomplete—misshapen figures barely able to maintain their form. A right arm, a rotting eye, or a tiny hand made of seven intertwined fingers. These grotesque fragments littered the mountainside.
"...!"
Souichirou surged forward as Irena and Renji fell back in perfect coordination.
Charging into the mass of monsters, Souichirou relied on straightforward
Body Strengthening
, a simple but effective enhancement, to buy time for Renji's wide-range magic.
Irena focused on supporting him. Though a capable fighter, she wasn't as adept at close combat as Souichirou. While Souichirou slashed through the horde, Irena's summoned pixies handled any stray monsters that evaded his blade.
The coordination bought precious seconds. In that time, Renji completed his preparations.
"Fall back, Souichirou!"
At Renji's shout, Souichirou leaped back. An instant later, Renji unleashed a combined
Elemental Transformation: Explosion
, fusing
Fire
and
Wind
. The resulting blast incinerated and shattered the monsters into nothingness.
The ground shook with the deafening explosion, and as the black mist from the obliterated monsters filled the air, Souichirou sliced down a few lingering creatures that had miraculously survived.
"
Irena, how much time do we have?
"
"
A few dozen seconds, at best... not more than a minute.
"
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"
Understood.
"
Shadow Send
could instantly exorcise weaker monsters, but against an opponent of significantly higher power, it was only a delay tactic.
Still, even delays could be used effectively.
"Listen up, both of you. The enemy is a
Named Sixth Rank
. She uses magic that gathers water in her right hand and fires it. The projectiles move at supersonic speed."
"...Why is a Named Monster here?" Renji asked, his voice tight with urgency.
"She's after the blacksmith," Souichirou answered curtly.
There wasn't time to explain the intricacies of the Sanctuary or the Gatekeeper, Kan'nuki. They had to stay focused.
Even as he spoke, Souichirou kept moving.
Shadow Send
would eject its captive at the point of entry. Knowing the location meant he could anticipate where the enemy would emerge.
As he maneuvered around the soggy, weakened tree trunks, the result of Arame Koushi's
Heavy Rain
Why side with humans?
" she asked, curious.
"
Is it so strange for a monster to aid humanity?
" the princess replied coolly.
"
Not at all. I imagine you're in love with one of them. Rare, but not unheard of.
"
"
Wh— What?! Absolutely not!
" the princess stammered, her composure cracking.
As her embarrassment flared, ice spikes erupted from the ground, rushing toward Arame Koushi. The monster leapt nimbly to avoid them.
"
How clumsy,
" Arame Koushi sneered.
"
Is that so?
" the princess retorted with a smirk.
A moment later, Arame Koushi's barrier tore into her own body. Tiny shards of ice, invisible and embedded in her wind armor, carved into her flesh, shredding her limbs, torso, and face.
Realization dawned on Arame Koushi too late.
"
Crafty little trick, aren't you?
"
"
I had a very devious exorcist mentor,
" the princess said, her smirk widening.
As the ice continued its relentless assault, a massive, comet-like block of ice descended from the sky, aimed directly at Arame Koushi.
"
...So you won't let me run.
"
Raising her hand, Arame Koushi fired a supersonic water bullet that shattered the descending ice block in an explosive display. Shards rained down as she conjured a dense mist to obscure her escape.
"
Three exorcists and a peer of my rank? Dealing with you while unlocking the Sanctuary is hardly worth the trouble,
" she declared, folding her umbrella and sighing.
"
Let's play another time.
"
With a mocking laugh, she launched into the sky, attempting to flee.
"Renji!" Souichirou shouted.
"On it!" Renji fired a long-range spell, but it fell short.
Before they could mount another pursuit, a blazing beam of light pierced the sky, striking Arame Koushi mid-flight and engulfing her in flames.
Souichirou turned his gaze upward and froze in shock.
There, flying alongside an unfamiliar, draconic woman, was Nina—her golden hair alight with determination. Flames coiled around her, transforming into five burning spears.
"Itsuki would've done this," Nina said with quiet resolve.
The fiery lances streaked through the air, two of them impaling Arame Koushi. A massive explosion followed, consuming the monster in a storm of fire.
As the flames began to die, Souichirou whispered, "It's over."
The broken, burning remains of Arame Koushi disintegrated into black mist, leaving no trace behind.