Chương 177: Chapter 57: “Threat Level: Scorched Earth 4”

A fierce barrage of firearms and beam weapons incessantly rained down on the single gigantic enemy. Normally, any creature on earth would not stand a chance. That was the truly tremendous amount of heat. But before it could end, the enemy leaped out furiously from within the rising dust. That purple barrier was tightly stretched over its body surface. There were only a countable number of wounds inflicted on its body. Most attacks were being blocked.

'Watch out! It intends to do something again!' A scream-like voice echoed from the communicator. The back of its mouth was glowing crimson. The motion was very similar to Zeed's attack. That guy. It intends to fire it. A crimson heat ray was released to burn everything in sight. Damn. Fast—!

'Leave that to me!'

"Me" had been watching the battle situation closely, waiting to fire magic at any time. Thanks to that, I can activate magic with no time lag just by switching bodies. 《Arlrect》"Me", who came out in place of me, put up a wall of light on the entire front between the enemy and our allies. So that no matter where the attack comes, there is no problem. Right now, I have enough mana to do that.

And, overlapping with the timing when the wall of light reflected the heat ray, she herself was trying to release additional magic.

"One shot while I'm at it!" Mana concentrates in"Me"'s right hand in the blink of an eye. Soon. The super-highly condensed mana showed a vivid emerald green. It was just like the color of the sky in that world— Eranel. Emitting a tremendous brilliance— 《Saint Blaster》 From where"Me" thrust out her right hand. A bundle of dazzling pale green light was generated from just in front of her palm. As it went straight from the starting point, the bundle of light expanded explosively.

Becoming a massive beam, not inferior to the enemy's heat ray. Finally, with size and momentum enough to swallow Baragion's whole body. Together with the reflected heat ray, it headed for the enemy at the shortest distance. Did it fear the excessive power? It stopped moving and started defending with all its might. The purple barrier became dark enough to look blackish, accepting the harmony of the red heat ray and the green beam. There, a huge explosion occurred—"Phew. I'm back."

To"Me" who returned to the World of Heart with a satisfied face after finishing a job, I immediately bit.

"What did you do? That's amazing power!"

"Well, yeah."

"Me" answers in a casual tone.

"It's a so-called mana cannon that converges and releases pure mana before converting it into magic." Mana cannon. Cool... If it weren't for this time, I would have wanted to give a big cheer.

"Watching Lilna's 《Selphanon》, I wondered if I could do something similar. It just popped into my mind."

"Heh. Now that you mention it, it certainly resembled it."

"But I used up most of the mana other than what's needed for defense with that just now. I leave the rest to you."

"Yeah. You stay on standby properly." When I came out again, the explosion had already stopped. In addition to shaving off its left arm with my slash,"Me"'s bombardment had ruined a part of Baragion's right arm. The surface metal melted into sludge, and furthermore, one of the secondary cannons was completely crushed. However, other than that, no major damage was seen. Its function as a weapon seemed not yet impaired. But it definitely worked.

Even with the barrier fully deployed, there was still enough power to penetrate. I used the communicator to call out to everyone.

"Did you see that! When attacking, concentrate high-power attacks and launch them! That will get through!" Just after I finished saying that. Baragion's figure disappeared. I felt a gruesome presence from behind. When I turned around, I opened my eyes wide in surprise involuntarily. What!? It teleported that massive body in an instant...!? Can this guy do something like Lilna too!? If it were just me personally, it wouldn't have been a big deal if I braced myself. But the formation was set up to surround its front.

The unrest caused by having its rear taken in an instant was great. Amidst the spreading confusion, all the secondary cannons remaining on its body surface began to glow all at once. This time, the back of the muzzles was glowing pure white. Bad. That white light is—! It smells similar to the tremendous attack of the main cannon! How many shots does it intend to fire? Instant-death class attacks. There's no end to this...! Just when I tried to make a move again to interrupt the attack.

I saw an extra-large light blue beam flying toward it. It's Lilna's 《Selphanon》. Almost simultaneously, Baragion's secondary cannons intercepted. Light blue and white heat waves collided in the air, making intense sounds and light. It's an intense beam shoot-out like I've only seen in manga. The clash is even. No, Lilna is pushing slightly. Perhaps thanks to the reinforcement by my ability, she wasn't losing at all even against the total attack combining secondary cannons. However.

It would have been fine if the enemy's attack was only that, but Baragion didn't slacken its pursuit. From the side of its body, around the waist, a giant burst of electric current occurred. It turned that into an even more intense lightning strike and shot it at her! Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. The two pairs of it were about to mercilessly attack her, who couldn't move. Damn it! Lilna cannot move while using 《Selphanon》. She can't use 《Deatress》 either.

No, even if she could use it, she couldn't block that.

"Me" was observing carefully. The enemy's attack seemed to possess the nature of magic as well. I have to go. Make it in time! 《Passtrive》! With desperate thought, I activate Short Warp.

"Lilna!" I went around to her back in an instant and touched her body. In the nick of time, I used 《Passtrive》 again to get out of the direct trajectory of the beam. Teleporting together to the nearby ground, I called out immediately.

"Are you okay? That was close."

"Ah... Yeah. You saved me." Having had a narrow escape, she stroked her chest in relief.

"But are you okay? You were coughing up blood before, weren't you?"

"Huh? Come to think of it." It was strange now that she mentioned it. It should have been a technique that placed such a heavy burden and didn't suit my body. When I used 《Passtrive》 just now, almost no burden was placed on my mind and body at all. It feels familiar as if it were my own technique from the beginning. That's how it feels.

"Anyway, it seems fine for now. More importantly—" I look straight into her beautiful blue eyes again and announce.

"Lilna. We'll launch a close-quarters battle against it for a moment. We'll destroy those troublesome weapons one by one. Otherwise, there's no end to it."

"I was just thinking the same thing. Unless we destroy the key to its offense and defense, attacks won't get through properly."

"It's decided then. Let's see... position-wise." I looked around briefly and nodded.

"You take Brinda and Zeed from the right. I'll take Steargol from the left." For local destruction, maneuverable infantry forces are best suited.

"Understood."

"Alright. Let's go." Standing side by side with her, we bump fists lightly, and both disappear simultaneously with 《Passtrive》. If the burden is light, there is no technique more convenient than this. Using Short Warp continuously without sparing, I reached Steargol in no time.

"Steargol!"

"Oh! Yu!" Even at a time like this, he waved his hand energetically.

"But man! What are we supposed to do against something like that! These fists don't reach at all!"

"You're good at breaking things, right? If you can get close, can you do it?"

"Hell yeah! Of course!" To him raising his fist powerfully, I reached out my hand smoothly.

"I'll take you close. Let's rampage together."

"That's a wonderful proposal! I'm in!" He gripped my hand back so vigorously I thought it might tear off. I felt very reassured by his high spirits even in front of such a terrifying opponent. Using 《Passtrive》 repeatedly again, we approach right in front of Baragion in one go. It took almost no time to get here.

"We attack from the feet. Stop its movement."

"Gahahaha! My arms are itching!" Literally clanging his arms, Steargol roars.

"Oraaa!" His boastful Power Arms were also enhanced remarkably by 《Mind Linker》. Baragion's foot, which rose like a hill, dented severely at the tip with a Bakon! Unable to bear it, the guy kicks its leg away. The speed had also increased greatly, and Steargol avoided it with agility unthinkable for his huge body. Anyway, we were able to attract its movement here. Looking to the side, Brinda and Zeed led by Lilna had started to fight back at the feet in the same way.

Lilna herself was actually floating in the air, launching attacks from various angles. She was desperately toying with Baragion.

"Lilna can fly too?" Come to think of it, when falling from a high place, she looked like she was floating softly. While recalling that just a little, I transform into a woman.

"Then me too." While flying up with Flight Magic, I aim at the parts where the enemy's weapons are attached. Found it. Secondary cannon. There, I transform into a man again. Gather Qi, and thrust out my right hand. 《Qi Severing Palm》 While free-falling, I release a shockwave narrowed down to a pinpoint to increase power. It accurately pierced the part with the weapon and destroyed it. In this manner, making full use of the female form and Flight Magic. Watching for gaps one by one, I attempt weapon destruction.

To it, we must be annoying existences like flying insects. Because of its huge body, once we get inside its guard, blind spots that are hard to reach are created instead. With the covering fire led by Asty, Baragion seemed unable to move as it wished. This is the rhythm. Don't rush. Big techniques are still ineffective. Even if I launch them, they will be blocked as long as it has weapons. To avoid wasting power, I will concentrate only on weapon destruction for a while. Okay.

With this, all secondary cannons are— Finally, I crushed everything that seemed to be a secondary cannon. It was at that moment. Suddenly, something like a fierce jet stream erupted from its whole body.

"Uwaaaaaaaa—!" I was blown into the air helplessly. While being thrown vigorously into the sky, I saw Lilna and the others being blown away in the same manner. Looking in the direction where it was, it disappeared. It seems it used teleportation again. —Above. Far up in the sky, there was a single black silhouette. The demonic destruction weapon that lost one wing seemed barely able to float in the air. From there, something is raining down. An extraordinary number. It was missiles.

Not magic weapons, not beam weapons. Just missiles. At this point, it used the most "primitive" weapon as a trump card. Needle-like slender missiles were scattered, filling the gray sky with overwhelming mass. There is no escape anywhere. At this rate—everyone will die! But there was nothing I could do. It was truly an enormous amount of material enough to turn the entire area into scorched earth. I just called out to the World of Heart as if praying. That was all I could do. With my power—Please!

Power enough to protect everyone! Protect! Protect them! I also apply Qi reinforcement with all my might and enter a posture to protect myself. It rained down incessantly forever. Explosions that never stopped drowning out someone's scream. And everything visible to the eye was burned.

"Ugh...!" While my consciousness wavered, I barely sat up. My whole body was covered in blood and full of wounds. Is everyone... safe...? Looking around, it was a scene just like a picture of hell at first glance. First of all, all the Digridders that caught my eye had holes in them, pitiful to look at. They had completely stopped moving. Most of the armored vehicles also had holes and stopped functioning in the same way. But if I put my hand on my chest. If I feel the hearts.

I understood that the situation was not as devastating as it looked. I feel a little relieved. Did my desperate prayer get through? The number of transmitting emotions hasn't decreased much. Most of them seem to be barely alive. But they are in no state to fight anymore. Many emotions on the verge of being dominated by fear and despair pierce my heart painfully. Over there, Lilna stood up unsteadily. I can hear her inner voice.

'We can't fight for long anymore. Let's take a gamble.'

'Yeah. Let's do it.' Glaring at the Baragion standing in the sky, I also answered with my inner voice.

'We launch a general attack. I will also fire a 100% 《Selphanon》. Now that all secondary cannons are destroyed, it shouldn't be canceled out.'

'Okay. I will too—''No. Yu. You do it, matching everyone's attack.' I will draw its attention. It was a voice filled with Lilna's resolve.

'... Are you sure? Leave it to me.'

'Of course. It's thanks to you that we've come this far. Take responsibility until the end properly.'

'You're right. Understood. I'll do it.' There, a few moments of silence flowed. Somewhat hesitantly, she opened her mouth heavily.

'... Hey, Yu. Since this might be the end...'

'Don't say such things.'

'............'

'I won't let it end. Like hell I'll let it end. This is the beginning. Right?' I don't know what Lilna thought. The power to connect hearts seems to be able not to transmit what you don't want to transmit. However. Immediately after, she raised her voice to the limit into the communicator and shouted the order.

"Let's go! Everyone who can move, attack with all your might! Shoot everything you have!" A general attack with all our dying strength began. It's different from the initial situation. It's an attack after dealing considerable damage to each other. What does that guy do when damaged? This time, I didn't miss the timing when it tried to use teleportation. When I switched with"Me", she used magic immediately. 《Granselbit》 Activate heavy gravity magic. Such a thing probably won't work much. But a moment is enough.

If we can cause it discomfort. If we can stop its movement with that. As aimed, Baragion's movement froze, albeit for just a moment. That moment was critical. The full-power 《Selphanon》 released by Lilna pierces the enemy. Together, everyone's attacks are added. But it is enduring with the barrier. At this rate, it won't be a decisive blow. I transform into a man. 《Passtrive》 I positioned myself even further above Baragion. Raising the Qi sword, I put all my Qi into it.

The white blade changes color to pale blue, emitting further brilliance. A Qi sword exerts maximum power only when slashing the opponent directly. Even using 【Secret of Qi】, this doesn't change. Everything I have. This is surely the last chance. If I don't decide it here, we lose. Everyone will be killed. Like hell I'll let that happen. We came this far. Finally, we came this far. I think of the many comrades who were sacrificed. A world where those who don't need to die don't have to die.

The first step towards that. Please. Lend me everyone's Qi. Lend me your strength! Through the World of Heart, I load the Qi and thoughts of everyone here.

"This blow is!" I was screaming with all my soul. Baragion turns its face towards me with a Gigi.

"Everyone's feelings! A blow that bridges the future to the world!" At the spirit of my whole body and soul. Baragion, which shouldn't have emotions—perhaps instinctively judged it as dangerous. It tried to direct the power of the barrier towards me as well. That became a fatal opening. The moment the defense against everyone's attack weakened relatively, 《Selphanon》 pierced Baragion's shoulder. I swing the blade at the guy who lost its posture.

"Pieeeeeeeerce!" The tip of the Qi sword pierces Baragion's head. With that momentum, I swing it down with raging force.

"Ryaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Metal. The sensation of screws crushing. It transmits vividly to my hand through the blade. When I swung it through to the end in a trance—I saw the empty sky. When I realized. I was throwing my body out on the earth in a spread-eagle shape. I have no strength at all. It seems the effect of 《Tolerance Limit Break》 and everything else cut off completely. Everyone's emotions don't transmit anymore either. But I felt like such things didn't matter.

"We won..." Eventually, someone. I heard them mutter that quietly. Triggered by that, voices began to rise sporadically.

"We won... We won..."

"We won! Us!"

"Uooooooooooo!"""We woooooooooooooooooooooon!"" Victory roars echo on the completely desolate earth. Even the smell of scorching everywhere felt pleasant only for now. While staggering, Lilna comes up to me.

"We managed somehow."

"I told you, didn't I? I wouldn't let it end." She managed to smile at me, but the next moment, she collapsed into a spread-eagle shape too. We laughed together under the cloudy sky, in a messy state together.