Chapter 72: Backup arrived
Chapter 72: Backup arrived
Chapter 72: Backup arrived
"Hey, you...hold on! Master instructed us not to use any magic or it will attract unwanted attention," the other mage shouted, still clutching his sword in anticipation of surprise attacks.
The anger on the face of the other mage was palpable as he glared at the lightning mage standing in a corner, visibly shivering from the intense attacks. He retorted, "Shut up; the damage is already done when that newbie bastard used lightning elements to attack."
The realization of the dire situation struck them. Their best chance now was to eliminate the enemy swiftly and escape before their cult's identity was exposed.
"O lord of flames, I request upon your powers. Erupt from the river of flame, and let the sinner witness your power."
Three mages began chanting, and magic circles manifested on the ground beneath them. Ben's instincts tingled, signaling impending danger, but he couldn't fathom the extent of the threat.
[Beware, Ben, that's a fully chanted spell. If you're caught in it, you're as good as dead.]
Gritting his teeth, Ben stood up and peeked from behind the cover of a boulder. He couldn't take the system's warning lightly. Surveying his surroundings, he found himself enclosed by boulders and thick walls.
Jumping outside his cover would make him an easy target. Quickly assessing the possibilities, Ben glanced at the open roof as a potential escape route. He summed his Rabbit Shoes, radiating in pink, indicating they were fully charged.
-Dragon Breath-
All three mages chanted simultaneously, and a massive golden magic circle materialized behind them. Ben, anticipating danger, took his stance to jump just as the spell was about to be unleashed.
"BOOM!"
A roar, resembling an animalistic burst of fire, surged towards Ben. It was akin to the release of a dam's watergate, obliterating anything in its path. Thanks to Raboot's charged shoes, Ben leaped high into the air with unmatched speed.
The impulse from the shoe skill was intense, causing Ben's leg muscles to strain. However, luck wasn't on his side this time. He had underestimated the strength of his adversaries significantly.
The fiery explosion engulfed the entire church, its temperature melting even the church walls. To onlookers, it resembled a blinding light, turning the night as bright as day.
Although Ben managed to avoid the central blast, he couldn't escape the melted debris and the searing heat. In seconds, he found himself 25 meters in the air, flames surrounding his body. His once-pink Raboot shoes were reduced to ashes, and his exposed skin bore burns at an alarming rate.
In a matter of moments, Ben's health plummeted.
[Raboot Shoes are damaged beyond repair.]
[Warning: Your HP level is critical.]
[HP: 12/100]
[HP: 8/100]
[HP: 5/100]
[Emergency! Blood essence is forced to heal your body.]
[HP: 6/100]
[HP: 20/100]
[HP: 33/100]
[50 BE have been consumed. Your hunger level is mild.]
[Raboot Shoes have been destroyed.]
[Raboot Shoes have been destroyed.]
Ben plummeted to the ground headfirst, but this pain paled in comparison to the agony he had just endured moments ago. The rapid cycle of healing and burning, coupled with the shock from the sudden fall, momentarily overwhelmed his senses, leaving him in a state of blankness.
...
...
[Outside-]
"I am resistant to flames; I will go first," Ray shouted, taking charge. Freya and Alex remained frozen in their places as Ray boldly rushed into the remnants of the gigantic flames. Being a flame magic user, his body displayed remarkable resistance to normal flames. With the spell now subsided, the once-majestic church lay in ruins, its destruction extending hundreds of meters around.
Spotting the retreating figures in black cloaks, Ray wasted no time. "Fireball burst," he chanted, his hands moving in a practiced pattern. Within seconds, five blazing orbs shot towards the enemy group. In a swift reaction, one of the opposing mages retaliated with a volley of fireballs. However, Ray's attack exhibited clear superiority.
"Boom-Boom-Boom."
Consecutive blasts resonated as the fireballs collided. Unexpectedly, Ray's attack pierced through the other party's weakened fireball, hitting the mage who cast the spell.
While the impact wasn't as potent due to the earlier collision, it created a diversion. Seizing the opportunity, Ray closed the distance and delivered a powerful punch to the mage's chest, sending him flying 5 meters away, unconscious. Ray wasted no time and cast another series of fireball spells at the remaining two mages. However, their agility proved sufficient to evade the attacks, allowing them to escape.
-Water Bullet-
As the mages stepped beyond the church's range, a sharp pain coursed through their bodies as if an unseen force had pierced their very essence. Before collapsing to the ground, the last sight they witnessed was a silver-haired girl, her palm pointed menacingly in their direction.
"Good aim. Let's find out where Ben is," Ray walked out of the flames, dragging the first mage along with him. The unique skill displayed by the silver-haired girl had surprised him, but the urgency of the situation left no room for pondering.
"No need for that, I am here," Ben declared as he approached the group. Despite his body being half healed, he still bore visible bruises and black ash. Most of his clothes had been burned away, leaving only the part he used to cover his water gun intact.
Initially, Ben considered completely healing his body, but the system advised against it. Escaping the attack unscathed would raise suspicion among the others. Throughout this ordeal, Ben learned a valuable lesson – he had been overly confident in his skills.
In this unfamiliar world, creatures far stronger and more skilled than him existed. From royal mages to the devil and Eone, whose very presence defied the basic laws of the universe. Ben realized that he needed to adapt and grow stronger if he hoped to navigate the challenges ahead. All he knew for now was that he had a role to play in a significant event and to fulfill it, he had to become stronger.
"Now then, who will get them to open their mouth?" Ben gritted his teeth as he looked at the fallen mages struggling on the ground, subconsciously his eyes glowing in crimson red.