Chapter 63

The small figure was surprisingly strong. So much so that they made us forget we were in the middle of a battle. They moved as swiftly as a sudden gust of wind, and their movements were wild and fierce.

It was a swarm of hundreds of Scissor Mantis. A number that one person could never hope to protect people against, yet the small figure displayed a terrifying skill and took them down one by one.

Some of the slightly more intelligent Scissor Mantis, seeing the difficulty, tried to pass by to the side, or fly into the sky to pass overhead. But all their attempts were in vain.

'Tornado Blade'

The small figure wielded a beautiful short sword, as if made of solid rubies. Their movements were so fast that they blurred, making it difficult to see them clearly. The thin, thread-like lines of light emitted from the slashing short sword passed through the bodies of the Scissor Mantis.

Even as nymphs, the Scissor Mantis stood at about two meters tall. In contrast, the small figure appeared to be only half that height. Despite the overwhelming physical disadvantage and numerical inferiority, they showed no fear or hesitation. Charging into the midst of the enemies, they swung their short sword, tearing the Scissor Mantis apart.

The Scissor Mantis were not just being slaughtered. They wielded their scythe-like arms, harder than iron and sharper than swords, trying to slash and tear. The small figure, surrounded and attacked from all sides, managed to deflect the scythes without even being grazed.

With a red short sword, they knocked the scythe to the side, deflecting it into another Scissor Mantis. They ducked under a sweeping strike, and with a light shift, evaded a diagonal slash. They then soared into the air, flying over the heads of the Scissor Mantis, escaping their attacks.

With the short sword at the ready, they activated their martial skill once again.

'Tornado Blade'

The martial skill named after a tornado lived up to its name, spinning like a tornado with the small figure as the pivot. Their movements were so fast that they became a blur, making it difficult to see them.

One rotation, two rotations, three rotations—each time they spun, the fine, thread-like white blades glinted, slicing through the surrounding mantises, cutting them apart and killing them.

There were at least two hundred nymph Scissor Mantis. Yet, with each step the small figure took, dozens of bodies were sliced apart. With each additional step, the sword's storm turned the surrounding enemies into pieces, scattering them around.

Within a few minutes, the small figure had cleared out nearly two hundred Scissor Mantis, including the adults.

"Amazing... What is that, Leader?"

Swallowing hard, Yan gasped, and Kong, while fighting the Scissor Mantis, was astonished by the combat prowess. However, he quickly realized the trick.

"That's a weak area attack. Some of them are still alive, but to be able to chain area attacks like that and move like that... That's impressive."

Kong confirmed with his enhanced vision that some of the Scissor Mantis that hadn't been completely killed were still alive, though they were severely injured, with their torsos cut in half or their legs severed, making it impossible for them to move.

"That's the trick. But it's a good combat method for dealing with large numbers."

A companion thrust a restraining spear at the Scissor Mantis and grinned. With that, there was no longer any need to worry.

"Alright! Let's finish this one off quickly!"

"Right!"

Distracted by the fallen Scissor Mantis, they couldn't focus on the battle, but now it was safe. All that was left was to defeat the Scissor Mantis in front of them and reorganize to take down the ones swarming the iron spiders.

"Roar!"

With a powerful swing, they attacked the Scissor Mantis. The mass of the玄武's axe crashed into the Scissor Mantis. However, the opponent blocked with its scythe. But with its movement halted, the summoned Dire Wolf bit into its leg, and a companion swept it away with a spear.

'Wind Blade'

'Water Breath'

The wind blades, imbued with magical energy, sliced through the Scissor Mantis. Water spirits, commanded by a companion, released high-pressure water, capable of piercing rock.

The Scissor Mantis gradually took damage from the continuous attacks by Kong and the others, its movements slowing as it bled green blood, lost several legs, and had its torso cut, swaying unsteadily.

Seeing the opportunity, Kong circulated mana through his body and unleashed a lethal martial skill. His entire body glowed red, and mana burst out as an aura.

'Bursting Great Smash'

Wielding the red aura, Kong swung with all his might. Unlike the previous one, this Scissor Mantis, with its slowed movements, couldn't avoid the attack. It tried to block with its scythe, but to no avail.

A metallic sound rang out as they clashed, but it wasn't a deadlock.

"Can you take my strike!?"

With a roar, Kong shouted, his face contorted like a demon. The axe exploded, and the energy, directed, attacked the Scissor Mantis.

The high heat burned the Scissor Mantis, and the blast sent its burning body flying. Burnt and charred, it disintegrated, and finally, Kong and the others defeated the adult Scissor Mantis.

"Alright! Let's go help the others!"

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Kong looked around, ready to assist the other adventurers. Adult Scissor Mantis were vicious, and their combat power was too much for adventurers without 'Magic Armor.'

However, Kong was surprised again. The small figure, who had been at the rear, had rushed to the front lines.

The party members, without 'Magic Armor,' were struggling, covered in injuries. It was a miracle that no one had died yet. The small figure rushed in, wielding a red, glowing short sword.

"Ch-ch-ch-ch"

The Scissor Mantis swung its scythe at the approaching small figure, but the small figure increased its speed and closed the distance.

'Weapon Disarm II'

With a screeching sound, the short sword bit into the Scissor Mantis' arm and cleanly cut it off. The small figure spun half a turn and cut off the other arm before moving on to the next target.

The next Scissor Mantis also attacked with its scythe, but the small figure, moving like a dance, evaded the attack and cut off its arms in the same manner.

One by one, the small figure cut off the arms of the Scissor Mantis fighting the adventurers, neutralizing their close combat abilities. Turning around, the small figure extended a hand.

'Area Minor Healing II'

A white, glowing magic circle appeared at the feet of the injured adventurers. Soft light enveloped them, healing their wounds.

The adventurers, who had been cut and battered by the Scissor Mantis, were healed.

"Wow! I'm healed!"

"Cough... Wait, I thought I was dead... Oh, oh."

Even those with severe injuries, their organs exposed, were restored to their original, unharmed state by the light.

Seeing this, the small figure moved their hand and continued to use healing magic.

'Area Minor Healing II'

'Area Minor Healing II'

'Area Minor Healing II'

'Area Minor Healing II'

'Area Minor Healing II'

Unbelievably, the small figure continued to use area healing magic, healing the people. While the healing magic affected the enemies as well, healing some of the injured Scissor Mantis, the severed arms couldn't be restored, so it had little impact.

"Wow, the fatigue is gone!"

"Unbelievable"

"A miracle!"

Healed, the adventurers' morale soared. Roaring, they began to fight the armless Scissor Mantis. The weaponless Scissor Mantis retreated, trying to attack with 'Shockwave,' but the adventurers wouldn't allow it.

Now, they only had to watch out for bites. With their injuries healed, they knew they wouldn't lose and launched a full assault.

The tide of the battle, which had been at a disadvantage, quickly turned, and the adult Scissor Mantis were defeated one after another. The small figure continued to assist parties that were struggling, providing support.

During the battle, the sound of tank cannons echoed from a distance, providing the final push. The tank, which had been using itself as bait, was hit by a shell, blowing away the swarm.

"Wow! Reinforcements!"

Three more iron spiders, moving on their metal legs, approached, firing machine guns and missiles, burning the Scissor Mantis. They almost hit the bait tank as well.

"It seems we've won."

Resting his axe on his shoulder, Kong exhaled and smiled. It was only a matter of time before the enemies were cleared.

"Yeah."

The small figure landed in front of Kong, putting away the short sword, which was filled with magical energy.

"So, who are you, exactly?"

Scratching his cheek, Kong asked, and the small figure chuckled. Covered in a white robe, with a deep hood and a mask and sunglasses, it was impossible to tell who they were.

It was probably better not to know. The small stature was best not seen.

"Heh. I'm 'Swift Wind,' a passing adventurer. Heh heh heh."

Trying to change their voice, the small figure coughed, apparently trying to be a mysterious adventurer.

"..."

Kong was unsure how to respond. The Martini group, who had finished off the Scissor Mantis, approached, looking puzzled. What should they do?

Does this girl really think her identity won't be revealed? She's so familiar. The guard, thinking the person they were protecting wouldn't be recognized, must be mistaken.

But unexpected support came from elsewhere.

"It's the Holy Maiden! It's Seina Kaden!"

"Right! No one else can use that much healing magic!"

"Thank you, Seina-sama!"

In the civilian sector, a hologram of the Holy Maiden, revealed on a balcony, was being broadcast. Indeed, while the height was a bit short, it made sense when said. The timing was perfect.

Using that much healing magic, it was understandable that everyone thought so.

"Y-You're the Holy Maiden?"

The ham actor Kong appeared.

"Thank you, Holy Maiden!"

The ham actor Martini leader also appeared.

They needed to read the room. While it would be revealed soon, they thought they could bluff here.

"Heh. I'm not Seina. I'm Swift Wind. No more, no less."

Puffing out her flat chest, Swift Wind decided to go with the flow. The adventurers, mistaking her for Seina, cheered, and Swift Wind, feeling good, waved her small hand.

Thinking to grab her by the collar and escape before being recognized, Kong's judgment was a bit late.

Crash

One of the iron spiders sent to support was blown back. With a dull sound, the iron spider rolled on the ground, its metal legs severed, its arms twisted, and its cannon crushed.

"What happened?"

Seeing the wrecked iron spider, they were shocked and lost for words.

A monster mantis, standing at six meters tall, was there. Unlike the other Scissor Mantis, it had six scythe-like arms and was attacking the iron spider. The iron spider fired its cannon, but the mantis deflected it with its scythe and, moving its eight legs at high speed, closed the distance in an instant, slicing the iron spider with its other scythes.

Deeply embedding its scythe into the iron spider's body, it swung it around and threw it away. The supporting iron spiders were quickly defeated by the monster mantis and turned into scrap.

"What the—!"

The Martini leader exclaimed in surprise.

"It's the King Mantis. It seems there were still some prey left."

The self-proclaimed Swift Wind smiled thinly and ran.

"Leave the grunts to me! I'll take down that one!"

"Damn, wait up, you!"

Kong and the others ran to catch up with Swift Wind, heading towards the King Mantis.

The King Mantis let out a victorious roar, its hand raised. Behind it, about a hundred adults were visible. It seemed the boss mantis had kept its final forces.

The surrounding samurai and adventurers also ran.

The battlefield was about to enter its final battle.