Chapter 92

"It's like hell..."

Mai looked at the situation before her and let out a strained smile as she muttered those words.

The concept of this operation was safety first.

First, to prevent enemy reinforcements from interfering and to ensure that the two apparent ringleaders didn't escape, we simply surrounded the entire area with a thick and massive 'Giant Barrier.'

Next, to deprive the enemy of mobility, we turned most of the ground within the barrier into a quagmire using the 'Dissolution' ability.

Furthermore, to be extra cautious, we fully armed the bears controlled by Ul's 'Steel Factory' and transformed them into expert-level kung fu bears through Nia's manipulation.

Incidentally, the bears' footing is being supported by the barrier. Of course, if the enemy steps on the barrier, it will immediately disappear, dropping them into the quagmire.

As for us, we are protected by countless block-like barriers created by Mai, so the enemy can't touch us.

Additionally, the barriers can create gaps at Mai's will, allowing Shiro and Rin to launch long-range attacks at the right moment.

I would like to deploy a large number of clay figures using the 'Toy' ability, but the battlefield might get too chaotic, so I'll hold off for now.

"Quite a nasty combo... If I were in their position, I'd be completely hopeless."

"No, we can't let our guard down yet."

The footing is a quagmire, there are attacks from expert-level armed bears, and occasional slashes and shockwaves. Indeed, it should be a hopeless situation for the enemy, but even after all this, we still haven't defeated them.

They are clearly on the defensive, but the ability to continue dodging attacks while using floating trees as footholds in this quagmire is truly terrifying.

"Should we keep wearing them down, or go for one more push?"

The incantation for 'Supreme Golden Giant Soldier' is already complete, so it can be activated at any time.

However, I'm worried about the damage the Golden Giant Soldier's attack will cause to the forest. We've already turned this area into a quagmire with dissolution, and I want to avoid further destruction of nature.

"Kakakaka"

"What, you have a good plan?"

Shiro said he has a special trick that could deliver the decisive blow if it works.

"Alright. Can I leave it to Shiro?"

"Kakakaka!"

Shiro chirped, "Leave it to me!" and started discussing something with Rin.

"You can understand what he's saying from his chirps?"

"At first, I couldn't, but now I can understand even long messages without any problem. Surprised?"

"No, I'm so shocked by the current situation that I'm already exhausted from being surprised."

Mai said this with a dry smile. She seems quite tired from the sudden attack. We need to end this battle quickly.

"Kaa..."

The next moment, Shiro used his special trick, and the enemy's limbs were severed.

◇

A few minutes earlier.

"It's like hell."

"What are you calmly muttering about! Eek!"

In response to Katsura's words, Ka was dodging the attacks of the iron-armored bears, using the floating trees in the quagmire as footholds.

"Still, it really is hell. How many abilities are they using?"

"Here it comes!"

When Katsura shouted, Ka ducked, and a slash passed overhead. Immediately after, a shockwave hit the tree they were standing on, and they quickly moved to another tree.

"The retreat is blocked by the barrier, and all the footing is a quagmire. In the middle of this, slashes and shockwaves are flying, and the bears are being controlled, fully armed with iron armor and claws, and using expert-level martial arts! What is this situation!?"

"Also, our attacks are completely blocked by that woman's barrier. We have no way to attack."

"So why are you calmly muttering about this! Eek!"

While dodging the flying slashes skillfully, Ka shouted at the calm Katsura.

"Because of this giant barrier, we can't expect support from the pieces we placed in the forest. If this continues, we'll lose."

"Enough already! Let's use the pieces to escape, Katsura!"

"No, not yet. The pieces that can break this giant barrier are valuable. Besides, such a powerful opponent is likely to stand in the way of our king's path. We should observe their moves to the limit here."

"I don't want to die before the preparation for the wedge is complete! Eek!"

While exchanging banter, Katsura and Ka continued to dodge the expert-level bear attacks, sometimes intentionally getting hit to move to another foothold.

"Here it comes."

"This is the most troublesome part, right!"

They dodged the occasional slashes and shockwaves and landed on another foothold.

"The footholds are running out, so let's escape soon!"

"Indeed. It doesn't seem like we'll see any new moves if we stay here any longer..."

"Katsura! Behind you!"

"What!?"

Hearing Ka's words, Katsura turned around quickly, but there was nothing behind her.

At the same time, she glanced at Ka, who was shouting something with a panicked expression, but her voice was inaudible.

(Damn, I was tricked...)

At that moment, an unprecedented number of slashes flew, and both of their limbs were severed.