['Darius (★★★)' has been inflicted with bleeding. His stamina will be reduced for a period of time.]
After Darius intercepted the two Dark Spawn, my fire spell was finally ready and I used it to obliterate them.
The creatures' remains immediately started regenerating.
[Davah Shashanam]
I then used telekinesis to fling their regenerating body parts beyond our defensive line.
After securing our immediate vicinity, I turned to our injured archer.
"Fool! Why did you do endanger yourself like that?"
I told Darius who had lost his left hand fighting the Dark Spawn.
"Forgive me, my lady. Those two Dark Spawn managed to slip by me. I was careless enough to put you in danger, so I--"
"You did not have to come to my aid! I could've stopped them myself!"
I lied.
My spell would not be ready in time and the monsters would have seriously harmed me.
But Darius should not feel he needed to protect me at all times.
The situation had turned so grave as it was.
One careless move might lead to imminent death and turned to be unnecessary sacrifice.
And we could not afford such sacrifice in this time of crisis.
"Fina!"
Jonah quickly retreated to our position and helped Devisha pushing off the chimera's minions from Darius and I.
"What about Shanny and the chimera?"
I asked him.
"Don't worry about me! I can keep this bastard busy by myself!"
Shanny shouted back at us as fierce energy exploded from her.
['Shanny (★★)' has gone berserk!]
She continued battling the raging chimera while also crushing any minions that came near her.
The former maid's enchanted sword moved so rapidly and each swing was filled with great strength.
['Shanny (★★)'s Power Charge has levelled up twice to level 5!]
['Wallick (★★)' is on the brink of death. His life is in danger!]
"We'll take turns dealing with the chimera. There's no need for both of us to keep attacking it for now."
Jonah said.
He then turned to Darius and I.
"How are you both doing? Darius, can you still fight?"
The archer stared at the bloodied stump on his left arm.
"I don't think I'll be able to use my bow anymore. Not with just one hand."
He said as he poured health potion on the wound.
Even if we used the Healing Stone, his severed hand would not regenerate. He needed to return to the lobby in order to regain his hand.
Darius then threw his bow at the veiled woman fighting by us.
"Devisha, you might as well use it!"
"What about you?"
"I can still fight using my dagger."
He said as he drew one from his belt sheath.
['Darius (★★★)'s Pain Resistance has levelled up to level 2!]
The man turned to me while showing his right hand.
"Can she use my enchanted ring to summon and enchant arrows with the bow?"
I shook my head as I finished another vial of mana potion.
"The rings aren't compatible with one another. They would just impede each other's functions. And without your enchanted ring, your enchanted bow will only work as a normal bow on Devisha."
Darius nodded.
"That's alright. It's better than letting it hang unused on me."
"What about you, Fina? How are you holding on?"
Jonah asked with concerned tone as he speared a Dark Spawn and tossed it away beyond the defensive line.
Darius's injury did not make him forgot about my overflow episode earlier.
"Don't worry. I was just having a mana overflow symptom. It will take more time, but I can still cast a larger spell that would kill off the chimera."
"Are you sure? Perhaps you should just rest and let the rest of us try to--"
"It's the only way we can complete this mission, Jonah. And you know it."
I interrupted him.
['Selin (★★)' is on the brink of death. Her life is in danger!]
Colorful magic runes started hovering around me as I started casting my spell.
I continued to my comrades around me.
"This is a Sixth Circle spell I am preparing. I will need every mana that I had left to cast it. So I won't be able to cast any other spell from this point on to support you."
"Will Sixth Circle be enough to kill it?"
Devisha asked as she obliterated a pack of Night Terror with explosives launched from Darius's bow.
I nodded.
"This spell is our only shot. It had to work."
I would immediately collapse after casting such powerful spell that I had never tried in practice before.
But honestly, I was more worried that I would not have enough time to cast it.
Screech!
The chimera roared another terrible scream.
Our party assumed the new formation for our current strategy.
Shanny, powered by her skills and enchanted weapon, took on the chimera by herself.
Jonah and Devisha guarded me by fending off the chimera's minions.
While Darius intercepted one or two that got past his comrades and kicked or threw them back beyond the defensive line.
All our golems had already been destroyed by the regenerating Deathbringer at this point, so my comrades were truly our last line of defense.
Their defensive line was gradually being pushed back, however.
Time was of the essence.
I focused on gathering every drop of mana that I had to cast my Sixth Circle spell.
['Darille (★★)' is on the brink of death. His life is in danger!]
['Wallick (★★)' has returned to the Goddesses' embrace! His fighting spirit will be remembered forever.]
['Vallerynne (★★★)' is experiencing mana overflow.]
Things were turning worse for the rearguards.
Party 4 only had the dwarf and my enchanter pupil left.
I must hurry.
Screech!
The chimera continued summoning more minions through its assaults.
Hordes of Deathbringer burst from the burning dark eggs all over the rise. Swarms of mutated Night Terror emerged from the exploding black thorns darting through the air. An army of Dark Spawn rose from the boiling black pools drenching the battlefield.
[Mutated Dark Spawn Lv.17 x???]
[Mutated Night Terror Lv.19 x???]
[Mutated Deathbringer Lv.25 x???]
The monsters tried to overwhelm us with their number, as if their immortal trait was not dangerous enough.
Kreee!
Two Night Terror managed to ambush Shanny.
As she was dodging the bull head's black flames, the winged creatures rushed in and deeply clawed her back and leg.
"Gyagh!"
['Shanny (★★)' has been inflicted with bleeding. Her stamina will be reduced for a period of time.]
['Shanny (★★)'s Pain Resistance has levelled up to level 3!]
The fierce energy soon faded once Shanny collapsed to the ground.
['Shanny (★★)' is no longer berserk!]
['Darille (★★)' has returned to the Goddesses' embrace! His fighting spirit will be remembered forever.]
Screech!!!
The chimera immediately directed all three of its heads toward my injured comrade, setting out to obliterate her.
"Get Shanny away!"
I ordered my other comrades.
"She's too far! We won't make it in time to reach her!"
Devisha shouted as she crippled a Deathbringer and crushed four Dark Spawn with her bludgeon.
Upon her words, I divided my focus and quickly manipulated the threads of space and time around Shanny.
Thump!
A sharp pain went through me and impeded my casting.
Screech!!!
Fighting the suffering, I hurried to finish my teleportation spell as the chimera launched its assault.
Boom!!!