Hearing Hermes' words, everyone could feel the backs of their necks begin to prickle.
The last thing they needed was for the enemy to grow stronger.
"If they have the ability to evolve, then we should just destroy them faster than they can adapt."
Judas said as he stepped forward with an unflinching gaze, even as a swarm of monsters surged toward them.
He raised his arm and began gathering his mind.
『Fusillade Fallarica』
A red-colored magic circle appeared beneath his feet as numerous jets of flame erupted from his palm, with firepower that far surpassed anything Lefiya had ever produced.
"Isn't this… Thousand Elf's spell?"
Asfi's eyes widened in recognition.
"Don't tell me that Judas can also copy other people's magic just like her?"
If Lefiya had witnessed this scene, she would have been shocked out of her mind before becoming giddy at the thought of Judas actually using her magic.
The moment the jets of flame struck, the monsters didn't even get to scream before they were annihilated in an instant.
Explosions rang out all around, causing the temple to shake.
Parts of the ruins struck by Judas' magic had the fleshy substance clinging to them completely erased.
However, moments later, the flesh immediately regenerated and covered everything again as if nothing had happened.
But Judas was not finished, and he narrowed his eyes.
'1241.'
He thought as he raised his other arm.
『Star Magic: Million Lasers』
A second magic circle manifested from his palm.
A star polyhedron emerged from it, and over a thousand lasers fired out, each targeting the eggs that kept spawning more scorpion monsters.
One after another, as the lasers pierced through and left clean holes, the eggs began to burst open, splashing clear liquid all around.
When the dust finally settled, all the eggs within sight had been destroyed, and even the flesh began to recede.
"Hey… are we even needed for this operation? I feel like Judas could handle this by himself."
Lante commented, in awe at the display of power he had shown.
"He's basically a walking magic sword that never breaks… this guy is insane."
Welf added as a bead of sweat rolled down his face.
He turned to see Belle and Lili staring at Judas with admiration, stars in their eyes.
"Amazing…"
Belle muttered, looking at his back.
He looked exactly like the heroes in the stories her grandpa used to read to her.
"Let's continue."
Judas turned his head toward them and spoke.
Hearing his words snapped them out of their reverie, and they nodded.
"This way!"
Now that the monsters blocking their path had been cleared, they were able to advance without much trouble as Artemis guided them through the ruins.
"This pathway should lead us to a spacious chamber where Antares is being held."
Artemis said as the group moved forward.
roooooar
A loud, guttural roar suddenly pounded in their eardrums, echoing from every corner of the ruins.
Artemis suddenly stopped and dropped to one knee.
She clutched her chest, trying to keep her face from twisting in pain.
"Lady Artemis!"
Rethusa and the other members of the Artemis Familia rushed toward their goddess with worried expressions.
"Artemis…"
Hestia muttered as she looked at her friend.
Seeing this, the group halted their advance as the roar continued to reverberate through the walls for several seconds.
"I am alright."
"Let's keep going."
Artemis assured them as she stood back up and continued forward.
"That roar earlier… don't tell me…"
Welf muttered.
"Yeah, we're close."
Asfi said with a solemn expression.
As they pressed on, Judas glanced at Artemis, who was breathing heavily, doing her best not to slow them down.
When she noticed his gaze, she turned to him and smiled, as if to tell him not to worry.
Judas wanted to say something, but he held back and shifted his focus when he sensed a powerful presence ahead.
The others noticed as well and mentally steeled themselves to face the monster capable of killing a deity.
Meanwhile, in Orario…
News of the dungeon going berserk and monsters threatening to spill onto the surface had spread throughout the city, causing widespread unrest among the citizens.
As a result, the Guild issued the first-ever city-wide quest, calling on every familia to participate.
Answering the call, the adventurers of Orario stepped forward, armed themselves, and marched toward the dungeon, forming a blockade to prevent the monsters from escaping.
Leading the charge was, naturally, the Loki Familia.
"It'll be a disaster if monsters reach the surface!"
Finn shouted, his voice carrying over the din of clashing steel.
"Stand up now! This is our city!"
"We cannot allow a single monster through!"
"We have one goal… protect Orario!"
To boost morale, Finn stepped forward and delivered his speech to the rows of adventurers behind him.
Hearing the words of the famous pallum hero, the adventurers let out a battle cry, their spirits ignited.
A moment later, the ground began to tremble.
"There they are!"
Everyone looked ahead to see a massive horde of monsters charging toward them in a frenzy.
Monsters from the upper floors, the middle floors, the lower floors, and even the deep floors… all converging at once.
It was a "Monster Party" of unprecedented scale.
A situation that should never have happened… was happening.
Faced with what might be the largest monster tide they had ever seen, not a single adventurer thought of running.
Because nearly every first-class adventurer was here.
"Tsk… you lot better not get in my way!"
Allen Fromel hissed, his spear a blur of silver.
Despite his harsh tone, his presence alone brought a sense of reassurance.
"Let's go, girls! Time to lace up and protect the city!"
Alise declared loudly as a group of female adventurers stood behind her.
The arrival of the Astraea Familia immediately drew attention.
"Good… I was looking for a chance to see how I measure up against the other level 6s and test my strength after ranking up."
Kaguya added, her thumb clicking her katana partially out of its sheath.
"Tempest!"
Ais Wallenstein was the first to strike.
Cloaked in a howling gale of emerald wind, she vanished into the horde.
Everywhere her blade flashed, monsters were cleaved in two.
'Judas is out there fighting…'
Ais thought as she scanned the battlefield, already surrounded.
'I shouldn't slack off either.'
The golden-haired girl raised her sword once more.
Following her lead, the rest charged forward, weapons swinging and magic flaring.
Thus began an all-out war between the massive monster tide from the dungeon and the adventurers of the City of Heroes.
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