The outskirts after the stampede of beasts.
Anbian Du gripped his longsword, the arcs of the blade following one after another, the sword light blooming like a flower in full bloom.
The splattered blood was repelled by the domain of Pure Land of No Dust, spraying in all directions, forming a crimson flower even more magnificent than the sword light.
He finally gained a moment to catch his breath.
But Anbian Du did not stop.
He flipped open his coat, and the hidden weapons inside were thrown into the air.
Accelerated by the repelling domain, they reached unimaginable speeds, transforming into streaks of silver lightning that struck the surroundings.
One after another, twisted monsters emerged, twitching as they fell into the muddy water.
As for the hidden weapons aimed at Liuya, she merely tilted her head slightly and dodged them, her gaze fixed fiercely on Anbian Du.
“You really are more troublesome than I imagined.”
At that moment, Anbian Du looked up at the sky, watching raindrops dance down from the gray clouds.
“It’s raining.”
Then he turned his head, his eyes falling on Liuya, and smiled at her mockingly.
“Then I’ll do my best to become even more troublesome.”
Before his words faded, the domain of Pure Land of No Dust activated, but this time it repelled the mud from the ground, as they stood on a steep slope.
Anbian Du used the repelling force to launch into the air, reaching above Liuya’s head in the blink of an eye.
He raised his longsword high, the blade reflecting a cold gleam through the increasingly heavy rain.
“Come on, I’ll show you what it means—”
His body lunged toward Liuya like a fierce tiger.
“Descent of the King!”
The blade cut through the air, letting out a sharp whistle.
The longsword fell.
Blood splattered.
After all, Liuya was also a Fourth-Tier Esper.
Even though her ability wasn’t combat-oriented, her physical fitness far exceeded ordinary humans.
She dodged the fatal strike, but her arm was left behind.
The severed arm tumbled through the air, splattering blood as it fell into the muddy water with a dull thud.
Liuya’s body tensed violently from the intense pain, and a suppressed grunt escaped her throat.
She stared intently at Anbian Du, stepping back one step at a time.
She didn’t dare turn her back, because once she lost sight of his attacks, only death awaited her.
Of course, she still had other trump cards, but she had sent the other Demon Beasts she could control to attack the students.
So she needed time.
If she could stall a little longer, the one cornered might not be her.
“Oh? You still have something up your sleeve.”
Anbian Du, already holding the absolute advantage, was in the mood to trash-talk.
“When I catch up to you, I’ll take your life.”
With that, he stepped forward, gathering his strength to end it all with another slash.
Just then, the muddy ground beneath him silently split open.
In an instant, spikes shot up from the ground.
Anbian Du reacted quickly, immediately activating Pure Land of No Dust, but even with his swift response, the spikes scraped off a layer of skin.
“Another helper?”
A man walked out from behind Liuya.
He wasn’t in good shape either, clutching his chest, the lower half of his body stained red.
Anbian Du squinted and saw a silver badge on the man’s chest.
“Another Chariot, huh? Dark Crow really spared no expense.”
Anbian Du raised an eyebrow.
His tone held no fear, but rather a hint of unexpected excitement.
“Since you’re here, you might as well stay too.”
Liuya didn’t look back, still staring intently at Anbian Du, then asked.
“Did you fail too?”
“The Academy’s Defense Minister showed up. Those two S-Ranks are no pushovers.”
“It looks like your plan has already fallen through. Surrender, and at least you’ll live.”
Anbian Du said.
His hand gripping the longsword remained tense.
He knew the enemy wouldn’t surrender; he just wanted to use the talking time to replan his strategy.
Pure Land of No Dust consumed a lot of energy.
After fighting for so long, he could only activate it a few more times.
What needed to be considered was whether the newly arrived Chariot still had the stamina to continue fighting.
“Surrender?”
Liuya covered the wound on her severed arm.
Blood kept seeping through her fingers, and a mocking smile appeared on her pale face.
“Even if I die, I’ll take a layer of your skin with me.”
Then she suddenly shouted.
“Now!”
The wounded man stomped on the ground, and spikes instantly shot up silently from beside Anbian Du’s feet.
Fortunately, Anbian Du had kept the domain of Pure Land of No Dust active.
The emerging spikes were crushed by the simultaneous pressure of two forces, ultimately ground into dust.
Just then, a chill appeared behind him.
Anbian Du turned around.
A giant bird’s sharp claws were lunging at him, already within inches.
Pure Land of No Dust erupted with full force.
The enormous impact force made the giant bird let out a screech, tumbling twice in the air before crashing to the ground.
Realizing something was wrong, Anbian Du immediately turned around, only to find Liuya and the man each grabbed by a giant bird, already having flown some distance.
Anbian Du’s eyes narrowed.
He threw the longsword with all his might.
This was the last burst of his domain.
The blade shot through the air, under the final full support of Pure Land of No Dust, already producing a sonic boom.
The silver line pierced the chest of the man lagging behind.
The giant bird, also taking the greatest impact, threw the man off.
Anbian Du had thrown his last weapon, and his magic power was completely exhausted.
“At least I got one.”
But he had let a Fourth-Tier enemy escape.
Anbian Du clenched his fist, feeling he should have done better.
***
Wilderness northeast of the base.
Alice ran far with Cheng Yehai.
They passed through a forest.
Everything was silent.
They stopped, leaning on their knees and breathing heavily.
They were safe, but this opportunity was bought by Su Li.
Alice, as if sensing something, looked up.
It was rain, falling slowly at first, then growing more intense.
They had survived, but their hearts were far from calm.
Alice looked at Cheng Yehai.
His complexion had improved a lot, not as pale as right after using his ability.
“I have to go back.”
Looking back at the curtain of rain, Alice said.
“What?”
Cheng Yehai jerked his head up, his voice trembling with fear.
“But how can we possibly defeat a monster like that…”
Alice interrupted him, her voice soft but resolute.
“I have to try. I… don’t want Su Li to die saving us.”
In the wind and rain, her golden hair was wet with rain, sticking to her cheeks.
Alice made her decision.
“Go find help. Hurry.”
“I’ll go help Su Li. Even if I can only buy a little time.”
“We’ll wait for you.”
Cheng Yehai opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end he said nothing discouraging.
He lowered his head, looking at his trembling hands.
“…You’re right. Brother Su came to save us…”
He raised his head.
The fear on his face hadn’t dissipated, but his eyes had changed.
Cheng Yehai stood up.
His body wobbled a little, but it seemed a surge of strength was welling up inside him.
“I’ll find help.”
He nodded to Alice, then stepped forward.
Run.
He had to run.
Run back to the base, find help, and then—
Then bring Brother Su back.
Alice watched Cheng Yehai’s figure grow distant.
She also began to move, heading back the way she came.
Faster.
Even faster.
She didn’t want anyone to die saving her.
The reason she wanted to become strong was to ensure that such things never happened again.