Chapter 448

Defense Specialization and s.h.i.+elds

Payne, Sally, and Kasumi dashed on the streets towards Velvet.

As the lightning strikes grew more intense and ransacked the surrounding buildings, the three of them rushed towards the [Thunderstorm].

Despite knowing the danger, that was the only way to defeat Velvet.

[Purple Lightning]!

Electric shock erupted from Velvets extended fist, running towards the members of [Congregation of the Holy Swords].

As if Ill let you!

Necro, [Strong Armor]!

Fearlessly, Chrome stood in the way of the lightning and bravely blocked it with his tower s.h.i.+eld, nullifying the attack.

Hey, you three, help me out! If its just some electric shock, I can protect you!

Let me help!

The three also regained their composure, each attacking with magic and resuming the enemy search.

There are no enemy reactions around!

Alright, then lets focus on whats in front of us!

Chrome repositioned his s.h.i.+eld and fixed his gaze on Velvet and Hinata. If he stayed firm, other players should come through. Due to the strength of Velvet and Hinata, who specialized in one-VS-many situations, itd be a tough battle.

I cant keep up with those three!

Ahead, the three rushed towards Velvets thunderstorm.

[Eight of the Sword: Gale]!

[Holy Blade of Protection]!

In exchange of a lowered [STR] and [INT], Kasumi accelerated towards the thunderstorm. Payne, on the other hand, sacrificed his damage for protection and used a bunch of pa.s.sive skills to raise his stats. Sally broke through the fierce storm with her sheer evasiveness.

Amazing!

Hinata!

[Chain of Stars]!

[Holy Blade of Exterminating Evil]!

Since Payne made no attempt to dodge, the chain that extended from the ground swiftly restrained him. However, in the next moment, his holy sword severed the chain and immediately cancelled the effect.

At the same time, Velvet took that opportunity to distance herself.

You have to take it seriously, don't you?

Yes, thats right

Targeted restraint was a strong counter for SallyHinata was aware of that, too.

Furthermore, Hinata had fully grasped Sallys range. As such, she could always aim for Sally while reserving said skill. The pressure from the two wasn't small.

Payne!

I know!

Kasumi called out to Payne and the two rushed towards the duo at the same time. It was necessary to block Hinatas skills and let Sally partic.i.p.ate in the battle in earnest.

Then Im going, too! [Super Acceleration]! [Dash]!

As Kasumi started running, Velvet made Hinata wait behind her as she accelerated forward.

[Minds Eye]!

Once Kasumi figured out where the thunder was going to strike, she countered it in an efficient manner.

[Delicate Ice Sculpture]! [Crack in Gravity]!

Hinata used a skill that lowered her defense, but Kasumi didnt care and slashed at Velvet.

[Sixth of the Swords: Blaze]!

[Parry] [All-Out Attack]!

If its only that!

Velvet swung her right hand. Using [Minds Eye] to evade the blow, Kasumi raised her sword and swung it down at Velvet.

Great!

As damage effects appeared on Velvet, Payne closed in. Regaining her stance, Velvet looked forward.

Now!

Chromes voice echoed. Along with that, there was a burst of magic.

[Ice Wall] [Icicle]!

Hinata immediately raised some defense. However, despite managing to block the magic, she couldnt stop Payne.

Ray, [Torrent of Light]!

[Aurora]!

Seeing Paynes holy sword s.h.i.+ning brilliantly, Velvet wrapped herself in thunder to intercept his blow. A white pillar of lightning rose from the ground and pierced the sky.

Do you think thatll stop me!?

Huh!?

[Holy Dragons Light Sword]!

Seared by the rain of thunder, Payne swung down his holy sword while enduring the damage. A blinding torrent of light cut through the lightning pillar and approached Velvet.

[Super Acceleration]! [Electromagnetic Leap]!

Nevertheless

Velvet pressed on. By accelerating and stepping forward, she pa.s.sed Paynes blow while also erasing their distance.

[Flash Flood]!

S-Sally!

Apparently, Sally had expected that.

Before she could leap, Velvet was. .h.i.t by the stream of water, which toppled her over. The thunderstorm remained, but it barely did any damage to Payne and Sally.

[Super Acceleration]!

Payne and Sally accelerated to catch up with Velvet.

They were equal in terms of speed. Despite having distanced herself, Velvet didnt have enough time to fix her stance.

Sally and Payne had an unspoken agreement.

Come on, use it.

[Cocytus]!

A gust of white mist. The intense cold froze its surroundings. Seeing that, Payne and Sally immediately distanced themselves. Velvet straightened herself and sighed briefly.

Although she managed to keep them away, Hinata made a bitter face due to having to use that skill.

Its alright, Hinata, you saved me!

Velvet smiled in rea.s.surance.

However, the area soon grew noisy with resounding footsteps, signaling that the situation had changed completely.

Theyd fought fiercely. It was only natural for the surrounding players to catch on and join the fray.

Surround them!

Understood!

Of course!

Along with Payne and the players whod joined the fight, Chrome also repositioned himself and advanced.

Since the number of players had increased so much, he had to take care of the rear guard.

Ill protect you. Focus on the offense!

One by one. Even if there were some sacrifices, as long as they could defeat those two, itd be no problem. Such was the consensus of the players that gathered there.

Were surrounded

Ahaha, we are! But thats exactly what Im waiting for!

After declaring so, Velvet smiled and took a stance.

[Overcharge]!

Fierce lightning. Immediately after, the spark that ran through the ground knocked the approaching players.

Velvet called out to Hinata, who was floating using gravity control.

Watch my back!

Leave it to me.

[Roar of Thunder]!

Along with Velvets declaration, the enhanced light pillar spread, scorching both the players and the houses.

Payne and the other avoided it, but the intense thunderstorm grew stronger as if to fend off any players.

[Gravity Enhancement] [Gravity Cage]!

Hinata scattered powerful movement speed debuffs over a wide area, while Velvet rushed towards Payne and the others at once.

[Revitalize] [Guard Aura]! Necro [Weight of Death]!

[Chain Thunder Attack]!

Chrome stepped forward and held up his s.h.i.+eld while slowing Velvets movement speed.

He mustnt let Velvet approach Sally at all cost!

When Velvet pummeled the s.h.i.+eld from the front, a fierce spark scattered, and Chrome was mercilessly struck by thunder.

Guh Its because of Hinata!

The damage was beyond imagination. The cold air that filled the area was causing a debuff that not even Chromes defensive power could withstand.

Chrome!

Sally tied Chrome using her string and pulled him back, before conjuring a pillar of ice to stop Velvet in her tracks.

You saved me, Sally!

Chrome, what about [Indomitable Guardian]?

Its just been cut down, but Im still fine!

Lets give up on that place. In the meantime, we wait until her skill wears off

Otherwise, shed have used that skill from the beginning. Its probably similar to Fredericas [Ocean of Mana].

Once [Overcharge] was gone, Velvet should be vulnerable to attack.

I wont let you escape!

Defying gravity, Velvet leaped over the ice pillars.

To eliminate Payne and the others.

However, as soon as her figure emerged

Now!

[Flame Cannon]!

Dont hold back!

Velvet, get away!

A long-range attack that solely targeted Velvet. Even if Velvet wanted to chase after Payne and the others, she couldnt. Attacks from the surrounding players reminded Velvet where exactly she stood.

As expected, this is hard!

As lightning poured down, Velvet defeated other players.

Still, the difference in number remained. After all, those who joined the battlefields still had their invincibility skills, making them sustain less damage. Sensing this, Velvet called out to Hinata.

Hinata, please.

Understood.

Velvet stopped defeating the other players and ran towards the outer wall. Was she retreating? Those who sensed it chased after her.

Dont let her escape.

I wont!

Im going to the outer wall!

Theyre unlikely to a.s.sault the throne!

Luckily, Velvet was too flashy for them to lose sight of. Surely, theyd be able to catch up

[Ice Castle]!

Even so, a wall of ice stood in the way as if to hinder the crowds.

However, multiple attacks brought it down, but it didnt matter to Velvet.

Good job!

She had managed to buy some time.

Velvet raised her arms and a tremendous lightning illuminated the sky. The clamoring roar told them of what was about to happen. But of course, they werent going to wait for [Thors Hammer] to descend and wipe them out.

Shoot her down! Quick, before she can cast it!

I wont let you! [Melting Wings]! [Frozen Earth]!

Payne and the others tried to close in on Velvet, only to be frozen to the ground. Time was running time. Itd take some time to close the distance thatd opened by [Ice Castle].

However, before the thunder could cascade down the sky, there was a booming sound in front of the castle.

Sally and the others recognized the sound. Enveloped in scorching blaze, the figure with sprouting angelic wings was none other than Maple herself.

A sudden reinforcement.

Velvet and the others immediately noticed it.

Maple

Ive been waiting for you.

She finally came.

Velvet muttered with a tired expression.

Above the sky.

Wilbert and Lily, clad in black cloaks that concealed their presences, waited patiently on top of the flying machine.

Will, dont miss.

I wont.

Wilbert drew his bow. In truth, Velvet couldnt cast [Thors Hammer]. In other words, it was just a feint.

As expected, shes that kind of player.

Shed rush in when her allies were in danger. Even if they barely knew each other, Lily could sense Maples loyalty towards her allies.

As such, shed probably come charging in.

And when she arrived, theyd shoot her.

From the beginning, their plan was to lure Maple out of the royal castle.

Itd be difficult to hold up a s.h.i.+eld with that mechanical arm of hers.

In the night sky, Maples blazing figure burned bright. As soon as she was within range, Wilbert let go of his bowstring.

[Long Range] [Arrow of Annihilation]

A high-speed arrow flew. There was no [Indomitable Guardian] to stop it. Maple also didnt have the skill to foresee an attack.

As of the present, she wasnt even holding any s.h.i.+eld.

An approaching red flash. When Maple noticed it, it was already too late.

Wha!

Realizing that there was nothing she could do, Maple closed her eyes.

There was a clunking sound.

I wont let you

Sally!

There was no mistaking itthe blue m.u.f.fled flapping in front of her.

Sally s.h.i.+elded Maple and took refuge in the shadows to avoid pursuers.

Lily!

Retrieve those two!

What

Wilbert saw everything.

The moment when Maple flew into the skyonly Sally ran towards her.

Not in response to the arrow, of course. She shouldnt have been able to predict it.

Yet, her single move was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with resolution.

Theyd forgottenMaple did have a s.h.i.+eld.