-1521- The spiritual bow

Amid the roar, the shockwave surged outward like a tsunami.

The explosion illuminated the entire night sky, and the temperature in the air instantly soared to new heights.

At the center of the clash between the flaming serpent and the light cannon, not only was the surrounding atmosphere completely vaporized, but even the nearby warehouses began to creak under the pressure. Eventually, unable to withstand the strain, they were blown away one by one.

The aftershocks were so astonishing that even the three mutated variants dared not underestimate them, retreating to the sky in fear.

In contrast, the oncoming aftershocks below seemed to be smoothed over like calming waves, gradually dissipating.

Within the explosion below, a figure slowly emerged.

"Rorelai Arneet!"

Struggling to fend off the explosive winds, River Endycase saw the figure and was immediately overjoyed.

Who else could it be but Rozen?

"It seems you've finally come up with something new."

Rozen stood amidst the flames, yet he appeared as if touched by a gentle breeze, unscathed, with his clothes fluttering, untouched by the chaos.

However, Rozen's gaze, fixed on the three mutated variants in the sky, was somewhat cold.

"Grr!"

"Roar!"

"Gah!"

Sensing Rozen's gaze, the three variants each let out a howl.

Despite being medium-sized variants, these three armored beetles exuded an overwhelming aura as if they were large variants. Not only were their presences menacing, but the power fluctuations coming from them were terrifying—far beyond what ordinary large variants could match.

According to Rozen's assessment, any one of these three variants possessed strength comparable to the Shinjuku [2] variant he had faced before.

This was the power of medium-sized armored beetles enhanced by Collapse Force.

Unfortunately for them, no matter how many such foes came, Rozen could shoot them down with a single arrow.

"——One Two Three Four Five Six Seven · Eight Nine Ten Hundred Thousand · God of Sun and Moon, remove the sorrows of the world · May the earth always remain abundant ——"

As Rozen once again chanted the incantation of the Frog Eye Rite, the same technique he used to slay the Shinjuku [2] variant in one shot, spiritual light began gathering around him.

Countless brilliant particles of light emerged from all directions, forming a swirling vortex of light, spiraling and gathering into Rozen's hand.

Gradually, a bow of light, forged from high-grade mana, took shape in Rozen's grip.

"What... what is that!?"

River, watching the scene, widened his eyes.

"Grr!"

"Roar!"

"Gah!"

The three variants, sensing an impending crisis, roared toward Rozen below.

Then, they moved.

"Rumble...!"

The Broken variant surged with malevolent energy, its whole body radiating a terrifying power. It charged downward, a force of unstoppable momentum, shaking the air with its ferocity.

Facing the vast, overwhelming assault, Rozen remained calm, continuing to chant his incantation. He gracefully soared into the air, seemingly weightless, and swiftly evaded the direct attack, leaving the Broken variant to crash into the ground, causing the earth to cave in.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...!"

The Orm variant lashed out with ten tentacles, each like a whip, tearing through the air with a sharp sound as they struck toward Rozen.

Even then, Rozen, without interrupting his chant, weaved through the air like wind and shadow, tracing out impossible trajectories to evade the strikes.

"Boom!"

The Livia variant had already gathered its energy, and seeing Rozen darting through the air to avoid the lashes, it released a searing light cannon, deeming this the perfect opportunity.

At this moment, Rozen's spell was ready.

"Shing——!"

As the dazzling light flared, Rozen had already drawn the string of the spiritual bow without anyone noticing, aligning the arrow of light toward the incoming scorching light cannon.

"Swish——!"

With a piercing sound, the arrow of light shot forward like a meteor, colliding with the light cannon, easily breaking through, tearing it apart, and scattering its remnants.

"Splash——!"

The next second, the arrow pierced through Livia, tearing a gaping hole in its body.

"Roar!"

Livia immediately let out a painful wail as it plummeted from the sky, crashing to the ground.

"Grr!"

Seeing this, the Broken variant, which had just resurfaced from the ground, roared furiously, flapping its ten wings and sending debris flying in all directions as it charged toward Rozen in the sky with unstoppable force.

It had no idea that by now, Rozen had already gathered his second arrow and aimed it at the Broken variant.

"Break!"

With this cold shout, Rozen released the arrow, sending the arrow of light soaring, streaking through the sky like a second meteor, toward the onrushing Broken variant.

"Splash——!"

The light arrow effortlessly pierced through the Broken variant's notoriously tough armor, tearing through its massive body, and spilling blood everywhere.

The Broken variant let out a pained scream as it, too, fell toward the ground.

"Roar!"

Witnessing the deaths of its two companions, the remaining Orm variant let our a loud roar.

The difference this time was that its roar was filled with fear.

Seeing the brutal fate of the Broken and Livia variants, the Orm variant was overwhelmed by dread and a sense of imminent doom.

Thus, as soon as the Broken was pierced, the Orm variant wasted no time in turning around and fleeing toward the outskirts of Vebel.

Watching the scene unfold...

"How dull."

Rozen sneered in boredom but had already gathered his third arrow, aiming it at the retreating Orm variant.

"Since you came, don't think you can leave."

With those words, Rozen mercilessly released the third arrow.

The arrow of light soared skyward, like a comet ascending, leaving a long trail of light behind it.

Everyone within Vebel could witness this, watching as the light arrow ascended into the boundless sky.

Soon, it caught up with the fleeing Orm variant.

"Splash——!"

With the sound of tearing, blood rained down from the sky.

The Orm variant's body was inevitably pierced, leaving behind a gruesome, gaping wound.

Its final agonizing howl echoed as the Orm variant's massive form plummeted downward.

"Thud..."

"Thud..."

"Thud..."

With three successive dull crashes, the three variants fell onto the ruined ground, their bodies twitching slightly before they all fell silent, devoid of life.

Only then did Rozen slowly descend, standing among the three slain variants as the spiritual bow in his hand dissipated.

All three enhanced medium-sized armored beetle variants had been killed under Rozen's spiritual bow, leaving none alive.

River, having witnessed the entire process, gazed at the figure standing amidst the three fallen variants, utterly lost in thought.