Chapter 18 : Haven!!

"Boom!"

A colossal, dread-inducing demon descended from the sky, effortlessly shattering the barrier and casting a veil of yellow dust across the sky. 

Its towering form, grander than any mountain, eclipsed both sun and sky. Its immense eyes fixated on all below, while its grotesque mouth emitted a foul stench, choking the very air.

An old acquaintance – Lullaby!

"Demon?!"

The mages stood frozen in their tracks. The sudden appearance of the demon, looming before them, sent shivers down their spines. It was akin to tossing a lit match into a heap of dry tinder. A surge of fear from the depths of their souls seized their faculties, rendering them motionless.

Everit hoisted Tier onto his shoulder, switching to explosive mode, and took aim at the enemy.

"Brother!"

Only the impetuous Ward snapped out of it swiftly, grabbing Reed and seeking refuge behind a massive boulder.

"Boom!"

A mushroom cloud ascended, and in an instant, they went from being alive to being scattered across the sky, strewn about like debris.

"Everyone, retreat!"

"Damn it!"

Reed trembled with fear. If Ward hadn't dragged him away, he'd have been the one turned to ash! 

His gaze swept the site of the explosion, finding no signs of life besides himself and Ward's team – everyone else obliterated.

But wait!

"There's still one!"

"Gavin, why aren't you acting?!" Reed's composure faltered, his voice trembling with urgency.

"Alright, Reed, give me ten seconds."

The dashing red-haired wizard, Gavin, emerged slowly from the passage. Though his attire was somewhat disheveled, he himself remained unharmed. Evelit's explosion in the cave had failed to even injuire him!

Despite his companions' demise, Gavin remained unperturbed, his demeanor proud and undeterred.

"Where?" Gavin inquired.

"Nine o'clock!" Reed shouted.

"Ten."

Gavin advanced, his presence and voice almost synchronized with Everit's.

"Nine." Gavin struck.

Everit had already transitioned to "Jet Wind" upon emerging. Facing such a formidable foe, he preemptively evaded with Jet Wind.

"Boom!"

A surge of fire magic erupted where Everit had stood moments ago, its potency rivaling Evelit's explosion with Tier!

A fire mage?

Everit pulled his cloak's mage hat over his head, safeguarding his hair from the flames.

"Seven o'clock!"

"Eight."

Gavin surged forth from the fire.

Everit launched a explosion, hitting Gavin square in the chest.

"Boom!"

"Seven," Gavin muttered.

Despite the explosion, Gavin emerged with only minor injuries, a testament to his impressive defense.

Everit frowned at this display of resilience. 

He then revealed his true form, allowing Gavin a glimpse of his identity.

"That's him!" Reed exclaimed, his words bolstering Gavin's resolve as he advanced toward Everit.

Everit raised his hand, causing sharp thorns to erupt from the ground. Simultaneously, he aimed at a large rock.

"Boom!"

"Illusion!" Reed recoiled behind the rock, realizing the ground thrust was a ruse. However, his warning was drowned out by the explosion.

Unable to distinguish truth from falsehood, Gavin instinctively halted his advance.

Seizing the moment, Everit conjured various dangerous elemental magics: rushing water, gusting winds, and stinging ice—all seeming real to the senses, inflicting genuine pain.

Momentarily deceived by his senses, Gavin found relief as the onslaught ceased.

Everit then transitioned to a virtual flash and charged up.

Just as Gavin was about to succumb, Reed's voice broke through, "Idiot! Gavin, it's all false, he's a trickster, every attack is false!"

With renewed clarity, Gavin charged directly into the onslaught, disregarding the illusion and using his body as a weapon.

The touch was real, the pain excruciating, but Gavin survived.

Yet, he remained standing.

It was all a sham!

"Four!" Gavin's voice betrayed his anger.

But Everit remained unfazed. He wasn't a sheep trapped in a cage, forced to duel with a tiger.

Anger? Perfect.

Better to use emotional deception.

With a buzz, the three-second charged virtual flash completed, engulfing Gavin in a three-meter diameter pillar of black light.

This time, it was real!

Yet, Everit couldn't help but lament the enemy's defences.

Time for an armor-piercing attack!

He tightly gripped the cane in his right hand.

This was a cane of pure, sleek black, adorned with a gold wire encircling the handle, giving it an understated yet luxurious appearance.

About a meter in length, it sported a round purple gemstone at the top, matching the color of Everit's hair.

Everit had invested considerable thought and effort into finding this gem.

This was no ordinary cane.

Its name was Haven, a long sword fashioned in the style of Tang Dynasty Heng Sword. The cane was, in fact, a scabbard.

With a swift motion, Everit raised the cane, causing the scabbard to vanish as if wiped away, revealing a snow-white blade.

It was a blade of elegant simplicity.

At that moment,

Gavin had already approached Everit carrying the virtual flash.

Everit seized Haven and swiftly slashed with precision.

Simultaneously, he echoed Gavin's countdown.

"One!"

The blade gleamed!

'Pfft'

As the virtual flash dissipated, Gavin's left hand, extended in a futile attempt to defend against virtual flash, suffered severe burns and was severed by Everit's blade!

The moment had arrived!

Everit stared intently.

"Listen to me—

Anger!"

Gavin's pupils constricted as he bellowed, "You deserve to die!" His anger, stoked by his shattered arm, was further fueled by Everit's guidance towards strength.

Gavin had completely forsaken his previous cool detachment, consumed entirely by a torrent of rage!

His eyes blazed crimson as he thundered,

"I've had a change of heart!"

"I intend to inflict agonizing torment upon you!"

"I shall let you live, to witness as I devour you, piece by piece!"

"I want you to see your bones gnawed upon and your blood savored, drop by drop."

Everit interjected with a taunting tone, "It's quite toothsome, really. Why not give this a try?"

With a flick of his magical prowess, Everit conjured a large can of preserved herring mixed with soup and water. Gavin's face lit up with delight!

Sight, sound, smell, touch, taste.

It all felt so real!

Gavin's mouth hung open as he continued to speak loudly. When he suddenly felt unwell, he hastily closed it. But alas, a piece of mushy fish got lodged between his teeth, causing him to choke on his soup!

The odor.

The taste.

"Ouch!"

Gavin's mental fortitude was instantly shattered, and he collapsed to the ground, gagging.

"That fool, it's just an illusion!" Reed shouted.

Everit swiftly lifted Haven and swung his blade fiercely towards Gavin's neck!

'Clang'

The jarring noise of metal and iron colliding filled the air.

Everit's arm froze in surprise.

In a daring move, Ward, the reckless youngster, thrust his arm forward, using his hard, crimson nails to intercept Haven's blade at an angle, aiding Gavin in blocking the fatal blow!

Everit raised his hand to fire.

To everyone's shock, Ward merely tilted his head slightly, and the bullet grazed his ear, shattering his eardrum. Yet, he seemed willing to exchange injury for a chance at victory, as he lunged straight into Everit's grasp!

This isn't good!

The proximity is too close!

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