Chapter 18 (the supreme figure)

NB: The technique demonstrated in the

third stage can only be used because the

specialists are at the 3rd stage of

Crimson Rot (Rotwalker). Further

explanation will be provided upon the

MC's admission to the academy.

*****

Current Crimson Rot stages.

First stage: The Infested

Second stage: The Blight

Third stage: The Rotwalker

*****

Rafe clenches his hands around his

daggers, releasing his water aura from

his body.

"Water aura: Aqua surge, Riptide

Velocity." A midsized mana circle

beneath his feet, drawing in the water

aura. It flowed seamlessly around his

body, creating a continuous stream that

drastically reduced air resistance and

friction.

Allowing him to move at incredible

speeds, akin to a fast-moving riptide. He

dashed towards Larry, who was also on

the move.

Larry swings his shield, pushing through

the air. "Crimson Rot: Heavily shield (3rd

stage)."Dark fluid flows from his right

hand sleeve, wrapping around the shield,

increasing its weight. He swings his

shield at Rafe but realises he only struck

an afterimage created by the rapid

movement.

Rafe instantly appeared in the air behind

Larry, aiming for his neck. But just as

he's about to strike, an arrow coated with

contaminated fluid shoots towards him,

forcing him to retreat his attack.

Ben (Rotwalker) shoots another arrow

coated with contaminated fluid at Rafe,

who's still regaining his balance after a

hasty retreat. Before the arrow reached

Rafe, Gumi, an archer from Maximus's

crew, fired an arrow, deflecting the

contaminated fluid.

Rafe decided to weaken their long-range

combatant, hoping to bring advantage to

their side, but it's too late. Larry arcs his

shield, enhanced with contaminated

fluid, through the air at Rafe. Rafe,

unable to cast his velocity spell in time,

forced him to block the attack with his

dagger to avoid contamination, the

impact flinging him away with an

immense force.

Ben nocked an arrow to his bow, aiming

in Drake's direction. "Crimson Rot:

Multiple Quiver." Dark fluid flows from his

body, wrapping around the arrow. He

releases the arrow into the air, sending it

hurtling towards Drake and the other

crew members positions. Gumi nocked

his arrow to deflect it again, but suddenly,

in the midair, the fluid around Ben's

arrow launched itself, forming multiple

dark fluid droplets in the midair that

transformed into several arrows moving

towards Gumi and the others at an

incredible speed.

They're all cut off guard; even Maximus,

engaging in a battle with Sam, gets

distracted. As the arrows are about to

pierce them. This is the time for Drake to

shine." Water aura: Aqua shield (1

circle). He creates a water barrier,

bringing down the arrows. Drake

continues to maintain the shield.

"You don't need to get distracted.

Everything is okay." Drake called out to

Maximus and encouraged him to focus.

Rafe stumbled back to his feet,

continued his fight with Larry, Binter

(Rotwalker), who was once an Arcane

Amplifier before contamination,

slammed the bottom of his staff against

the ground, and released dark fluid that

flows towards their Crimson Rot

underlings (infested stage).

The fluid penetrates their decayed body,

temporarily granting them the power of

the Blight stage. Binter directed the

empowered horde towards Drake and

the other members, who are hiding

within the water barrier.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the

battlefield. Maximus grabbed his spear

with both hands, charging towards Sam.

"Ice Aura: Ice Spear Barrage." A mana

circle blossomed at the spear's butt; his

water aura materialized around his spear.

Multiple ice spears formed and lunched

simultaneously. Sam raised his colossal

sword.

"Crimson Rot: Blade Fluid (3rd stage)."

Several fluid swords materialized around

the main sword, mimicking its

movements, with a slight delay. With the

aid of these fluid swords, Sam deflected

all the ice spears.

"What? How is that possible? He only

has one hand yet deflected all the fifteen

ice spears easily." Maximus muttered in

disbelief. Sam leaps into the air with

incredible force, which made Maximus

faintly lose track of him.

"Crimson Rot: Amplified sword." He

transferred most of the dark fluid to the

upper tip of his blade, releasing rotten

waves that amplified the impact. Sam

cleaved through the air, leaving no traces

of resistance, aiming for Maximus.

Maximum barely managed to leap back,

avoiding brunt of the impact, but a

gaping hole was carved into the ground

where he stood.

Sam darts towards him, not giving him

time to cast his aura spell. He swings his

sword, aiming for Maximus's chest. To

avoid the attack, Maximus leaped on a

branch of a nearby tree.

Maximus inverted towards Sam.

"Ice aura: Frosted spear (2 circles)". A

mana circle materialized at the spear's

base and infused it with cold energy.

Frosty mist surrounded the Spear,

capable of freezing.

He thrust his spear continuously at Sam,

who deflected each strike with the dark

fluid swirling around his sword; the fluid

frozen upon impact, but Sam replaced it

with more.

Back in the water barrier. Drake,

sweating profusely, his body nubbed,

and his head tingling.

"What's happening....." He collapsed

before he could finish his words, and the

barrier automatically dissipated.

******

(There is a human saying when they are

approaching deaths: Had I known...

A Crimson Rot creeped towards the

slumbering Drake, its tendrils reaching

out. Just as it's about to touch him, a

fiery explosion eruptes, engulfing the

Crimson Rot around Drake in a searing

blaze. The sudden inferno forced

everyone to halt, stunned by the

unexpected turn of the incident.

Their eyes swiveled to the tree where

Maximus had inverted instinctively.Their

bodies trembled, sweat beaded from

their foreheads as they caught sight of

the figure responsible for the explosion.

A lady, standing on the tree branch. She

has a height of 4.7 feet, with long

crimson hair cascading down her back,

marching her sparking crimson pupils.

She wore a flowing crimson-red gown

that accentuated her 42DD bust.

Her hands rested on her hips and frowns

etched on her face.

"Ahyoooo, humans, they can never do

things properly without us interfering.

Weaklings: we always remain weak."