Chapter 148: Struggling in a Bitter Battle

Arrows whistled through the air, aiming straight for the giant spider's eye. The creature jerked its head violently, narrowly avoiding a fatal hit, though the arrow still grazed one of its many eyes, spilling putrid green fluid. The spider let out a thunderous roar, its massive body trembling as it lunged at Myouka with its long, spindly legs.

Just as disaster loomed, a low chant echoed from the side. A chilling wind swept through, and a crack tore open the night sky. Dozens of ghostly apparitions emerged, each brandishing six-barreled guns, their sinister laughter targeting Yame and Syoruha.

"Watcher 22 has joined the fray!" Yame quickly conjured a shield of storm winds to block the barrage of bullets. But the relentless downpour of fire began to crack her defenses.

"These bastards are relentless!" Syoruha growled, his hand slicing through the air to unleash searing sunlight that obliterated several ghosts. Yet more emerged from the rift, cackling as they charged forward.

Meanwhile, Watcher 27 whistled sharply, and a swarm of bats descended like a tide, blotting out the moonlight as they dove toward Yame. Their shrill screeches pierced the air, making it nearly impossible to concentrate.

"Syoruha, leave the bats to me," Yame muttered. She expanded her storm to scatter the creatures, but the bats were unnervingly agile. They evaded her wind blades, using the air currents to accelerate their attack.

"Not so fast!" Another figure emerged from the shadows—Watcher 29, hands forming intricate signs. A dark magic circle appeared beneath their feet, summoning countless black chains that slithered upward like venomous snakes, coiling toward Yame and Syoruha.

"Chain magic..." Syoruha's eyes flickered with apprehension as he swung his radiant blade to sever the chains. Yet for every chain he cut, another would regenerate, coiling tighter and tighter.

"You're not getting away from me!" Watcher 30 sneered, stepping out from the shadows. Twin daggers gleamed in his hands as he darted toward Yame, his ghostlike movements swift and untraceable. A precise lunge aimed for her throat.

"Yame!" Syoruha shouted, but he was trapped by the unyielding chains and couldn't break free.

In that critical moment, Yame unleashed a burst of wind, shattering the chains around her. She dodged the incoming dagger by a hair's breadth and countered with a sharp wind blade, forcing Watcher 30 to retreat. But more chains surged from all sides, binding her once again.

"Damn it! These bastards aren't giving us a moment to breathe!" Syoruha growled, his glowing blade intensifying as he began charging for a desperate attack.

Noticing the dire situation, Myouka gripped her bow tightly and aimed once more at the spider's remaining eye. The arrow streaked toward its mark, but the spider intercepted it with a swift lift of its leg. Undeterred, Myouka drew another arrow from her quiver, her determination unwavering.

"This ends now!" Watcher 24 grinned coldly as the spider reared one of its massive legs, slamming it toward Myouka's position.

"Myouka, watch out!" Riyugi screamed, rushing to shove her out of harm's way. The impact of the spider's attack shook the ground, sending both of them sprawling.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Watcher 22's demons advanced, their hairy claws swiping ferociously at Syoruha. At the same time, Watcher 27's bats dove at Yame with deafening screeches.

The enemy's onslaught was overwhelming, and the exhausted Yame and Syoruha found themselves struggling to hold their ground.

Climbing to her feet, Myouka gritted her teeth and steadied her trembling hands. Drawing her bow to full tension, she locked her gaze on the spider's monstrous head. Fear clawed at her resolve, but retreat wasn't an option.

"One more shot!" she whispered to herself, releasing the arrow. This time, it struck true, piercing the spider's eye. The creature let out a bloodcurdling scream, thrashing wildly. Its colossal frame convulsed, shaking the surrounding buildings as cracks splintered across the ground. Its rampage disrupted the other Watchers, forcing them to momentarily withdraw.

But the respite was short-lived. The ground split open, revealing a black chasm from which an even larger spider emerged. This was no ordinary creature—it was a Spider King, its body covered in black-purple scales and barbed hairs glinting ominously. Its massive eyes gleamed with hatred, and venom dripped from its fangs, a harbinger of despair.

"She has a summoning beast this strong?" Yame's heart sank. Her storm shield flickered, its energy nearly depleted.

"This doesn't look good..." Syoruha muttered, his palms slick with sweat as he gripped his blade.

Watcher 27's bats reassembled, hurtling toward them like an unrelenting tide, their shrieks ripping through the air. Seizing the moment, Watcher 30 slipped behind Yame, his dagger glinting as he aimed for her back.

"Not on my watch!" Myouka yelled, loosing an arrow that deflected the dagger mid-strike.

Her action infuriated Watcher 24. With a cruel smile, she summoned a swarm of spiders that spread out, weaving webs to seal off the battlefield. Trapped in the Spider King's domain, Yame, Syoruha, and Myouka found themselves under its looming gaze.

"Stay back, Myouka!" Yame commanded, condensing her storm into a spinning barrier that shredded the sticky webs.

"No time to hesitate—I'll take it down in one strike!" Syoruha growled, channeling all his energy into his blade, which now shone with blinding light.

"Syoruha, wait! Don't be reckless!" Yame shouted, sensing his intentions.

"Protect them, and leave this to me!" Syoruha roared, hurling himself toward the Spider King. His radiant blade cleaved through the night sky, striking the Spider King's eye. The creature let out a piercing screech, its massive body quaking but remaining upright.

Meanwhile, Watchers 22 and 27 intensified their assault. Demons unleashed a barrage of bullets, while bats swarmed Myouka and Riyugi.

The battle reached a breaking point. Injured and fatigued, Yame barely held her shield together. Syoruha, gasping for air, refused to lower his blade.

Gripping her bow tightly, Myouka stared at the overwhelming enemies before her. Fear gnawed at her, but retreat was no longer an option.