Zone 3...
Thousands of civilians had gathered at the country's edge. They stood near the walls, waiting for the soldiers to destroy the device and restore the barrier to normal. Most of them were injured and covered in blood, their expressions filled with despair. Some wept in the corners, mourning the loss of their loved ones.
The impact of this war exceeded their worst fears. No one had predicted that the barrier left by their god would become a cage, imprisoning them in times of crisis.
Children, the elderly, and adults teetered on the brink of emotional collapse, especially those who couldn't control their feelings. Fear gripped them as they witnessed people dying before their eyes.
The atmosphere in the evacuation area was somber, knowing that many were still perishing out there at this very moment.
Soldiers patrolled the evacuation site, their faces grave as they witnessed the plight of their fellow countrymen. The duty of soldiers below A-rank was to rescue civilians and help them relocate to safer areas.
These were B-rank soldiers. Although possessing strength, they were not allowed to participate in this type of battle. Their sole role was to rescue civilians. If they encountered an A-rank expert, this group of B-rank soldiers would collaborate to confront the threat.
These soldiers were willing to sacrifice their lives for their country's people.
Meanwhile, the overall battle situation favored the alliance army. Monsters emerging from the rivers were tearing through the ranks of the Gluttony Army's experts. Thousands of people clashed simultaneously all across the country, causing the ground to continuously tremble.
They made slow but steady progress, pushing the enemy line toward the device containing the Cancelling Rune. Their primary objective was to destroy that device and ensure the safe evacuation of the citizens from outside the country.
Zone 6...
Two figures clashed in the skies above, emitting numerous flashes of light that illuminated a three-kilometer radius.
The golden and crimson figures collided hundreds of times in midair.
Boom!
Souta and Boulder Jack separated, creating some distance between them. They both turned their heads and spotted a massive energy palm far away on the other side of the country.
"This energy signature... Li Guan and Shen Yao. Li Guan has finally unleashed his released form," Souta muttered, his brow furrowing deeply.
Souta sensed something was amiss in this situation. Glancing at the system, he noted that he still had thirty minutes to complete the quest.
'I need to confirm the whereabouts of the other experts... I have a bad feeling about this. While Li Guan going all out is good, I suspect the enemy's plan isn't that simple.'
Souta wanted to dispatch his doppelganger, but he couldn't, as his opponent had systematically destroyed all the doppelgangers he sent, rendering even shadow balls ineffective. Boulder Jack didn't afford him an opportunity to figure out what was transpiring in the other region.
"Keep your focus on me!" Boulder Jack's voice echoed.
Souta sensed the surge of energy. He reacted swiftly by leaping away and manipulating gravity to propel himself. Pointing his finger at Boulder Jack, he cast [Black Hole].
Ohm!
A black hole materialized in front of Boulder Jack. He clenched his fist, and a brilliant golden light erupted from within, creating a strange ripple in the air.
[Titan Fearsome Fist]!!
In an instant, he unleashed a punch at the black hole, shattering it within a second. Without wasting any more time, he lunged back at his target.
Souta took a deep breath and swung his sword, but Boulder Jack narrowly avoided it. In a swift move, he grabbed Souta's arm and delivered a devastating blow to Souta's stomach.
Bang!
Souta spat out a mouthful of blood, his [Shadow Cloak] and other defensive skills shattered. Ignoring the pain, several strands of web burst from the tips of his fingers.
Whoosh!
The webs ensnared Boulder Jack. Then, Souta lifted his right foot, and his flesh transformed. Multiple spikes emerged around his leg as he kicked Boulder Jack away.
Bang!
Boulder Jack was propelled several hundred meters away, but Souta wasn't finished. He opened his mouth and unleashed [Bestrou].
Boom!!
A massive explosion erupted.
Souta tightened his grip on his sword, ready to cast another spell when several boulders of rocks hurled toward him. Swiftly, he waved his hand and cloaked himself in blood.
The boulders of rocks collided around him, creating a strange field that attempted to crush his body into smithereens.
Argh!!
Souta gritted his teeth as dark and light energy enveloped his body, allowing him to burst through the rocks.
[Element Drive: Dark and Light Integration]!!
Souta hovered in the air, gazing at the area in front of him, which was shrouded in smoke. It seemed Boulder Jack had managed to block his [Bestrou] before it could land.
"This guy is strong..."
Souta narrowed his eyes as blood flowed through his skin, swiftly transforming into white armor. The power of the elements surged through both the armor and his blood.
Hmm...?
Souta looked around, feeling perplexed as the energy around him moved in a strange manner.
Suddenly, thousands of rocks materialized out of nowhere. These rocks formed a massive floating platform in the air, with two distinct elements flowing through it. Giant tree pillars also materialized and transformed into sturdy columns, creating several layers of rocks and trees stacked upon each other.
Souta found himself at the center of this complex structure.
In front of him, the smoke gradually dissipated, revealing Boulder Jack's unusual appearance. Boulder Jack's arms were encased in a white carapace that extended two meters along the ground. Dozens of holes emitted energy from it. His face was concealed by softwood, revealing only his eyes, and he had branches on his back adorned with leaves.
"[Colosseum Death Party]..."
Boulder Jack muttered as he looked at Souta.
On the ground, they beheld a colossal platform in the sky, measuring one kilometer in diameter. The elements of earth and wood flowed abundantly within this platform, emanating such oppression that onlookers felt pressure just by gazing upon it.
Swoosh!!
Souta scanned his surroundings vigilantly, sensing potential dangers lurking everywhere.
"You will fall today, Blood Lightning Monster..." Boulder Jack declared.
Souta couldn't help but chuckle. "You look like a monster." He swung his sword, sending a ray of energy blade toward his opponent.
Boulder Jack remained still, allowing the energy blade to strike his body.
Bang!
The energy blade had no effect on his sturdy form. He sneered and spread his arms wide, causing dozens of energy beams to erupt from the holes in his unusual arms.
Souta contorted his body, narrowly evading the pursuing energy beams that relentlessly chased after him. With no other option, he waved his hand, releasing red-colored webs aimed at the energy beams.
The two attacks collided, resulting in a series of explosive bursts.
Boom!!
Souta pressed on, skillfully attaching webs to his surroundings. However, he suddenly halted, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
Cough!
Souta examined the blood on his palm, wearing a concerned frown.
"This... Am I poisoned?" Souta wondered aloud, looking down at the blood in his palm.
He gazed up and noticed small purple flowers blooming on the pillars around him.
"Floral Poison Field... You don't even need to inhale the poison. As long as it touches your natural energy field, you will be affected by it," Boulder Jack's voice echoed. "You'll start feeling numb and dizzy, and then your flesh will slowly rot. I'm quite surprised that you haven't collapsed yet."
Souta spat out the blood in his mouth and replied, "Well, I have a high resistance to poison. You won't be able to kill me with poison."
His white armor concealed his true body.
Seven doppelgangers emerged from his shadow and swiftly lunged at Boulder Jack.
Boulder Jack unleashed another wave of energy beams, obliterating the seven doppelgangers. Then, he raised his hand, causing several tree branches to sprout from the ground.
Swoosh!!
Souta leaped into the air, brandishing the red webs, slicing through the pursuing tree branches. However, the branches persisted in their chase, forcing Souta to move as quickly as possible while controlling the numerous webs he had deployed in the area.
Simultaneously, Boulder Jack continued to unleash waves of energy beams.
Souta couldn't help but feel weaker. Was it due to the poison? No, the poison had only marginally lowered his abilities. Thanks to his high poison resistance, which he had developed from consuming numerous mana fruits in the past, the poison barely affected him.
"This field envelops everything, suppressing all elements except earth and wood. Your elemental power might be formidable, but it faces suppression in this place," Boulder Jack explained with a smile concealed beneath his wooden mask. He then leaped into the air, clasping his hands together.
"End Series... Tri Withering Trees in the Corrupting Soil."
Enormous dead trees emerged from the ground, encircling Souta. Each of these trees exuded a dangerous aura that gradually expanded, transforming the solid ground into dark soil.
All the webs were corroded in an instant, and the encroaching aura swiftly approached Souta.