A shadow, pitch black as night, sprinted across the ground as if crawling, covering the 100-meter distance to the Goliath in a heartbeat.
["Let the curtain rise!"]
Simultaneously, the technique of Parallel Chanting was activated. An enormous surge of magical power radiated from Toki's body.
["A staff in hand, a magical staff that creates every kind of miracle!"]
But this was no small feat. Toki was already in the middle of casting Infinite Abyss, a high-tier spell. Chanting a second spell on top of this was like trying to use both hands to perform entirely different tasks simultaneously.
["Oh, my god... If it is within your power, "]
Yet, Toki pressed on. As the deep, resonant tolls of the Grand Bell echoed behind him, he pushed himself beyond his limits to answer the sound.
["That vision I once saw, the glory too great to bear!"]
A translucent white staff materialized in Toki's hand, its tip adorned with two pristine feathers.
["Bring forth a miracle, just once!"]
Locking his gaze on the Goliath, he uttered the name of the spell.
["Kerykeion!"]
Toki launched himself toward the Goliath, transforming his body into a bullet-like projectile. The Goliath, recognizing the bell as an enemy, moved with thunderous force, its colossal frame shaking the ground. A direct collision would undoubtedly spell death for Toki.
Behind him, Asfi and Ryuu screamed in alarm.
[Become a shield, holy grail of crushing evil]
While charging, Toki performed a rapid chant. One of the feathers on the staff vanished.
["Dio Grail!"]
A radiant shield, three meters in diameter, appeared. It was a shield capable of deflecting any attack, but using it conventionally was meaningless. Instead, Toki conjured it one meter in front of him.
BOOM!
With a deafening crash, the shield slammed into the Goliath, sending its massive body flying. The shield bash, enhanced by Toki's Level 3 agility, carried devastating force.
["This vessel is filled with the abyss."]
Toki wielded the staff again. The casting ritual for Kerykeion had changed since his rank-up, and although he hadn't tested it, Toki instinctively understood its potential.
["All that touches it is dyed black. All that is reflected falls into darkness."]
The number of feathers on the staff had increased, likely tied to his rank-up.
["Eternal night's capital, new moon's embrace. I am a wandering harbinger of slaughter."]
Utilizing the staff's second feature, Toki cast a layered version of Infinite Abyss. The second feather dissolved.
["Manifest, O power of judgment."]
Although the spell was a mimicry, its closeness to the original made it nearly indistinguishable.
["Infinite Abyss."]
From beneath Toki, four colossal serpents emerged. Writhing in shadows, they wrapped around the Goliath's limbs, forcibly halting its movements.
"Ortyx, synchronize with me!"
Ryuu dashed past as Toki landed. Understanding her intent instantly, Toki focused on unbalancing the Goliath, while Ryuu struck its knees with a fierce blow from her wooden sword.
The Goliath, humanoid in form, had a naturally high center of gravity. Already destabilized by the shield bash, Ryuu's strike completely swept its legs from under it.
With a thunderous crash, the giant fell, an expression of astonishment clear in its massive eyes.
"GUH──OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
Desperate to counterattack, the Goliath lashed out at Ryuu and Asfi, but the serpents binding its limbs left it unable to move freely.
"In the sky of a now distant forest. Infinite stars scattered in the endless night sky..."
Ryuu's chant echoed, delivering the final blow.
["Respond to my foolish voice, give me now divine protection of starfire. Give the mercy of light to the one that abandoned you!"]
Her parallel chanting was not a result of innate talent, like Toki's, but a skill honed through her prowess as the Luminous Wind.
"Toki!"
A girl's voice reached Toki as he restrained the Goliath.
"Get out of there!"
As she began her chant, Toki leapt back. The Goliath, sensing an opportunity, tensed its limbs to rise.
"Stay down, you overgrown beast!"
But Toki wouldn't allow it. Manipulating the serpents, he forced the giant back to the ground.
[Come, wandering wind, the wandering traveler. Cross the sky and run through the wilderness, run faster than anything else.]
Ryuu's spell erupted in a dazzling display.
["Luminous Wind!!"]
Countless radiant green orbs surrounded Lyu, materializing around her in a whirlwind before hurling themselves toward Goliath. Each orb struck the beast's body with devastating force, piercing its hardened hide and carving deep into its flesh.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH───!!"
The Goliath bellowed in pain, but sheer defiance filled its movements as it began to rise again. Toki's face contorted at the sight of its relentless power. Slowly but surely, the colossal monster forced itself to its feet, defying all odds. But just as it planted its feet firmly on the ground,
[Descend from heaven, rule the earth - shinbu tousei]
The girl's incantation reached its culmination.
["Futsunomitama!"]
A massive sword of light appeared above Goliath, its brilliance illuminating the battlefield. Simultaneously, a magic circle formed at the beast's feet. As the light sword drove through Goliath and pierced the ground below, an invisible cage of gravity bound the creature where it stood.
Goliath's massive form shuddered under the immense pressure, sinking back to the ground. Toki's shadowy serpents tightened their grip, further constraining the beast.
"Grrr... GRAAAHHHH!"
Even so, Goliath roared defiantly, pouring every ounce of its strength into breaking free.
"Stay down, damn it!"
From Toki's shadow, another serpent emerged, this one slamming down from above onto Goliath with tremendous force. Accelerated by the gravity cage, the impact was devastating, pinning the beast entirely. The serpents coiled tighter, one wrapping around Goliath's thick neck like a noose.
At last, a balance was struck. Toki and Mikoto's combined magical assault managed to restrain the rampaging beast.
"Get out of the way if you don't want to die!"
Behind them, Welf's roaring command cut through the air, accompanied by the ferocious crackle of flames.
"Mikoto, release your spell when Welf passes us!"
"...Understood!"
Mikoto hesitated for a heartbeat before nodding at Toki's directive.
"Welf, it's all yours!"
"Got it!"
Welf dashed past Toki and Mikoto, both of whom canceled their magic in sync. Freed from the gravity cage and serpent bindings, Goliath surged upright, its towering figure casting a monstrous shadow. But before it could act, Welf unleashed his fury.
"Kazuki Infernoooo!"
The longsword in Welf's grasp erupted in a roaring blaze, flames engulfing the entire blade. The firestorm swallowed Goliath in an instant, reducing the beast's colossal form to ash and cinders.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!"
Goliath let out a final, agonized scream as crimson particles burst from its body. Its fabled regenerative powers failed to match the destruction wrought by Welf's magic sword, leaving it defenseless.
"So... that's the Crozzo Magic Sword." Lyu whispered in awe.
"Is it really surpassing even original, formalized magic?" Asfi added, her voice tinged with disbelief.
As Welf watched his shattered sword crumble in his hand, he murmured a quiet apology to the blade. Then, with grim determination, he turned back to the battlefield.
"Three minutes."
Toki stepped aside, allowing a clear path.
"Everyone, make way!" Hestia's voice rang out like a commandment.
And through the opening, Bell charged forward, his crimson eyes locked onto the Goliath.
End it.
Yeah.
Words weren't necessary. Their shared resolve was conveyed through a fleeting glance. As Bell sprinted past, a gust of wind followed in his wake. Toki stood still, watching his closest friend close the distance.
In the blink of an eye, Bell reached Goliath.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
His strike descended in a blinding arc of pure, radiant light. The battlefield was consumed by an all-encompassing brilliance, the deafening roar of the impact shaking the very air. Toki did not avert his gaze, watching intently as the dust settled.
When the light faded, the outcome was clear.
Goliath was obliterated. Its massive body was reduced to nothing more than scattered remains. Even its immense magic stone, initially intact amidst the carnage, let out a soft crack before splitting in two.
"...He really blew it away." Toki muttered.
Bell collapsed to the ground, utterly spent. The beast's remnants crumbled into ash, save for a solitary item left behind, a drop item, Goliath's Hardened Hide, sitting in stark contrast to the gray dust.
"OOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
A thunderous cheer erupted, reverberating throughout the floor. Adventurers and allies alike flocked to Bell's side, their joyous shouts echoing across the battlefield.
Toki moved to join them, but his legs gave out. His overtaxed body, pushed far beyond its limits, finally failed him. He would have hit the ground if not for a steadying hand.
"Ah... thank you, Asfi-san, "
Toki's gratitude turned to alarm as he looked at Asfi's face.
She was smiling, a smile unlike any he had seen in the past six years. It was genuine, radiant... and utterly devoid of warmth.
"Uh, Asfi-san?"
"...We need to talk." she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Somewhere in the distance, Toki thought he heard the laughter of a certain mischievous goddess. But at that moment, he didn't care.
Because the Asfi standing before him was far more terrifying than the Goliath he had just faced.
==========
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