The western zone of Vesparello had already been destroyed by approximately one-third by the Nartheis and humans who were somehow being controlled.
The appearance of these people was almost as frightening as that of the creatures themselves, with bodies that looked dead and movements devoid of any vitality.
Amid the chaos, a hooded individual carefully watched Kai, who was fighting alongside Valença.
"Cataclysm Flame!"
A massive explosion appeared in front of Valença, consuming everything around it and eliminating at least fifteen Faizes-Rank, Level Two Nartheis with a single attack.
Meanwhile, Kai advanced through the enemies, using his Light Magic to increase his own speed and enhance his sword slashes. His movements were precise and swift, allowing him to cut through the creatures before they could even react.
"Valença, we need to find more civilians. I'll head to the right."
"Just don't go too far. We've already been separated from our team, so it's better if we stay together, at least until I find Enrico. After that, you can leave."
"Same goes for you."
The two exchanged competitive glances. Lightning seemed to leap from their eyes, as if neither was willing to yield to the other. However, they soon turned their attention away and resumed their search for survivors.
'Idiot... Why does he insist on getting in my way? Damn it, why didn't I just wait like Serenya?'
'These girls always interrupt my rivalry with Enrico! Why can't they just get lost?'
As the two moved away, the hooded individual discreetly raised one hand and made a signal.
Inside the neighboring house, another hooded figure was waiting. As soon as he received the signal, he also began to move. The two headed in different directions, each pursuing the opponent they had chosen.
'I wonder where there are more civilians. If I went toward the city center...'
Kai was almost certain he would find more survivors in the center. After all, that was precisely the area where the attacks were concentrated.
In the sky, the Circle Nine mages had created an enormous barrier around the portal, keeping up the fight against at least a hundred Ranvil-Rank, Level Three Nartheis.
"I'd like to go to the center, but only those who have reached Circle Five can enter that area..."
Letting out a sigh, Kai continued running, searching for other people who needed help. However, before he could get very far, he heard the sound of something leaping from one of the houses behind him.
His expression immediately changed. Kai crouched down and rolled across the ground, narrowly dodging a sword wrapped in electricity that passed through the spot where his head had been just an instant earlier.
After regaining his balance, he turned toward his attacker.
"Aren't you one of the members of that Jester guy's team?"
His opponent remained silent. Even so, Kai was certain he belonged to that team, so he wasn't bothered by the lack of an answer. Judging by his physical appearance, the individual seemed to have a build similar to his own, although Kai was a little more robust.
"Well, if you're not going to answer me, I have no reason to keep talking either."
Kai enveloped his sword in Light Magic and slashed through the air. A large amount of energy shot directly toward the hooded figure, who, apparently surprised by the attack's speed, barely managed to dodge it. Part of his hood was torn away, revealing a boy with black hair decorated with golden lightning patterns.
Kai observed the revealed face and frowned slightly.
"Such lifeless eyes..."
Surprised by his opponent's completely empty expression, Kai raised his sword and assumed a fighting stance, challenging him to advance. In response, the hooded figure's weapon began to tremble. The next moment, electricity enveloped the entire blade, pulsing with increasing intensity.
"...The second thing, Kariester. I'll send you to fight Kai. So, try to defeat him."
"Yes, Lord Jago."
Kariester's mission was to eliminate Kai, and he intended to carry it out at any cost. After all, Jago's words had made it clear that there was no room for failure.
'My only task is to defeat him. I don't need to listen to a single word he says.'
The two swords clashed, beginning a sequence of attacks and defenses. Kai held his weapon sideways and blocked a blow coming from the right. Taking advantage of the contact between the blades, he stepped on his opponent's foot to prevent him from advancing and then delivered a deep slash across Kariester's chest.
'How fast!'
However, the wound didn't remain open for long. Kariester's body had been created by his master, and his regenerative ability was far superior to that of an ordinary human. Within moments, the opening in his chest began to close until it disappeared completely.
Kai watched the recovery with interest.
"Interesting. Is that some kind of healing magic?"
Kariester didn't answer. Instead, he created several lightning bolts in his hand and launched them at Kai, making the attacks come from different directions. The first one struck the young man's back, causing a severe burn.
"Half-Moon Guard!"
The automatic defense ability was activated. Kai's body began moving on its own, intercepting every attack that entered a four-meter radius around him. His sword reacted to the lightning bolts without him needing to consciously control each movement.
'I've improved this defensive technique quite a bit... It's a shame I couldn't show it to Enrico first.'
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Kai coated his sword in Light Magic and began launching a sequence of slashes toward Kariester. There were so many attacks that his opponent had to abandon any attempt to counterattack and focus entirely on dodging. Within moments, at least twenty slashes had been launched at him.
As he dodged, Kariester noticed that Kai's back was beginning to recover. The young man was using his Light Magic and Ocean Magic simultaneously, trying to reproduce the regenerative ability he had just witnessed.
"Interesting... I managed to make my regeneration reach at least half of yours."
For the first time, Kariester's expression changed slightly.
"What?"
A few drops of sweat began running down his face as he realized that his opponent seemed to be using that battle to improve his own abilities.
'This guy doesn't even consider me an enemy? Tsk... I admit my master was right.'
"You're very arrogant, aren't you? But you should know that your little friend must be going through a pretty difficult time."
"Are you talking about Valença? Sorry to say this, but if you sent someone to kill her, it won't work, because..."
A massive explosion of fire interrupted Kai. The impact came from the right, and a charred body was thrown away, rolling across the ground until it stopped near him. For a few moments, the figure remained lying there, but soon began to get up, its body regenerating from its injuries.
It was Valença's opponent, Ícaro. He stared at the young woman with a terrified expression, as if he had just encountered a monster.
"That..."
"You tried to kill me? Do you have any idea how Enrico would feel if I died? He would definitely be sad, and I hate it when my future husband is sad!"
Valença's eyes seemed to radiate fire. Even the flames surrounding her staff moved along with her, as if the two were perfectly synchronized.
Kariester's eyes widened in surprise at the amount of mana emanating from that girl's body.
"Is that girl a monster?"
"A monster? Maybe to you. To me, she's just a friend who gets in the way of my revenge quite a lot."
Kariester's eyes widened as he noticed Kai's body beginning to be enveloped by a shell-like structure.
The protection spread from his arms to his legs, while part of it also covered the right side of his face, leaving only one of his eyes partially visible.
"Shell Armor: Thirty Percent!"
The two hooded figures exchanged glances. For a moment, they both had the same thought: run away.
Their master had given them two options for completing the mission: delay the two opponents or eliminate them. However, after witnessing Kai and Valença's power, they both reached the same conclusion, albeit with some frustration.
They would have to flee.
Eastern Part of Vesparello
"Elian, we need to head to the right. Maybe Enrico or Serenya are nearby."
"You're right. This zone is already being protected by Circle Six mages, so everything is calm for now."
After agreeing, the two began running eastward at full speed. As they advanced, Caelan noticed two figures lying near one of the houses.
"Aren't those Deymon and Velka? Did the princess's team lose?"
"Let's hope so."
"Better hope they don't hear you say that, Elian."
Caelan approached the two. Since he was a mage with healing abilities, he decided to check their injuries and help them. However, as soon as he extended his hand toward Deymon, he received a slap that knocked his arm away.
Caelan let out an irritated sigh and began to stand up, giving up on helping someone who clearly didn't want to be healed.
"Do you want to become a Circle Three mage?"
Caelan stopped for a moment and looked at Deymon, raising an eyebrow.
"Circle Three? What the hell are you talking about?"
Without showing any interest in continuing that conversation, he turned away and headed back toward Elian, who was waiting a few meters ahead. However, before he could reach him, he felt a light touch on his shoulder.
Caelan sighed and turned around again.
"What is it? Changed your mind and want me to heal you?"
Deymon raised his eyes toward him, wearing a strange smile.
"It seems the seal preventing you from reaching Circle Three is working very well... But don't worry. You're already stronger than you should be."
Upon hearing those words, Caelan realized something was wrong. His expression turned serious, and he immediately tried to move away. However, before he could take a single step, hands made of poison appeared and restrained his body in place.
Elian noticed the danger and immediately ran toward the two of them.
At the same time, Deymon extended a finger and touched his forehead.
"Release Corruption!"