"I-It's... it's this monster!"
Derrick turned pale with fright, and the Archaeological Team Members all retreated.
Although the pitch-black figure hadn't harmed them last time, only chasing them out of the Ruins Forest, the terrifying image of the Black-Armored Man—especially that face that could cause nightmares—had left a deep psychological shadow on the Archaeological Team Members.
Seeing the archaeological team once again, the pitch-black figure let out a roar, swung its great sword, and leaped up, smashing down towards everyone with an unstoppable momentum.
Standing at the very front, Erza showed no fear. Magic Circles shone around her as she instantly switched into the Heavens Wheel Armor, which could control numerous swords.
Dozens of long swords flew out as if they were alive, weaving into a dense sword array to meet the pitch-black figure's heavy strike.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of clashing metal exploded as the sword array and the bloody great sword collided violently, sending out blinding sparks.
However, the pitch-black figure's skill and strength were beyond imagination. Erza's gathered sword net was forcibly smashed open, and after a few exchanges, she was pushed back several steps by the opponent's power.
"What incredible strength!"
Just as Erza was preparing to switch to a strength-type Armor, Hope pulled out several magic Plant seeds and threw them onto the ground.
Instantly, the ground beneath the pitch-black figure's feet surged, and countless green vines burst through the soil, rapidly coiling around the pitch-black giant's legs, torso, and arms like spiritual snakes.
The magic vines, continuously grown by Hope using 'Plant' magic, relied on their sheer number and powerful toughness to forcibly halt the Black-Armored Man's forward momentum.
"Well done, Hope!"
Erza seized the opportunity and instantly used Armor to switch into the Black Wing Armor, which could enhance her attack power. Holding the Black Wing Sword, she moved like lightning, instantly rushing to the front of the armored man's chest and delivering a sharp sword strike.
A huge crack was instantly slashed into the pitch-black Armor. Through the light, one could vaguely see the withered flesh hidden beneath the Armor.
Before the Black-Armored Man could act further, the luban lock shaped by Hope worked in tandem with the magic vines to seal him tightly.
The pitch-black figure let out a roar, as if enraged. Suddenly, a terrifying surge of dark red magic power erupted, gushing out from the gaps in the pitch-black Armor like boiling steam.
The surrounding air instantly became scorching hot.
Under the impact of this violent magic power, the luban lock and magic vines that had originally trapped the Black-Armored Man quickly withered and snapped, as if roasted by intense fire.
The Black-Armored Man's hideous, bloody mouth, with its exposed teeth, gaped wide. He took a sudden deep breath, his chest swelling high, and the dark red magic power surrounding him instantly converged frantically towards his mouth.
Seeing this scene at close range, Erza's pupils constricted. A Magic Circle flashed, and a massive shield appeared in Erza's hands.
Having switched into her strongest defensive Armor, the Adamantine Armor, she unhesitatingly slammed the giant shield into the ground, hiding herself completely behind the defense of the Adamantine Armor.
Next second, a dark red breath so hot it distorted the air erupted from the armored man's mouth like a bursting flood.
The breath seemed to be mixed with countless grudges and bloodiness. Wherever it passed, the ground wasn't just scorched but melted and disintegrated as if corroded.
Feeling the magic power blowing against her and recognizing the familiar "Roar" attack style, Erza's heart skipped a beat. This armored man was actually using Dragon Slaying Magic!
The dark red breath slammed into the Adamantine Shield, producing a tooth-aching "sizzling" sound. The surface of the incredibly sturdy shield was actually being eroded and dissolved at a visible rate.
Erza was pushed backward by the massive impact, her feet plowing two deep grooves into the ground. Seeing the terrifying effect of the breath, she made a decisive move and leaped to the side and rear just before the Adamantine Shield was about to be completely corroded through.
Without hindrance, the dark red breath swept across, turning the forest area behind where Erza had originally stood into a bubbling, charred swamp.
The Archaeological Team Members, protected behind by Hope using the Wood Flow Wall, trembled at this terrifying sight. They didn't dare imagine what would happen if such an attack landed on them.
The cat head on the wooden wall was corroded beyond recognition by the splashing magic. Hope's gaze toward the Black-Armored Man became solemn.
"Hope, be careful. He's using Dragon Slaying Magic."
Erza's warning came. Hope nodded; as an onlooker, he had also recognized the Black-Armored Man's magic. It was a corrosion-attribute Dragon Slaying Magic.
Setting aside its strength, the corrosive property alone was disgusting enough. It was a severe counter to Erza, who relied on Armor to fight, as well as to Hope's 'Wood Shaping' and 'Plant' magic.
But fortunately, Hope had something even more disgusting.
Cyan magic power rose in his hand as 'Arc of Time' was activated.
With a snap of Hope's fingers, the tattered Adamantine Shield in Erza's hand instantly returned to its perfect state before the attack, and the ground that had been turned into a charred swamp by the magic also restored its original appearance.
The magic vines that had been corroded and shattered by the magic also returned to their state before being destroyed at this moment, continuing to execute Hope's commands, frantically coiling around the Black-Armored Man's body to restrict his movements.
Touching the intact shield, Erza had already guessed the magic Hope had just used based on her knowledge.
Shaping, Plant, Gods Foot, Wing Magic... mastering so many magics simultaneously was already astonishing, yet he could actually pull out a time-type magic as well.
This guy's magic talent is simply terrifyingly strong.
Turning her head to look, Erza's admiring gaze suddenly froze.
Seeing Hope pouring the sunflower light orbs he had collected earlier into his mouth like jellybeans to restore his magic power, she didn't know what to say.
He knew so many magics, but his own magic power was truly unsatisfactory. After only using a few spells, Hope was already exhausted... Indeed, when God opens a window for someone, He might also close the door while He's at it.
Amidst a piercing roar, the Black-Armored Man broke free from the countless annoying vines. Swinging his great sword, which was wrapped in corrosive Dragon Slaying Magic power, he strode towards the Archaeological Team Members.
Hope gave a contemptuous smile; the man was treating him like a pushover.
If it were before, he certainly wouldn't go head-to-head with a monster like the Black-Armored Man, but now... "Take Over—Deliora's Arm!"
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