The Heroes (2)

(Juliette POV)

Uneasiness.

It was a sensation entirely new to me.

Gurawuuuuu—!

The boss's resounding howl summoned a multitude of wolves from its shadow. One by one, they multiplied until their numbers reached a daunting hundred.

Unlike the preceding bosses we had faced, this one exuded a different malevolence.

Once the multiplication ceased, the boss stepped forward with menacing intent. Its gaze exerted such pressure that even the surrounding heroes hesitated, momentarily compelled to retreat.

The intensity of the pressure weighed heavily on my body, threatening to overwhelm me. I feel like I could pass out at any given moments.

"Ah...."

Slap-!

"...?"

The resounding slap drew our attention to Eveline.

Her cheeks were flushed, a trickle of blood escaping her right nostril. It seemed she resorted to this unconventional method to steady her nerves... Why use your both hands?

...Isn't your other hand metallic?

"Heh...."

...I got no time for this!

Slapping my own cheeks, my focus snapped back to the boss and its legion. We couldn't afford to retreat now; the fate of people from other affected cities hung in the balance due to the Calamity.

We cannot afford to falter now!

Soon, the other heroes rallied, collecting their resolve. Every one of them, including my brother, brandished their weapons in readiness for an impending assault.

"Everyone, let's—!!"

Splurt-!

"...!!!?"

The hero at the forefront of our group was abruptly silenced. The shadow wolf severed his words, its maw slicing through his right shoulder.

As the wounded hero fell, the air around us thickened with tension. It was as if the very atmosphere held its breath in anticipation of the impending chaos. The wolves gathered around the fallen hero, their predatory eyes fixated on their prey.

Julius swiftly reacted, barking orders to the remaining heroes. "Protect the injured! Don't let them overrun us!"

Eveline, with her usual resilience, stepped forward, her metallic arm gleaming in the dim light. Her expression, now clear of any blood, reflected determination.

My eyes scanned the surroundings, processing the scenario before me. The pack of wolves, shadows cast by the ominous boss, had multiplied exponentially. This was no ordinary battle; it was a dance with death.

I conjured a spell with an intense focus, saying, "We need to thin their numbers before they overwhelm us!"

"Here they come!" My brother shouted as the first wave of wolves lunged forward. The clashing of steel and fangs echoed through the air.

Eveline's movements were a blur as she fended off the relentless onslaught. Each swing of her sword was precise, calculated, a dance of survival against the encroaching tide.

The wolves, however, were relentless. They swarmed like a dark tide, testing the heroes' defenses. Despite their best efforts, the sheer number of foes threatened to overwhelm them.

My observations intensified as I noted every detail of the battle, preparing to think of a plan. The pained grunts, the clang of weapons, the sharp howls of the wolves—all merged into a symphony of chaos.

Then, my attention turned to the one that had been cutting through the group alone.

Eveline, amidst the chaos, exhibited a remarkable blend of strength and finesse. She dodged and countered, her movements almost artistic in their precision. Yet, with each graceful strike, there was an undercurrent of urgency, a battle against an invisible force.

As for the Saint, Seraphina, she had been properly protected from all sides by the other support, including myself. All the injured were immediately placed under her and the other healers. She was one of the most useful in the group.

If she were to lose now, it'll be the end of us.

"Inferno!"

And thus, the spell I unleashed erupted like fireworks against the red sky. Fireballs exploded, engulfing clusters of wolves in fiery demise. My mind was full with determination, reflecting the flames I conjured.

The other heroes, shoulder to shoulder, fought valiantly, creating a barrier against the relentless assault. But as the wolves continued to pour in, the situation became increasingly dire.

In the midst of the melee, I found my attention drawn to Julius. His every swing of the sword was an act of defiance against the encroaching darkness. Yet, even his determined expression betrayed a flicker of concern.

...He's starting to get tired.

Eveline's eyes met mine briefly. In that moment, a wave of emotion surged within her gaze.

As the battle raged on, I began to sense something wrong within Eveline. Her heartbeat quickened, mirroring the intensity of the fight. The beads of sweat on her brow spoke of effort that she, too, was starting to slowly feel weak.

"If this continue, we'll be dead..." I murmured to myself, firing a spell to the beast that was about to jump on Hero Leo.

As the wolves pressed forward, and with each clash, I could sense the other heroes' desperation for survival increases.

"We can't hold them for long!" someone shouted, their voice a beacon of realism amid the chaos.

Julius, his sword stained with the darkness that sought to engulf them, rallied the heroes. "We need to push back! Create an opening for the others!"

In that moment, Eveline's gaze locked onto mine again.

She was mouthing something... Like 'lead the boss far' and 'he'll handle it somehow'...

...who?

She refocused her attention back to the battle in front of us.

The heroes, fueled by an unwavering resolve, launched a counteroffensive. Blades met claws, magic clashed with shadows, and the dance of survival intensified. Each movement became a testament to their shared struggle against an overwhelming force.

As soon as the wolves were momentarily pushed back, we began to regrouped for another onslaught.

"Let's lead it away," Eveline's sudden suggestion drew the attention of everyone, leaving me momentarily perplexed.

...Wait, didn't she mention someone could handle it?

"....!!"

Sighing, I turned my eyes to the side.

...Then it hit me.

"Everyone, the boss! It hasn't moved an inch since we started fighting the other monsters, right?" My gaze fixated on the boss, a calculating calm in its eyes as it observed our struggle.

The other heroes and their companions turned their attention to the boss, collectively realizing the eerie stillness that had gripped it.

This couldn't be good.

Abruptly, the shadow wolves transformed into a liquid slime, connected to the boss's tail. It soared through the air with terrifying speed, releasing hundreds of piercing shadows in our direction.

The sudden onslaught wounded many heroes, and some of my brother's companions sacrificed themselves to shield Seraphina from harm.

Reacting swiftly, I conjured a barrier of wind elements to shield myself from the barrage of shadows.

"...!?"

Julius, noticing my struggle, rushed to my aid, deflecting shadows away from him as he ran.

"Brother!"

However, a shadow emerged from the ground, aiming for his back.

"Look out!"

Despite our warning, he was stabbed in the back by the shadow's tail. Lifted into the air, he was tossed in another direction.

"Brother...!"

Meanwhile, the boss advanced towards us, utilizing the shadows to attack from all angles.

Guraawuuuuu—!

The boss leaped, causing me to stumble backward.

"...!!"

My body lost its balance, and I found myself on the ground.

I'm done for.

As my back met the earth, I clenched my teeth and gripped my wand tightly.

BOOOOooooom!

A deafening sound reverberated from a distance.

In mid-air, the boss redirected its attention toward the source of the sound.

However, before the creature could touch the ground—

FUUSH—!

It was abruptly dragged away, along with the shadow attached to its tail, by an unknown force.

BAAAAAAM—!

In an instant, the sky became blue.