Chapter 24

Saying that the whole city was plunged into destruction and utter chaos was a bit of an exaggeration by the media. Yes, the monsters had broken through the protective barrier of the Threshold and wreaked havoc in the nearby sections of the city, killing already hundreds of people. The pack of baby dragons was led by the Elder Wyrm, hovering around buildings and engulfing everything in flames.

Elder Wyrm is a powerful two-headed dragon that was created by the gods to hunt down powerful Hunters of the divine, but who have since begun pursuing their own goals independently of the decrees of the gods.

At first, in ancient times, Elder Wyrms weren't granted the ability to breathe flames but as time passed by, they began to evolve into much more terrifying creatures. One crazy fact about this dragon is that once it perishes, it leaves a seed that would plant and take care of itself. Then the seed will turn into a sprout even without the need for water or sunlight until years passed and it will feed on the human soul, which eventually makes them more powerful by feeding the lost souls.

"Minimizing the damage was the first thing the Hunter's Organization did. But seeing as most of the section of the city had been enveloped in fire, more bodies would pile up."

Civilians had already evacuated from their houses, traveling in trains and helicopters to the nearby cities launched for immediate assistance.

"How're things going in section 2, Masha?"

Asked Vice Chief Wright through a communication device worn in his ear.

"Not good, sir. This place is swarming with baby Elder Wyrms."

There are five sections in the city with, of course, section 1 as the largest part of the city. It is the main part of the city for this is where the grand marketplace and business establishments are built. Meaning to say, this is the most densely populated part of the city with over three thousand people. The evacuation has been going on now for an hour yet there are still people that need help.

"No! Take me and my daughter first! Why did you have to choose a grown-ass man like him first instead of us?!"

Many of them wanted to be the first ones to get on the underground train and on the helicopter. But Hunter's Organization personnel and police were not enough to stop people from overflowing and organizing them.

"Please, everyone! Calm down!"

[B-rank Hunter: Asval]

"This is beyond our control! They are pushing through the barricade!"

[B-rank Hunter: Moonshot]

People really wanted to be saved. Well, who would wanna die? They were desperate to board the helicopters and trains. Just so you know, the helicopters are parked above the underground rails, that's why people really are swarming everywhere.

Who would not want to save themselves in this pandemonium? People are dying, monsters are everywhere, and Hunters are doing their best to defeat all of the baby Elder Wyrms that got out of the Threshold.

In the midst of this chaos and sea of flames, in section 4, the Elder Wyrm was currently on its way to section 1 to inflict more structural damage to the city and leave the whole place engulfed in flames.

After the Elder Wyrm spewed fire here and there, he is currently aiming to flood section 1 with his searing hot flames.

All nearby Hunters were called into action. They still haven't recovered from the death of 15 great Hunters and more people are dying again in their eyes, watching them bleed and get burned to death.

Anyone without a fire-resistant artifact or item would be feeling the intense heat going on in every part of the city. Although a city is a structural place, filled with establishments and most farms had been turned into malls and buildings, the fire which took the lives of many quickly spread throughout the entirety of the city. It is just a matter of time before the whole city is burned down to ash.

"Saving the lives of the many is not part of the job. I am not a god who should act as their savior in this time of crisis. But I must do what needs to be done."

Esecleus was deeply affected by the breakout since his house was just a few kilometers away from the Threshold. He had to evacuate his cat, Lynx before joining in on the fun.

"In the past, I encountered an Elder Wyrm, about two years ago. Its color was green, plants growing out of its body with tiny cinder of flames blazing randomly on its whole structure. I put it to rest, without knowing the procedure that someone had to do in order to completely eliminate the Elder Wyrm."

For the Elder Wyrm to be put to rest completely and not be reborn again, the person that kills it must follow a strict rule, or else he will fail and it might cost him his life.

[Fire Resistance is currently in effect.]

[Fire Resistance had reached 150 percent.]

[You are able to heal through flames. If you get hurt, just run it on a flame for a few seconds and it will heal. The time needed will vary on how severe the wound is. But note that it can't bring back a lost limb.]

"Being overpowered is meaningless and shit. Every time you are in a fight, in order to enjoy it, you have to hold back yourself or it will end pretty soon. I don't want that. What I want is a fight against someone who would make me want to give my all and maybe lose without regret."

Although Esecleus might have done this in the past, fighting with everything he got that is, was not as enjoyable as they sound. Those were the times he really had to rack his brain for solutions, almost dying countless times, coming up with the best course of action as he drains himself off his Mana because of the repetitive usage of Timestamp. Always resetting back in time.

"Fret not, for we are near. Fear not, for we are almighty. And the fire shall spread, for we are tasked."

~