A cacophony of buzzing, like a swarm of bees in flight, filled the air.
A thirty-centimeter-long white conical airstream extended from the tip of Freya's cross sword, transforming it into a weapon resembling a short spear rather than a sword. The tumultuous wind made her golden hair whip wildly, and her azure eyes gleamed with determination.
With a resounding thud, the transformed spear struck the semicircular energy shield, producing a sound akin to wood striking wood. Ripples radiated rapidly from the point of impact, accompanied by crackling noises. Inside the shield, Ashburn, who had been chanting incessantly, was visibly affected by the attack, his gaze flickering.
"Blazing Blade" differed from the swift combat technique "Waltz," concentrating all power into a single, potent strike. This was Freya's first attempt to use her formidable human strength to challenge a mysterious wizard.
"Explode!" she shouted. The cross sword, imbued with searing energy, burst into flames, and the conical airstream extended another twenty centimeters, forming a flaming spear of scorching air.
A sound like shattering glass emerged from the energy shield, and a clear crack slowly appeared at the sword's tip. "You broke through my dark barrier!?" Ashburn's face turned cold as he stared at the intruding sword, halting his chant and reaching out to grasp it. His once pale hand transformed into bird-like talons, emitting a faint aura of negative energy.
As Freya was about to break through the shield, she suddenly felt the sword's weight increase, followed by an irresistible force and an eerie sensation from the front. Instinctively sensing danger, she released the sword and swiftly retreated. Moments later, she heard a metallic 'ding' as the sword snapped.
She looked towards Ashburn, who stood with both hands now transformed into bird claws, small feathers clinging to his cheeks, and glared at the two of them with a sinister expression. "Two mice, indeed. Do you think this will stop me? You've already sent out the message. Soon, your brother and others will arrive, and with so many lives, the Guardian will awaken. The blood ritual will sustain the entrance for twenty minutes. Everyone will die!"
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Hearing Ashburn's threat, Freya unconsciously took a step back. The monster across from them, still asleep despite the noisy battle, seemed to require the conditions Ashburn mentioned to awaken. This matter had nothing to do with her originally; she was only involved due to Rand's kind invitation. If the monster awakened, she would retreat immediately.
'The Abyssal Creature as a Guardian - this resource point is beyond my current reach!'
Lani, however, appeared unperturbed, regaining his calm demeanor. "Ashburn, you've committed several serious crimes. If you return with me now, the Second Elder might spare your life, and I won't pursue the matter of Constance."
"Do you think I can go back? If it weren't for that old man, I wouldn't be in this half-human, half-ghost state! This is all the Bennifin family's fault! I've already contacted Shia the Wizard from Serpent's Fang. Originally, I planned to secure the resources before leaving. Now it seems I must go sooner!" Ashburn declared.
"Serpent's Fang?" Lani's expression changed, his face turning cold. "You've not only betrayed the academy but also defected to the family's enemies?!"
Freya listened carefully to their conversation, piecing together Ashburn's background. Some wizard families infused their unborn children with special monster blood to enhance their potential. Although this method was effective, the children often suffered from various aftereffects. Ashburn's transformations were a severe manifestation of this.
Ignoring Lani's questioning, Ashburn glanced at the distant stone forest, where footsteps approached. Without hesitation, he pulled a black pendant from his chest and crushed it with visible reluctance. The pendant shattered, enveloping him in a faint black light, making his body semi-transparent. Satisfied with his condition, Ashburn turned and ran towards the two-headed hound, phasing through it like water.
"Void Potion?" Freya frowned as she watched Ashburn enter the door behind the monster. As Rand and his companions approached, one of the hound's heads sniffed the air, its eyelids twitching.
This change alarmed the two. Freya immediately turned to flee, her speed maximizing, leaving an afterimage. Lani, using some unknown method, leaped forward swiftly, not much slower than Freya. Soon, Rand and his group came into view.
As Lani began to speak, the three halted abruptly, faces filled with terror, and turned to run. Freya, seeing their reaction, instinctively looked back. In a sea of flames, the enormous two-headed hound was silently chasing them, its crimson eyes wide open, revealing greedy vertical pupils. Its powerful body seemed unaffected by gravity, moving swiftly over the rubble.
The palpable danger spurred Freya to her utmost speed, leaving Lani far behind. Lani, without looking back, activated a round energy field on her chest, just as one of the hound's heads opened its jaws above her.