The soldiers rushing towards Kairos immediately turned and fled. Those slow in retreating or had come too close, suddenly grasped at their chests and fell heavily to the ground.

They tumbled forward, rolling uncontrollably until they fell around Kairos’ feet, joining the rest of those prostrated on the ground.

They twitched and convulsed in unimaginable pain. Their bodies stiffen as their eyes dilated in fear.

So much fear that their lungs paralysed, and their hearts stopped one by one. Despite their twisted terrified expressions no one made a sound and died. And then, by the effects of the aura, they blackened and crumbled.

Those that managed to get away stared in horror as their comrades silently passed away.

Then Kairos walked towards them.

He is releasing the famed Death Aura instead of his legendary Demiurge Aura for no reason other than the latter not being within his control.

Even this aura is not freely wieldable with his current control, only affecting those within fifty paces of himself.

The only exception was when he killed Ironwood with a Death Aura infused sword slash, but that is not a skill he can use as he please. Or more accurately, he is not well-versed enough to use it frequently and he had been lucky to fire it out at all.

This trip had been one of gamble and chance. Truly something different from how he operated.

As he approached, the soldiers cowered frightfully.

“Look! Those prostrated are still alive!”

In spite of the thick and suffocating death aura, there are still survivors, much to the surprise of everyone. A keen eye spotted the strange sight and alarmed the rest. After all, they can hardly run away fast enough as an army. Those that could get away are the ones further behind.

“What are you guys waiting for then, get down on your faces if you want to live!”

“Fool! Are you saying we should bow down to our enemies?”

“What enemies?! We are the ones attacking them. If we just back off none of this will happen!”

“Have you no pride? After taking your salary, you’d just abandon the cause?”

“Foolishness, what is pay good for if we die here!”

Wild shouting and mixed instructions confused the rank and file.

As Kairos came closer, those nearest started falling. The sight drove them back, but there were too many behind and limited spaces.

A single lad forced back an entire army, pushing them to make a decision.

In the end these are men paid for their services to the nobles. It isn’t their homes that they are protecting behind them, but the properties of the rich.

The panic of a few men soon set loose the others, and everyone reverted from plant forms and fell to their faces. Even the ones further away followed suit.

“The battle is over!” Kairos cried out. Around him, a circle of troops paved on the ground quietly. As they saw, those who submitted survived.

The power of the Aura Arts is dependent on one’s strength of will contesting against another.

To dominate another so utterly that it brings death is the death aura’s speciality.

If their will is strong enough, they can shrug off any type of aura, and if their vitality is adequate, the death aura’s unique effects will be depleted without killing. Unfortunately, the spirits of the soldiers here have all been crushed and once you break the spirit of another then the fight is over.

Defeated this way, there is very little chance of coming back from it.

A few pair of eyes peered at the spectacle from hidden vantages.

The nobles were watching, of course. They gritted their teeth in anger throughout the battle.

For a duo to defeat two armies is like a nightmare relived. The horrors when the gnomes went up against the monstrous elven king, Veritus, is still buried deep within their hearts.

People with that much power should not exist in the first place. In fact, it does not make sense to have such people in this world.

This is the lower realm after all.

Despite their anger and fear, the gnomes have to admit the power those two possesses. Perhaps, it is time to rethink their position.

At the same time, another group that had seen Kairos were relieved that he had safely retreated.

They turned around and disappeared into the shadows.

Kairos turned his head slightly towards their direction and smiled.

“I guess the dwarves are curious about the result of our battle too.”

He turned his face towards another direction. Over there he found the one who is the most concerned about him.

Seeing the tear streaks across her cheeks wrenched his heart, but the brilliant smile across her lips lifted his spirits once again.

He waved, assuring her that everything is over.

Their task is done. The gnomish citizens have witnessed their firepower. All that is left is to establish a force of their own.

But right before he can head towards Relestia and the rest, an emergency occurred.

No one expected at this moment that two masked warriors will suddenly emerge and closed in, aiming directly at the princess.

They forcefully struck at the three trying to protect her. The first one to detect the incoming danger wasn’t Kairos.

Long before anyone reacted, Boink had placed himself between Relestia and the enemies.

As a bodyguard, the utmost vital skill to have is not combat-related but surveillance.

He had rushed to protect his ward but coming towards him was a pair of powerful fists.

Pulling out twin daggers, he guarded himself quickly. The knives are each a-hand-and-a-half long and razor sharp. They are just the right length to be hidden on a person’s body and swift enough to deal with unexpected attacks.

With two loud pangs and a muffled cry, the bear of a man was sent flying back.

“Just how strong is this enemy?!”

Clef, of course, got knocked out next. He did not even get hit but was sent enough dreamland when the foe ran past and brushed against him.

Lulatia shielded herself and Relestia as she finally saw who is attacking.

Two masked fighters. From the outline of their bodies, the one swinging his fists is a guy, and the second who is following behind is a girl.

They both have scarves covering their mouths, similar to Relestia’s except hers is semi-transparent.

From the uncovered portions of their face, it is clear that they are dark-skinned. In fact, far darker than anyone from the Axis.

Relestia saw through the shields and instantly guessed their identities, “George and Rachel!?”

Hearing that Lulatia immediately emptied vast amount of mana into the shields as she reinforced it with multi-layer barriers. They had all heard about the summoned heroes from Kairos, but this is the first time they saw one.

The elf’s caution was not unfounded.

Before Relestia’s exclamations faded away, Rachel already countered.

A dim purplish light announced the use of arcane magic.

Perimeters were changed and the shields started flickering.

Barriers are made with the concept of separating spaces using condensed mana.

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They behave much like eggshells with the very rare, modified protection spells as the only exception. However, these ‘shells’ quickly softened like bubbles and with a single punch, they collapsed, and the remaining mana dispersed back into the air.

For the barriers to behave this way there is only one reason.

“Greater Dispel?!”

The spell that Rachel used was identified. It is a famous magic used to counter mages and is greatly feared by them.

Spell circles change the mana’s bonding structure, much like how metals become magnetised.

Dispel, just like demagnetising magnets, removes the properties granted by the spell circles.

Such a frightening magic that could turn mages impotent is definitely not something often seen. At the very least, the mighty spellcasters will not tolerate something that can strip their powers away.

Fortunately, ‘Dispel’ is not easily learnt.

Magic is like the big brother of magnets with the energy involved being far more potent. The stronger its bonds, the more powerful it is, and therefore the harder it will be to neutralise.

To break up the bonds of a spell, brute force is difficult to succeed. Moreover, it will be easier to shield oneself than to try striking down highspeed magic.

The mages, an innovative breed, created the ‘Dispel’ magic that uses a different way to neutralise enemy spellcasters.

Dispel works because it targets all the mana in the area around the caster and tries to scramble their bonds. Not only will this dismiss an attack, but it also stops new spells from forming.

To do this requires a significant amount of strength.

This is the reason why only the weaker spells like ‘Create Water’ can be instantly dispelled while the slightly stronger ones like ‘Fireball’ will persist a little while and those even more powerful like ‘Barrier’ are completely unaffected.

The original Dispel is hard to use and hardly effective.

Then, to deal with the larger variety of magic, some mages found ways to improve it and thus the Greater Dispel was made.

The regular Dispel can only handle Circle 4 spells or lower, but the Greater Dispel breaks down Circle 8 magic.

There are two ways to do this: A classic choice between brawns and brains.

One can use excessive mana, more than normal mages could, to forcefully break up all the bonds or the caster must be so accomplished that he can identify and apply an effective module that reverses the properties pertinent to each hostile magic.

The latter type is sometimes called Counterspell instead of Greater Dispel because of this.

Either method will require vast amount of talent, but there is rumoured existence above called the Antimagic. A spell known to have only one user in the past, the Wizard King that stood above the Grand Mages.

Although the Greater Dispel used by Rachel is far from the level of an Antispell, it is incredible that someone that had never even seen magic a few months before could reach this level of competency.

Faced with such unfair advantage, both Lulatia and Clef are helpless. Moreover, George Luther can cover the combat aspect.

Relestia did not wait around.

With the others unable to handle these two, she quickly leapt forward with sword in hand.

The first clashes against George were enough to send her back reeling. The princess, a cultivator, almost lost her weapon against a mundane warrior.

What is more unbelievable is that she did not fly back from clashing with her opponent’s fists but was deflected when her sword tip tried to pierce the enemy’s shoulder.

Kairos, already in mid-jump towards the building, saw everything unfold and shouted, “Fall back.”

Relestia swiftly backtracked, giving Kairos enough time to reach her side so they may fight together.

At the same time, Boink had picked himself up and is trying to intercept while Clef had already returned to his senses after being knocked out and muttering a spell under his breath.

New shields appeared hovering around the five of them, challenging Rachel for another Greater Dispel.

Seeing that the situation had quickly worsen, the two decided to escape.

However, with Kairos now joining the ranks, they do not plan to let the heroes escape.

Kairos rushed forward with Relestia by his side, but a single backhand smash from George was enough to force them back.

Of course, George himself also hurtled forward from the impact, but it was part of the plan to gain distance.

Unfortunately, the man underestimated just how strong this new enemy is. Unable to regain his footings, George smashed into the ground and coughed out big mouthfuls of blood as he spun and rolled.

On his side, Rachel hurriedly swooped in to cushion him with a spell.

She did, but they caught up with her.

The first person to approach is Boink who came from behind.

He attacked with the full intention to delay instead of kill. What met his daggers was the furious retaliation from Rachel.

A womanly fist struck against the edge of the twin knives and elected a loud clang from the blades, throwing the bodyguard knee-height above ground and shocking everybody with her strength.

The other four did not dare to carelessly approach after that and they all looked at Kairos.

He looked at George, “Enhancement and Warrior Aura.”

Then at Rachel, “Greater Dispel, and also… Enhancement?”

A frown grew on his face. Something was not right.

The heroes are known to each have at least 2 primary affinities and most have 3, but to have the same kind of affinities is rare. The two of them are almost replicas of each other.

Moreover, Greater Dispel is a spell that is very hard to wield without having it as a primary affinity, and those with that are extremely rare.

Perhaps coincidentally, they know of someone else amongst the heroes that have this rare affinity: Luo Wen.

Thinking of the Chinese hacker summoned to this world, Kairos was reminded of another talent she possessed.

“Maybe, Rachel also has the Aura of mage like Luo Wen. Otherwise, it would not be easy to counter the Shield Mage’s barriers for a newbie.”

Lulatia is an elf, a race naturally talented with mana, and a rather accomplished individual with a publicly recognised title. Even if heroes are not inferior to elves in terms of magic, to dispel Lulatia’s shields purely using brute force will require more mana than what a hero should possess.

The Aura of the Mage allows its possessor to understand the mysteries of magic. They can learn spells and use them much quicker than others, and Luo Wen who had Class IV Mage Aura could instantly decipher Circle 4 spells immediately upon seeing it. Of course, to be able to cast the spells she learnt, it will require her to have the necessary affinities.

That is completely a non-issue for someone with the Anti-spell magic affinity, in fact, it will aid in using the Counterspell against other mages.

Unfortunately, they know too little to presume. Kairos can only slightly shake his head to tell the others that he wasn’t sure either.

Facing these two, the five of them were more careful than fighting against an army.

A mistake here can be deadly. There is no doubt that the two heroes are extremely powerful.

Kairos gestured to the team, requesting them to provide support the moment he initiates an attack.

With many of his physical abilities now unsealed, he is the best shield for them all.

A loud snap announced his attack as the floor cracked underneath his feet from his raw power. It was intentional noise to steal the attention of his two opponents and worked perfectly. Right after Kairos, the others swiftly followed.

The two men aimed their fists at each other. But as they are about to make contact, George’s pupils shrink to a dot as he felt his hair raise and he threw himself to the ground.

Above him was a loud screech as if the whistle from a broken blade.

Unknowingly, George had dodged something frightening, but before he could count his lucky stars, the attacks from the other four arrived.

Hyenas appeared out of nowhere like spectres and snipped at George, but they couldn’t touch the man before disappearing.

As more hyenas attacked, a blood red aura became visible around George. It gave off a sickly feeling and smelled like ashes.

For reasons unknown, those that saw have their hearts beating wildly. They felt impending danger coming from everywhere.

Just as everyone was sent reeling from fear, a deep voice boomed, “Aura of the Colossus!”

A silver shimmering undulated across Boink’s body starting from his hair down to his soles.

He held both daggers with their points down and leapt high into the air.

Just as George picked himself up, two long knives fell on him. The boxer raised an arm to defend himself. The sharp blades pierced through skin, muscles, and bones, and went out the other side, but the hero barely flinched.

He punched Boink full on the face like nothing had happened.

The two daggers slide out as the bodyguard slid back.

With heels dug into the ground, the bodyguard braced himself, then charged forward like a silver bolt.

For a moment, he gave off the same presence Tommy does in battle. A domineering warrior that seems to tower above all who challenge him.

The two exchanged blows with resounding blasts of air. They are fighting at the level of two cultivators who specialised in the External Arts.

Lulatia charged forward as well, but her target was Rachel who had just responded. The two moved just a moment slower, but the others already exchanged multiple blows.

This is the first time any of them saw the elf attack. Two shields made from condensed mana appeared on the back of her hands.

She smashed into the side of her enemy, but surprisingly, Rachel did not even grunt as she was forced back.

Instead, in mid-air, the nurse began gathering mana in her hands aimed at the Shield Mage.

Purple mana with tainted black spots appeared, forming into a grotesque malformed creature.

Lulatia took one glance and flinched. Curse magic!

The abomination shot forward, like an octopus sling shifted at her. It wriggled and turned in the air making wet slushes.

Lulatia’s reaction was prompt. She threw out a magic that shone with divine blue light that quickly turned into a bubble around her. The curse magic splat on the glowing barrier and started writhing. No one knows if it is dying or trying to worm its way through.

The shield mage received her title rightfully. If she can only defend against attack magic and physical attacks, she will not be come famous.

Undeterred, black flames started appearing on Rachel’s hands. It is such a strange sight that even those fighting George paused to look.

It wasn’t that they were distracted, but the unnatural fire radiated extreme heat that it forced everyone to take defensive stances.

“This isn’t Hell Flames, right? Curse Fire?”

“No, it’s not completely black. This is fusion magic. The flames are deep purple, darker than concentrated arcane magic. I think it is made from mixing over a dozen type of magic flames together.”

The fire quickly grew on Rachel’s palm though as the faster she did not feel any heat. In response, a grey kite shield appeared on Lulatia’s palm that also grew rapidly in size. The two of them fully intent on using their most potent spells on each other.

Nearby, George also took this time and strengthened his Aura.

“Not good. This is the Aura of War,” Kairos commented on the blood red cloud that linger around the boxer.

“The Warrior Aura? Doesn’t seem like it.”

“No, of War! It has the combined traits of Blood, Death, Fire, and Strife, four auras."

While fighting George the three men felt a strong oppression placed upon them. The aura is powerful, but something else bothered them too. Somehow, their enemy seemed to be able to find tiny intervals of opportune and use it to keep the three busy. It is almost as if he predicted their openings and attack, while avoiding all their retaliations.

They are like prey ensnared on a spider’s web. Every move they made were controlled by their foe… It was just like they are fighting against Kairos.

In terms of predictive combat, they had never met anyone more frightening than him, until now.

To hold absolute control over the battle and force enemies move according to his will; it is suffocating to deal with someone like that.

In fact, even Kairos have to admit the enemy might be superior in this area because the enemy could even predict his moves

A look of shock crossed his face…

No, perhaps it’s something else.

Rather than thinking more steps than Kairos and controlling flow of battle, this foe might actually be predicting their moves. The only clue they have is the emergency dodge that George made against Kairos’ first attack. The boxer fully intended to exchange blows until the very last moment he threw himself on the ground as if he saw something frightening.

It wasn’t that the hero saw through Kairos’ attack, realising it was not a simple punch but the Astral Cataclysm technique. George must have actually seen himself being torn apart by the skill that he turned blanch.

“Divination magic,” Kairos breathed.

Otherwise, there is no way to foretell an attack he had never seen before.

“And, Copy magic,” he added, looking at Rachel.