"You." Lilianeâs voice rang out as she addressed the Old Horn. "Attack with me on my signal."
The Old Horn wanted to say something, but didnât have time as a powerful stream of energy burst forth from Liliane.
The circle soared before her, filled with many stars. It was much more stable and brighter than the others, showcasing its superiority over everyone in the fifth team.
Being better than others was her duty as a captain.
Her hair flew up, and with a calm gaze full of cold anger, she chose the brightest star in her circle.
As before, Goen showed nothing but carefree arrogance towards her. Even if he tried, he couldnât remember how many Lords had tried to defeat him with this ability, and as a result, they all died by his hand.
"Azure Pulse: Myriad Thrusts."
The ripple spread from the bright star as all the others disappeared, and her white rapier shone with an azure light.
The field had already spread dozens of meters around, taking Liliane no more than a second.
And then... she disappeared.
The Old Horn blinked in confusion. He had to follow her to support her, but he didnât even know where she was going. At least until the next moment.
Wheeeeze!
With lightning speed, Liliane was behind Goen as her rapier pierced his neck.
The energy barrier that always covered Goenâs body blocked the first strike. Liliane was ready for that.
Moreover, although Goen was not injured, the impact was powerful enough to make his green eyes go lower, and he lost his balance.
"That was only the first strike!!!" Liliane roared like a warrior in rage, attacking again.
Everyone froze in anticipation. This attack was bound to hit Goen.
Whooooooosh.
Goen spun around sharply as the shining rapier whizzed past his neck, leaving not even a scratch.
His eyes were full of life, green and cold as before.
His hand reached for Liliane. Once his grip closed around her neck, it would all be over. She knew that.
Thatâs why all she could do was move as fast as possible for a creature of her level.
Wheeeze! Wheeeeze! Wheeeeze!
In one flash after another, Liliane appeared and disappeared, unleashing up to ten attacks per second on Goen.
If she hadnât used her ability, she wouldnât have been able to reach even a third of that speed. Now was her only chance to defeat the monster in front of her.
STEP!
Goen stepped forward, dodging her attacks. This time, he almost reached her as a lock of her light hair remained in his grasp.
"Yo!" The Old Hornâs voice rang out as Goen turned around.
Ice energy filled the Old Hornâs axe as he made a wide swing straight at Goen.
Although Goen had dodged hundreds of Lilianeâs attacks, he couldnât find a way to escape this time.
All he could do was put his forearm in the way of the hit.
Blood spurted out as the sharp blade dug deep into his arm.
Whooooooooosh!
The shockwave sent a frigid current beyond the attack, covering the river in the distance in a thick layer of ice.
"Again!" Liliane exclaimed, attacking with her rapier from above. The sight of Goenâs blood made her believe in their victory.
"Alright, girl! Iâll help you!" The Old Horn exclaimed, acting in tandem with her.
The rest of the fifth team could only watch from the sidelines. They knew they couldnât keep up with Liliane and the Old Horn and would only get in their way.
Well, all except one.
Tap.
The young man climbed down to the edge as he grinned widely.
"Looks like itâs my turn." Farko cracked his knuckles before looking up at the sky.
He glanced at Adam and Alexia.
"Sorry, guys, but no matter how strong this Phantom is, he wonât survive this."
They didnât know what Farko was talking about, but they didnât have to wait long to find out.
"FARKO!!!" Liliane exclaimed, turning to her trump card. "Do it now!"
He chuckled.
"Sure, my captain."
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
The golden circle appeared before him as he immediately chose one star. The golden field spread hundreds of meters around, covering Goenâs house and the area by the river.
Goen narrowed his eyes as, instead of attacking Liliane, he turned around, preparing to attack Farko.
"I am your opponent!" Liliane exclaimed, appearing before him and delivering a dozen rapid strikes.
"Get out of my way!"
Goen waved his hand, but instead of Liliane, the Old Horn immediately appeared before him.
"No. You will stay here, bastard."
Soon, the amber light condensed in Farkoâs hand, taking the shape of a trembling sword.
In his other hand, a book with glowing runes appeared as his gaze turned to it.
"Amber Shackles: Bring the Divine Punishment!"
TREMBLE! TREMBLE! TREMBLE!
The giant rift opened in the sky, letting in the tip of the great sword, radiating golden light.
"BACK!" Liliane shouted in panic as the Old Horn reacted immediately.
"You wonât get away!" Goen followed her, but the golden light reflected in his eyes.
The chain that appeared out of nowhere bound his legs and wrists, preventing even him from moving.
Farkoâs eyes shone brightly as he turned his gaze to Goen.
"Now!"
Slicing through the morning sky, the great sword fell from the heavens, destroying everything in its path. Goen found himself in the center of it all, and all he could do was watch the devastating weapon that was to be his execution.
BLAST!
The energy blast tore through the ground, scattering rocks in all directions. Liliane and the others covered their eyes, wanting to know if they had killed Goen with this attack.
Whoooooooosh.
The next gust of wind blew away the smoke veil, revealing Goenâs figure.
He stood amid the ruined land, the fragments of the golden sword lying at his feet, shattered against his mighty body.
But... even he was not invulnerable.
"We... did it?" Liliane gulped.
The Old Horn narrowed his eyes.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Drops of blood dripped from the gruesome wound on Goenâs shoulder as his eyes narrowed into slits, staring at the sky.
His left arm barely hung from his body, as the wound ran up to his ribs, almost cutting him in two.
"Sorry..."
Goenâs hoarse voice rang out.
âAgh?â Liliane blinked. âWho is he talking to?â
"Iâm going to have to bother you."
âDonât worry.â The female voice sounded in his mind. âIâm always with you. You know that.â
Goen smiled.
"Yeah... I know, darling."
Adam would remember the next feeling forever.
The stream of terrifying aura that burst forth from Goen made the Lordsâ knees tremble, and his grip bent space itself, as if wanting to bring a weapon too powerful from another domain into this world.
His Nexus. The one type that the weak K4-Phantoms could not possibly know about. It was a forbidden secret for their level.