“So, how many monsters have circled around?”
Dasha, carrying a curved sword in her right hand, asked her subordinate.
“H-Hai! At least two hundred monsters have been confirmed. The number may increase further with time…”
Hearing the report, Dasha frowned slightly. If the road leading southeast from Saddar Sampur is blocked, the Seekers gathered here will be annihilated.
This route must be secured at all costs.
As Dasha and the others quickened their pace, multiple shadows wriggled in their line of sight.
Everyone stopped, and tension ran high. A buzzing sound of countless wings could be heard. The surroundings were already dark, but it was clear that the approaching monsters resembled dragonflies.
“Meganewra… annoying bastards.”
There were also giant millipede-like insects on the ground. Black, rugged carapace, monsters known for their hardness, “Arthropleura.”
They were also approaching in swarms.
Dasha channeled Wind Mana into her sword.
“Don’t let your guard down. We absolutely must break through here!”
“Hai!!”
Everyone readied their weapons and charged towards the monsters.
Wind swirled around Dasha’s sword, and with a swing, the wind transformed into countless blades, assaulting the monsters.
The giant dragonflies were easily sliced apart and fell to the ground.
Furthermore, as Dasha waved her sword like a conductor, the wind undulated intricately, reaping the lives of nearby monsters.
The surrounding Seekers couldn’t help but gasp at the skill of Dasha Baramon, India’s strongest Seeker.
“L-Let’s follow her!”
“Ooh!”
The men swung their axes and spears, attacking the millipede monsters.
Nearly a hundred monsters and dozens of Seekers mingled, and the battle took on a chaotic appearance.
“Push through and secure the retreat route!!”
With Dasha’s command, the Seekers gained momentum and pushed back the monsters.
We can do this! Just as Dasha was convinced, one of the Seekers floated into the air and was thrown out.
“What!?”
No one knew what had happened. The male Seeker stopped in mid-air, groaning as he shriveled up.
The man, who had been muscular until just now, was now nothing but skin and bones.
“That is…”
Dasha recognized the sight.
A state that humans fall into when their ‘blood,’ ‘moisture,’ and ‘Mana’ are sucked out. The most feared Abyssal Monster in India.
“So, it was here too.”
Dasha gritted her teeth. Emerging from the darkness was a large “tree” moving by skillfully manipulating its roots.
“Kalpavriksha! Everyone, scatter!!”
At Dasha’s words, the surrounding Seekers reacted immediately. The “demon plant” lashed its branches like whips and moved skillfully using its roots.
Everyone knew the threat of this monster, which had slaughtered countless Seekers.
“Don’t get close. It’s over if you get caught by its branches or roots.”
“Hai!”
Maintaining a certain distance, Dasha and the others surrounded the Kalpavriksha.
Wind and Fire Mana dwelled in the swords and spears of the Seekers. A simultaneous attack with magic. It struck the demon tree directly, and it burst into flames.
“How is it…?”
Dasha muttered, watching the burning tree. A simultaneous attack by dozens of Seekers, even an Abyssal Monster couldn’t be unscathed. But—
Something jumped out from underground. “Eh!?” Before she could react, it wrapped around her leg, and Dasha was lifted upside down.
“Guh! This thing!”
She was entangled by vines that stretched out from underground. When she turned her gaze to the monster, the “demon tree” was coming towards her, still smoldering.
There were wounds on its surface caused by Wind Magic and Fire Magic, but they were gradually healing.
“Regeneration… as expected, it’s a disadvantage against Abyssal Monsters…”
Dasha swung her sword, cutting the vines on her leg, and did a mid-air spin to land on the ground.
She managed to save herself, but three of her subordinate Seekers were entangled in vines, their blood, moisture, and Mana being drained.
“Aaaaaaaah!?”
“Hel…p…”
“Noooooooo!!”
All three were turning into gruesome mummies. Dasha felt anger welling up, but she couldn’t approach carelessly.
The opponent was that strong.
However, if they dawdled, they would be caught up by the monsters coming from behind, and they could be annihilated.
We have to deal with it quickly—
At that moment, a black shadow flew in from overhead. A dragonfly-like monster, a Meganewra, attacked.
Dasha immediately struck it down with her sword, but a momentary gap was created.
She was tripped by an attack from the demon tree’s roots and fell hard.
Dasha, sprawled on the ground, looked at the Kalpavriksha with a pained expression.
The Abyssal Monster raised its thick root, trying to deliver the final blow.
“Damn… my leg bone is broken… I have no choice but to face it head-on!”
Dasha staggered to her feet and held her sword in a central stance. She poured all her Magical Power into the sword, betting on a single strike.
The huge root was swung down mercilessly.
Just as she was about to receive it with her sword enveloped in a green aura, a red flash hit the root in front of her and pierced through it.
The thick root was cut in half and exploded.
Dasha was blown backward by the impact, but she managed to withstand it by deploying a Wind Barrier in front of her.
“Dasha-san!”
“Amasawa… you came…”
Rui and Akito, weapons in hand, rushed to Dasha’s side.
“Are you alright?”
Supported by Rui, Dasha smiled faintly.
“I’ve shown you an unsightly figure. My leg is injured, and I can’t move as I want.”
“Understood. We’ll take care of the rest. Everyone, please step back.”
Rui and Akito stepped forward, facing the demon tree “Kalpavriksha.”
Dasha and the other Indian Seekers gulped. They all understood how strong these two were.
“Be careful, that’s an Abyssal Monster… insects are parasitizing the tree and controlling it!”
Rui nodded at Dasha’s words. He could tell that the opponent was an Abyssal Monster from the pressure he felt from it.
He carefully moved his feet, closing the distance between them.
“So, all we have to do is kill the insect in the main body, right?”
“Yeah, I’ll do it.”
Rui held the Scorching Blade low and dashed forward. He created a small explosion under his feet, increasing his movement speed.
He closed the distance to the monster in an instant and slashed with his blazing sword.