Fight or die

English is not my first language so you might find some mistakes in the translation of the chapter.

This chapter has been translated by various means in order to obtain the best result so that you may find some simple or regular wordings.

If you find any grammatical errors or misspelled words, please feel free to correct them or write a recommendation to improve the story. Your support would be appreciated.

Enjoy the chapter.

xxxxx

"..." - Dialogues.

'...' - Thoughts.

<...> - Spells

xxxxx

"SPREAD OUT!" Bete roared as the Viscum headed towards them.

*CREAK!* *CREAK!

[Image]

The immense size of the creature was enough to freeze several adventurers with fear, however, in their vast experience they stood their ground and those who fell from the attack got back up.

The terrain had been destroyed and the environment was completely changed by the very presence and movement of the Viscum.

"Destroy them"

With immense speed, the Viscum followed Olivas' order and headed towards Asfi's group with her eyes widening at the zero chance of dodging it, however, two people moved.

*THUD!*

Riku and Bete had kicked the Viscum pushing it and causing the attack to be completely nullified. The Viscum recovered quickly and the adventurers noticed that the size made physical attacks impossible.

Riku quickly moved and cut off the incoming tendrils before Asfi's group. She leaped towards the Viscum with a magic attack, Gospel Fist, and impacted her attack on the giant plant.

As expected, the Viscum was again pushed back, but one of its tendrils hit Riku, knocking her back to the ground, but she did not stop and returned to the fight.

Bete also teamed up with Riku to prevent the massive plants from attacking the Hermes Familia while they took care of the Violas coming out of the ground.

"Fujajajaja! Go, Viscum! Destroy the adventurers who dared to venture to this sacred place!"

"Olivas Act!" Filvis shouted angrily "How dare you stay alive after what you caused?! Because of you my companions...!"

"Oh, a survivor" Olivas commented as if in awe "I was one of the organizers and victims of that plan. After I died I was freed from the nightmare of the Gods, let's share the pain"

"Don't play with me! You...!"

"Are you sure you want to fight me? Would it be okay to abandon that comrade of yours, girl, Elf?"

Filvis froze and quickly remembered the help she had received. She gritted her teeth and ran to where Lefiya was, she could not abandon her. The name she heard so much was not hated by Filvis because she knew she was dirty and a disgrace.

However, Lefiya ignored it and offered a hand to her regardless. Lefiya had no intention of leaving an Elf more beautiful and kinder than her as Filvis and allowing her to suffer in silence.

'I won't let you die no matter what!' Filvis protected Lefiya's back from several tendrils at her surprised look.

"Viridis, your weapon!"

"Y-Yes!"

Both Elves moved. One of them would protect the other and vice versa, magic or no magic, it didn't matter, they wanted to survive and protect everyone on the site.

"Asfi! What should we do?!" Lulune shouted as she ran with Asfi close behind her.

"What I'd like would be for Thousand to use her magic, but she can't do much with an enemy like that without protection for her spell"

Asfi watched the battle of the Viscum. She watched as [Astrid] and [Vanargand] took it upon themselves to prevent the monster's advance in their battle, however, they could not depend on those two completely.

They could have eliminated the enemy, but they had to protect those who were wounded. Asfi could not bear to be a burden, especially in a critical situation.

*BOOOM!*

As if by a miracle, a red-haired woman with a destroyed sword in her hand fell to the ground near Olivas.

"Revis?!" Olivas shouted in surprise.

Asfi looked at Lulune and understood what was happening, they took the opportunity to go to their companions. Lefiya's eyes watered with relief when she saw Ais Wallenstein in the new tunnel.

"Miss Ais!"

Ais opened her eyes contemplating the situation, Lefiya was smiling. Asfi was grateful and Bete was with a slight smile.

"Are you just words, Revis?" Olivas said disdainfully "How pitiful... I wouldn't consider this girl to be 'Aria' though... if 'She' wished it"

"Stop!"

"Viscum!" Olivas shouted extending his arm toward Ais "I doubt we'd have trouble if we delivered a corpse! Die, [Sword Princess]!"

The Viscum ignored the fight she was having and turned her whole body towards Ais' direction. Riku fell to the ground thankful that she had to avoid fighting, but now a little worried about how her partner would fight.

She remembered and snorted with annoyance, magic was sometimes so different.

Ais raised her sword in front of her and closed her eyes thinking about what she wanted. Since she had leveled up she had not used her wind and it was time to release it.

<Tempest> Ais muttered and a great current of wind surrounded the sword "Here I come"

Ais swung her sword and cut the air.

*FOOOOOSH!*

[Image]

As an impossible event, the Viscum that gave so much trouble to the First-Class adventurers had been cut as if it were nothing.

The look on the faces of everyone present was one of astonishment and disbelief at what they were seeing, however, there was one person who, from looking at Ais, had seen her strength many times.

Lefiya was processing what was happening.

"¡¿W...?!" Olivas fell to the ground in fright "Whaaaaaat?!"

Lefiya had been trained in magic by the strongest mage in the city. She had practiced many things, one of the most complicated was to sense magic in the environment. Riku helped Lefiya in that area by using magic many times.

For that reason, sensing the magic invoked with a super-short chant, Lefiya could not avoid trembling at the power of magic.

The wind was abnormal.

It was a power that a human should not have.

Ais Wallenstein's wind was one of the reasons why she was one of the most powerful adventurers in Orario. Many adventurers had magic that was special, but magic wasn't everything.

It was said that in a level increase there were gaps that made it extremely difficult for lower-level adventurers to defeat those who were of a higher level. Ais had just grown and now it was almost impossible to stop her.

Revis felt it firsthand and lost by believing that the girl was just arrogant because of her strength.

"Kuh. Even if we can't kill [Sword Princess]...!" Olivas stood up in fury "Violas! I don't care if it's just for a moment, stop [Sword Princess]!"

Ais prepared for combat.

"Viscum!" another giant plant that was wrapped around the glass in the center of the cellar woke up to the call "Crush the others!"

"Listen!" Lulune shouted "Their magic stone is located in the head! Aim for the flower!"

"How are we supposed to do magic in this situation?!" Lefiya exclaimed avoiding the debris falling down the Viscum.

"I'll go!" Filvis went without hesitation "Werewolf, Miss Riku, open a hole!"

"Tch, don't tell me what to do!"

"Get ready Elf!"

Riku and Bete moved and increased their speed, becoming a blur in Filvis' sight. The white-haired girl moved first with Bete kicking the Viscum preventing it from approaching her and Riku reached out her hand underneath the Viscum.

A magic circle grew under the Viscum and instantly a great jet of water was expelled like an ascending torrent, hitting the Viscum by leaving it and shaking its entire body, leaving it momentarily stunned.

"ORAH!" at the same instant Bete kicked under the head of the Viscum lifting it up for an easy target. Filvis finished her short chant and shouted.

The magic struck and pierced the monster destroying the magic stone. The Viscum stopped and slowly began to disintegrate, marking Olivas' defeat for the second time.

"No way...Guh" Olivas stayed on the floor "I can't believe it...there's no way I lost"

"Looks like your flowers are gone...it's over" Asfi declared with her Familia behind her with the same look.

Olivas gritted his teeth in frustration, his eyes narrowed and sweat began to fall, however, Revis stepped in front of Olivas alerting the adventurers. Olivas was surprised and then pulled himself together.

"Revis...!" Olivas smiled "It's true! Here-!"

"Hey, asshole! I have things to ask you and you'll give me the answer!"

Olivas frowned in irritation and looked at the source of the voice "[Astrid]" Olivas snorted "You dare interrupt me?"

"I don't give a shit white bastard!" Riku spat out "Who the fuck are you?! Why do I feel like I've seen you before in the past?! 5 or 7 years to be exact!"

"Hm" Olivas frowned observing the girl with an annoyed expression, then Olivas remembered "You're that pathetic girl..."

Riku's eyes widened.

"Yes, that look was the same one you made when they were after you" Olivas laughed sinisterly "Who would have thought you would survive. I wasn't there, but I remember seeing you in a corner crying for mercy"

Lefiya let out a gasp and covered her mouth as she looked at Riku who was trembling more and more, but she did not take her eyes off Olivas.

"One of the many prisoners back then, though..." Olivas frowned "You were saved by one of those scum Gods"

"Who was it,?! Tell me!"

"Do you want to know?" Olivas enjoyed the girl's expression "If it wasn't for him you would have died by our hand like everyone else, but that fucker had to take a liking to you. I thought you would remember him, after all he cooed at you when someone tortured you"

Riku was squeezing her daggers tighter and tighter if the material wasn't one of the deep floors the daggers would have been destroyed with the force with which they were being squeezed. Riku's eyes were injected with pure anger.

"I will kill you"

Bete quickly grabbed Riku by her back preventing her from jumping.

"Let go of me you fucking dog!"

"Like I'm going to do that!" Bete responded in the same way as Riku "If I let you go you'll fight them both until your body is destroyed!" Bete knew that letting Riku go would make her lose herself and he wouldn't be able to stop her.

"That's why! He has my answers and I'll get them!"

"FUHAHAHA!" Olivas laughed with glee causing Bete and Riku to stop their fight and watch him "You can come if you want! We outnumbered every race in the world when we were chosen by 'She'! There's no way we're going to lose! Buy me some time, Revis! Once I'm healed we can attack them-"

"What a farce" Revis scoffed.

"Huh?"

In full view of everyone, Revis drove her hand through Olivas' chest with relative ease.

"R-Revis, What are you...?!"

"I need more power. That's all. I don't care how many Violas I eat, it doesn't increase much"

"Wait! I'm a human chosen by 'She' just like you!"

"Chosen? Do you think that thing is a Goddess or something? There's no way that thing is a celestial existence"

*TAS!*

Revis removed her hand from Olivas' chest causing him to disintegrate into motes of dust. Revis at the same time consumed the magic stone she pulled out of Olivas.

Ais opened her eyes at the sensation that Revis emitted and how it changed the instant she consumed the magic stone. Revis looked at Ais and then it happened.

*CLANK!*

Ais was sent flying the instant Revis attacked with her sword, a weapon naturally born of the dungeon or whatever that part of it had become.

Ais gritted her teeth at Revis' increased power as if she was a different person. She had to dodge Revis' attack again, but the woman did not stop and continued to push even harder.

Lefiya and Bete ran towards her, however, Riku still stayed in the same place as she processed what she had just heard. Filvis looked at her, but she moved to support Lefiya.

Asfi moved instantly at the jewel containing a fetus inside it, which was the center of the whole incident.

"We need to get the jewel! Lulune stay behind me!" Asfi ran feeling the heaviness in her body, but she didn't give up and instantly had to raise her arm when an individual with a mask attacked her.

"Asfi!" Lulune caught Asfi who was kicked "Are they still have allies?!"

The masked creature took the jewel from the ground, protecting it from the adventurers.

"She's not complete yet, but she's grown enough!" Revis shouted "Take her to Enyo!"

"Understood"

"Lulune stop!" Asfi shouted watching as Lulune tried to catch the masked creature.

"VISCUM!" Revis shouted.

The pillar of the cellar still had a plant wrapped around it, however, it did not move at Revis' call, instead, the floor shook and each of the floor's roots began to release the newborn Violas.

*Creak!* *Creak!* *Creak!*

"H-hey" Golmeth spoke fearfully "Aren't there too many of them?"

The whole cellar was shaken and the whole atmosphere changed again, but this time it was not a natural change in the environment, the monsters had made an appearance reminding the adventurers of where they had entered.

[Image]

Violas were everywhere. These were not only born from the ceiling, but also from the floor and the walls rolling all over the adventurers.

It was a horror show.

"Here they come!"

"It's impossible!"

"Do not split up or you will be crushed!" taken courage Falgar ordered raising his shield and his action was mimicked by Elilly "Hold on!"

The Violas in masse were an imminent death the moment they left the formation because with the endless movements of these the body would be crushed between all the monsters.

Asfi could not believe what she was seeing. The number of the monsters hovered around 400 and more were still being born from the hold by the Viscum in the pillar that fed the monsters.

She knew they could not hold out for long. Their weapons, stamina, and potions were gone, so all they had left was the spirit to survive in the face of the impending attack.

If they didn't do something it would be too late when the options came up.

Elsewhere, Ais and Revis were moving among all the Violas that appeared. She used them as platforms to keep moving. Ais raised her Desperate to block an attack from the Violas, effectively, however, that was planned.

From the crash, Revis appeared and hit Ais's hand causing her to drop her Desperate and it fell away from where she was. Ais looked at her, but Revis was not letting her act.

"I'm not going to let you get away" Revis said coolly of tried to cut Ais off, however, there was someone who wanted to settle the score with her.

*CLANK!*

Revis opened her eyes.

Her sword had been stopped, no, she had been pushed back by the force of the hit. Her eyes widened in surprise and she noticed a white-haired girl.

Before Revis could cry out in annoyance she had to move her head to the side, a cut showed on her cheek. If she had not moved, she would have died in that instant.

"What?" Revis whispered incredulously and again returned to block an attack from the girl "What?! Violas!"

She could not believe what was happening. Revis pulled herself together watching the Violas go towards the girl, but Riku jumped and the Violas were cut from the flower and ended up disintegrating.

*Clank!* *Clank!*

"Don't underestimate m-! Ugh!"

Revis was hit in the face and fell to the ground, she stood up and looked at the girl, but as she did so Revis felt a coldness on her back. Riku's look was not the same as when they faced each other several days ago.

Riku was looking at her with nothing more than the intent to kill, more than Revis used. She had killed Olivas, the only one who had answers for Riku and she wanted to get even with Revis for meddling where she shouldn't have.

"Which do you prefer? Slow or fast?"

Revis' eyes narrowed and she raised her weapon looking at 'Aria' had already returned to the battlefield.

"It'll be slow then" Riku commented coolly.

Revis and Riku clashed swords, the fight was a very different one from the original and a girl was looking for the blood she needs to release from her enemies for the reason of revenge.

The creature could not understand how the girl's power had increased considerably to the point of matching or even surpassing it. Revis again felt the humiliation of an enemy and would not accept it.

Too bad for her that once she let go of the chain the only way to stop a beast was to defeat it and she couldn't do that.

"Where are you Viridis?!"

"Miss Filvis! I'm over here!" Lefiya shouted at the call of her fellow Elf, but the next moment she had to jump "Kyah!"

Lefiya slipped to the ground and had to roll away from the advancing Violas that destroyed the ground where she used to stand. Fortunately, Lefiya was under some stones and could take a break, but she instead watched the event.

She closed her eyes in frustration, no matter if she met Filvis, it was impossible for Lefiya to recite a spell in the midst of all the chaos. Then she opened her eyes remembering Bete.

The Werewolf had told her once, that if Lefiya only considered her magic as her only quality, she would only be a hindrance and Lefiya didn't want that.

As if by coincidence, the plants in Lefiya's area were destroyed and Bete fell from the sky. In an instant, Bete grabbed Lefiya by the collar of her shirt and shouted at her.

"I'm going with Ais! Do something about the situation here!"

Lefiya looked at him in disbelief.

"You're a weakling, anyway I absurdly recognize your strong magical power! I don't want to hear cliché weakling phrase like 'I want to reach her'! If you think they'll come to save you you're wrong!"

"Ais is with that woman! I won't move to cover for you! And if you think the rabbit will come, she's out for herself! Show what you're made of! Try to outdo that old granny!"

Bete let go of Lefiya and ran toward the plants, oblivious to all the danger presented.

Lefiya froze and pondered. Small tears formed at the rims of her eyes and she clenched her staff in clear annoyance for one simple reason.

Bete had been the first to tell her to rise above her mentor and save everyone in this place. He who despised the weak was the one who gave Lefiya the courage to stand up and fight to protect her companions.

Lefiya ran.

She was upset, upset with someone like Bete because of the strength he had allowed him to say those things, however, she didn't say it out loud because Riku did too. The girl would insult Lefiya when she got depressed.

Riku's way was to say certain words that made those who gave up without having fought feel bad, something that happened to Lefiya constantly, but Riku gave her hand and gave them another chance.

Lefiya had seen what Riku is like in critical moments. It didn't matter if Riku told you something that irritated or displeased you, she did it so that people would rise up and fight, that they would survive in the face of the enemy present.

She no longer wanted to lament her helplessness.

"Miss Filvis!"

"Viridis, are you all right?" Filvis ran to the tired Lefiya.

"Take me to the Hermes Familia!"

Filvis just looked at Lefiya and nodded. The Elf already trusted Lefiya so she did not hesitate to help her. With Lefiya behind her, Filvis set her attack and warded the plants that were tormenting the Asfi group who looked at the magic used.

"That helps" Pock commented with Pot nodding at his side.

At the top of the cliff, Lefiya stood with Filvis behind her. Filvis' posture still stood straight, but Lefiya's was constantly wavering.

"Please! Protect me!"

"W-What do you mean by protecting?!" Lulune exclaimed in panic to Lefiya "Even though your magic is strong, against this number of enemies it's impossible!"

Lefiya trembled.

"B... Believe in me!"

Her voice cracked, her legs trembled and fear flooded her, yet she could not retreat.

There was no one to support her, there was no one to encourage her, there was only her and the Hermes Familia.

They had to fight.

"I am a mage!" Lefiya shouted furiously "I will save everyone! So please I ask you to protect me!"

Asfi let out a breath and smiled. She turned and looked at her Familia.

"Everyone surround [Thousand Elf]! We'll leave everything in your hands! Circle formation!"

The Hermes Familia moved without question. Their potions had run out and their leader had trusted the mage to save them all. They would have to put their all into it.

It was a battle in which they had to sacrifice everything for victory.

"Five minutes, no. Please hold out for three minutes!"

The Violas returned falling from the ceiling and coming out of the walls of the cellar. The number kept growing, no matter how many times they killed them, they had to defeat them all at the same time to win.

The Hermes Familia stood up and each one formed up. Among them the spirit was still alive, no matter if they were wounded, they would continue fighting.

"It doesn't matter if it's just bluster! We only have one option left!" Asfi exclaimed "Three minutes! We'll definitely protect Thousand!"

"Understood!"

Lefiya closed her eyes and spoke.

A magic circle grew underneath her, but more importantly, it looked different from the previous ones she had used.

"Here they come!" Falgar shouted.

Golmeth covered an attack with his shield, next to him Thane let out a battle cry cutting the Viola and offering his help to Golmeth preventing them both from being overwhelmed.

"Don't worry about defeating them!"

Dodon protected Meryl with a wall of stones, allowing the Pallum to release her magic spells destroying the Violas' heads. Asfi was still speaking orders to her companions. Nelly offered the weapons and what little equipment was left to replace the lost strength.

"Just make sure they don't get any closer!"

Elilly crushed a Viola's head with the sharp edge of her large shield. Jose, who was close to her, prevented a Viola from attacking her from behind by destroying the magic stone located in the flower.

Filvis destroyed several Violas with her magic, however, the ones that were not attacked continued to ravage everything in their path. She looked at Lefiya and could only keep fighting, there was no time for pettiness.

Asfi cut several tendrils, she was simply not only aware of the enemy, but also of their location. They had the advantage and were surrounded by rocks, so they were largely covered in their surroundings.

As long as they continued to defend the advance, they could withstand the Violas' three-minute advance.

Behind Asfi Jose was bitten on the arm and pulled out of the formation. Asfi turned in shock, watching as Jose was pulled into a large pile of Violas.

"Help Jos-!" Asfi's eyes widened watching as Jose frantically denied it despite being in his last moments.

"Jose!" Lulune ran.

"Everyone do not leave your positions!"

The Hermes Familia looked at their Captain in shock.

"This is an order from your Captain! I will not allow you to break formation!"

"Even if something happens!" in his last moments Jose smiled and was completely chewed up by the violas "Or our companions die!"

"No matter what!"

Asfi could only command helplessly. If the formation broke up everyone would die. Saving anyone was impossible, the last hope would be lost.

<Come, ring of fairies>

Lefiya could not believe what she had heard.

She had her eyes closed for better concentration on gathering the magic for her chant. Lefiya was thinking that someone had died just to protect her, something she did not want to happen.

Even so, she did not stop singing.

Lefiya thought of her teacher, but quickly denied it, she could not compare at this time. She had to give her all to offer her best effort, yet she knew that the suffering of others had to be endured.

Tears gathered in her eyes, threatening to fall, but she did not stop reciting her spell.

With her magic Lefiya could use magic that was employed by other elves, she had to be faster. With her ability, she was bringing Riveria's omnidirectional annihilation magic.

Elsewhere, Asfi cut several tendrils that fell on her. The group's pressure had increased now that one of them had died.

"Reinforcements of man-eating plants are coming from outside the cellar!"

Asfi looked on in horror.

A whole sea of Violas was approaching from the weak point of the group. Now, on all sides, the Hermes Familia had to defend against the Violas with indescribable intensity.

"They're coming from behind!"

"How long has it been!"

"Aren't you done yet, Lefiya?!" Lulune could only scream in fear.

The spell could turn the battle in their favor if released, but it would not kill all enemies. The amount of magical power needed for the spell increased the chanting time.

[2 minutes and 20 seconds until activation of the magic]

"Waah!" Elilly shouted as a whole group of Violas hit her shield.

She planted her feet on the ground and the force with which she received the attack pushed her back, but she did not let go of the shield. She held them tighter even though her arms were beginning to give out on Violas.

Suicia, behind Elilly, attacked at the right moment when the Violas were momentarily stunned to destroy their magic stones. Coordination could not have hesitated and it was only necessary to attack at the right moment.

The entire Hermes Familia moved before the rain of Violas that hit from all sides. Each one of them jumped avoiding the impact of the enemy.

Asfi watched as a group of Violas separated Dodon and Meryl from Pot and Pock. The change of scenery made it impossible for her to see if they were okay, unfortunately, Asfi could not break formation.

"!"

However, in an instant, an individual fell at a surprising speed next to her. Asfi looked up and opened her eyes instantly, noticing that under Riku's shoulders were the two Pallums that had been overwhelmed.

Pot and Pock processed what had happened. One moment they would have been crushed to death, but the next moment they were back in formation near Asfi. They stood up and grabbed their weapons, it was no time to think.

Asfi looked at [Astrid] and gritted her teeth when she looked at her. Astrid]'s gaze was lost and her body was wounded in her arms. Asfi stopped looking at her and struggled, she couldn't save Riku from what the girl was considering.

"Gah!" Golmeth was sent flying, being overtaken by the advancing Violas. His armor, which resembled a breastplate, was already showing cracks and before long this would be destroyed.

"Kyah!" the shield of Elilly had been completely destroyed, with her pushed back, however, Elilly did not give up and stood up to use her fists as a weapon, not for nothing she was a Dwarf.

"Someone help! We can't hold on any longer!" Tabitha shouted cutting a flower as her expression of panic increased, if not for her being a Semi-Human, she would have died by now. Her features saved her based on her unique physique.

<Flare River!> Meryl shouted as the magic exploded the Violas' heads. Dodon who moved a stone to cover Meryl looked at a certain spot and acted.

Dodon forcefully lifted Meryl by her robe and threw her towards Suicia. The silent Elf caught Meryl at the same time as the Violas fell on Dodon.

"DODON!" little Pallum cried as she watched her companion die, but she could not cry as she watched Suicia take Dodon's place. Meryl cried, but she continued otherwise Dodon's sacrifice would have been in vain.

At that instant, Riku moved.

*BOOOOM!*

A large number of Violas had been instantly destroyed. The Hermes Familia watched the scene in disbelief and then noticed that the unspeakable event did not stop there.

One Viola was cut, then another and another, and another, in a matter of milliseconds dozens of Violas were destroyed with a white blur that moved back and forth at an extremely fast speed.

Riku remembered.

In an instant she lost her focus and went towards the tamer with the aim of satiating her strong desire, that of killing Evilus. She remembered fighting with Revis, overcoming the creature in battle.

Riku wanted to make Revis suffer, however, from one moment to the next, Bete had kicked her with her Ais wind-driven attack. The white-haired girl was kicked in the face and in the air she regained her focus, her target.

The girl had looked from afar at the Hermes Familia and how they were suffering to resist. They were fighting Evilus, an enemy that Riku had hated for as long as she could remember.

From the past to the present, Riku never forgot about them.

Riku could not allow them to die at the hands of the enemy she hated so much, she could not allow it.

She hated protecting people in a complicated situation.

It was a nuisance.

Riku couldn't fight with all of her when weaker people had to be protected from dying, she resented it.

She wasn't a hero to be saving everyone in the middle of the fight.

Riku hated being a hero.

However, she did it.

Riku did not want to see the enemy feel satisfaction in killing the adventurers. That's why Riku saved them because she was human and she was an adventurer.

She went into hell with the sole purpose of venturing it, her companions were coming with her and would go out with her.

That was all she needed.

<Lugio>

With a small whisper, a large number of Viola were disintegrated. Riku didn't stop there and taking advantage of their fall, she thrust her daggers into the Viola's head, taking several of them with her and destroying them on impact.

Riku continued to move and jumped using a Viola as a platform and it was destroyed by the force behind Riku's jump. Instantly another number of Violas were cut down.

Asfi contemplated it. That was what an adventurer was. Even though she was a level 5 her strength was focused more on strategy, but when it came to strength and speed that was where the others were.

Riku continued to run and held a Viola tightly. She raised her arm and pulled the plant from the ground to use it as a whip, destroying the Violas by the force and impact of the attack.

A Viola came out of the ground and ate Riku. The Viola had closed its mouth completely, but it opened, destroying the Viola's jaw. Riku was there intact and jumped towards another Viola's advance.

She will not allow the Violas to attack the Hermes Familia where they cannot defend themselves.

Riku protected them.

"Our back has been secured!" Asfi shouted back to her companions " [Astrid] just saved us at the last instant! We'll do whatever it takes to resist, so take what you have left and fight!"

Lefiya had heard it again.

Someone had died so that she could release her spell. She didn't know their names and she didn't know if she was doing it right, yet it was all she could do to save everyone.

Tears fell to the floor.

Lefiya's tears would not stop. She kept singing and kept hearing the suffering of the adventurers who defended her.

<Come, crimson flames>

She wanted power right then and there.

The strength to cover them all.

[30 seconds before the activation of magic]

"The enemy is gathering!" Falgar shouted and as he watched despair grew on everyone's faces.

[Image]

In a few moments, the Violas gathered in a single point as if they were roots. They coiled into a single being and rose in all their splendor.

As if it were a single creature, a large group of Violas created a single creature with a great destructive and intimidating intention.

"We can't defend that...there's no way" Lulune paled watching as the Violas gathered.

It was not only her, but the entire Hermes Familia also had no way to stop the imminent attack. They would be wiped out by the enemy no matter what they did, they would still make the attempt, they had to.

"They're going to ram us while they're gathered!"

<Become a holy grail shield that plagues evil!> with her super-short chant Filvis was the first to perform <Dio Grail!>

The magic circle under Filvis glowed brightly at the enemy's impact, but the force behind it was enough to make Filvis unable to withstand it all.

[10 seconds left]

Several violas broke away from the giant monster that was formed and attacked everything. The Hermes Familia stopped as many as they could with their last strength, however, some tendrils escaped.

The tendrils went straight for Lefiya at the panicked look of the adventurers. She had gathered enough magical power and could not dodge the attack.

Everyone ran.

"When you want your companions not to die shout it with all your heart stupid Elf!"

Filvis contemplates.

The magic gathered so fast that she felt it in the air.

[5 seconds left]

A massive barrier appeared in the sky.

Everyone was covered by magic and the enemies that were close to the source were disintegrated by the magic that escaped in the chant. The enemy's attack had been completely blocked.

Filvis looked on in amazement.

She wasn't upset that her magic had been taken by someone else, she was in awe. Put all your wish into the chant so that the spell shows the user's wishes.

That was what Filvis contemplated.

The desire to protect everyone and save them from the enemy.

Her spell was employed in the manner she desired.

The magic was released.

From the ground, multiple crimson roots spread out like lights adorning everything, and instantly pillars of fire were expelled with so much power that the adventurers covered themselves from the impending chaos.

The Violas could not do anything about it.

As they were hit by the attack, the Violas were destroyed and obliterated by all the power behind each pillar of fire coming out of the ground. Lefiya, who had recited the spell, looked at her work and her tears changed to tears of joy.

She had succeeded.

The enemy had been defeated.

Lefiya's legs fell to the ground. Elilly, who was near her, offered her hand and helped her up after making such an effort.

Elilly smiled gratefully. She couldn't be upset with [Thousand Elf] for the death of her companions. They knew that if they had not made the magical attack they would have died.

The only thing the Hermes Familia could do was to look out for their companions.

Riku fell to the ground in place. Her body was hot, pain spreading through every part of her body. She felt the earth on the ground and took a deep breath.

She had let herself go. The hatred she herself knew she had was released with a few words by an individual. The past that Riku so longed to remember was snatched from her hands.

Clenching her hands on the ground, Riku stood up with a slight tremor. Her body overloaded from facing the tamer and the Violas in an instant, there was no time to rest.

Riku hugged herself and looked at the ground. She felt sick as if she was terrified of something she herself didn't know she had. The memories of the past were barely reacting.

*VROOOOOM!*

The cellar shook.

The pillar in the center of the warehouse fell to pieces and the roof began to collapse. Massive stones were falling non-stop, it was not time to rest, it was time to run.

"Help the wounded! Leave your belongings behind!" Asfi ordered in the face of the falling mess in the cellar.

"I'm not a miserable dog! I don't need your help!"

"What a nuisance, that's why I hate Werewolves!" Lulune exclaimed irritated as she tried to help Bete. Revis had broken Bete's leg so he needed help walking.

"Leave it to my dog girl" Lulune startled dropping Bete, but he landed on someone's back "I got this"

"That I can go on my own!" Bete roared inwardly embarrassed at being carried on Riku's back.

"I'll drag you by the foot" Riku threatened, but Bete continued to bark in annoyance.

Riku smiled, at least Bete brightened Riku's mood.

"Viridis!" Filvis ran toward Lefiya.

The Elf was being carried in Elilly's arms, she had collapsed after the use of magic in astronomical amounts. Filvis sighed in relief and thanked Elilly for carrying Lefiya.

"Hey, [Sword Princess]!" Lulune shouted looking at Ais hears something the tamer was saying.

"Ais hurry up!" Bete shouted from behind Riku's back.

Riku said nothing and narrowed her eyes watching the tamer. As if she sensed her gaze, Revis shared glances with Riku, but this time there was no teasing.

Revis understood that the white-haired girl was dangerous, too much. In the fight she was pushed away by the Werewolf and Revis had to fight against 'Aria' and the Werewolf.

If the girl had fought... Revis knows she would have lost right then and there.

xxxxx

"I guess this is where we will part ways" Asfi commented turning around and looking at the Loki Familia "I don't know how to thank you for what you did. [Sword Princess], I must thank you for taking the mission to support us, and [Thousand Elf], your plan saved us"

"I-it's nothing!" Lefiya blushed a little "It's normal to help others and we couldn't just leave you down there"

Asfi laughed. "Of course [Thousand Elf]. Your magic saved us. Likewise [Vanargand]" Bete growled and Asfi looked at Riku.

The girl's gaze was still indifferent, but there was a faint trace of decay in the girl's eyes. Olivas' words were still present in Asfi's memories.

"[Astrid]. When I thought more of my Familia would die, you appeared. For everyone here, I owe you much and I thank you for saving us at the last instant" Asfi bowed.

Riku's expression didn't change, but she nodded in acceptance "I guess. I couldn't let them die. I was close enough to the Pallum to carry them, so I guess it was more luck where I fell"

"No" Asfi denied "You saved them and that's more than enough. You guys, shouldn't you say something?"

Pot hit her brother's side with her elbow causing him to cough a little and look at her treacherously. Then Pock walked to the front and looked away.

"Thank you... for saving us"

Riku blinked and a slight smile grew on her face "You're welcome. I'm glad to see Pallums like you"

"Hey!" Pock startled with a blush on his face and Pot laughed. She curtsied and took her brother away.

"Then we'll split up" Asfi said goodbye "We'll put the graves of our companions on the surface, so please bring some flowers"

Both groups went their respective ways.

The Loki Familia went to rest in an inn and each one rested in a room. For the moment they needed to recuperate before going to the surface.

They would not take long to move, but Lefiya, Riku and Bete needed to take a break before moving, with the exception of Bete who had to be healed in a clinic.

At this point, we focused on two people who were in deep silence. Bete was lying on the bed with his leg that received first aid from a Rivira healer.

Riku was in a nearby chair with a thoughtful look on her face. She wanted to confront the werewolf, but she didn't know how to go about it.

Fortunately for Riku, Bete didn't mind the current situation and spoke up.

"What's taking you so long?" Bete said without taking any notice of the atmosphere "Tell me whatever you want to tell me"

"Why did you stop me?"

"Hah!" Bete was annoyed "Are you upset because I didn't let you fight that woman? Why should I care?"

"The answers to my past were there" Riku looked at Bete "Why?"

Bete snorted "What do I care about that, you would have been killed instantly. You didn't invite me to fight stupid"

Riku stopped and looked at Bete in a different way. They were communicating the way they did, or rather, the way Riku knew what Bete wished to convey.

After spending 5 years running after Bete Riku understood the Werewolf more than others in the Familia. Many were afraid of Bete or were inspired by his strength, but no one kept walking close to Bete as Riku had done.

"I could have killed her"

"So what of that? You would have been killed down there" 'You would have ceased to be yourself'

"It was everything I wanted" Riku clenched her fists "Evilus used me 7 years ago, but it's only 5 years ago that I remember what happened"

"Bullshit. That happened a long time ago, no good to you rabbit" 'You better not remember that if you don't want to suffer. Live with what you have'

"Is that why you stopped me? Why would I have fought Olivas and Revis at the same time?"

"That old witch wouldn't stop bothering me if something happened to you in the dungeon and I didn't drag your body back to the surface" 'I wouldn't be able to put on my face and tell that Elf that I failed to take care of you'

"Just that?" Riku got up from her seat and Bete sat on the edge of the bed looking at the girl "All because of your pride?"

"Yes, I don't care if you cry or get depressed, you would have killed them, but you would be lying there as waste" 'You would have gotten what you wanted, however, what good would it do if you would no longer be alive to accept it'

"Damn Wolf"

"Heh, insult me all you want" 'Let it go, it's better for you'

Riku raised her arm into a fist with her hand and moved it towards Bete

The Werewolf calmly looked at the fist coming towards him. Riku simply swung her fist slowly and punched Bete's chest as if to destroy it, something she had no intention of doing.

The blow just hit Bete's chest like absorbent cotton, a blow that had no force behind it.

Bete would never allow a situation like this. He was someone who belonged on the battlefield, a born hunter, being soft was a symbol of weakness, but currently, Bete could not act that way in front of the girl.

He looked at her from the beginning, she was weak like everything else and now one only had to look at her to glimpse what a little girl had managed to do. Despite all that, Bete saw that she had two sides to the coin.

On the battlefield and in everyday life, the two did not mix but coexisted when necessary. A strong woman, that was what Bete saw and the appreciation he had for her would remain between them as a secret never to be told.

Riku was the only person Bete could show weakness to, after all, she wouldn't make fun of him and would understand having gone through something similar.

The herd took care of themselves, even if it was a small one.

And at that instant, it was a moment where the strong could show their weakness to each other.

Riku's fist fell and she collapsed into the werewolf's arms.

"I hate you" 'Thank you'

"Fuck off, you're irritating" 'Don't worry, I'll take care of you'

Riku closed her eyes and stood still momentarily. Bete who just looked at her, after a few seconds frowned and moved her by the shoulders.

"Hey, move over"

"..."

"Hey, don't go to sleep damn it!" Bete roared in annoyance, he just indulged her, not allowing her to sleep in the same bed as him "Get off me rabbit!"

Riku did not move. She had already entered the dream world the moment she felt at peace, Bete's bitterness was not enough to wake her up.

A skill worthy of an adventurer, the ability to fall asleep anywhere in a matter of seconds to have a good rest. No matter the noise or the environment, you just had to rest.

"Get off me! We had said we wouldn't share a bed again after that!" Bete shouted unable to move, his leg was broken so he couldn't shake much "Damn!"

"Mr. Bete, is everything all right?"

Bete stopped what he was doing and looked at the door, Lefiya's voice was the salvation for him.

"Hey, Elf, help me with the rabbit!"

"C-can I come in?"

"Of course you idiot!"

"S-sorry for the intrusion" Lefiya entered the room and stopped as she watched Riku sleeping on top of Bete and Bete couldn't take her off for obvious reasons.

"What are you waiting for? Get her off me!"

"Excuse me" Lefiya left.

"Hey! Don't go!"

Lefiya ignored Bete's screams because she had previously tried to wake Riku up and it wasn't very... pleasant to say the least.

After not having slept for a long time, Riku collapsed on the bed and slept like a log. Lefiya was the lucky one to wake Riku up and noticing that she didn't hear her, she shook her by the shoulder.

That was a mistake.

Riku instinctively raised her fist and hit Lefiya on the chin. The blow sent her flying and since then Lefiya has been watching Riku's expressions when she was asleep.

It was Bete's problem.

Fortunately for the Werewolf, the group moved and was able to get rid of the white-haired girl thanks to Ais. She blocked a blow from Riku who got up confused about where she was.

The group returned to the surface safe and sound.

Chapitre 45: Fight or die

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Chapitre 45: Fight or die

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