LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 268.1
Chapter 268.1. Defense Again
A torrent of lava projectiles surged forward, like a meteor shower heralding the world’s end—an attack designed to instill terror in the hearts of its witnesses. Anyone who saw it would surely imagine themselves crushed beneath its fiery barrage. The countless molten missiles streaked through the air, their whooshing sound and flying sparks a harbinger of doom.
Yet, the surreal nature of the scene left most soldiers standing in a daze, gazing upward with vacant eyes.
Perhaps their paralysis was less about the lava and more about the oppressive, pitch-black aura radiating from a lone man on the city wall, binding their hearts with fear and awe. Though they knew they should flee, their minds were numb, dulled to the danger.
One soldier finally broke free of the stupor, moving sluggishly and murmuring under his breath.
“We… we have to run…”
Recognizing the imminent peril at last, the soldier started to retreat, his motions as slow as a snail’s. His actions sparked others to follow suit, the realization spreading like ripples in water.
“Run! Run for your lives!”
“They’re right upon us!”
“Get to safety—inside, anywhere!”
Shouts of panic echoed through the air as the crowd descended into chaotic flight.
“Don’t run.”
The quiet command pierced through the commotion, freezing every person in their tracks. Despite its softness, the voice carried a weight that gripped their very souls, forcing their bodies to stiffen.
They all knew whose voice it was. It came from the man exuding that black aura, weaving intricate, unfamiliar magic circles in the air—Amano Sakimori. His words held them captive, as if their very lives depended on them.
The once clamorous city wall fell silent, blanketed by an almost oppressive stillness.
“Raise your weapons. Prepare to face the enemy.”
Sakimori, his eyes narrowed in intense focus, issued the command. The soldiers swallowed hard and obeyed, lifting their guns and holding their ground on the wall. Whether their compliance stemmed from fear or reverence was unclear. But they knew with certainty that ignoring his words meant death, and so they prepared to defend.
“Don’t worry. The master will effortlessly stop their attack.”
Yukihana said, her modified kimono fluttering as she smiled, encouraging the soldiers. To back her claim, a jet-black tiger began to move.
“Nya-Nya.”
Despite its massive frame, the tiger emitted a surprisingly kitten-like cry. From the shadows emerged more tigers resembling it, lining up and mewing in unison.
Even as the lava projectiles bore down, the tigers remained calm, their crimson eyes glowing as they directed their mana skyward, initiating a spell.
[Reactive High Shadow Wall]
[Enchant Drain]
Mike, the lead tiger, conjured a towering shadowy barrier that intercepted the barrage, while the other tigers added a draining enchantment. The projectiles struck the wall, repelled as their energy was siphoned back into Mike.
Though each lava projectile contributed only a small amount of mana, their sheer number quickly replenished Mike’s reserves, allowing the barrier to hold strong.
“Let’s finish this before the beam arrives.”
Sakimori watched the clash between the barrier and the projectiles, his gaze fixed on the direction from which the enemy would soon appear. He surmised that the Volcano Lizard’s attack couldn’t penetrate Mike’s shield, but the King Behemoth’s homing beam would likely be next.
Stopping a god-tier spell was non-negotiable, and he knew the enemy understood that too. A clever foe would undoubtedly send the King Behemoth forward.
As the spell formation continued to manifest, the seconds stretched unbearably long. Anxiety gnawed at him, though he couldn’t help but smirk faintly.
“A spell that takes this long to cast… It’s been a while since I’ve felt this kind of pressure.”
The slower monsters had already been cleared by Kou’s team, and now the larger creatures were advancing at full speed. Looking ahead, Sakimori saw the forest trees falling one by one as a cloud of dust rose, drawing closer.
“So, our guests are packed into that dust cloud.”
“The ones bounding forward… armored triceratops. Likely a higher-tier breed!”
“Familiars, eliminate the approaching enemies!”
“Nyaun!”
The shadow tigers let out a unified cry before leaping from the outer wall. Even from a distance, the charging herd of armored triceratops was clearly visible.
The tigers darted like black arrows, shrinking into specks as they rushed toward the incoming dust cloud. They stopped short, taking defensive positions ahead of the cultivated fields—a testament to their training. Sakimori watched them with a sense of pride.
Out from the dust emerged the armored triceratops, their bodies gleaming like silver. These were clearly rare, formidable beasts.
The tank battalion opened fire, launching a coordinated barrage. The commander must have been skilled; the timing was impeccable. Explosions reverberated, shaking the air as shells struck the triceratops.
Unfortunately, the creatures seemed unfazed, neither slowing nor showing any signs of injury. Their reinforced hides were impervious to the assault as they closed in.
“Nyah!”
Unbothered by the bombardment, the shadow tigers charged head-on, colliding with the beasts. The impact was fierce, two titans locking horns in a stalemate.
Unlike before, these triceratops weren’t easily toppled. Their physical capabilities had vastly improved. The shadow tigers, realizing the disadvantage in a direct clash, pivoted swiftly, targeting the beasts’ necks with flanking attacks. Their superior agility allowed them to gain the upper hand, disrupting the enemy’s formation and stalling their advance.
But the enemy was a massive horde, their numbers in the thousands. Against their 300 shadow tigers, the outcome was clear—they would eventually be overwhelmed.
“Time to lend some support while maintaining focus on the god-tier spell. Let’s try out this new skill.”
[Mana Tank]
A reservoir of mana within oneself—a new skill Sakimori had recently acquired from an S-rank dungeon core. Originally, the skill was called “Mana Spring,” but its risks were too great:
[Mana Spring: Store up to 10x your maximum mana. Exceeding the limit will transform the user into a monster. Requires: S-rank Dungeon Core x1]
The downside was unacceptable. So, Sakimori modified the skill, weakening its effects:
[Mana Tank: Store up to 2x your maximum mana. Exceeding the limit is impossible. Requires: S-rank Dungeon Core x1]
While the name was less impressive, the utility was sufficient. He had already stored two days’ worth of mana, leaving the tank full and ready for use.
Drawing from this reserve, Sakimori cast additional spells while maintaining his focus on the god-tier magic.
[Create High Golem Legion]