CHAPTER 95: CHAPTER 95 - CRUSH DOWN

But the destruction caused by the unknown figure did not last long. Suddenly, from the heavens above, countless lights—like radiant stars—descended toward the earth.

"Those... those are the Protectors!" Marian exclaimed, recognizing the figures gleaming in the sky.

The Protectors dove toward the inhuman giant, striking him with a powerful blow that sent the monstrous figure hurtling upward into the clouds. Without hesitation, the protectors leaped back from the shattered ground, and soon, an aerial battle erupted high in the sky, the clash of their powers echoing across the ruined kingdom.

"The Protectors should be able to handle this," Auran said, his tone calm but wary. "We need to leave and find a safe place."

But before his words could fully settle, Henry had already sprinted toward the devastated kingdom, his face hard with resolve. He couldn’t turn his back on the cries for help echoing from the rubble.

"Damn it... typical," Auran cursed under his breath. After a moment of tense hesitation, he followed.

"Count yourself lucky I can’t return to the Academy alone... and that we’re friends," he muttered quietly as he dashed after Henry.

Seeing the three rushing forward, the rest of their group had no choice but to follow tightly behind, their feet pounding against the trembling ground.

Nearby, a cluster of noblemen, who had also escaped through the space portal, stared in confusion as Marian and the others charged into danger.

"Wait... I know that woman," one of the nobles muttered. "Isn’t she the Bloody Queen?"

"Really? Oh, you’re right—she does look like her! I heard rumors that the Bloody Queen had returned," another said, astonished.

"Tch, whatever. In times like this, it’s better to stick with someone strong," said the leading noble, gripping his jeweled sword. "And if she’s running toward the kingdom, I doubt she plans to die here. My father told me to flee to the kingdom anyway—so let’s follow."

They quickly ran after Marian’s group, entering the shattered city.

As soon as Henry arrived amidst the devastation, he rushed to a man crawling on the ground, his leg bent unnaturally and clearly broken. Without hesitation, Henry pulled out a healing potion from his pack and pressed it into the man’s trembling hands.

While the injured man praised and thanked him, Henry had already moved on to another victim—a man half-buried beneath a heavy pile of debris. Unlike the previous one, Henry couldn’t lift the weight no matter how hard he tried.

"Just hold on a little longer—I’ll get my friend to help you!" Henry said urgently, glancing back to see Auran and the others finally arriving.

Above them, the sky was a battlefield. The inhuman figure clashed violently with the Protectors, each collision echoing like thunder. The monster’s raw strength was terrifying—it attacked with nothing but punches and kicks, yet each strike could shatter stone. The Protectors, on the other hand, relied on their mysterious spells, empowering their bodies with magic to keep up with the giant.

Even with all of them fighting together, the Protectors struggled. They were barely able to hold the creature at bay.

"This is only wearing us down. Our flight spells won’t last much longer—if they fade, we’ll plummet to the ground," warned a female Protector, her commanding tone marking her as the vice-captain. "Before that happens, we need to use our ultimate technique!"

"Yes, Vice-Captain!" the other Protectors responded in unison.

At her command, they began to channel an overwhelming wave of magical energy, their bodies glowing with synchronized light.

Down below, the inhuman figure, unable to truly fly but gliding through the air with the aid of his retractable crystalline scales, paused for a moment. His glowing white eyes showed a flicker of caution as he watched the Protectors gathering their mysterious power.

[combat Magic Theory – Unity: Enchanted Strength]

A surge of aura erupted from the Protectors. In an instant, they moved faster than ever before, streaking toward the inhuman figure with blinding speed. Their unified assault crashed into him, leaving the monster unable to defend itself against the onslaught.

The first to strike was the female Protector, who lunged forward with a powerful, enchanted punch aimed straight at the inhuman figure. The creature reacted quickly, raising its scaled arm to block the blow. Sparks of energy burst as fist met hardened scales.

But before the monster could fully recover, another Protector leapt in from behind her, soaring upward and striking from below in an unexpected angle. His fist slammed into the inhuman’s jaw, launching the towering figure high into the sky.

Far above, yet another Protector had been waiting, descending in a rapid dive. With their fist glowing with unified magical strength, they struck the creature’s exposed abdomen, sending it hurtling back down toward the ground.

Even as it plummeted, the Protectors didn’t relent. Moving as one, they leapt after it, fists clenched, grabbing onto its massive body mid-fall to accelerate its descent.

BOOM!

The impact shook the earth as the inhuman figure crashed into the ground, its body half-buried in the dirt. Dust and debris shot into the air, and the shockwave rolled across the ruined kingdom. Slowly, the Protectors staggered to their feet, their bodies trembling and their auras fading after expending so much magic.

"It’s over..." Marian muttered, relief softening her tense face. The strike had been brutal, and with the infamous Unity Magic Strength of the Protectors, she was certain the inhuman creature wouldn’t rise again—at least for several hours.

"I said they’d take care of it," Auran thought to himself, exhaling in relief. "I didn’t really believe it would end this fast... For a moment, I thought we’d have to step in ourselves."

"That’s the true strength of the Protectors..." one of the noblemen whispered in awe, his eyes wide after witnessing their terrifying coordination.

"Hff..."

"It’s exhausting to use our unity technique," said the female vice-captain, catching her breath. The other Protectors nodded in shared fatigue.

"But... at least we’ve neutralized the threat," she said, glancing down at the motionless inhuman figure.

Then, without warning, the ground began to tremble violently again.

Rrrumble...

The inhuman figure’s head slowly rose from the dirt. With a pained, guttural growl, it forced its massive body upward, shaky and unstable—but moving.

"Impossible! How is it still moving?!" a Protector shouted in alarm.

The Protectors immediately backed away, wary and exhausted, watching the creature carefully. The inhuman figure’s movements were sluggish, its face twisted in pain.

Then, it muttered something incomprehensible—and suddenly, from one of its elbows, a jagged, bony spike erupted like a blade.