Despite the surprise, the creatures at the rear didn't slow their pace. Their speed had not decreased, despite the tar fire that had trapped their comrades. Even though they were momentarily disoriented, they were still ready to attack. They leaped over the burning line of tar, defying the flames, and continued their frantic rush toward the village, threatening everything in their path.
That's when four silhouettes appeared in front of them: Yuno, the fox with pink fur; Rasolina Rayir, the woman in black armor with white hair; and finally, Canon and Dante, ready to fight. Helydia, perched on the protective wall, observed them silently. She was surprised to see those two down there. She looked behind her, where she knew Canon and Dante had been just a moment earlier. They seemed to be waiting for something.
The four combatants did not move, but they observed, paying close attention to the monsters that were closing in at an incredible speed. Yuno, armed with her daggers, Canon with his great axe, Dante with his katana, and Rasolina, who had no visible weapon, just stood there, ready to act. They waited for the creatures to get closer.
It was Yuno who broke the tension. With a fluid movement, she charged at the creatures, her daggers ready to strike, followed by Canon and Dante. With an elegant gesture, she raised her hand in front of her and cast her skill: "Projection breeze" Powerful columns of wind erupted around her, throwing a dozen monsters into the air. They were hurled several meters into the sky.
Rasolina, at the back, watched the creatures fly through the air. She hadn't moved yet. Then, with calm determination, she cast her skill: "Silver Sphere: Hollow Form." Silver spheres formed around the monsters, some enclosing a single enemy, others capturing two at once.
Canon, waiting for his moment, then charged. He moved toward the silver spheres that trapped the monsters, raising his great axe in a powerful motion. With a controlled strike, he smashed the spheres, crushing the creatures inside with his "Armed Arm" skill. With every swing of his axe, a burst of blood erupted, splattering everything around. The crushed creatures lay in pools of blood on the ground.
Dante, equally fast, slipped between the creatures with incredible speed, his katana striking with precision to weaken the monsters. His "Flash Slide" skill allowed him to move at lightning speed, almost as if teleporting, striking his enemies with agility and speed that left them no time to react.
The four fighters, acting like a well-oiled unit, fought in perfect synchronization. Dante weakened the enemies with fast and precise movements, Yuno threw them into the air, Rasolina imprisoned them in her spheres, and Canon shattered them with his axe. They seemed capable of holding their own for a good while, all thanks to Samuel's plan.
However, one monster managed to sneak up behind Yuno. It was quickly heading toward her, ready to attack from behind. But before it could reach its target, an arrow pierced its head, but contrary to what one might expect, the monster didn't react as anticipated. It didn't flinch immediately and continued its assault.
Then, a strange phenomenon occurred. Its body began to swell rapidly, before exploding in a dull roar, scattering chunks of flesh, blood, and blue flames all around. It was Kai, still posted on the protective wall, who had fired the arrow. Relia, who was next to him, looked at him, surprised.
"Since when do you have that skill ?" she asked, amazed by what she had just seen.
Kai, still aiming at the creatures, replied calmly, his bow still drawn: "I just acquired it. By killing all these monsters with Maro's help and his tar, I leveled up and unlocked this skill: 'Explosive Projectile.'"
Relia remained silent for a moment, impressed by the new attack. Samuel, standing next to Kai, observed the scene calmly. He made no sound, merely watching with a chilling composure. His plan seemed to be working as he had imagined, and the massacre unfolding before his eyes proved that he had been right.
Maro, standing beside him, was preparing to enter the battlefield, but Samuel stopped him. "Not now," he said in a calm, almost impassive voice. "Your entry onto the battlefield could disorient those four, and the fight would turn into close combat. Unfortunately, they still have the advantage in numbers. It's not yet advisable. As long as we have the advantage, let's stay in this formation."
Samuel turned his gaze to the other archers. "You, help them. Shoot and try to follow them, protect them with your arrows."
The battle raged before their eyes. Samuel's plan continued to unfold with deadly efficiency, and it was clear that he had anticipated everything.