"Riveria, you underestimate Ais."
"I believe my student won't lose to this creature."
Yami's slightly arrogant tone only served to irritate Riveria further. As a member of the Loki Familia, she was naturally inclined toward cautious strategies, and the idea of recklessly risking Ais' life was something she absolutely could not accept.
"That's just reckless talk. Whether you believe or not doesn't solve anything. The enemy is powerful, and a single misstep could be fatal. I will never allow Ais to take such a risk!"
Riveria's firm stance left no room for doubt. On the other hand, Finn, who had been silent until now, did not immediately voice his opinion. The Palum adventurer quietly observed Yami and Ais, as if trying to gauge something.
"Are you aware of the risks, Riveria?" Yami continued, "Do you remember the purpose of your expedition? Is it just to travel? To retreat at the first sign of trouble? Or do you want the new generation in your Familia to spend their lives in safety and mediocrity? If you're so afraid of taking risks, then why become an adventurer at all? Why not just open a shop on the surface?"
His cold words cut through Riveria's resolve like a sharp blade. Yet, she wasn't easily swayed. She wasn't proposing to flee; she was suggesting a temporary retreat, planning to regroup and then return to face the challenge again.
"I think this young man has a point," a strong voice chimed in. It was Gareth, who had exchanged his two large shields for a massive battle-axe. He grinned heartily. "Running now would be a disgrace!"
"Even if we wanted to retreat, it wouldn't be easy. If not for Yami's help, many of us would be injured by now. That big creature out there isn't going to let us just walk away. So, our best bet is to stay and fight."
"Or, have you grown soft from your comfortable life, wood elf?" he teased.
"Shut up, you brute," Riveria snapped, glaring at Gareth with clear irritation. Despite her anger, Gareth remained unfazed, his smile unyielding. This was a familiar exchange between them, rooted in their different upbringings and perspectives. They might clash often, but they still respected each other's opinions.
Turning to Finn, Riveria asked, "Surely, you're not agreeing with this nonsense?"
Outside the magical barrier, the flame storm still raged, painting everything in crimson light. Finn didn't answer immediately. Instead, he slowly surveyed the faces of his companions, reading their thoughts and feelings.
Finally, he turned back to Riveria. "In this situation, retreating is indeed the safest option," he acknowledged. "But leaving now, in this state, would feel like a defeat, Riveria."
Finn's expression hardened with resolve. "I want to slay that monster. No matter how powerful it's magic, I believe we can find a way to win with the spear in my hand."
Riveria could see that the decision had been made. There was no turning back now.
"You're all so troublesome," she sighed, but her expression softened. "As a mage of the Familia, I won't abandon you. Let's do this together."
"Can we win, Finn?"
"Of course," Finn responded with confidence. "I'll lead us to victory!"
With that, smiles spread across their faces. The swords, spears, and halberds in their hands gleamed, and their spirits soared.
"That's the spirit of the Loki Familia!" Yami said with genuine admiration. "Now, give it your all. I look forward to seeing you return triumphant!"
As the morale surged and the fighting spirit reignited, Yami held back from taking direct action himself. This battle was an opportunity for Ais and the others to grow, and he decided to let them face it on their own while keeping a watchful eye to ensure their safety.
"Thank you for your encouragement, Yami," Finn said, even directly saying his name without honorifics like before, treating him like a comrade in arm which Yami accepted with a smile.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves! The moment the flames subside, we charge forward, using an alternating cover. Riveria, Lefiya, provide fire support!"
"Yes!" the team responded in unison.
As the flames outside the barrier began to die down, time was running out.
"Ais, Tiona, come here." Yami called out to the two girls. Without hesitation, they approached him. The other members of the Loki Familia respectfully stepped aside, giving them privacy for their conversation.
"Master, you're amazing! Blocking such terrifying magic like that," Tiona exclaimed in awe. "Just thinking about it gives me chills. You're like a living hero!"
Yami felt flattered but quickly refocused on the task at hand. "We'll talk more about that later. Right now, listen carefully."
Yami's serious tone made the two girls straighten up. "Remember what I taught you earlier?"
"Master, do you mean Observation Haki and Armament Haki?" Ais asked, recalling his teachings.
"That's right," Yami confirmed. "You both have mastered the basics of swordsmanship and have reached the limits in that area for now. It's time to explore other strengths. Both of you have the potential to master Haki."
"This battle might be the perfect opportunity to awaken that power within you. Understand?"
"Yes, Master!" they responded with determination.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourselves. Just try it out, and if it doesn't work, focus on defeating the enemy."
"Understood, Master!" they promised, their resolve unwavering.
As the flames outside the barrier finally subsided, leaving behind only ashes and scorched earth, the time had come to act.
"Yami, please open the barrier."
"Ah, of course there is no problem, then I wish you all the best of luck!"
Not refusing, Yami waved his hand, and the space barrier disappeared without a trace in an instant.
After seeing this scene, the members of the Loki family no longer hesitated, and most of them turned into a gust of wind, forming an arrow-like formation, and rushed forward exquisitely.
Everyone has the defensive magic blessed by Riveria.
Not only that, but Ais did not forget to use her magic to bless everyone with the magic of wind.
In a short distance of less than 300 meters, it was shortened a lot in an instant.
At this moment, bugs that came out of nowhere entered everyone's sight again.
Accompanied by ear-piercing hissing sounds, most of the bugs crawled straight towards the expedition team, as if they wanted to hinder their progress.
The rest of the worms stayed quietly beside the corrupted Spirit clone, waiting for the tentacles to attack, and then devoured them.
Obviously these little things have been used as food to replenish magic power.
"Not good, it is recovering its magic power, everyone speeds up."
"Ais, it's up to you to complete the full blow, and we will all cover you!"
Everyone agreed to the order from Finn almost without hesitation. At this time, there is no need to doubt the order from their clear.
All they need to do is to obey and that's it!
Ais also began to accumulate magic, and a large amount of strong wind began to wind around her, growing rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Demon spear, pierce our enemy head and drink it's blood!"
Finn kept running.
When he was about to meet a large number of bugs, he also chanted quickly, and the magic power dyed the color of blood gathered in his left hand.
Immediately afterwards,
He closed his eyes and pressed them to his forehead.
The magic light beam entered his body immediately, and he roared like a berserker.
Berserk magic, in simple terms, is to exchange brains for combat power, so that Finn can change from a Lancer to a berserker!
The price to be paid is that no one will command.
In the next battle, they can only rely on their own experience to adapt to the situation.
It is no exaggeration to say that the current Finn is completely a tireless beast, and he must tear all the monsters apart before stopping.
The warlike blood was burning in his body.
They saw him rushing into the insect swarm in the first place, and began to swing the two indestructible spears in his hands vigorously, each blow would fly the insects away.
Within the scope of his whole body, it suddenly became a purgatory on earth.
"This kind of exchange of brains for combat power is really powerful."
"Unfortunately, I don't like this way of fighting."
Shaking his head, Yami threw that ridiculous thought out of his mind.
Let him turn into a madman, yelling, rushing into the crowd and hacking, just thinking about that scene makes people feel a little uncomfortable.
He probably has no fate with this way of fighting!
However, there was a slight deviation in this fighting method.
Since they had never encountered this new type of monster before, a large number of larvae were killed while rushing forward, and they sprayed out corrosive liquid instantly.
Tione and Raul, who couldn't dodge in time, were hit instantly, and their armor and clothes were instantly destroyed.
Not only that, but even their body surface had marks like burns.
In the blink of an eye, several adventurers lost their combat power and lay on the ground crying out in pain, which undoubtedly made the hearts of others sink.
"Tione!"
Seeing many larvae crawling towards her sister, Tiona suddenly felt shaken.
Just when the charge started, such an accident occurred, which made all the adventurers feel their hearts sinking suddenly, and they couldn't help but have the idea of doubting themselves.
At this moment, Yami made a sudden move.
This is not to blame the Loki family, mainly because they have never seen such a thing.
Who would have guessed that after killing these bugs, this corrosive liquid would still be sprayed out, even first-level adventurers couldn't stop it.
"Don't stop, Tiona, leave the others to me, and don't forget your duty!"
It was obviously not a particularly loud voice, but it was heard by everyone.
Yami raised his hand and waved it lightly, the adventurers lying on the ground disappeared in an instant, and when they reappeared, they had already arrived at the rear of the expedition team.
Although the injuries on his body have not recovered, at least their life is not in danger.
Seeing this, Tiona breathed a sigh of relief, and then her heart was filled with anger.
She will never let go of this monsters who hurt her sister!