[[Experience gained.]]
[[Notice. Soul and information are destroyed across time by Primordial Divine Skill. Solution: reconstructing soul for Bubastis to absorb.]]
Right before Bubastis' eyes, a glowing ball of light slowly reformed in the sky—being that of Ningikuga's soul.
Even though she was reduced to her information, the Grand System reconstructed it from complete annihilation; following the coding that it was given by the gods.
"...You fought well, Goddess of Reeds, but I wield the blessing of Lady Bastet. You were no match." She closed her eyes as the divine soul shot down like a falling star, slamming right into her body.
Whilst absorbing the soul, she could feel its power coursing through her and leveling her up; drastically increasing her stats.
[[Absorbing God Soul Energy...]]
[[Processing Experience...]]
[[Level Up!]]
[[Level Up!]]
[[Level Up!]]
[[Level Up!]]
[[Level Up!]]
[[Epic Skill Level Up!]]
[[Intrinsic Skill Level Up!]]
[[Special Skill Level Up!]]
[[Current Level: 80 → 85]]
[[Obtained Title: Heavenly King]]
[[Name: Bubastis
Titles: Man Slayer, Beast Slayer, Sword Master, Blessed of Bastet, Champion, Hero
Race: Divine Beast
LVL: 80 > 85
Strength: 737 > 762
Speed: 734 > 759
Agility: 739 > 764
HP (Health): 8,790 > 9,090
MP (Mana): 7,295 > 7,545
SP (Stamina): 9,650 > 10,000
Intrinsic Skills: ???
Special Skills: ???
Resistances: ???
(Information Concealment Skill — Active)]]
Bubastis, still on her knees, could feel her energy rejuvenate. The soul of Ningikuga ascended her to new heights, and now she was at the level needed to defeat Sasobek, the tyrant.
Aware of her newfound strength, she proceeded to rise up and stand on her feet.
"This is what I needed. Power! Power to take down Sasobek once and for all." She glanced at her palm, curling her fingers into a fist. "I shall avenge the fallen and restore balance to Animalia once more... for the sake of the Beastfolk, and my children."
+
"...We need to find a way to distract this thing! Someone has to hold them off while someone else goes to find the conjurers..." Koji clenched his teeth, feeling his knees buckle.
Hinata couldn't form any words. Her grip on the Blade of Asterion was so tight her hand started to cramp as the divine sword—once oozing with confidence—now felt unbearably heavy in her hands.
Everything she had cut down moments ago... had never existed. Itsuki stared ahead with wide eyes, unable to believe what he had just witnessed.
His barrier had survived, which kept them alive, but he didn't know if it was gonna be enough to last them in this fight. Soon enough, the spirit stared at them with bloodred eyes, manifesting three more dark magic circles in front of it.
"Shit, it's about to attack again!" Shouted Koji.
"G-Go!" Steeling her resolve, Hinata stepped forward, taking a deep breath. "I'll hold them off while you find the conjurers!"
Both Koji and Itsuki stared at Hinata in disbelief, watching her approach the spirit with trembling hands.
"We must protect Sparta." She said, furrowing her brows. "And then we will make it home together! Just like we promised!"
Hinata raised the Blade of Asterion with her arms shaking violently, though her eyes remained steady.
"You will not hurt my friends! You'll have to defeat me first!"
The Divine Blade, Asterion, was a holy blade that could slay beings of darkness and nullify unholy affinities. Pouring her mana into it, a massive light flared around it, blinding everyone in the vicinity.
Koji shouted behind her, unable to simply leave her behind.
"Hinata, wait!"
It was too late for talking.
The massive spirit lifted its hand as the three magic circles collapsed inward, forming a single condensed spear of black light.
[[EPIC SKILL — TERMINAL SPEAR]]
"Hinata!" Itsuki screamed her name as he lifted his hands, reinforcing her Sanctified Barrier, even if he was running out of mana. "Koji!" Turning to face his friend, a look of worry crossed his face. "Y-You must go! F-Find the conjurers and take them down!"
All of a sudden, the Keres launched the spear, completely shattering the sound barrier. But despite its overwhelming power, Hinata met it head-on.
"HEYAAAAAH!"
Asterion clashed with the Terminal Spear which sent a massive shockwave throughout the battlefield, nearly blowing Koji and Itsuki away if it wasn't for their barriers.
"Ghhhnnn..." Hinata clenched her teeth as veins sprouted in her forehead. "Haaaah!!"
By putting more force into Asterion, an aura of holy light would surround Hinata's body as an aura of darkness surrounded the Keres, tearing the air apart in violent spirals.
"!!!" Itsuki watched her struggle as the Terminal spear started to overpower her.
Her feet carved trenches into the ground as she was driven backward with blood spraying from her mouth as her muscles screamed in protest.
Her arms felt like they were being torn apart and her soul felt like it was being judged.
Behind her, Itsuki screamed.
"H-Hang in there, Hinata!! Sanctified barrier!"
Wasting all of his mana, Itsuki threw everything he had into his barrier; layers upon layers stacked instinctively around Hinata, wasting everything he had to protect her from certain death.
"Damnit... damnit all!! I won't let you die!"
Koji couldn't think straight before he moved.
Flames erupted from his body as he charged forward with the Inferno Emberheart pushing him past his limits.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!!"
He slashed downward as fire tore across the ground toward the Keres in a blazing arc.
"Huh?!" Itsuki widened his eyes, seeing a massive jump in power.
The Keres took notice of the fire coming her way, thus, her spear dissipated instantly before it could finish Hinata off, now drifting backward to avoid the blazing arc.
"Koji...?" Hinata, after clashing with the Terminal Spear, fell to her hands and knees, coughing up blood.
"Itsuki, heal her!" Yelled the fiery hero.
"U-Um... right!" Running toward his friend, the androgynous hero crouched down, placing his hand on her shoulder. "You did your best, Hinata... I'll use the rest of my mana to heal you now!"
"Damnit... Koji..." Hinata, too frustrated to hear Itsuki, scowled at Koji as blood poured from her lips. "Do you wanna die, you fucking idiot? That was our only chance... to defeat the Keres! Now you ruined it, you fucking... stupid... fucking dumbass!"
"Ascension Heal..." Itsuki closed his eyes as Hinata was covered in a green light, restoring all of her wounds and recovering her stamina.
"...I'm sorry, but, I couldn't just let you take this monster on by yourself." Koji stared at the Spirit of Death, furrowing his brows. "You were about to die. Both me and Itsuki saw it with our own eyes. I had no choice but to step in."
"I... wasn't!" Hinata stood up in a fit of rage before grabbing his shoulder. "I could've lasted long enough for you to slay the conjurers!"
Koji kept his eyes focused on the spirit until he glanced to his left, side-eyeing her.
"We don't even know where the conjurers are. We were going off a theory made by Itsuki..."
Hinata widened her eyes, knowing he was right, but hating to admit it.
"What if they weren't at the far back when you were still fighting the Keres? What then?! Your death would've been pointless, you idiot."
Hinata froze before her grip loosened as her fingers slid from Koji's shoulder. While the anger on her face didn't vanish, it did soften a bit.
"...Tch."
She looked away as she clicked her tongue, wiping the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand—refusing to meet either of their eyes.
Itsuki exhaled shakily as relief finally caught up to him now that Hinata was standing again, though almost immediately, his knees buckled as he nearly collapsed on the spot, catching himself.
"I-I can't use any more skills my mana is too low..." He admitted painfully. "That was everything I had. All of my barriers, healing, and support skills are depleted."
Koji glanced back at him, tightening his jaw.
"Then stay behind me." He said firmly. "You done enough, Itsuki, Thank you."
The Keres hovered several dozen meters away with their crimson eyes observing them, as if they had all the time in the world.
"...It's watching us." Itsuki whispered worriedly.
Hinata lifted Asterion again, but slower this time. "She could've killed me back there..." She muttered. "But she chose not to."
"Yeah." Koji said. "I felt it too."
The Keres tilted her head before finally speaking to the three heroes.
"You three struggle beautifully." Her voice echoed as it was layered and hollow, as though several mouths spoke at once. "Hope burns brightest when it is about to be extinguished."
All three of them widened their eyes.
"It can talk?!" Shouted Hinata.
"...So it's been understanding us this whole time?" Said Itsuki.
"That's not good." Koji muttered.
Hinata stepped forward again, but this time, Koji stepped with her as they prepared to fight to the death.
"Otherworlders fascinate me. I've killed many in the past, yet they all begged for mercy and asked me to spare their lives before I consumed them. But you three are different. It seems Zeus has brought me new entertainment... so I'll keep you alive as long as possible to hear your screams."
"...That won't be happening to us!" Yelled the fiery hero.
"We'll see if that's true." The Keres raised her hand as a magic circle was fabricated into existence.
[[EPIC SKILL — FUNERAL DOMAIN]]
Darkness expanded outward in a sudden wave, swallowing the entire battlefield as the sky dimmed as if someone had snuffed out the sun.
Within the domain, sound became distorted, as if they were underwater.
Itsuki gasped as his legs gave out completely.
"M-My mana... it's being drained just by existing in here...!"
[[Itsuki Aoi
MP (Magic): 100 → 80 → 60]]
Koji felt it too—his flames struggled to stay alive—sputtering against an invisible skill that surrounded the entire battlefield.
Hinata clenched her teeth in frustration.
"Just how many skills do these spirits have?!"