Ruach's POV
I immediately threw a punch toward the surprised water mage, my fist connecting cleanly and sending her tumbling to the ground. Without hesitation, I seized the opening and cast Shock Wave, the force launching her out of the arena and knocking her unconscious.
For a brief moment, I thought I had the momentum—
But before I could even react—
A Fire Arrow and an Earth Bullet struck me at the same time, sending me crashing across the ground.
"Tch—!"
Pain shot through my body as I rolled, barely managing to stop myself. My mistake… I had focused too much on one opponent.
Still, the Air Shield I had cast earlier absorbed most of the damage… though not all. My left arm throbbed, the pain sharp and persistent.
I pushed myself up—
—but before I could fully stand, two more attacks came rushing toward me.
At the same time, the effects of the mana debuff became clearer.
My body felt heavier.
Slower.
…This was bad.
I steadied myself and looked at them.
They had changed tactics.
No longer spreading out, they now stayed close together, covering each other's weaknesses. Their attacks came simultaneously now, aiming to break through my defenses directly instead of slowly draining my mana like before.
…Smart.
Which meant I had no choice.
I exhaled quietly.
"…Multi-Cast."
Mana surged through me as I immediately summoned both Air Shield and Earth Shield at the same time, barely managing to block the incoming attacks.
Using the earth shield as cover—
"Bunny Hop."
I launched myself upward.
Midair, I cast—
"Fire Arrow."
"Earth Bullet."
"Air Blast."
Three spells released at once, cutting through the air toward them.
And then—
"Shock Wave."
The combined attack shattered their defenses, the impact sending the debuff mage flying as she collapsed, unconscious. The remaining two were thrown back, injured… but still standing.
Tch… not enough.
I landed, but the moment my feet touched the ground, my body felt heavier than before.
The strain from Multi-Cast… combined with the debuff…
…It was starting to catch up.
But I couldn't stop now.
"Multi-Cast… Smoke Bomb."
A thick cloud spread across the arena, swallowing everything in sight.
Using the cover, I launched attacks from different directions, shifting my position with each strike. But even then… I could tell.
They were blocking.
Adapting.
My mana was running out.
…At this rate, I'd lose.
So I stopped.
No attacks.
No movement.
Just—
Sound.
Footsteps echoed from one side.
Then another.
Every time they reacted and cast a spell toward the sound, I simply dodged… and stayed silent.
Again.
And again.
Until—
They got impatient.
Both of them rushed forward toward the source of the sound, their attacks ready.
They saw a figure—
"Fire Arrow!"
"Earth Bullet!"
The spells struck—
An earth pillar.
A decoy.
From behind—
"Air Blast!"
The force slammed into them, sending both of them crashing to the ground.
I didn't hesitate.
"Quicksand."
The ground beneath them softened, trapping them in place.
This was it.
With the last of my mana—
"Air… Blast…"
I aimed straight for their heads—
—but they blocked.
Their shields barely held… but it was enough.
My mana… was gone.
Completely.
My body felt unbearably heavy.
My vision blurred.
But I still moved.
I forced myself forward and lunged at one of them, catching them off guard. My fist connected, and their body went limp.
One left.
Before I could even react—
I was grabbed.
The remaining mage pulled me down into the quicksand, and we began to struggle, both of us using whatever strength we had left.
But I was weaker.
Too drained.
Too slow.
They overpowered me.
Pinned me down.
With my back sinking into the unstable ground and their weight pressing over me, my body refused to move.
…So this is it.
My vision darkened.
My thoughts slowed.
And slowly—
My consciousness faded away.
END OF CHAPTER