CH 181.1

Chapter 181.1. Two Targeted People

-Masatoshi’s POV-

An explosion echoed, and a cloud of smoke filled the area, obscuring the view.

Cracks formed on the walls of the mixed-use building, windows shattered, and glass shards fell to the ground.

Lightning arrow rain down seemed to blow away Masatoshi and the others.

“Cough, cough. W-What is this?”

However, Masatoshi appeared through the smoke, waving her arm to dissipate it, and coughing.

“We’re under attack!”

“Ow, w-what’s happening?!”

Sena warned them with a stern expression from behind. Mion, stumbling, also appeared in a similar state.

“My [Transformation] is being dispelled!”

They had got hit by a magic attack. Though it didn’t strike directly, it disrupted the delicate magic structure of their [Transformation], causing Masatoshi and Sena to revert to their original child forms.

“Let’s move quickly!”

“Y-Yes understood.”

Despite being covered in smoke, the three of them were unharmed.

That was because there was a drawn magic circle with five red crystals at its apex above Masatoshi’s head.

The crimson magic shield automatically deflected the surprise attack of the thunder arrows.

There was no way they would carelessly come here without being prepared to meet Loki.

Masatoshi was a coward. He had preemptively used their [Prism Crimson] on their headband. Even if they get ambushed, the [Automatic Magic Shield] he sets to protect Sena-san, and himself would act faster than Masatoshi’s consciousness. It was a magic superior to the person himself.

“Mion, drop that backpack!”

“Eh, w-what?! But, everyone worked hard to make it…”

With fear evident on Mion’s face, he hesitated. But Masatoshi scolded her sternly.

“Afterwards, you can come to pick it up! If I can’t retrieve it, I’ll pay you ten times the market price!”

“O-Okay.”

Mion put down the backpack she was carrying. Meanwhile, Sena-san remained vigilant overhead, shouting in a sharp voice.

“They’re coming!”

“Damn it!”

[Prism Crimson Arrow]

Unleashing all the crimson crystals hidden throughout his body, Masatoshi pointed toward the approaching enemies from the rooftop of the building.

The crystals burst into intense flames, causing the air to shimmer with heat and leaving a trail of fiery ribbons in their wake as they flew toward the oncoming foes.

Observing the scene, Masatoshi frowned. What’s going on?

“Apes?”

Armed with swords and weighted chains, black-furred giant apes clad in armored plates descended from the wall. Are they magical creatures?

There were three of them, aggressive and emanating a murderous intent.

Masatoshi was taken aback, but the arrows made of crystal continued straight toward the apes.

Reacting swiftly, Apes, who had descended while baring their teeth.

Apes used the wall as a springboard to move to the opposite building. Just when they thought they had evaded the trajectory of the arrows, Apes once again kicked off the wall like springs and closed in.

However, Masatoshi remained undeterred even while observing their movements.

“Don’t underestimate my [Prism Crimson]!”

The fiery crystal arrow, which had been flying with great momentum, abruptly halted in mid-air and sharply changed its trajectory toward leaping apes.

Apes widened their eyes in surprise and tried to evade, but it was too late. The fiery crystal arrows struck them and sent them flying.

Apes plummeted forcefully and embedded themselves into the ground. Sena-san ripped her loose skirt apart and activated the bracelets on her arms.

With a burst of light from the bracelets, a magic barrier enveloped Sena-san.

It was a device that transformed into a makeshift magical armor. Masatoshi also quickly activated his equipment, which functioned similarly.

With enhanced physical abilities and a magical barrier surrounding his body, Masatoshi breathed a sigh of relief. It’s a good thing he brought these magical devices in case.

“They’re still alive!”

“We should have hit them directly… Urgh, it’s true!”

Transforming into a wild form, the dazzling Sena-san points at the fallen Apes on the ground. Although at least three crimson crystal arrows should have hit, they manage to stand up, albeit unsteadily.

The areas where she gets hit show some minor burns.

Curious about why that happened, Masatoshi quickly understands and clicks his tongue in frustration.

“That damn Apes! They’ve been bestowed with [Fire Resistance]!”

Apes’ bodies, or monster Apes, emit a faint red glow. Masatoshi, having received previous education, knows what that glow signifies.

[Fire Resistance]. That magic is the natural enemy of Aguni Dukedom.

And he realizes what it implies.

“Sena-san! They’re targeting us!”

It wasn’t a random attack. They were prepared and launched a surprise assault. They were the target from the beginning.

“That seems to be the case! We’re at a disadvantage here! Let’s go to the rooftop!”

Sena-san kicks the ground and takes flight. Kicking off the walls of the building, she heads towards the rooftop.

Knowing he can’t afford to lag, Masatoshi deftly burns off the loose ends of his baggy pants and calls out to Mion.

“Don’t bite your tongue, so keep your mouth shut!”

“Um… Uh-huh!”

Lifting Mion in a princess carry, Masatoshi follows after Sena-san. The high-speed movement causes the wind to create a gust that brushes against their face, and with a fearful expression, Mion clings tightly while letting out a small scream.

Arrows of lightning rain from above, while Apes regain their posture on the ground, and throw shurikens.

“Ugh, nooahhh!”

Making a strange sound and contorting their face, Masatoshi has the crimson crystals swirling around him, forming a magic shield that repels all the attacks.