CH 182.2

Chapter 182.2. The Attackers

-Masatoshi’s POV-

[Fireball]

[Ice Shard]

A fireball the size of an adult is created in the palm of my hand and flies forward, but a ninja to the left unleashes a shard of ice and shoots it down.

The ice shard hits the fireball, causing it to explode on the spot, leaving behind a few sparks before vanishing.

The blast breeze tousles Masatoshi’s hair, transmitting the heat. At the corner of Masatoshi’s eye, a crimson magic shield unfolds. It’s blocking shurikens flying from his blind spots.

“T-These guys are strong! Their skill level is no joke!”

Masatoshi’s face twists in frustration and astonishment at the flawless coordination. Weren’t these weak enemies supposed to attack haphazardly, leaving themselves wide open to the protagonist’s easy defeat?

Furthermore, an enemy in front approaches with a sword held sideways, prompting Masatoshi strikes and engage in a clash hastily. By enhancing physical abilities with mana, Masatoshi swiftly unleashes sword strikes from left to right. He’s parried the opponent’s sword and scattering sparks.

Meanwhile, the rear guards unleash a barrage of thunder shards toward Sena-san and the others.

However, even as Sena-san holds Mio in a princess carry, she concentrates mana, calmly weaving magic from her sakura-colored lips, enveloping her beautiful silver hair with sparkling silver particles.

[Holy Cocoon]

A sacred, pure white barrier unfolds around Sena-san and the others, further protected by 15 barriers anchored to crimson crystals.

Countless thunderbolt hit, but the double barrier remains steadfast, unmoving like a thick castle wall.

The defense is flawless. However, while maintaining that barrier, Sena-san cannot attack outside.

Determined to defeat the enemies herself, I made up my and scattered my thoughts into space.

A glimmer of crimson light shines in the air, and high-speed crimson crystal arrows assail the ninja.

“Gaah!”

Masatoshi lands several hits on the ninja engaged in close combat, causing them to lose their balance. Seizing the opportunity, Masatoshi tightly grips the sword, closes the distance, and strikes.

However, the left and right ninjas evade the shield and maneuver around, attacking from the sides.

Masatoshi deliberately slashes through the approaching sword, causing the ninja’s magic barrier to flicker and disrupt their magic composition without stopping.

The sword strikes break the magic barrier, but only graze the ninja’s magic armor.

“That’s a fine magic armor you’ve got there!”

Frustrated, Masatoshi grits his teeth, realizing that while he’s wearing makeshift magic armor, the enemy seems to have a highly advanced one. Just as the swords from the left and right were about to reach him, their swords were swiftly blocked by crystal shields that appeared.

They probably didn’t expect to be defended against at such close range. Masatoshi senses a slight hint of unease from the enemy.

With a swift motion, Masatoshi scrapes the concrete floor, rotating his body and raising one hand towards the sky.

“Take this!”

[Firestorm]

A raging tornado of flames emerges, swirling around Masatoshi, engulfing the 3 ninjas who were nearby.

However, the 3 manage to escape from the flames. From their appearance, it seems they didn’t sustain significant damage.

“Damn it, damn it, damn it!”

If Masatoshi wore his usual magic armor, he would’ve been able to defeat them with the enhanced magic, but with this equipment, he’s at a significant disadvantage.

Masatoshi is frustrated, feeling like he’s playing the role of the defeated, but it seems the enemy has become more vigilant.

“The saint won’t be able to move! Let’s all attack together!”

Sena-san is using the fixed activation type [Holy Cocoon]. She’s struggling just to maintain the magic. I’m certain of it because I’ve seen it in the original work.

In the original story, she used it to protect students. During that time, Shin would defeat the enemies in a typical plot development. While reading it, I thought it would be better if someone else acted as a guard, and the recovery magician went with Shin to defeat the enemies.

The enemy seems to be well aware of that fact. They must have done their research thoroughly.

All ten of them turn their attention toward Masatoshi. It seems they believe that if they defeat Masatodhi, the rest will somehow work out.

“Don’t underestimate me!”

While shooting the crimson crystal as arrows, Masatoshi circulates mana through his body, grimacing, and creating a gust of wind as he charges forward.

Masatoshi fiercely slashes at his opponents. The ninja tries to dodge the attack, but the crystal arrow comes flying to the spot they evaded, attempting to inflict damage.

The other ninjas shoot projectiles and charge at Masatoshi. Friction causes smoke to rise as Masatoshi scrapes his feet against the concrete floor, rotating his body and swinging the sword, using the crystal arrows as a distraction.

A ninja in the back unleashes magic, but the crystal transforms into a shield, blocking and deflecting the attack.

Masatoshi manipulates the crimson crystal, engaging in a fierce battle against multiple enemies. Intense sword strikes, flashes of magic, and explosive gusts create cracks in the concrete floor, making the windows of nearby buildings tremble.

“What a nuisance! Destroy those crystals first!”

Seeing the crimson crystal freely changing shape and flying around Masatoshi, a man who appears to be the leader of the ninjas gives orders.

“Seize the moment when they’re in shield mode! Make them experience an overflow!”

“Don’t tell me these small fry characters have known my magic’s weakness!”

Indeed, shield mode is the most vulnerable. By releasing mana to deploy the barrier, its hardness decreases.