Chapter 44: Operation Moonglow

“Try better next time.” I grabbed the mask of one of the goons and crushed it along with their skull while I slammed their body into another Hood grunt. 

To converse mana, I had switched to a heavily physical focus combat style. Not that I didn’t use mana at all, but I waited until I could make a clean blow or I needed to dodge. There were so few people appearing at a time that using wide area destruction magic skills wasn’t worth it anymore.

I also lowered the mana usage of my armour. Only increased it in specific areas when I knew the hit would be dangerous and it would be more expensive to dodge the attack. 

Speaking of dangerous attacks, a tidal wave of water chased after me. Transforming into whirlpools and steaming geysers that appeared whenever I got near the water.

They sure are trying.

This creation was made by ten of the remaining members. Well, three of the remaining, the other seven sacrificed themselves to empower and change the nature of this water to make it act more autonomously. This type of attack and strategy was one I always found to be annoying.

 (“ Need any help? ”)

Nah, I’m good. Just a little annoyed that no one else has come out. It’s been a few minutes since I killed that guy, and he seemed at least much stronger than everyone else I versed. 

 (“ Well, knowing where you are currently. It shouldn’t be too long, no matter how lazy they may be, I doubt they can ignore someone who is wiping out their forces for forever ”)

Another five vermin linked up and charged at me in formation. A blue aura stretched out between them, linked into a chain. 

The five jumped around and accelerated if I even dared motion towards one of them. It was kind of funny.

One of them let out a mana scream while another glowed a purple light.

Debuffs? They need to be a bit more effective. 

I was submerged in the scream’s mana wave, while a purple light emerged from my feet. I could feel the effects making me slower but it wasn’t doing much.

Then I began the counterattack, I lunged at neither of the debuffers but instead, a mage who was just in range.

Surprised at the attack they were too slow to dodge, I crushed the armour through the weaker joints. After killing a small number of them now, I knew the general characteristics of some of the sets of armour they wore. 

It didn’t take long before the group of now four was dealt with. 

The ocean waves that chased me all the while were annoying, but I shot a few [Fire Arrow] far into the sky again out of visible range and had them strike at the opportune moments. However I killed the ones controlling the water, and it stayed around, still chasing me.

Damn sacrificial sentience, I hate dealing with this shit.

As my slaughter was continuing, I noticed the enemy’s forces through [Star Mapping] gathering across a large area far from me. 

What’s happening?

As I was trying to see what was going on, more of the remaining goons tried to rush me. 

More desperate than before they made a mad rush towards me. Now fully uncaring for their own safety, some were quite clearly ready to explode the moment they got near me.  

I need to see what’s happening.

I used [Star Mapping] to focus on the area.

A crowd of Dominous Hood goons stood across the moon, while five members flew high in the air. Some individuals stood out from among the goons on the ground as well, but the ones flying seemed to hold more authority. 

As I examined them, Espoiramissa called out.

 (“ Kill the middle one, floating above three heavily armoured individuals but below the highest flyer ”)

What Espr? 

I asked. I was already heading over in that direction, but if Espr was mentioning someone specific then it should be at least a little important.

 (“ Okay let me put it another way, if you don’t want your family in danger. KILL THE COMMANDER ”)

“Say that first!” 

Flames erupted from my feet and I burst forth into the atmosphere leaving behind the four remaining Hood members who I hadn’t killed.

Fire coating my body, I shot like a meteor at my target. Accelerating faster than I had gone today, just to catch them by surprise. Then covering a massive amount of distance in a few moments, I was at my target.

But in the instance, before we collided, they panicky drew their sword from a storage skill and barely guarded my attack.

My on-fire hand now gripping the sword pushed further. 

“Interesting…” I heard an angry mumble under the bastard's helmet.

“Nice to meet you too,” I replied with my distorted voice.

“Knock the intruder off!” Yelled one of the other flying individuals. 

The commander, as Espr called them, also retaliated. Their sword glowed a sharp red and could feel it drain everything in the surrounding space.

I burst back, as over then individuals charged with weapons out towards me. 

Dammit

A large swarm began attacking from multiple directions, while I did my best to dodge and attack the commander again. But I was being held back by the four flying figures from earlier incepting my attacks and their attempts at killing me.

Those moments felt like hours as I did my best to follow Espr's advice and kill this one man.

“Preparation finished. Everyone, launch into position.” The commander clapped, and purple light electric light flowed between their hands.

As I fought back against the fools who attacked. I wondered in fear what was happening, unable to get a proper view in the moments of combat.

The space above cracked, and then in an instant tore apart.

What…?

Above the moon, a large crack that looked like someone had slashed a mirror. Through the crack a city from a bird’s eye view that I had seen very frequently recently.

(“ That’s a one way portal. I guess you can figure out where it leads. ”)

No…

I felt feral anger filling my soul.

“[Furious Flame].”

I needed to make sure no one left here alive. 

One more single command was given by the bastard above, “Commence Operation Moonglow.”