The cave had collapsed, leaving a desolate gray wasteland where flames blazed like embers of the apocalypse flickering with the last glimmers of life.
Fairy spirits, ancient beings that had guided mortal children since time began, never intended to harm humans. Even after being hunted, captured, and twisted by experiments, this fairy had retained her kindness. Unwilling to let innocent children die at her irrational hands, she chose to end her life before corruption consumed her completely.
But the plant monster's influence lingered. Though she'd contained most of her wide-area magic, a small number of meteorites still hurtled toward Lefiya and the others.
A flaming meteorite descended from the sky. The oppressive aura of high-level magic sent chills down every spine.
"I'm going to die, I'm going to die!"
Nathan clutched his head and trembled. Lefiya and Alisa were overcome with despair.
As the group's leader, Verdine stepped forward without hesitation, placing himself between the meteor and his companions.
"Don't be afraid, I'll protect everyone."
His voice was calm, his resolve unshakable. To explore the unknown meant bearing the responsibility to safeguard others,even at the cost of his life. It was the Seventh Squad's creed.
The young players acted in ways no one expected:
Black Cat unleashed all her magic at once, casting a weakening curse. Behemoth's poison enveloped the fairy, dampening her power, applying debuffs to powerful foes was second nature to her.
Meanwhile, Sanae Dekomori had somehow retrieved her warhammer, nearly the size of a small jeep. The moment her hands wrapped around it, she seemed to find her true stride.
Dekomori rubbed her nose and flashed a brilliant smile: "Don't underestimate me, death! I am the First Servant of the Evil King's Eye, the Thunder Hammer Wielder, Sanae Dekomori!"
"Take this! My Soul! Mad Moon Rock Smash!"
The massive hammer spun in a zigzag arc as she hurled it skyward. It collided with the meteorite, and both shattered into countless molten fragments. Fire and metal rained down on the group.
Yuuki darted forward, her sword weaving countless shadows that shattered the falling embers. Verdine held his ground, using his sturdy frame to shield the others. Flaming droplets seared his skin, melting flesh and filling the air with the smell of cooked meat.
The agony of being slowly consumed by fire would have broken most people. His skin was scarred and blistered, his face blackening with burns but Verdine never made a sound.
"Verdine!"
Nathan shouted, pulling a vial of liquid metal from his sleeve and smashing it over Verdine's body. The substance spread across his skin; flames still licked at him, but the damage slowed until the solution evaporated.
Black Cat shifted into her white form, and a gentle white wind enveloped Verdine, channeling continuous healing magic.
"I didn't know you had such a trick up your sleeve, Nathan," Alisa said rare praise from a fellow alchemist.
"Hmph, I don't just follow rules like you do."
"Good work."
Lefiya wiped away her tears, but her smile froze the moment she looked up.
"Another one!"
A massive magic circle unfurled in the sky, its target locked on their position.
"Run! Move!"
There was still time before impact. Everyone grabbed the wounded Verdine and fled into the distance.
In their moment of despair, Yui came to a stop. She gently stroked her guitar, her expression resolute.
"This is my swan song!"
Clang!
Inspiring, desperate chords echoed across the wasteland, an otherworldly melody that clung to the fairy's mind like a demon's final lament.
The fairy froze. The man-eating plants froze. Everyone froze, then all attacks turned toward Yui, unleashed without regard for self-preservation.
"Stop singing!"
Through arrogant, frenzied strumming... meteorites, carnivorous vines, and the fairy's power all converged on the girl.
Yui played on, vibrating the strings with all her strength. After the final note rang out, she pointed a single finger to the sky.
"I wanted to use music to bring hope to everyone, just like the bands I love!"
BOOOOOM!
Meteorites, plants, and Yui were consumed in a sea of flame.
"YUI-CHAN————!"
Lefiya stared in horror as the cheerful girl who'd high-fived her moments ago was reduced to ash.
We were friends...
She stopped running, reaching out as if to pull Yui back. Tears streamed down her face.
Black Cat and Dekomori lifted her by the shoulders and dragged her onward.
"Let me go! I have to find her!"
Black Cat wiped away fake tears, feigning grief: "Her sacrifice was great! Thank you, Guitar Demon, may your music live on in our hearts!"
Dekomori shouted: "That's the last thing I need! My ears will die!"
For a moment, everyone thought the same thing we'll never have to endure that 'death chant' again. Then guilt set in thinking such a thing about their savior was terrible.
Yuuki appeared beside them, her voice firm as she steadied their resolve:
"Don't let Yui's sacrifice be for nothing! We must survive! Do everything you can to live!"
Lefiya looked up at the bright moon, imagining she saw Yui there fist clenched, smiling her irresistible cat-like grin. Yui...
Waaaaah!
The young elf sobbed uncontrollably.
I'm sorry, Yui, I'm running away! Waaaaah!
On the wasteland, the fairy stared blankly. For an instant, sanity had pierced through her madness, her only thought had been to silence the singer. But soon, searing pain and confusion overwhelmed her again. She clutched her head and wailed.
A mournful cry echoed across the land.
The magic Yui had pulled onto herself had destroyed the man-eating plants, but the fairy was too weakened to finish what she'd started. Corruption crept closer by the second.
She knelt, heat waves radiating from her body. Green vines spread from her chest to cover her form, and a grotesque carnivorous flower bloomed from her back.
"Ughh..."
Her head tilted back, eyes turning bloodshot. The last of her sanity snapped. A wall of fire exploded outward, engulfing the entire wasteland.
Black Cat and the others ran with all their might, but the scorching wave was closing in. They could feel its heat at their backs.
Nathan's legs gave out, he could no longer drag Verdine's body. He fell to his knees, tears turning to steam instantly:
"It's all my fault, I should never have insisted on chasing knowledge."
"No, it's mine. If there's a next time..." Verdine struggled to grab Nathan's sleeve, his face twisted with regret.
Whoosh!
A strangely shaped dagger plunged into the ground behind them. Golden light flashed, and a flame-haired boy stepped forward, Shaka his body wreathed in fire. He picked up the dagger.
Facing the oncoming inferno, his lake-green eyes narrowed slightly. He extended his hand, and every flame rushing toward him flowed into his palm like water into the sea.
A powerful gust whipped their hair wildly. Moments later, a white flame burning with terrifying intensity flared to life in his grasp.
More flames surged in, but Shaka didn't move.
"If you don't act soon, your beloved students will die!"
"You really do like giving orders,Shaka."
"My people died protecting your students once. Do you have complaints?"
After a brief exchange, countless golden sword lights sliced through the air. The scorching wave vanished the moment it met the blades.
An elegant knight clad in golden armor emerged from the fire, his presence noble and calm.
Alisa sat on the ground, looking up in disbelief:
"Teacher... Leon?"
PS.1 chapter daily till I have alot of chapters again sorry 😔