Chapter 353
Devilborn (3)
When they had faced over thirty deadline creatures as a result of activating the flag, it had taken only around five seconds…
Now—
Natsuki had chosen twenty.
She moved in her usual domineering fashion, as if there had never been another option to begin with.
IAM was watching from a branch above, KASSARA resting in his hand just in case, his expression calm—utterly and completely calm. The reason he had agreed to let her have her way wasn't just blind trust. It also drew attention away from himself, placing all the pressure, all the doubt, and all the resentment onto her.
And more importantly…
He believed it was possible.
Possible to kill a devilborn.
Because she had said it herself—did they not have the numbers? Did they not have her? They also had Yohan… and Reuel.
IAM believed in their strength.
He believed that they could do it.
But the biggest reason he believed…
Was because he was here.
It might sound egotistical, even ridiculous, especially considering he had barely contributed in direct combat so far—but this belief was beginning to take root within him.
As long as he was here…
Why couldn't they?
Now, he watched as the creatures came.
Grotesque forms moved frantically through the forest, tearing through the surroundings as they rushed toward the group, who had already set themselves up according to IAM's strategy.
He wouldn't let them fight without preparation.
That would be negligence.
And as he observed the approaching mass, his eyes deepened slightly.
There were over a hundred creatures.
Easily.
But…
Not as many as he expected.
IAM narrowed his eyes slightly as he analysed the situation. His conclusion came quickly.
It was because of the devilborn.
This illusion path seemed to have certain limitations—restrictions put in place to keep situations manageable for the students. Because realistically, if such a flag truly existed—one that drew creatures like moths to a flame—then activating it for twenty seconds, four times longer than before…
Would have resulted in far more.
Three hundred creatures, at the very least.
And likely more than one devilborn.
But this was more manageable and preferable.
The strategy IAM had planned was pretty simple.
In a situation where a devilborn appeared alongside a mass of creatures, the deciding factor wasn't raw strength—it was how efficiently they avoided being overwhelmed. The first priority was control of space.
Fighting in an open area would waste their advantage and allow the creatures to surround them. Instead, they positioned themselves within the forest terrain, using narrow paths, tightly packed trees, and even the bodies of the creatures themselves to compress the enemy's numbers. Everything became a chokepoint.
Under those conditions, only a fraction of the hundred could engage at once, turning what should have been a chaotic swarm into a series of smaller, manageable clashes.
IAM had the long-range ascenders grouped near the back, supported by a few others whose role was to protect them while they applied steady pressure. The rest were tasked with holding the line, delaying, and methodically cutting down the creatures without rushing.
Pacing was key.
Even if victory was possible, charging headfirst into the entire mass would be the fastest way to lose.
Their formation ensured that no one was too far from support. The twins acted as anchors, leading different sections of the group, communicating constantly as they maintained stability within the flow of battle.
As for Natsuki, Yohan, and Reuel—
They were positioned slightly apart.
Their role was clear.
Separate the devilborn.
If that creature remained within the larger force, the rest would be under constant pressure from both sheer numbers and a high-level threat at the same time. That kind of situation wouldn't last long before collapsing.
But if it could be pulled away...
The battle would split cleanly into two controlled scenarios: one focused on containing the mass, and the other on eliminating the greatest threat.
The fifteen would hold.
They would endure.
Either long enough for the three to finish and return…
Or, if necessary, long enough to support them against the devilborn if the situation was more difficult than they imagined.
But ideally—
The three would handle it themselves as decisively as possible.
Dragging the fight out would only increase the risk of the main group being overwhelmed.
So the structure was clear.
Isolate the strongest threat.
Contain the crowd.
Resolve the high-risk fight quickly.
Then recombine for a decisive finish.
If any part of that failed—if the devilborn wasn't separated, if the formation broke, or if the fight dragged on too long—then the advantage would swing back to the enemy.
But if executed properly…
They would control the battlefield from start to end.
IAM watched for the first few seconds as the two sides were just about to clash…
But as usual—
IAM wouldn't quite get to have it his own way.
Natsuki had been watching the situation quietly, her gaze sweeping across the battlefield, and when her eyes landed on the low devilborn, a look of clear disdain formed. Especially as she observed the spawnlings rushing forward with feverish hunger.
She made a decision.
"Such fatuous little things might cause some problems for you weaklings… therefore I shall lend you a little hand. all low spawnlings… fall. my intent is clear. so do not resist...Before me… resistance is futile."
Utterly grand.
Utterly arrogant.
Her words spilled from her lips like they were absolute truth, as once again Natsuki went against IAM's instructions—or more accurately, ignored them entirely.
Why…
Why did she find it so difficult to listen?
But—
The results of her actions were undeniable.
Her sword rose into the air once more, hovering briefly before it began to tremble, almost like an excited child that had been given permission to play. Then—
It pierced through the air.
A blur.
An ugly-shaped spawnling barely registered a faint vibrating sound before its body exploded into sinew and fragments, its form torn apart without even understanding how it had died.
And it didn't stop.
One after another—
Explosions.
Bodies rupturing.
Creatures collapsing before they could even react.
In the span of mere moments, Natsuki had already taken down over ten.
But she didn't remain still.
Wherever her hand moved—
Something died.
She advanced, slightly behind Yohan and Reuel, who were already leading the charge straight toward the devilborn.
Some creatures attempted to block their path, but Reuel would skillfully slice through any low spawnlings that dared approach, his movements sharp and efficient. If a mid spawnling stepped in their way, Yohan would deal with it without hesitation, his strikes precise and decisive.
They avoided the high spawnlings.
Not out of fear—
But out of efficiency.
Engaging them now would waste time and energy before reaching their true target.
So they pushed forward.
Cutting down creature after creature as they rapidly closed the distance.
On the other side, the wave of spawnlings had finally reached the main group.
Arrows flew.
Weapons clashed.
Various path methods were unleashed, chipping away at the numbers before they could fully crash into them.
A beefy creature at the front, a single eye embedded in the centre of its face, charged forward—
Only to be stopped dead by Zayn's shield.
The impact rang out, but before it could recover, Zayna moved in instantly, her blade thrusting into its chest before dragging downward, splitting it open and killing the low spawnling in one clean motion.
They didn't pause.
They moved on.
To the next.
Their voices rang out as they issued instructions, guiding those around them, slowly influencing the flow of battle as the formation held.