"It's here."
The moment Han Zhiqi finished speaking, jet-black hair spread across the ground like a tide, extending all the way beyond the perimeter of their defensive circle.
Several strands tried to launch a sneak attack from below, but the instant they entered the defensive circle, they were wrapped in frost and turned white, forced to retreat in disgrace.
Nohime's face went pale with fright. She had always thought that having a head of glossy black hair was something every girl could take pride in.
But now, looking at the hair at her feet moving like a living thing, she felt only revulsion and terror. Her scalp tingled as though her own hair had come alive.
It moved!
Strands of hair slowly rose from the ground, each one like a thin, pointed spear aimed at the three of them.
The spears suddenly drew back, making a brief recoil.
Then, in the next second, every spear shot toward them at blinding speed.
With the domain formed by his frost, Han Zhiqi could sense attacks from nearly every direction over a wide area. He had removed his weights partly to lessen the burden on his body, and partly so he could swing his blade faster.
He no longer had the strength to launch an effective counterattack. Even at his peak, he knew he was no match for that monster. All he could do was swing his blade desperately and hold out until sunrise.
"The three of you, get behind me. Watch for attacks from both sides."
That single exchange had already left the other two unable to cope, their bodies covered in wounds. Those strands of hair were incredibly hard; even the slightest contact left a bloody gash.
At Han Zhiqi's call, the three slowly moved behind him. Nohime took the left,