Crisis

As everyone knew, archers were usually made of paper. What would happen if one took several tenth-tier spells and a Super-Tier Magic head-on?

Peroroncino stood there with his mouth open and eyes shut, killed instantly. If damage could stack, he'd still owe three more lives.

The immense damage punched through the outpost's layers of defenses, even ripping off its ceiling. Their companions still inside grabbed Vier and hurried outside, then gathered together and warily watched Gabriel and the others.

Although Gabriel was still weakened after casting Super-Tier Magic, he remained airborne, looking down at Momonga and the others.

"Heh, is this all there is? Looks like I won't have to wait for the guildmaster. I can bring Heaven-Supporting God back myself."

He waved a hand and ordered his companions behind him.

"Everyone, attack!"

Raphael charged first, sword in hand. Touch Me didn't hesitate to engage him, while the others each found their own opponents. In an instant, the battlefield descended into chaos.

The battle erupted. Momonga and the others were outnumbered, but every one of them displayed formidable strength. A few companions who weren't suited to fighting stayed behind them, casting buffs, and they just barely managed to hold the line.

The fight between Touch Me and Raphael was especially fierce. Their sword strikes clashed, sending brilliant sparks flying.

With his exquisite swordsmanship and immense strength, Touch Me repelled Raphael's attacks time and again. Raphael, in turn, relied on his agility and flexible tactics to keep probing Touch Me's defenses.

On the other battlefields, Momonga and the others each made full use of their strengths, fighting desperately against their opponents.

Despite their numerical advantage, Gabriel's side gained little ground against the others' stubborn resistance.

"I never expected these unremarkable-looking people to hold off our attacks and display such incredible strength, even without the two world-class players."

Watching the battle, Gabriel furrowed his brow. He knew this fight wouldn't be an easy victory.

Just then, a long arrow shot out from behind Gabriel and dealt him a heavy blow.

Gabriel reacted quickly and turned to fight. The archer was Peroroncino, who had successfully revived using a delayed-resurrection item and immediately rejoined the battle.

Peroroncino was no match for Gabriel in strength, but he had a unique fighting style. He kept dodging Gabriel's attacks while looking for chances to strike back.

His rapid-fire arrows didn't deal much damage, but they could effectively interrupt Gabriel's skills, making him a difficult opponent to deal with.

With Peroroncino harrying him, Gabriel had to devote most of his attention to fending off the attacks, leaving him unable to direct his companions on the other battlefields.

Momonga and the others seized the opportunity and launched an even fiercer assault.

As time passed, Gabriel's side fell further and further behind. Their formation began to break apart, and their numbers dwindled.

Meanwhile, Momonga and the others fought with growing confidence. They worked in perfect sync, using sound tactics, and gradually gained the upper hand.

Thud. In front of Gabriel and the other two, Beast King Mekong stomped the last angel into data. He turned around and said viciously,

"Pah! What a bunch of trash. They actually thought they could come looking for trouble with us."

By then, Gabriel and the other two had almost no HP or MP left, and they were afflicted with all sorts of debuffs. Aside from Peroroncino, who had been killed instantly at the start, the others were all in decent shape.

Even though he was a prisoner, Gabriel refused to give up his arrogance. He stuck out his chest and taunted them.

"Don't think this means you've won. Our guildmaster will be here soon. You'd better let us go while you still can."

Mekong tilted his head. The man seemed to have something wrong with him. He was a prisoner and still had such an attitude. Mekong wasn't about to indulge him.

He beckoned to Peroroncino.

"Come on, give him a couple of slaps to knock some sense into him. Just don't kill him."

Peroroncino had meant to make a grand entrance, but he'd been killed instantly as soon as he came out, and it had been pretty embarrassing. He was still in a foul mood, but Mekong's words immediately perked him up.

He eagerly strode over to Gabriel and, with a sharp smack, slapped him to the ground.

"You! How dare you hit me!"

Gabriel roared and tried to get back up, but Peroroncino planted a foot on his chest.

"So what if I hit you? You really think you're somebody important? To us, you're nothing but trash."

While the group was making fun of Gabriel and the other two, Bukubukuchagama and Momonga had finished gathering the resources in the guild outpost. Someone had blown it up, so there was no point staying. They'd be better off finding somewhere else and building a new one.

Momonga looked at the others still humiliating Gabriel and stepped forward, exasperated.

"Let's just kill them and get going. We've packed everything up."

Mekong nodded and prepared to finish off the three of them. Just then, holy light illuminated the gloomy Poison Frog Swamp. The captured Gabriel waved excitedly and shouted,

"Guildmaster, we're over here!"

As soon as Gabriel stood up, Peroroncino kicked him back down and said,

"Could you show a little self-awareness?"

Michael descended in a divine carriage pulled by three phoenixes, radiating an air of absolute superiority.

He sat in the carriage and looked down at Momonga and the others, as if to say, "You people aren't worthy of looking me in the eye." His voice rang with authority as he spoke in a tone of condescension.

"Release the three of them and hand over Heaven-Supporting God. I'll allow you to leave. Otherwise, you'll all stay here."

Beast King Mekong had a fiery temper, and hearing that demand made it flare up at once.

He decided to kill Gabriel right then and there to entertain everyone. But Michael merely raised a hand, and a dazzling beam of light appeared in the sky, piercing straight through Beast King Mekong's body.

The moment he fell, everyone was stunned. Was that a special skill, or some powerful item?

Momonga and Touch Me exchanged a glance, and each understood what the other was thinking. They decided to use Heaven-Supporting God to wipe out the arrogant guildmaster Michael and all his men.

Michael, however, seemed to have seen through their thoughts. He sneered.

"You think having Heaven-Supporting God makes you invincible? I've already figured out what it can do. You're only digging your own graves.

"Why do you think I dared to come alone? My people have already surrounded the area around Poison Frog Swamp. Without my orders, they'll keep watch outside.

"Want to make a bet? Let's see whether Heaven-Supporting God in your hands is stronger, or whether our Tears of Angels and three hundred mercenaries can outlast you."