The Runners sprinting like dogs, the Sliders writhing like sea anemones, and even larger Seaborn formed a massive legion advancing toward Skadi. These Incubi that had plagued Iberia's coastline for so long were shattered under the Doctor's command and the operators' efforts, becoming nutrient-rich matter on the ground that fed the spread of the Seaborn residue.
That blue, waterlogged-looking substance was a form of life, a moss originating from the deep sea. Yet it posed a far greater threat to other living beings than ordinary moss, freely damaging the operators' equipment. Once their reinforced iron boots were corroded and broken, neurotoxins would seep in. The medical operators' staves never stopped working, constantly dispelling the toxins' erosion.
"Eek! Doctor! Doctor! They're coming closer!" Cuora screamed. The toes of her shoes had already split open, and several pale little toes were turning deep blue under the residue's corrosion.
"Rosmontis, support her!" At the Doctor's command, Rosmontis immediately hurled all of her wall-thick shields toward Cuora. Cuora understood at once and burrowed into her incredibly sturdy, though mysteriously made, backpack to evade the damage.
Bang bang bang bang bang!!!
Like cannon shells that failed to explode, the shields crashed down around her and swept the Seaborn clean away. Cuora immediately crawled out of her shell, baseball bat in hand, and retreated toward the defensive line formed by the defenders and guards.
The pressure they faced was no lighter. They could only hold out longer than Cuora thanks to their seasoned combat experience.
"Keep your head down, little girl!" Hellagur shouted at Cuora. He raised his absurdly long sword with both hands and slashed horizontally. His precise mastery of the weapon made the strike graze the hair Cuora had tossed up while running, while the Seaborn pouncing behind her were all cleaved in two