628 Elf (1/2)

It was possible to block the portal to enter and exit the Domain!?

What was blocking it? Why was it blocked? Many questions arose in everyone's minds. However, they didn't have the free time to think about this, because the large monsters all attacked in unison by spitting out tremendous Mana Bullets!

Defensive spell, ”Ice Wall”!

Defensive spell, ”Tortoise Shell”!

Shika and Seiji cast defensive spells at almost the exact same time. A thick ice wall and an overlapping barrier managed to block this wave of attacks!!

Shika then charged forward and speedily counterattacked. Meanwhile, Seiji stayed in his original position and maintained the barrier to protect his friends.

Hisashi cast Thunderboom as quickly as he could, while Mika also started casting her Dimension Shattering Jade spell. They attacked the monsters with all they had.

However, Hoshi still stood still and didn't move one bit. He simply stared at the red-leafed tree, as if he couldn't see the monsters at all.

Just what could be there!? Seiji almost wanted to send a [Mana Bullet] in the direction that Hoshi was looking at, but he restrained himself.

If he really hit some existence there and angered it, perhaps things here would become even worse.

It was a bit dangerous to be surrounded and attacked by so many large monsters, but it was actually still manageable. However, things would become incredibly difficult if there were even more monsters.

”Kazuko-san!” He communicated nonverbally with his eyes, inquiring about the portal.

”I still can't…” Kazuko was furrowing her eyebrows deeply and was holding her hands up high as she trembled slightly. ”I can't open it…”

”Is it… possible to communicate with the existence that's blocking your portal?” Seiji asked.

”I don't know… I can try.”

”I'll be counting on you.”

The powerful monsters attacked only to find themselves blocked by Seiji's powerful barrier!

Shika speedily used a succession of continuous skills as she produced an explosive amount of burst damage!

Hisashi and Mika attacked with full force, acting as stationery artillery under the protection of Seiji's barrier!

Shika's sword flashed, Hisashi's thunder boomed, and Mika's Mana Bullets rang out…

Some minutes later, all the large monsters had completely died.

No new spiritual creatures were appearing, so Seiji stopped maintaining his barrier.

Kazuko had her eyes closed and seemed to be doing something.

Hoshi remained standing still as if time had stopped for him.

Seiji and the others exchanged awkward glances, not knowing what to do.

”Could it be that there's a problem with that tree?” Hisashi indicated towards the red-leafed tree as he adjusted his eyeglasses. ”How about we try destroying that tree?”

The moment that he got closer to it, he felt an invisible force attempting to repel him!

Getting any closer would be dangerous… Seiji had such a feeling.

No matter what type of existence was blocking Kazuko's portal, it was highly likely that this existence was on the red-leafed tree and invisible. Or, it was also possible that just like Hisashi said, perhaps this tree itself was the cause of the problem.

*Rumble rumble rumble…* The ground suddenly started shaking!

Seiji almost tripped and fell over. He managed to react quick enough to steady himself. However, the next instant, his vision darkened and he heard loud sounds as the ground itself flipped over and he fell downwards!

Seiji reflexively adjusted his posture. Several seconds later, he landed with a loud thump on something solid, and his vision returned to normal.

”Everyone! Are you alright!?” His first reaction was to ascertain how his friends were.

”Seiji… I'm fine.” Mika was the first to reply.

”I'm fine as well… I just had a slight fall,” Hisashi answered.

Both of them were close by to Seiji.

What about the others?

”Shika-chan! Hoshi! Kazuko-san!” Seiji looked all around him. ”Where are you? Answer me!!”

There was no reply.

Three people were missing! Seiji became extremely worried. However, he then forced himself to calm down.

He tried using a special Yin-Yang Master/Spirit-branded Retainer spell to contact Shika who was now his Spirit-branded Retainer. However, this spell failed to work.

The environment around him had completely changed. Although he was still in the Forest Palace, it was obvious that they were now in a different area. The best evidence was that the red tree from earlier was now nowhere to be seen!

”The Domain itself suddenly changed… or perhaps we were teleported to a different location,” Seiji surmised out loud as he walked towards Mika and Hisashi.

”I think that the prior is more likely, and that the others not here with us were scattered to different places,” Hisashi analyzed calmly.