192 Chapter 192: Fall of Azpire City (1/2)

Once we cleared out the vicinity of monsters, we made a report to Feng Hai, who listened grimly.

”We'll continue to search for survivors,” I told him. ”I doubt these low and mi -ranking monsters could have wiped out everybody. There should still be some alive somewhere.”

”It is also possible there's a far deadlier enemy lurking somewhere in the city,” Anastasia added, her voice cold and her eyes hard. ”If there is, we'll locate it and destroy it.” she pondered for a moment. ”I believe the Assassin might be involved. The target could be the city council, just like in Jing Tian City. Wipe out the leadership so as to leave the city vulnerable and disorganized as it falls to a monster invasion.”

”Be careful, you two.” Feng Hai still looked concerned. ”Our reinforcements will get through as soon as they can. And if you're able to, get out of the city. Especially you, Richard. We'll need your Strategic-scale spell to…” he broke off sheepishly. ”Wait, hold that thought. Before you nuke the monsters, please let us know or you'll hit our own people. They're still engaging the horde of monsters.”

”Will do.” I glanced up at one of the skyscrapers. ”Maybe, if I can get into a high place, I can summon Scorpio and nuke them from above. I'll let you know when that happens.”

”Good. Do your best, you two.”

”Yes, sir!”

As I switched off the holographic screen, we proceeded to the next stop. Behind us, hundreds of monsters lay mutilated, courtesy of our stroll through the area. Ahead, fires and smoke billowed from the blackened husks of buildings, the ruined cityscape resembling a warzone. Spells and elemental attacks had been hurled from both sides, heedless of the collateral damage they might have caused. After all, homes and buildings could be rebuilt.

But the dead couldn't be brought back to life.

”Ana.” I paused a moment while scanning the entire area with my glasses and relying on the equipment on the lenses to pick out the tallest building in the vicinity. ”I think I'll head toward that Villard Tower over there, get to the rooftop and begin casting my Strategic-scale spell to help the reinforcements from outside.”

”I understand. I'll help you.” Anastasia nodded and picked up the pace, staying a few steps ahead of me but not too fast that I couldn't keep up. As much as I hated to admit it, she was fitter, faster and stronger than me. I was better at magic, but that was the only edge I had over her (an overwhelming edge, admittedly, since my summoning magic directly countered her poison magic). Not that I wanted to turn this into a competition.

At any rate, I was glad I had her on my side.

However, we didn't get very far.

”!!!”

My instincts screamed something, and I jumped to the side on reflex as one of the buildings beside us exploded.

”Ana! Watch out!”

Even before the warning could leave my throat, Anastasia was already vaulting away, flipping herself gracefully in midair before landing on a piece of debris several meters away. Fiery chunks of broken concrete rained down on us, but missed us entirely thanks to our reflexes. As I skidded back and raised my head, I saw a massive silhouette lumbering through the wreckage.

”That's…not a monster.”

Even as the disbelieving words spilled from my mouth, I could feel the potent demonic aura oozing from the giant's figure, an ocean of qi that blanketed even the rank A monsters I had faced before, such as the Hellfire Drakes.

A heavy, evil and overpowering dark presence that weighed upon me tremendously, almost crushing me. I could feel my legs buckling from the sheer pressure, my throat constricting as something intangible suffocated me.

Glancing at Anastasia, I saw that she was experiencing something similar. However, she was able to better control herself and remain upright. Her gleaming daggers, their blades coated with lethal poisons, were already out in her hands as she faced the new threat.

The dark silhouette burst from the crumbling building, but I still couldn't see his features. They were concealed under his massive cloak that covered his entire body, his face hidden under the shadow of his hood. Towering over nine feet, he was a giant with an imposing figure, his muscles bulging through the thick fabric. In one hand he wielded an enormous scythe, its gleaming, sharp blade dripping with blood. A skull decorated the hilt, which was longer than an average male human's height. For some reason, his scythe looked extremely familiar, but I couldn't remember where exactly I had seen it before.

Even as I tried to search through my memories, Anastasia's voice broke through my thoughts.

”You are right. He's not a monster.” she regarded the newcomer. ”…the Grim Reaper, I assume?”

The gigantic man didn't reply. Instead, there was applause from someone else. A second figure hopped out from nearby, appearing from nowhere to join the silent giant.

”Bingo!”

A woman with long dark hair and dressed in a tight, black bodysuit that was completely at odds with Anastasia's green, frilly dress. Well, one was an Assassin and the other was a retired Assassin, so I guess it was natural that their clothes differed. Anastasia would probably wear something similar if she was still performing her old job.

As for me, I frowned when I realized I recognized the woman.

”Selina Wright.”

”Oh! You remember me! I'm so touched!” Selina sounded delighted as she clasped her hands together.

How could I not remember? She was one of the deadliest and most powerful foes I had faced in my life. Even when working together with Cecilia Stuart and Alicia Violet, the three of us weren't able to defeat her. We only succeeded in driving her away.

”You are…” Selina frowned as she faltered a bit, then she stuck out her tongue sheepishly. ”Sorry! I forgot your name! But I remember you…after all, you're that boy with that extremely powerful arrow! That performance back then was really impressive! Few people I've fought tend to stick in my mind like this!”

”I'm flattered,” I said sarcastically, but I was already preparing a spell. If she didn't want to attack immediately, then it was her funeral. I wasn't going to pass up on the chance she offered me when underestimating me.

”What are you doing here?” Anastasia's voice was steady. ”Who was your target?”