231 Chapter 231: Reinforcements (1/2)
The Vermillion Phoenix screeched before it unleashed another hail of fire that incinerated the warriors guarding the innermost segments of the temple. The minor Assassins, those who had not yet reached the level of the more professional, elite ones, were instantly obliterated by the overwhelming firepower of Michael Porter's Soul Beast.
”Amazing.”
Shun Yin inwardly agreed with Glen's overawed remark. The both of them had single-handedly witnessed the Vermillion Phoenix incinerate another two Frenzor Assassins in an instant before single-handedly sweeping away any opposition that stood between them and the temple. Michael had then proceeded unimpeded into the temple, mercilessly burning the enemies into ash.
He was clearly furious.
”We have to hurry,” he told both Shun Yin and Glen, his brow furrowed in a vicious scowl. ”Or we'll be too late.”
”What's happening, Mike?” Glen asked as the two high school students caught up with Michael. He had summoned White Tiger, and his Soul Beast proceeded to cast an electrifying barrier over the two young teenagers to protect them from Pavlichenko snipers, the specialized rounds getting fried by lightning. ”Too late for what?”
”The Assassins Guild's clients…we've received information that they plan to artificially trigger an Emergence event right here in Vermillion City. We've to stop them before they succeed.”
”That's not good.” Glen gulped. ”We should hurry then.”
”It gets worse.” Michael's expression was grim. ”They plan to summon Surtr, a fire demon with the power to engulf the whole world in flames and annihilate humanity. If our intelligence is correct, then the ones behind this whole thing is…the Dark Church.”
”Seriously?! They want to destroy the world?!” Glen groaned. Then he frowned. ”Huh? And the Assassins are okay with that?”
”Apparently.” Michael's features were set in cold fury. ”They don't care if the world is destroyed. Being Assassins, they will probably survive and thrive in such an apocalyptic world. Well, some of them, anyway. Even without that, their Grand Master is clinging to some stupid Assassin's Pride that prevents them from reneging on their contract.”
”Well, Assassin's Pride was quite the…cliché and not-exactly-good anime,” Shun Yin muttered. ”I didn't really like the plot or the characters. Maybe the anime adaptation screwed up the original source material. I heard they had a lot more character development in both the manga and light novel, but the anime rushed things and left those out.”
Michael turned to glare at him. ”Are you seriously talking about anime in a situation like this?”
”If you're right and the world is going to end, this will be my last chance to talk about anime, right?” Shun Yin pointed out dryly.
”Ha!” Glen guffawed, his White Tiger bounding beside him. ”Shun Yin has a point there!”
Arcs of electricity blasted out of his Soul Beast and struck the stealthily hiding Assassins, electrocuting the Pavlichenko snipers and sending them toppling onto the ground. Michael finished the rest of them with a meteoric bombardment of fireballs from above, destroying cover and burning them to ash.
”But if we can clean up all the bastards here and save the world, then you can go home and watch whatever anime you want. Deal?”
”Yeah, whatever.” Shun Yin shook his head, and continued forward. He glanced at Michael. ”Where exactly are they holding the ritual? We're already in the main hall, and I don't see anything…”
”Underground,” Michael grunted. ”And don't lower your guard. Those aren't the only Assassins they have…”
He had barely finished speaking when figures darted out of the shadows, effortlessly evading the fireballs and lightning before slashing at Michael and Glen.
The enemies' strategy was clear. They knew the one weakness of summoning magic once it had been cast. Take out the summoner and the Soul Beast would disappear along with its master's death. As such, the most effective way of dealing with the overwhelmingly powerful Vermillion Phoenix and deadly White Tiger was to assassinate the mages who had summoned them in the first place.
And assassination was precisely the sort of task they specialized in.
”!!!”
Clang!
That was where Shun Yin came in. Even though both Michael and Glen were perfectly capable of protecting themselves, they left their backs to Shun Yin. Drawing his sword, the dark-haired fire mage parried a few dark blades from the charging Umbra Assassins and repelled them with a flaming swing. An explosion engulfed them temporarily, forcing them back.
”Kuh!”
Even though they had borne the full brunt of Shun Yin's fire spell, the Umbra Assassins were little more than singed. Twirling their short swords and lethal blades, they came in for another attack, but Shun Yin stubbornly stood in their way.
However, he was just one person. Against a dozen Assassins, he could only hold off a handful at a time. A couple of them got past him and lunged at Michael, determined to finish him off before the Vermillion Phoenix eradicated every last one of them.
Unfortunately, they found themselves repulsed effortlessly. Michael had drawn his sword and deflected their attacks before kicking one of them. Spinning around, he blocked a blade before unleashing a flaming spell at pointblank range. The third Umbra Assassin managed to fire off a series of shadowy spikes, which grazed Michael and left a cut on his face and arm. Fortunately, Michael had moved to avoid getting struck in his vitals.
Spinning around, he swung his sword forcefully to knock the last Assassin back, but his opponent gracefully flipped backward and out of his range. The two of them then traded a shadow ball and fireball, the two magical projectiles colliding and exploding in crimson and black flames.
”Tch!”
Clicking his tongue, Michael had his Vermillion Phoenix bombard the area. He sent a glance at Shun Yin and Glen, the both of them still engaged in a furious melee with the other Assassins. They caught his look and immediately retreated, with White Tiger pouncing in to swipe at them with its lightning claws. One of them went down in a spray of blood, his body unable to withstand the lethal strike, but the rest managed to withdraw to safety.
Exactly where Michael planned for them to retreat to.
His Vermillion Phoenix screeched as it launched another fiery hail of meteors upon the Umbra Assassins. They glanced up, and then scattered, melting into the shadows. Even so, there was at least two or three of them unable to escape in time. Not that it mattered in the grand scheme of things, but every Assassin lost was another blow to their chances of victory.
Fortunately for them, they didn't have to dodge.
”!!!!”
Tremendous tendrils of shadows swept out and flicked the flaming meteors away, sending them crashing into the walls and ceilings and demolishing the already ravaged temple.