Labyrinth Expedition #12

Akiro squinted at the blinding light that arose from the northern gate. Like a tidal wave, the yellow light rushed from the ground, scoring the ground as it did– not burning the earth and grass to ash, but sowing blooming flowers and lush vegetation in its sword path.

The sword swung once in an arc, and the life produced from the light that lined the edge of the blade caused the life of the monsters to perish into dust, fertilizing the soil as they fell. The advance was immediately halted, and a second company of monsters froze in fear of what this hero had just done.

“Whoa, would you look at that?” The assassin stationed atop the bell tower smirked, watching the scene unfold from the comfort of a defensive position– through the aid of a scope of a long rifle scout. “It seems like you’re done hiding your true powers.”

His arms were crossed like an ‘x,’ the stability provided by it held the stock of the sniper rifle steady against his shoulder. “As your friend, I played along long enough even though you didn’t ask me to.” Akiro thought, humming as he reminisced the entire time they were in this world. “But neither was I serious, Ayama. Let’s show off– just this once. For fun’s sake.”

“Phew…” Ayama whistled, letting the air he held in his lungs slowly escape, “Still– I hate this passive skill. Although it’s an increase in ability for the forces– I feel like I’m controlling them in some way. This sucks.”

The Hero drew back his sword, assuming another stance, one that was more casual than the one he just took, but just as guarded. For a second he stared at the sword in his hand, smiling at how it was still in great condition despite the incredible strain he had put it through.

While he did so, prompt windows appeared in long columns, tallying the points he had accumulated in that one attack. The long list had to be divided into two equal columns so as not to obstruct his vision.

[ You have slain a monster, +1 Point ] [ You have slain a monster, +2 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, +5 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, +1 Point ] [ You have slain a monster, +2 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, +5 Points ][ You have slain a monster, +1 Point ] [ You have slain a monster, +2 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, +5 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, + 10 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, +20 Points ]----

[ You have slain a monster, +1 Point ] [ You have slain a monster, +2 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, +5 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, +1 Point ] [ You have slain a monster, +2 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, +5 Points ][ You have slain a monster, +1 Point ] [ You have slain a monster, +2 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, +5 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, + 10 Points ] [ You have slain a monster, +20 Points ]----

[ You have 1670 points ]

“Not a bad sword, I’ll tell Akiro that.” Ayama grinned, turning his attention back to the crowd of unintelligent monsters, “Now–” His murderous intent and formidable aura poured out of his being, “Which one of you will be next?”

[ Passive Skill: [Indomitable Spearhead] has successfully influenced the confused monsters. ] [ Their fighting spirit and morale have been severely decreased momentarily. ] [They are frozen in place because of fear.]

[ Passive Skill: [Taunting Challenge] has successfully been deployed. ] [ The monster’s intelligence has been severely decreased. ] [ They are on the verge of losing all rationality ]

[ Passive Skills: [Indomitable Spearhead] and [Taunting Challenge] are harmonizing! ] [ Because of your creed, the Mother of Life smiles brightly toward you!] [ The sunlight radiates, empowering you with strength! ] [ Your enemies tremble with fear and awe, faced with nothing but their swift ends! ]

[ Due to your creed as the ‘Brightest Millenium Star,’ The High-noon Sun gives you even more strength.] [Your abilities cause your surrounding allies to be strengthened! ] [If you do not fall, neither will they.]

[ Passive Skill: [ Charismatic Leadership ] successfully influenced the wayward warriors. ] [They will now follow your command for the duration of the Battle. ] [ Passive Skill: [ Unbending Will ] has calmed your mind. ] [ You will temporarily not feel fear. ]

The armored ogre stared at Ayama from the foremost line, shivering in awe and fear. But even though it was known by its reputation as being an unnaturally cunning monster, it dumble roared in a panic, rushing towards the glowing human with little to no personal thought to its own safety– but in return, the magic inside its body surged, cloaking the long limbs in a mist of mana.

“Berserk, huh?” Ayama huffed inside his mask, watching as the blow came for him– only to dodge the last second, the lethal attack grazing the tips of his visible magic aura. “Minor [Diagonal Slash]”

Shing!

Yellow light extended the already long blade in his hand, cleaving the monster in two with ease; and Ayama followed the motion by twisting his arm, slamming his foot against the ground once more.

The monsters had followed the ogres lead, and all at once broke the stalemate and ran mindlessly for Ayama, only to be cut down by another of the first skills he had unleashed.

“Ultimate Skill: “Heaven above–” – [Shamayim]”

Again but unlike the first, brilliant light exploded again from the sword Ayama held as it swung in an arc. However, instead of the light disintegrating everything standing in its path, it was concentrated in one line— a fine edge that grew even longer from Ayama’s sword.

But when the motion was completed by the light slowly shattering into glittering dust, the residue dissipated quickly, but not the monsters. Like the ogre before it, they were all cleanly severed into two. Whether the necks of kobolds and goblins, or torsos of ogres, trolls and orcs– they were all the same in the end. They were dead where they stood, and the ground underneath them was drenched in monster blood.

[ You have 2480 points ]

“w-whoa—” Some soldier gasped, lost in the magnificent light the display gave, liquid pooling in his boots, “T-That’s the [Hero] from another World? H-He’s strong!”

The soldier beside him nodded too, only asking a question afterward. “Sh-Shouldn’t we help too?!”

“Idiot!” The first soldier chastised, “Can’t you see?! If we join in– we’ll be collateral!”

“U-Urk–” Ayama groaned, lowering the heavy blade he had been swinging. Although it seemed like an extension of his weapon, a weightless upgrade added upon it, it was accurately another load had been added to it. “T-That hurts!”

But even in his pain, his complaints and groaning, Ayama looked at the third company that followed the second approaching in the distance. “I see, they’re really going to whittle us down with numbers.” He noted, dropping the sword, letting it impale against the soil. “But my ultimates are not limited to just sword techniques.”

Like in response to the two forces vanishing at the snap of a finger, the encroaching reinforcements doubled in speed– traversing the distance at twice the pace, quickly entering within range, even as they were still far away.

The hero switched his footing, stomping the ground with his right foot, a small wave of tremors originating from it. He raised his left arm and the large shield attached to it began to radiate, the heat making the surrounding air hazey. Ayama pushed with his left foot, twisting his body in tandem– the air compressing against the burning shield.

“Ultimate Skill: “--Earth Below” - [Adamah]”

Crrk—Boom!

The compressed atmosphere was ejected with a loud explosion, taking debris along with it, but the recoil produced by the pushing force also made the ground behind Ayama crack– throwing a few men off the walls as a result. However, in retun, the high speeds attained by the objects carried along with the push rained down like meteors, tearing flesh, crushing bones and obliterating anything within their landing.

Unfortunately, not every monster was destroyed from the third and last attack, and after the mist of dust and gore had cleared, monsters emerged from it– albeit bloody, wounded and thinned, they still came en masse.

[ You have 3640 points ]

“Damn it!” Ayama spat blood, falling onto one knee, “Even at this high level– I can only handle until the [Third Day]?” He looked at the monsters slowly getting closer and closer.

He unclasped the locks on his arm, letting the half-molten shield fall, and reached for the sword with his left hand.

Ayama glared at the monsters, "There's no end to them!" but even from afar, a soft explosion of pressurized air came from behind him, and only a second later did a hue of blue stream past.

Thwip!

And as his sharp eyes followed the light, the projectile emitting the streak collided with a monster’s head. The monster’s momentum was offset by the bullet, and it fell back head, rolling as it laid on the ground lifeless.

“A-Akiro?” Ayama thought, sure of the source, and he turned his head to his exact position, making a sour expression. “He’s doing something useless again!”

To which Akiro responded with a frown of his own. Peering through the scope attatched to the weapon he had summoned, Akiro stared at Ayama, who made a face at him. “What?!” He asked aloud, “I’m being helpful!”

And almost in a show of stubborness, Akiro aimed the rifle away from the fatigued Hero, and aligned the lines of the viewing scope. He cradled the weapon with care and excitement, “But anyway–” He looked at the bolt-action M40, smirking at the enemies running for his comrade. “Let's see what this baby can do! ”