Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix
Chapter 1319 - 1319: Summoning

"Only half, which means that the cores are getting the other half of the experience…" Rain thought.

That could be a problem eventually…but for now, Rain didn't have any other choice. The other army had joined the battlefield, and Rain had to take care of them…

The second army advancing toward Rain was a diverse and grotesque assembly of monsters that bore an uncanny resemblance to living statues. However, their appearance hinted at a transformation, as if an infection had altered their original forms.

Among them, some took on the appearance of hairy quadrupeds, while others resembled humans with wings in the place of arms and horns protruding from their heads. Additionally, colossal creatures reminiscent of oversized animals added to the nightmarish vision.

The ominous aura surrounding Rain's doppelgangers resonated with the sin-infused weapons, creating an unsettling counterpoint to the approaching horde. The monstrous variety within the second army posed a unique challenge, requiring Rain to adapt his strategies to contend with the diverse capabilities of these transformed beings.

As the battlefield unfolded, the clash between Rain and this new assembly intensified, revealing the extent of the master of the prison's twisted experiments and the formidable obstacles Rain faced in his mission.

"This place is really a shit hole filled with freaks," Rain thought.

Rain couldn't help but recall the last war before he disappeared… something similar had happened. Enemies began to appear from all directions and tried to overwhelm the humans and their allies… the dragon god was behind that war, so Rain wondered if the enemy had obtained information regarding that war somehow. Regardless, there wasn't much point in thinking about it now.

When the second army began to approach him, they didn't even try to use long-range attacks. While roaring and running like they had lost their minds, they tried to grab Rain… probably in order to pass whatever virus they were carrying with themselves.

Rain fired some lightning bolts and fried their heads, but the number of monsters just overwhelmed him and surrounded him. They forced a sphere that was probably planning to suffocate him with their bodies… still, the monsters soon stopped moving, and their bodies began to freeze and be covered in Ice.

Before long, a single sword slash split hundreds of those beasts in half and then caused them to fall to their deaths as they landed on the ground and cracked like glass.

"Rain, we are getting overwhelmed here," Seara suddenly said. "The third group of enemies just arrived, and we are slowly losing ground. It will be only a matter of time before we are surrounded by countless of those beasts."

The strategic change of the enemy became increasingly evident as they shifted their focus towards Rain's friends and family, recognizing the potential psychological impact it could have on him. Their intention was clear, to induce despair, weaken Rain's resolve, and hinder his ability to lead a successful defense.

The enemy understood that the loss of even a single individual from Rain's circle could have a cascading effect, diminishing their overall combat effectiveness. It was a calculated move aimed at disrupting the cohesion of Rain's forces and setting the stage for an overpowering onslaught.

For Rain and his allies, the situation had become critical. The necessity to protect every member of their group had increased, not merely as a matter of personal concern but as a strategic necessity.

The prospect of defeat loomed large, with the knowledge that any failure on their part could result in the annihilation of subsequent reinforcements who would arrive unprepared to face the relentless onslaught.

"... I guess there is only one option left," Rain said. "Kill the master of the prison."

Before Elisabetha had the chance to ask how Rain was planning to do that, he suddenly became a dark lightning bolt and then crossed the battlefield insanely fast. He didn't attack anyone, he just flew in a straight line and the collision against the monsters on the path completely destroyed them.

"This is a neat trick, filling your compressed domain with corrupt power and lightning magic," Elisabetha said. "Anyway, how do you know that you are heading in the right direction?"

"Seriously, you guys can be so clueless at times," Rain said. "Do you all easily believe in the words of those who help you just once?"

Elisabetha, struck by Rain's words, experienced a sudden realization akin to the impact of lightning. The gravity of his message resonated, and the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. The direction Rain had chosen to traverse on the battlefield served as a clear indicator of the source of his suspicions.

The notion that their supposed benefactors might not be entirely trustworthy settled heavily upon Elisabetha's understanding, and she could discern the implications of Rain's actions.

The acknowledgment of potential deceit cast a shadow over their previous alliances, prompting Elisabetha to brace herself for the impending confrontation with the master of the prison. At the same time, she finally began to realize how things played out in that zone, being split from Esmeralda's group, having to endure those numerous tests and situations… even being helped by Arel.

Everything was part of a very detailed, crafted plan.

Although they left countless enemies behind, soo Rain and Elisabetha saw some others in the distance and in the direction they were heading too. They were small in number, but their aura of absolute power showed that the master of the prison had teleported the lords to make them fight Rain and make him waste his time.

Rain clicked his tongue and then decided to increase his speed to get open a path, but soon he was forced to slow down when he saw the enemies piercing their own bodies with their hands and making blood gush from their wounds like rain…

"Here we go again…" Rain thought.

The area began to shake violently when the blood touched the ground, the lords began to slowly die, and in response, something began to emerge from the ground…