How to Survive Against Villains Chapter 264

Chapter 264 – A Battle That Left Only Wounds

Leading the party forward, I encountered Samuel erging from beyond the forest, and we arrived in the Ordor Forest through the space portal he opened.

However,

“No one’s here?”

Not a single witch could be seen in the Witch’s Forest.

Realizing sothing had gone wrong, I moved straight to this place.

The direction I chose was Demtor, the one where the afterglow of the stars could be felt.

“That was close.”

The scene was truly a crisis on the brink.

A ti-slowing illusion created by Oarla’s Absolute Illusion had unfolded.

Without a mont’s hesitation, I triggered a Burst Strike and dove into the illusion, beginning the salvation.

Thus, the Siren’s Hymn was activated.

Flash!!!!

The light of the Hymn imbued with Burst Strike swept through the surroundings like a storm.

The voodoo dolls touched by the golden waves twisted their bodies and let out ghastly screams, and the black shamans who had been controlling them also collapsed, vomiting blood.

A sharp killing intent rained down upon the incapacitated black shamans.

Ssskuk-!

“Kuhugh!”

A surprise ambush.

Elton’s Fla Sword pierced the back of a black shaman and incinerated his flesh.

When the other black shamans tried to react in haste, Fenry slipped out from under the shadows nearby.

“Die!”

Like a bolt of lightning, she dashed through them, slicing their throats with her twin crows.

With Elton and Fenry’s intervention, the annihilation of the black shamans didn’t take even five breaths.

Thud—

With the control gone, the voodoo dolls lost function and slumped to the ground.

As the atmosphere shifted dramatically with Hunt’s arrival, Lindbergh, who had been watching from above, pointed his staff and expressed his fury.

“Where did these annoying bugs co from!!!”

Kuaaahhh—!

A trendous storm was summoned from Lindbergh’s staff.

5-Star Magic, Wind Blade Storm.

A massive green whirlwind of blades descended upon the witches’ heads.

“I’ll shred you all to pieces!”

As the fearso blade storm crashed down like thunder to tear apart the witches' bodies, a man hurled himself beneath it.

A man who crossed his twin swords.

Lochter activated the traits of the twin swords, Reyna and Belin, and soared into the center of the whirlwind, intercepting the magic with his blades.

Zzaang!

“Ghh!”

As the twin swords emitted a red glow and absorbed the impact, the sharp storm dispersed like a gentle breeze.

“What, what the?!”

Leaving Lindbergh’s confusion behind, Lochter landed and staggered.

The pain-stricken expression lasted only a mont before he opened his blades and twisted his waist.

He glanced at Lindbergh, just briefly,

“Taah!”

With a fierce shout, he swung his twin swords into the air.

A counterattack.

A crimson shockwave ripped through the air, pouring down upon Lindbergh.

Kkwaaaang—!

“...Ugh!”

Lindbergh’s shield was pushed back by the powerful shockwave and began to fall downward.

Lochter dashed forward, targeting that spot.

Vhoooom!

A thick aura flowed along the twin blades.

Seeing Lochter blitz forward at a terrifying speed, Lindbergh quickly raised his magic.

Aura Sword.

A 5-Star combatant.

‘That shockwave just now... what ability was that? A trait? A skill? Or a sword effect?’

The situation was quite confusing.

“Wh, who the hell are you?!”

His shout was cut short as a wave of intense killing intent surged from behind.

Another enemy.

Kkgrgrgr—!

A chilling sound of the shield being shredded could be heard.

“It won’t cut? As expected, the Stars are different.”

As I turned my gaze, a blonde dark elf was frowning.

Jet-black crows.

The eerie aura surrounding her crows indicated she was also a 5-Star.

Kkwaaang—!

This ti, a Fla Sword struck the shield.

The shield wavered from Elton’s empowered strike, and Lindbergh clenched his teeth as he layered more barriers.

Enemies attacking from three directions.

‘This is dangerous!’

Sensing the threat, Lindbergh released his full power. Fighting with minimal magic in the Ghost Forest had been fine until now, but this wasn’t the ti to hold back.

“Hand over that old man’s head!”

“Shut up!”

The compressed magic exploded at once, unleashing sharp spells upon the three of them.

Breathing beca difficult.

“Haah… haah… kuhlk!”

I gasped and steadied my breathing as I burst out the breath that had been blocked. My whole body was trembling like a leaf, and I couldn’t put in any strength.

[Two shots remaining.]

At Reto’s warning, I cursed and grabbed my trembling legs.

The aftereffects of firing two consecutive Burst Strikes were stronger than expected.

I had saved Oarla and neutralized the voodoo dolls, but the crisis wasn’t over yet.

Modin Glos, the Lord of the Ivory Tower.

He had not yet retreated.

“A-Attack!”

“Don’t stop!!!”

The witches who barely escaped Lindbergh’s magic began launching their remaining curses at Modin.

About thirty witches were still standing.

The ones who had collapsed were incapacitated due to the aftereffects of drained spiritual power.

Popopopopopong!

Curses, confusion, and physical spells rained down on Modin, but that damn shield was the problem.

‘So he’s not called the “Magician of Artifacts” for nothing.’

The glowing blue square shield blocked all the witches’ spells.

Sword, shield, and helt.

That artifact equipnt, resembling a knight, was specifically designed to counter witches.

Step, step—

Even Dorta’s spell had bounced off that shield.

Modin ignored the minor spells and slowly advanced toward .

His sword tip pointed at , and I could feel a murderous gaze from within his helt.

Apparently, the blow he took earlier and being knocked down was quite humiliating, as he had shifted his target from Oarla to .

“Wh-what should we do?!”

A panicked voice burst out from behind .

“You’re still here?”

“You obviously look like you’re in danger. How could I leave in this situation?”

Samuel Barber, the mustached gentleman.

He had been about to escape with Oarla but changed his mind when I was in danger and asked for my input.

If I asked him to take too, I could escape Modin’s sword.

However,

‘The witches behind are in danger...’

I had to hold the line.

“What about Punkin?!”

“She’s done for. Already gave her life.”

Damn, are we too late?

Wrapped in black smoke, it was hard to grasp Clarke and Punkin’s condition, but I had no choice but to believe Samuel’s words since he had already gone there.

Taking a deep breath, I summoned the Ring of Blood and glared at Modin.

If Samuel could help, it would be a huge boon.

“Samuel, don’t you have any abilities besides running?”

“Don’t expect too much from .”

“Just get out of here.”

Before I could finish, Samuel’s presence vanished.

Modin, shield raised, was charging at .

“Shit, let’s just do it.”

[It’s going to be excruciating.]

“If you’re not going to help, then shut up!”

Even before the aftereffects subsided, I pulled the bowstring, my face contorting as I unleashed another Burst Strike.

Maybe it was because two shots were my limit.

As I squeezed out my potential, I felt the pain of my muscles twisting.

But the effect was trendous.

Vhoooom!

“......!”

Without even a warning sign, the giant arrow was complete in a single breath, and Modin flinched.

A maximum-power arrow infused with my potential energy.

I fired it with Piercing Enchant.

Ttoooom—!

The massive arrow exploded right in front of him.

He barely blocked it with his shield, but the Piercing Arrow sliced through the surface of the shield and struck Modin’s helt.

“Kuhugh!”

The shield and helt split apart, revealing Modin’s pain-twisted face.

He spat out a mouthful of blood, barely balanced himself, and used his sword to support his body.

Damn, that was disgustingly close.

It was a perfect ambush, perfectly tid—if I had one more shot, I could’ve finished it. But with only one Burst left, it was a bitter regret.

No, I wasn’t confident.

The risk of failure was too high.

As expected—

Flash—

With a flash of light, Modin retreated, transforming back into a bespectacled mage.

The Magician of Artifacts.

His transformation was instantaneous.

Sensing danger, he seed to plan on switching to ranged combat with magic.

Because he adjusted his fighting style in real ti, Modin was known as the most difficult of Demtor’s Stars to deal with.

He widened the distance and began preparing a spell.

“Ugh!”

I vomited blood and collapsed.

How do I block the next spell?

Can Spectral Form hold out?

[You weakling.]

“Try helping before saying that.”

[You should thank just for staying conscious right now.]

“Is there no way?”

[Run.]

Damn, at least lie to .

I hesitated.

Only one Burst Strike remained.

Using the last one would push my body into a forced shutdown to prevent total collapse.

aning I’d lose consciousness.

I imagined the worst-case scenario, but fortunately, it didn’t happen.

Kraaaaahhh!!!!

“......!”

A ferocious roar rang out as a giant beast appeared behind Modin.

Cerberus.

But neither I nor Modin focused on Cerberus.

Our eyes were fixed on the one it had escorted.

“You bastard! When did you get here?!”

Natasha appeared.

She was briefly glad to see , but seeing Modin between us, she summoned Gereflam and faced him with Spectral Form.

At her appearance, Modin redirected his magic and unleashed it at her.

Natasha’s charging fist tore through the air.

A chase began between Modin and Natasha.

anwhile—

“You alright?”

“Kkrang.”

Cerberus approached .

Its body was covered in blood.

Likely wounds inflicted by Modin.

Still, being a high-ranking demon beast from the demon realm, it didn’t seem life-threatening.

A mont later, Cerberus gently laid down the girl on its back beside .

“Lily?”

I hurriedly checked her condition—thankfully, there was no major danger.

Watching the panting, sleeping Lily for a mont, I scanned the surroundings.

Fierce battles were raging on all sides.

Especially Lindbergh the Gale.

Even with Lochter and Fenry taking him on, he wasn’t easily pushed back. He even wounded them with his magic.

“Lack of experience, maybe.”

Still, with two 5-Stars and Elton supporting, they were holding their own.

The Stars of Demtor were truly powerful.

At that mont—

“Huh??”

Samuel appeared near Lindbergh.

He had left to treat Oarla, so why was he there with her now?

Monts later—

A violet light burst from Oarla’s entire body.

“Ggeaaagh!”

Lindbergh’s scream echoed.

Her illusion had shattered his mind, and as Lochter’s counter struck, Lindbergh collapsed, completely defenseless.

Sssssk—

Fenry’s crow moved like lightning, and blood splattered everywhere.

Lindbergh’s limbs flew through the air, severed one by one.

Elton then drove his Fla Sword into Lindbergh’s abdon to finish it.

They killed him.

Everyone thought so, and expressions shifted.

“Everyone scatter!!!!”

I urgently shouted.

At my retreat signal, the group swiftly scattered.

Ffwoooosh—!

“What!?”

A giant fla descended upon Lindbergh, then suddenly froze in place.

Boom—!

A dark red ring spread from within the fla. The three of them twisted their bodies and widened the distance to avoid it.

As the fla dissipated, Clarke revealed himself from within.

He briefly looked down at the half-dead Lindbergh and clicked his tongue.

Waving his staff, Lindbergh floated into the air.

“We’re retreating!”

At his words, Modin quickly fell back, and Clarke’s form began to slowly ascend.

“You’re the leader of Hunt?”

I t the crimson gaze of Clarke.

Should I capture him now?

If Clarke hadn’t reached 6-Star yet, our current mbers might manage it.

But I couldn’t give the order.

Two more Stars appeared at the forest’s edge.

Ren and Ella revealed themselves swiftly.

“O-Oarla!”

Samuel’s urgent voice rang out.

Oarla had collapsed.

Grinding my teeth, I looked up at Clarke.

“Get lost.”

“You arrogant brat.”

“Leave while I’m letting you live. If it weren’t for those two, you’d be dead. No—soon you’ll fall apart anyway. Stupid old man…”

Clarke twitched his brow, halted as if his pride was wounded, but seeing Lindbergh at death’s door, he glared at once and turned to Ella.

Demtor and the Witches.

A battle that left only wounds had co to a close.