Our Family Has Fallen

In her mind, she searched all her knowledge, looking for a way to escape this place.

When the Limping Walker extended its tentacles toward her, she thought she was surely done for.

Not until a figure appeared in front of her... The monster’s attack was blocked.

Amanda’s consciousness returned from its daze, refocusing on the silhouette before her. The figure stood with such unwavering resolve that it seemed nothing could shake it.

It was him!

As long as he took action, everything would be alright.

This is no time to run away! Amanda’s heart, originally consumed by fear, was suddenly filled with an unprecedented determination that even overpowered her terror.

Since the time of the Warwolf invasion, she had witnessed their great battle. Lance’s might had been deeply etched in her consciousness then, and now it was merely being reawakened.

Nothing could bring him down, not the fallen Champion of the Barbarian Tribes, nor the monster before them.

This was an opportunity to stand by his side, an opportunity to surpass Tamara that no one could take from her.

Amanda stood up, her consciousness somewhat distracted, as if searching for something, or perhaps preparing for something...

Both Amanda and Boudica had been pulled out of their torment because Lance had stepped forward. However, Alhazred, who should have been stronger and more experienced as a Mystical Scholar specializing in these matters, was still engulfed in frenzy, unable to extricate himself.

”Uh... my head, it hurts so much... my head’s splitting!”

”The black flame is so intense... it’s struggling to break free!”

”I... can’t move... oh... it’s got me!”

”...”

Alhazred muttered unintelligible gibberish, his expression maniacal; no one knew what exactly he was doing.

But at this point, even Lance couldn’t afford to be too distracted. He managed only to toss a Bless his way; the rest was up to whether Alhazred himself could endure.

Amanda and Boudica both had enough room to maneuver in this Void.

There were no grandiose proclamations, but the battle was about to erupt!

Boudica leaped out from behind and charged forward without hesitation.

And Amanda finally pulled out her prized possession, throwing it directly at the Limping Walker writhing chaotically in the Void.

A Weakening Bomb!

A fist-sized object arced through the air, exploding on contact with the Limping Walker and emitting a dazzling light.

This wasn’t a bomb that inflicted damage through gunpowder. Simultaneously, strong spiritual fluctuations burst forth, and the hidden power within affected the Limping Walker.

The Limping Walker, which until then had shown no sign of weakness, suddenly became like an octopus thrown into ice water; its previously strong and powerful form now went limp.

Indeed, Amanda was practically a Doraemon, able to produce an item that affected the Limping Walker.

Continuously coughing up blood, Lance also expelled the turbid air from his lungs. Releasing the pressure that had built up in his chest allowed his breathing to become a little smoother.

He casually discarded the Great Shield, now completely useless, an action that further exposed his profusely bleeding wound.

The last time he was injured this severely was... well, the last time.

The onslaught from Boudica and Amanda diverted the Limping Walker’s attention, giving Lance time to adjust his condition.

Bless activated, unleashing a ceaseless flow of power from within him, dispelling the eerie forces that lingered around the wound.

Flesh Reconstruction rapidly healed the injury. Fresh blood flowed anew through his veins, and he could feel his heart beating strongly.

His once-ravaged body was recovering at a terrifying rate.

What didn’t kill him only made him stronger.

And on the other side, the battle was far from over; Amanda was throwing Flying Daggers again.

The strong spiritual light twining around them indicated that each was imbued with weakening Curse Magic.

Lance knew he wasn’t skilled in Casting Spells. If Alhazred hadn’t gone mad, his various Curse Rituals could have greatly weakened the Limping Walker, but now they could only rely on Amanda.

The Limping Walker’s sizable form made an easy target. Amanda’s Flying Daggers flew true, all sinking into their mark. The Curse Magic they unleashed might not have all taken full effect, but it still caused the already debilitated Limping Walker considerable pain.

By that time, Boudica had already charged into battle. Seizing the opportunity, she swung her Axe Spear, hacking into the Limping Walker.

After successive weakenings, the Limping Walker did not display the strength it should have. Boudica’s blow sliced open its starry-night-like, profound skin. Simultaneously, a viscous, purple-black fluid, resembling petroleum, gushed from the wound.

Could this be its blood?

The Limping Walker, which had been pressuring them endlessly, was actually wounded so easily? It could bleed?

However, what shocked them even more was the Limping Walker’s abnormal behavior.

Erratic retreat!

The Limping Walker, entrenched in the Void, moved its tentacles, its form actually pulling backward.

This scene gave everyone an indescribable sense of confidence. So, even monsters can feel fear!

If only the situation were truly that simple. While it looked like a retreat, it was more about creating enough space for it to deploy its ability.

As it moved, a fleshy sac hidden among the tentacles on its underbelly split open, suddenly spewing forth a purple mist.

Boudica, being closest, became the first victim. Her exposed skin inevitably came into contact with the mist, and within two or three seconds, it began to rot and decay.

”Quick, get back!”

Thanks to the time the two women had bought him, Lance had recovered from the severe blow he had taken earlier. Seeing Boudica’s plight, he immediately raised his hand towards her.

Flesh Reconstruction!

Boudica’s skin, which had just been rotting away, was instantly replaced by new growth. The intense pain was relieved and even smoothed over effortlessly.

In her state of fury, her resistance to pain was high. She completely disregarded her injuries and kept chasing the Limping Walker, hacking away.

But it was a Void Demon, not a target dummy.

The earlier retreat was merely to use its ability. Now that Boudica dared to get close again, she was immediately swatted away by a tentacle.

Lance watched this, unsure whether to call her brave or foolish.

I’m up front because I had no choice but to tank the hits! Why are *you* charging so ferociously?

But without a second word, he rushed forward to rescue her. If she hadn’t charged forward to buy time, he would have been in an even more wretched state.

She’s my person! With Flesh Reconstruction active, not even Death itself can take someone from me!

Amanda, meanwhile, being further away, managed to dodge in time before the spreading Corrupting Fog reached her.

However, she then pulled out a bottle of some unknown Potion from nowhere. Upon opening it, she cast a Spell. A bright orange mist instantly billowed from the mouth of the bottle, counteracting the Corrupting Fog.

And it actually worked, rapidly dissolving that malevolent mist.

Meanwhile, Lance had also pulled Boudica back from death’s door. However, the ensuing weakness was inevitable, and he had no choice but to support her as they retreated.

He also noticed the situation on the field. In that moment, he realized his decision to bring Amanda had been absolutely correct.

Without the strange and varied items she had produced, this endeavor would definitely not have gone so smoothly.

A brief calm fell over the battlefield as the distance between them and the monster increased.

Although it seemed they had gained the upper hand after a flurry of flashy moves, the reality was grim. Boudica was seriously injured. Furthermore, the dense beads of sweat on Amanda’s face and her solemn expression signaled that she too was reaching her limits.

The two of them had exerted their full strength, yet they had only managed to delay the monster for a moment. The price they paid, however, was unbearable.

Before Void Demons, humans were still so weak...

”It’s alright. Leave it to me.”

Lance set Boudica down. As he moved past Amanda, he lightly patted her shoulder, activating Bless to help calm her agitated Spiritual Essence.

Hearing his words, Amanda instinctively looked back. All she saw was his smile and then his retreating figure, for his steps did not halt as he moved forward once more.

The moment the Limping Walker appeared, Lance could feel their despair. To be honest, even he had wavered for a moment.

But it was precisely because of this that he had to stand forth now.

Because he is the Lord of Hamlet!

The last hope of mankind!

He cannot fail, nor can he retreat!