Our Family Has Fallen

”Boss!”

Just then, a fierce roar erupted, and Boudica’s figure charged forward.

”Cut that one down!” Lance, momentarily distracted from his fight, marked the Limping Walker’s offshoot and reminded Boudica, ”Make it quick. It’s getting stronger.”

By now, the Limping Walker had completely shrugged off the various debilitating effects stacked on it earlier, making the fight a struggle even for Lance. If Boudica, with her current strength, were to join his fight, she likely wouldn’t achieve much and would undoubtedly divert Lance’s attention. This was a good chance for her to deal with those offshoots instead. If they were allowed to keep growing, no one knew what they would become, and even Lance was starting to feel the pressure.

Without hesitation, Boudica hefted her Axe Spear and charged at the offshoot. Unfazed by the clawed tendrils lashing out at her, she brought her weapon down directly on its head.

If it had just formed, that single strike might have been enough to split it. But after a phase of growth, not only had its size increased, its physical resilience had also become impressively stronger.

Despite her vigorous strike, she only managed to cleave through some of its flesh. Instead, Boudica was thrown back by the sheer force, forced to retreat several steps to regain her footing.

Even Boudica looked surprised; evidently, she hadn’t expected the creature to be so incredibly tough.

If I can’t even beat the big one, and now I can’t even beat this small fry, then what am I even doing here?

For a warrior, this was a humiliation.

”WAAAGH!!!”

Boudica flew into a berserk rage, fury transforming into strength that coursed through her as she once again hefted her Axe Spear and charged.

The offshoot had limited mobility, and its attack patterns were very simple: either extending to strike or swinging to lash out.

Boudica dealt with such a stationary target by swinging her Axe Spear in wide arcs.

A normal monster, if heavily wounded, would react violently. Even Heretics would need time to self-heal and recover.

This offshoot, however, was simply too bizarre. Injuries didn’t stop it from rooting itself in the Void, drawing on a ceaseless supply of power to grow stronger. As new tissue rapidly covered its wounds, the damage became superficial.

Instead, Boudica felt the resistance in her hands growing, and the creature’s counterattacks becoming more powerful.

Just as she found herself in trouble, a Flying Dagger stabbed into the offshoot. The Curse Magic imbued in it erupted, immediately interrupting its growth.

The previously resilient offshoot suddenly wilted, its luminescent tendrils dimming.

Just as the Boss said—use the Extraordinary to fight the Extraordinary!

Boudica seized the opportunity Amanda’s assist had created. Hoisting her Axe Spear, this time it wasn’t just a circular swing, but a leaping, powerful downward chop.

Her powerful arm muscles bulged with the explosive effort, veins standing out starkly all the way up to her straining neck.

Her face, contorted with the effort, was a terrifying mask as she let out a commanding roar.

”HRAAAGH!”

The Axe Spear whistled over her head as it descended rapidly, tearing through the air with a low hum.

Each instant faster, stronger, than the one before!

The howl ended!

Her Axe Spear wasn’t an Extraordinary piece of equipment like Wolf Fang. Its edge, despite being maintained at camp, was already chipped and blunted from numerous battles.

Yet, powered by Boudica’s strength, it remained deadly.

Unlike her previous, less committed strike, this full-powered blow cleaved deep into its head.

The weakened offshoot couldn’t withstand Boudica’s furious assault and was cleaved in two. Even its roots, anchored in the Void, were pulverized. Only two limp halves remained, drooping on the ground, utterly lifeless.

Lance realized he’d been overthinking. This thing didn’t multiply. If every cut created two, who could possibly withstand such an endless onslaught? Even Void Demons had to follow some basic principles.

After destroying the offshoot, Boudica’s condition rapidly deteriorated. She leaned heavily on her Axe Spear, gasping for breath. Her face had lost its earlier ferocity, now clearly showing her exhaustion.

Still feeling the aftereffects of her severe injuries, the release of that explosive power left her struggling to regain her breath.

At least I finished what the Boss asked, she thought, her gaze shifting to the main battle...

Amanda’s assistance to Boudica had been a single Flying Dagger; her primary focus remained on Lance and his fight against the Limping Walker.

Once prepared, she once again began to intervene in the battle between Lance and the Limping Walker.

She was, however, very clear about her role: to provide support, not charge recklessly into the fray like Boudica.

The Limping Walker’s massive size made it an excellent target. As Lance engaged it from the front, Amanda circled around to its rear. Raising her hand, she threw another weakening bomb.

When the bomb, detonated by Curse Magic, exploded, the blast sent tremors through the Void. The mystically charged contents landed on the Limping Walker’s back, causing the monster to thrash wildly.

It even ignored Lance in front of it, whipping tendrils as thick as a person’s waist towards Amanda, trying to eliminate the one who had attacked it from behind.

But did it really think Lance was just a decoration?

Lance immediately charged from the front, his blade flashing as he sliced into the mass of tentacles. Several arm-thick tendrils were severed, but to the Limping Walker, they were as insignificant as losing a few whiskers.

Lance was smarter this time. He immediately Sacrificed the severed limbs before they could take root, unwilling to risk his life for a little Spiritual Essence.

Can’t afford to gamble with my life. If I die, how will I earn more Spiritual Essence?

Amanda, already skilled at ranged attacks, easily dodged the Limping Walker’s counterattack with her agile movements. Seizing the opening, she hurled another Flying Dagger.