I will become the ice jellyfish queen with the Chat Group

[Ahma POV]

All I need to do is eliminate anyone getting close to my friends. This Faust isn't easy to deal with, but if he loses an arm, it'll be much simpler. The first shot I fired took off his right arm cleanly. The next shot? A headshot straight through the Mortar Gunner Leader. Another shot—off with the Caster. One by one, I eliminate them.

Then, a massive explosion of fire and ice erupts. Damn it! I activate my shield just in time, but the force is too strong—it sends me flying several meters through the air.

Shit! I need to land fast, or I'll be turned into nutritional paste.

[Noah POV]

The stench of blood is thick in the air, and with every passing second, I feel the lives of the innocent scattering across the battlefield. Good. The enemy is rushing toward me like lambs to the slaughter. But there's a bad feeling gnawing at me—the energy from Grey and Talulah's battle feels ominous.

[Noah]: Get behind me—NOW!

Without hesitation, I rip open three blood bags and form a dome-like blood shield. The temperature inside fluctuates wildly—part of the blood freezes, and another part melts.

Why the hell did that explosion happen when their own allies were still in the area?

The moment I sense the danger passes, I try to open the dome—only to realize it's frozen solid. With a forceful strike, I shatter it and finally lay eyes on the battlefield.

The plaza is half frozen, half ablaze. And then I see Grey…

What the hell happened to her?!

Black rock-like formations have spread across her body.

[Ace]: Looks like she's got Oripathy… and in really bad condition too.

[Amiya]: What's her Oripathy level?!

I don't know. I just blurt out the first number that comes to mind.

[Noah]: Maybe 45%... or 70%?

Everyone: WHAT?!

[Medic]: And she's still alive after all this?! How is she enduring the pain?!

I grit my teeth. I don't care. She needs help.

[Noah]: Ace, can you help her? I'll protect the Doctor.

[Ace]: You've saved our lives more than once. I'm not letting this young lady die for us.

[Nearl]: I'll help too—she saved my life!

[Amiya]: Rhodes Island won't leave anyone behind! Take me too!

But then Arakan's voice rings out from the battlefield.

[Arakan]: Noah, go help Grey—NOW!

I smirk. That's all I needed to hear.

[Noah]: On it!

[Nearl]: But I can—

[Doctor]: Nearl, if you go, you'll just make things harder for him.

[Amiya]: Alright… Good luck.

[Ace]: Don't die on me, man. I still owe you a drink.

I give him a small grin before leaping toward Grey. But as soon as I land, I hear her weak but sharp voice.

[Grey]: Get out of the way. You're not my target. She is. If you stand in my way, I'll kill you.

I sigh. Stubborn as always.

[Noah]: The white donkey is mine. Rest, for now, Grey—you need it.

[FrostNova]: What did you just call me?! YOU'RE the donkey! Your whole damn family is full of donkeys!

[Noah]: I called you Donkey, Miss Donkey. And if you want this girl, you'll have to go through me first.

I reach into my pack, pull out a blood bag, and open it. A great sword, formed from the blood of the wicked, materializes in my hand.

[Noah]: This sword is forged from the blood of sinners and monsters. Your blood will be next.

FrostNova's eyes narrow as she starts hurling ice at me. At the same time, Crownslayer appears behind me, aiming to slit my throat.

Cute.

I twist my body, grab Crownslayer by the neck, and hurl her straight at FrostNova. Let's see if she has the guts to attack her own ally.

She dodges, but that leaves her open. I could stab her now. But I won't—yet.

Crownslayer scrambles to her feet while Skullshatterer readies his Originium launcher. This might be a problem.

[FrostNova]: Why don't you just give up?

I laugh. Did she seriously just ask that?

[Noah]: You're weaker than the black demons I fight at the edge of the world.

The moment I say "demon," her face changes.

[Noah]: No more holding back.

I rush Skullshatterer before he can fire and land a crushing punch to his face, sending him crashing into a wall. Crownslayer tries to capitalize on my movement—her knife is aimed at my neck.

I turn—and bite straight through her blade.

Her eyes widen in terror.

[Crownslayer]: D-De… DEVIL?!

She barely manages to stammer before my fist buries itself in her stomach, launching her into another wall. One left.

[FrostNova]: A man as strong as you… You're not just some nobody. Who are you? And why have I never heard of you or your comrades?

I smirk.

[Noah]: I'm just a priest who's seen the edge of the world. A priest who slays demons. No more, no less.

I lunge at her with a punch, but she throws up an ice wall and retreats toward Talulah. The Yeti Squad covers their escape, forming an unbreakable barrier between us.

Tch. No point in wasting energy. My job is done.

Reinforcements have arrived.

[Akako POV]

[Akako]: Sorry we're late. Rimuru had to eat a storm on the way. Is this the Doctor?

I stand before the Doctor and the others, introducing myself.

[Akako]: My name is Akako Akemi, Supreme General. You've met my comrades. We're here to get you out of the city.

I pause, then look over at Rimuru.

[Akako]: But first—Rimuru, the bat.

;;BONK;; ;;BONK;; ;;BONK;; ;;BONK;; ;;BONK;; ;;BONK;; ;;BONK;; ;;BONK;;

[Rimuru]: All Reunion leaders are arrested. We just have to let Arakan finish his fight.

I raise an eyebrow.

[Rimuru]: Did I forget someone? Let me count…

First—FrostNova.

Second—Crownslayer.

Third—Faust.

Fourth—Skullshatterer.

Fifth—Talulah.

Sixth—Alina.

Seventh—Patriot.

[Mephisto]: Wait, what about me—

;;BONK;;

[Rimuru]: Eighth—Mephisto. Now we're done.

I exhale, looking at the battlefield one last time.

[Akako]: Alright, let's get out of here. Grey—when we're safe, you're going to tell me everything.

[Chapter End]