Chapter 4. The Fifteen Strongest (4)

Frontier, the last city of human civilization, which is under the protection of humanity's strongest warrior, Arias Conrad. But now that Konrad was away from the city, fighting one of the strongest monsters, Frontier remained unprotected.

Three pickup trucks raced at high speed through a lifeless wasteland that was overflowing with the decomposing bodies of long-dead monsters.

In the car that was driving ahead of the others, the passengers were having a lively dialogue.

- Walter, are you saying that the last time you talked to the base, you heard an explosion, and then the connection was abruptly cut off??

Zass asked the question in a tone as if he didn't want to believe what he had heard.

- Yes. I'm sure it's the work of one of the three Numbered Ones.

There was anger in Walter's voice, but he was the only one among team who looked inspired, his eyes burning in anticipation of the battle. 

Afraid to upset his comrades, who were in a depressed state, Walter tried to hide his thirst for battle. Unfortunately, he was not good at it.

- It makes sense.

Conrad looked focused.

- Do you think that they lured us out of the city, sacrificing one of their own in order to finish off the last stronghold of civilization in our absence? This is nonsense!

Aisha didn't want to believe her own speculation.

- They are monsters, they are not familiar with the concepts of camaraderie and brotherhood.

Conrad's words sounded like a bolt from the blue.

- But why now? We know that Zero is aware of your condition, how could this cunning creature give his pawns such an order when it is much more profitable for him to wait until your condition worsens even more.

- It sounds reasonable, but he may be afraid that we'll find a way to cure me.

- Then why didn't he attack earlier?

Zass looked worried. He was worried about his family, who remained in the Borderlands.

- I'll ask Zero that question after I beat him half to death.

With these words, Konrad ended the discussion about the causes of the current situation.

- How long does it take to get to the city?

Aisha looked at Zass worriedly. Her voice was trembling.

- About an hour.

- It's too long.

Walter was unhappy with Zass's response.

- I agree with Walter. If I use the Wind Path, then…

- No!

At the same time Zass, Aisha and even Wesley screamed.

Walter grunted in displeasure. Despite the fact that he realized the importance of Conrad retaining as much strength as possible, Walter's fighting spirit made him want to get to the city as soon as possible, and Conrad was the only one who could help with that.

- It's true. Despite the current situation, you need to save your strength, if there are several Numbered Ones in the city, then you need to be in the best condition that possible in your condition.

There was a lot of excitement in Aisha's voice.

- Moreover, if Zero is with them, then you are the only one who can defeat him. Even I understand that.

Walter did not want to admit that there was an opponent he could not handle, but he considered it shameful to deny reality.

*Bang!*

A powerful explosion occurred near the pickup truck, which arose from the ground. The car flew off to the side and overturned several times.

The other cars stopped abruptly. Then the people inside came out, preparing for battle.

[Wind Path: Detection]

In just a moment, wind energy gathered around the blond man standing near the second pickup truck, which dispersed over a large distance around, filling not only the surrounding space, but also the pores going deep into the earth.

- The enemy is underground, heading towards the overturned pickup truck.

- Mason, tell me the exact location of the enemy.

Standing next to the white-haired man, a woman with heavily tanned skin began to gather the energy of the earth around her.

- In three seconds, he will be 23 meters away at 5 o'clock, a humanoid, perhaps one of the three Numbered Ones.

The man replied.

[Earth's Path: Strengthening]

A large amount of energy gathered around the woman instantly penetrated her body, compacting and enlarging her muscles. She made a powerful leap in the direction indicated by Mason.

- Toby, Patrick and Adalard! You are in the Vanguard with Samira, do not give the enemy time to assess the situation.

Two adult men and a red-haired youth immediately ran towards the enemy after they heard Mason's order. 

- Mizuki, shoot at the weak spots that open up. I'll strengthen your bullets.

A short, brown-haired man took out two pistols from his belt and pointed them in the direction where the enemy was supposed to appear.

- Keoni, you stay here, you have the support role today. We must save Aisha's strength until the main battle.

- What should I do?

The man with the scythe looked at Mizuki questioningly.

- We don't know what kind of abilities the enemy has, so we need you here. Alexander, you will protect us from his attacks.

- I've finished smearing the daggers with poison.

Sairan looked at Mizuki with an ardent gaze. He was eager to fight with his whole appearance.

- Good. Poison that bastard at the most unexpected moment, but back off right after that. Apparently, the enemies really attacked the Frontier, your strength will be needed there too.

[Wind Path: A Whisper]

Sairan dissolved with the currents of air.

Mizuki touched the earphone in his right ear and started talking.

- Konrad, Walter, Zass, Wesley, do not engage in battle in any case, save your strength until we arrive in the city. The same goes for Aisha, don't you dare waste your energy on treating anyone, the role of a Healer is on Keoni.

---

While Mizuki was giving orders to the team, Samira had already joined the fight. Her landing raised a cloud of dust and left cracks on the ground under her feet. She concentrated the energy in the fist of her right hand.

[Earth's Path: Split]

Samira struck the ground hard, which caused an earthquake a few meters around her. Most of the impact energy was directed deep into the ground to hit the enemy and stop him.

[Earth's Path: Detection]

Touching the ground with her palm, Samira began searching for the monster. Having determined the depth at which it was located, she began to collect energy in the rocks shattered by the momentum of her blow, which were directly under the monster.

[Earth's Path: Eruption]

Samira jumped aside abruptly. A powerful stream of stones burst out of the ground, which lifted the monster into the air. Smaller stones flying at the enemy struck him repeatedly, like bullets.

*Kha-ah*

A cry of pain escaped from the monster's mouth.

Chapter end