Theresia, who is ahead of us, reacts to something as she turns the corner of the building ahead of us. She's activating 'Searching Extension 1', and she's noticed the enemy before anyone else among us.

''........!
Teresiak!

　If he got ahead of them, he would be a target for the 'Poison Blaster'. Still, that didn't stop Theresa - she had found someone caught in the collapse of a house caused by the battle and unable to escape. A middle-aged man is lying on the ground defending his daughter.

　I see with my "hawk eyes" that there is no easy escape, but from my position, I still can't see the enemy. At the back of the building, which is a barrier, to the left - Theresa is looking not at the ground, but above. The scorpion is stuck high on the wall.

No, if I try to cover for that father and son, I might not be able to avoid them, even with my skills. But there has to be........something........!

'- Suzuna, play the horn!　Use the power of the magic stone!
Yes!

　Suzuna replies in a well-passed voice and blows the side whistle she took out - and.

　◆Current Situation◆
　Suzuna activates The Sound of Prodigal Time. Target: Mid-range hit on Deathstalker L. Lower speed.
　Teresia activates Axel Dash.
　Elitia activates "Sonic Raid".
　Deathstalker L activates Poison Blaster → Teresia avoids it.
　Zion" activates "Emergency Extraction" → Target: "Cart" and "Fran".

Turn around, Scorpion.
.........
Bawp, bawp!

　Theresia and Elitia step forward to attract the enemy's attack, while Theon rescues and moves the father and son - the "Poison Blaster" released afterwards is made easier to avoid by the "Stagnation Stone" effect, and Theresia can avoid it without the evasion skill. But the special attack by the 'Stagnation Stone' is too powerful.

　But the special attack by the Stagnation Stone is too powerful. The expectation that there was a commensurate risk was unexpectedly correct.

''Ah..........''
Suzu-chan!

　Misaki supports Suzuna, who is on the verge of collapse. The magic power is extremely depleted - she was able to break through this predicament, but she understands that she can only use it once unless the maximum value of her magic power is increased.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Deathstalker L's "slowdown" is released.
　Deathstalker L activates "Triangle Jump" → Target: "Theresa

　The effect of slowing down won't last if the tone ceases - the scorpion, whose speed has been restored, continues to attack Theresia after she has avoided the attack completely.

　There are no special actions or anything else. Just 'fast'.

　Teresia has not even been able to hold up her shield. Even Serafina-san can't intervene - then, even if she were to cut off her trump card here.

''--Aliadonne!

　Current Situation

　Aricht activates 'Support and Defense 1' → Target: 'Theresa'
　Arihito requests temporary support from Ariadne, the god of the machine, → Target: Theresa
　Ariadne activates Guard Arm.
　Deathstalker L activates "Scissor Crime" → Target: "Theresa
　Hit Theresa: damage reduction and prevent equipment destruction.

Huh...!

　The 'Guard Arm' did indeed stop the scorpion's scissors - but even though the two arms appeared, only one side of the scissors was able to stop it.

''Ugh..........!

　--This is the Fifth Ward. This is a level 11 demon.

　Twisted by overwhelming force. That time in front of unreasonable violence--the feelings of despair in front of Red Face come back.

"--Big brother, hold on!
Huh...!

　Misaki's voice brought me back to myself. The "Guard Arm" is not an absolute defense, you knew that - to save Theresa as fast as possible, even for a moment.

　Stun to stop the enemy's movement. The sooner we can break the restraints on the scissors, the sooner we can save Theresa.

Let go of her....monster...!
'--Yeah!
Lady Theresa you need to........now!

　Elitia, Igarashi-san and Seraphina set up at the same time. They can't coordinate, if the range of the attack is wide enough, it will involve Teresia. Stun with a series of attacks, that's the only option.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Arihito activates 'Support Attack 2' → Support: 'Force Shoot Stun'.
　Elitia activates Armor Break and hits Deathstalker L. Defense is reduced.
　Activate Elitia's additional attack and hit Deathstalker L. Extend the rigidity of the attack.
　Kyouka activates Double Attack → Death Stalker L hits a second level.
　Seraphina activates the Shield Slam and hits Deathstalker L. Hardness is extended.

"-Geeeeeeeeee...!

　Current Situation
　Death Stalker L changes to Makatsu no Stance. Unstunned. Defense against the front is increased. Defense against the back is decreased.
　Deathstalker L" continues to bind "Theresa". Damage to Theresa.

Ah..........!

　-- a sensation that makes my heart beat extremely slow.

　From Theresa's mouth, looking back at me through my colorless vision, unable to escape the scorpion's shears.
Red blood flows.

　There is no room for a moment. I will do what I can to protect Theresa, and I will do what I can to make that happen.

Master. I'm with you to save my daughter, the loyalist.

　Current Situation
　Aricht activates Backstand → Target: Theresa
　Murakumo activates the Hokuten Six Star Drive and hits Deathstalker L at the sixth level.

"GISHAAHH...!

　It is not me who drew the sword from my back and released the technique - the embodied Murakumo.

　The drawn-out sword absorbs my magic power, and together with her own magic power, she unleashes an unnoticeable thrust - just like piercing a star in the night sky.

　But the frontal attack doesn't frighten me, and the scorpion's tail stinger moves at a speed that makes it impossible to see.

　I shout. I don't need to hear the voice, 'she' will do it for sure.

　Current Situation◆
　Counter" in "Deathstalker L" → Target: "Aricht
　Arihit" requests temporary support from "Ariadne".
　Aricht activates Backstand → Target: Deathstalker L

　He picked up the Murakumo's hilt and went behind the scorpion with her. There was no guarantee that it would be able to avoid the attack with certainty. The scorpion's movements are fast, and it would be able to react instantly and thrust its stinger backwards.

　But - in front of the scorpion is Seraphina-san. Her skill 'Provoke' attracts the scorpion's hostility and nails it forward.

''--Haah!

　Seraphina's one voice echoes - and I ask Ariadne for her blessing.

'Bless the faithful - armour of the star god, be a shield against all.

　Current Situation
　Seraphina activates the defensive stance.
　Seraphina activates "Aura Shield".
　Ariadne activates 'Guard Valiant' → Target: Seraphina
　Deathstalker L activates Heartbreak → Seraphina is hit. Physical Attack Reflection

"--Gishaaaaaah...!

　The sound of a deafening collision - the scorpion's tail, which moved at an unseen speed, was bounced off Seraphina-san's shield and stabbed into the wall of the building while its stinger broke off and spun around.

''Master, now........!
Please, Murakumo!

　While the scorpion was attacking Seraphina-san, Murakumo was slightly in front of me. There are up to eight party members, but 'my equipment', Murakumo, is also a target for support.

''--Go!

　Current Situation
　Arihito activates 'Support Attack 2' → Support: 'Force Shoot Stun'.
　Murakumo activates Meteor Tuki and hits Deathstalker L. Stun
　Deathstalker L" releases "Theresa".
　Theresa's armor is broken.

Huh...!
"--aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

　The scorpion scissors restraining Theresia loosened the scorpion's scissors - immediately after, Sion ran in and rescued Theresia.

''--Sion-chan!
Master, fall back!

　Current Situation
　Deathstalker L activates the Poisonous Fog of Delusion → Theon and Murakumo are hit by the poison.

Huh...!

　The scorpion shoots out a poisonous fog from all over its body - a vindictive thing that is still trying to cause damage to us even after being cornered.

''--Bow!
'I'm resistant to poison. I wouldn't want to be exposed to an acid stronger than this, but it doesn't eat away at me like this.

　Having Sion hold the Poison Resistance Charm works - Sion carries Theresa to a safe zone with 'Emergency Removal' right after covering Theresa with 'Covering'. I'm going to be able to activate "Support Recovery 1" on its back. I'm sure it's a relief, but I wanted to restore Theresa's strength to as much as possible.

''Gui........Gui........''
I'm not going to let you get away with this.
We're going to.......come on, Kyouka!
Ew!

　Before Elitia and Igarashi-san can fold up, Melissa doesn't miss this opportunity and runs in with the 'Meat Slicing Knife' and flashes a huge blade.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Melissa activates Knife-wielding, which increases the probability of part destruction.
　Melissa activates Cutoff → Deathstalker L drops an ingredient.
　Activate the "Kote of the Fighting Demon" effect and deliver an additional "no-pressure" blow.
　Elitia activates Slash Ripper and hits Deathstalker L
　Elitia's additional attack is activated and hits Deathstalker L
　Kyoka launches a double attack and hits Deathstalker L in the second level.
　Death Stalker L activates Nitroblad → Death Stalker L's near-death state is cleared and his strength slightly recovered.
　Death Stalker L activates Fugue of Death Force.

　Melissa's blade enters between the shells, and the scorpion's tail is cut off halfway through - and the scorpion doesn't sink, even though Elitia and Igarashi throw a series of blows at it, and it tries to escape from the scene. Melissa quickly transfers the clipped tails to the warehouse and tries to chase them down, but the scorpions are too fast to escape.



I can't let you go. We need to stop as many as we can!

　Current Situation
　Suzuna activates Minnichu for two consecutive hits.
　Suzuna activates Storm Arrow and hits Deathstalker L
　Suzuna's attack → Deathstalker L hits the target

　The characteristic of Suzuna's 'Everybody in the middle' - 'It will always hit you'. It didn't matter what kind of speed the enemy was running away with.

''Wha........''
Suzu-chan...!

　The magical power consumption of 'Storm Arrow' is not small. Misaki supported Suzuna, who was about to fall again - but her attack stopped the scorpion in its tracks. Even if you can reduce the attribute attacks, you can't ignore the wind pressure and move.

　◆Current Situation ◆
　Deathstalker L" activates "Nitroblad" → Unable to activate

　The skill of recovering strength from a near-death state doesn't seem to be able to be used in succession either. I hold up my sling to support Elitia and Igarashi-san who came forward.

''--Gi...........................!

　With a creaking sound, the scorpion swings the scissors toward the heavens.

　-- At the same time, the air around the area changes. Beyond the roofs of the buildings, several pillars of light stand out, and the "Death Stalker" we were fighting for is also surrounded by light.

　The current situation
　Eight Death Stalkers activate Sacrifice.
　Deathstalker L is disabled. Summons The Calamity.

　--The sky, distorts.

　As if crawling out of the void, a huge body covered in dull armor falls.

　It crushes the 'Death Stalker' that had been looking up at the heavens as if in prayer, and its protruding legs crush the cobblestones to support its overwhelming weight.

　◆Current Situation ◆
　The Calamity activates the Queen's Praise, which absorbs 8 souls from the Deathstalker.
　All of The Calamity's abilities have been enhanced, and special skills can be activated.

　The seven lights that shot up into the sky fell one after another like meteors and were absorbed by the giant scorpions. The trampled scorpions also turned into particles of light and were sucked in.

''I'm eating my soul.......into power.......''
That's Fifth Ward with a name...!

　The dull-colored armor changes to white. With the name "Death Stalker" - it was exactly an existence that had both the majesty of a heavy tank and the demeanor of a nobleman.

　The Demon I Encountered
　★ The Calamity Level 12 Instant Death Resistance All Attribute Resistance Drop: ?

-Choh..........!

　A high and crystal clear sound - as the name of the skill suggests, that demon is probably the 'Queen' of Scorpions.



　Misaki screams - the scorpion's tail needle, which had been a threat to even one scorpion, splits into nine. Each one of them is thin and doesn't appear to be used in a similar way to the 'Death Stalker'.

''I warn the contractor. Keep as much distance as possible from the demons in front of you and behind the shielding--''

　The urgency in Ariadne's voice, which is always tenuous in color of emotion, is filled with urgency.

　A sensation of lowered body temperature. The white scorpion's body takes on a faint light, and its power gathers in its tail.

''--Atobe-dono, this place is........''
No, we must all hide in the shadows!　Anywhere!

　When I control Seraphina-san, Elitia and Igarashi-san, who were about to launch an attack, also react - all of their friends can hear me. Even Sion, who was carrying Teresia on her back, is still in time.

　Light gathers on the nine tail spikes of the white scorpion. With both scissors raised, the Scorpion Queen raises both scissors and tries to unleash the evil power gathered in her body.

''--Contractor. You alone, my.........''

　Ariadne's will is conveyed. If we let this attack shoot, we won't be safe.

''--Everyone must flee!　I'll take it...!

　Ms. Seraphina does not run away. She doesn't try to escape - that's because there's a sign of the inhabitants far behind her, on the straight line that connects her to the white scorpion.

　I should have known, if a widespread attack gets the whole party involved, there will come a time when I won't be able to protect them alone.

(No, not yet ... think about it if you don't want to regret it. Do what you can........!

　Preventing The Calamity's attack from hitting, and not letting Seraphina-san die. For that reason, I took a chance on one possibility.