Dean's strike connected, his dagger piercing into the neck of the crowned enemy.
The zombified enemy's movement was too sluggish compared to seconds earlier. Thus, it couldn't dodge Juliana's punch.
Dean got out of the way, and the enemy went flying backwards with Dean's dagger still stuck on its neck.
The enemy hit an icy pillar. Although Tank-types were only for defensive purposes, they have an ability that can explosively release a large amount of energy and pack it into one punch. This was called: Bloodfire Surge.
But this can only be used once after a certain amount of time.
Donovan didn't dare let the enemy stand back up. He immediately cast two Light Beams, heading straight for the crowned zombie.
The King of Ice, who was just standing there and watching the battle silently, looked at Donovan.
As the two beams of light connected, the crowned zombie let out a blood-curdling cry. Its flesh started to melt as smoke formed.
Finally, the cries stopped. The thick smoke made it hard to determine if the enemy was still alive.
But Donovan came to the conclusion that light-based spells were very effective!
I see…! How convenient! Our opponent is someone who can summon… or resurrect the undead… And I, a Mage, have light-based abilities… Their weakness is light…?
It's perfect! Oh, thank you, original Donovan for choosing light-themed spells!
I'll avenge you, Nick and Joseph!
Suddenly, amidst Donovan's thoughts, the King of Ice spoke, "It's futile… Kill my minions all you want, and I will just make them come back over and over again…"
They suddenly tapped their sword on the icy floor, and the thick smoke cleared. There was only armor, a cape, a crown, and Dean's dagger just laying there on the floor.
Flesh was nowhere to be seen. It seems Donovan's Light Beam was very effective.
But at that moment, the king opened their right palm, and there was another pile of dust. Then, they "blew" on it.
The scattered dust quickly formed into another crowned zombified figure, much like the earlier one before.
Dean did not hesitate, and quickly lunged at the enemy. The dagger that was next to the crown laying on the floor suddenly flew up, making its way into his hand.
Juliana tsked, and went to Sasha and Ashley's side, now with the sole purpose of protecting them.
Ashley was very terrified, but Sasha was calm and composed. Although the two Healers had failed to save their teammates in time, they would never make that same mistake twice.
They were constantly providing healing to everyone, except for Clara who was outside the castle. She was too far from their range of healing.
The messenger, Johnny, was hiding behind a pillar. Meanwhile, Rayman was running around the room while firing at the bearded figure who was holding a book and a trumpet.
Vincent was switching from pillar to pillar, also constantly firing at the bearded enemy.
But their bullets and arrows were very ineffective, as it would just halt in mid-air and get sent back to them. Which is why Rayman was running around, and Vincent was switching from pillar to pillar. They were dodging their very own bullets and arrows.
Vincent then put his umbrella on his waist, positioning it there like a sword. Then, a bow appeared on his hands.
He was about to use Blazing Arrow. But he modified it earlier to make its explosion radius become very small, so as to not engulf his own allies with his flames.
He pulled the string back, and released it. The flaming arrow made contact, and a loud explosion resounded in everyone's ears.
But after the fire cleared, the bearded enemy was still unscathed.
Vincent groaned. How do we defeat this guy?! How in the world did Mr. Michael do it?!
Dean should know how…
Dean had done a… mediocre job at explaining how Michael had taken down the same enemy at the forest. Hence, everyone doesn't know how exactly Michael defeated the enemy.
Besides, Michael never told Dean how he managed to kill the enemy.
With that, Vincent yelled, "Dean! I'll switch with you! You deal with this guy!"
Upon hearing Vincent's words, Dean did not protest and immediately went straight for the bearded enemy.
He didn't know why it was back again. Did Michael perhaps not finish the job? Or did the ice king just resurrect it back to life?
As he swung his dagger, it was then stopped by an invisible force, or barrier.
Suddenly, it was as if his arms betrayed him! Seeing how Joseph died from this, Dean immediately lowered his head, dodging his own dagger.
If he was too slow, it would've looked like an act of suicide. Thankfully, he was an Assassin.
He took multiple steps back, and rushed again.
Vincent focused his attention on the crowned zombie, who was now fighting with Donovan. Juliana was busy guarding the two Healers, which means Donovan and Vincent were the only ones left at dealing with the crowned zombie.
As the crowned zombie finished rolling on the icy floor, it was met with the sight of Donovan charging up a Lightning Strike, and Dean about to launch a Blazing Arrow.
Outside, Clara and the beautiful female angel walked in a circle.
Clara knew she was outmatched. This wasn't a fair fight at all. From the moment her umbrella made contact with the angel's flaming swords, she knew she could never win.
But she had to try.
"Who are you? What are you?"
The angel did not reply to Clara's words. She looked very ethereal while walking on the snow. But Clara wasn't getting swayed by her. If she was a man, sure, maybe she could be distracted by the angel.
Clara took up a stance, and a singular blade made of ice formed beside her.
Her stance, and the ice blade, resembled the style of her sister—Sylvia Swan.
She had always idolized her sister, and wanted to copy her. Sylvia was her hero, and she still is.
Sylvia Swan occasionally fought with four ice blades.
But Clara could only make do with one. After all, she was still in Category 1. And her sister was Category 4, and about to advance to Category 5.
She was getting left behind, but she didn't hate it.
After all, it was only normal that a younger sibling should be weaker than their older sibling. At least, that's what she thinks.
The female angel's golden eyes looked dazzling. Her eyes slightly widened.
…Suddenly, the angel spoke. Her voice was heavenly, soothing, calming. But at the same time, it was terrifying, filled with dread, and slightly distorted.
Clara couldn't describe any further how the angel's voice sounded. But it made her heart slightly fall into tranquility, despite how ominous the angel's voice sounded.
"You love your sister…"
"No, you don't."
"You hate her deeply."
What?
Hate? No, she could never hate her own sister. This angel was spouting lies. Lies, lies, lies.
"You wish to surpass her. You wish to be stronger than her, and make her fall by your own hands."
No, she refused to believe it. She loves her sister. This angel was just spouting lies to make her angry.
"You have always hated her."
"I am only… telling you what is kept hidden deep inside your heart."
"You may refuse my words all you want, but the act of refusal… denial, will eventually fade away."
The angel raised her right arm. Her flaming sword looked terrifying but ethereal at the same time.
"Just like how the snow melts at the touch of my flames."
Clara grit her teeth. Her face was now showing anger.
She did not believe in the angel's words.
Stepping forward, she braced herself for a head-on confrontation with the powerful angel.
Then, she rushed straight towards the angel, and swung her umbrella.
Now, they fought with wild intensity.
But the angel didn't even seem to be trying. Only Clara fought like her life depended on it.
At that moment, it felt as if time had stopped. Clara wanted to defeat this enemy. Oh, she was desperate for victory.
But that would never happen.
The falling snow were silent spectators to this hopeless, futile fight.
The angel kept blocking her strikes, and the floating ice blade kept being deflected by the angel.
The beautiful angel then delivered a swift kick towards Clara's abdomen, sending her flying.
But just as Clara was about to hit a tree, the angel appeared, and grabbed her arm. She was too fast.
Clara was disoriented. Everything the angel did seemed to have so little effort put into it, but at the same time, it was too… powerful.
This was a fight she could never win.
The angel set her down on the snow, not letting go of her. Then, the angel said, "I hope you'll love your sister in your next life."
With that, the angel plunged her flaming sword into Clara's chest, blood dripping down and mixing with the snow.
And then, the angel hugged the dying Clara.