Each of them was about the same height as the Vajra Warrior, reaching over 2.5 meters. They looked like giant bipedal mantises, dragging tails twice their height, and their entire bodies were covered with sharp, barbed spikes like icicles. They also held serrated, frozen spears in their hands.
These hideous insect-like demons, exuding a chilling aura, appeared simultaneously on this wasteland with synchronized movements, their actions and landing points incredibly precise. Pairs of icy compound eyes scanned the protective barrier ahead without a trace of emotion.
They are all mid-level demons, and even among mid-level demons, they are quite powerful, and their combat strength should not be underestimated.
If those beings who were once Old Gods but are now demoted to Great Demons possess the power to be called "Demon Kings"; if the high-ranking demon that Hayden saw being crushed to death by Angela last year was a "general" in the Old Gods' army in ancient times—then these mid-ranking demons are all elite warriors in the Old Gods' army.
Unfortunately, times have changed, and now the elite warriors in the new god's army are all terrifying monsters like the [Vajra Warrior]. A single Vajra Warrior could probably wipe out all twenty mid-level demons with one hand.
But there are no Vajra Warriors here, right?
As for civilian mercenaries, even the most renowned top-tier mercenaries on the streets, if they could defeat a mid-level demon in a one-on-one fight, that would be a feat they could boast about for ten years.
Besides, even if a regular soldier might lose to a civilian mercenary in a one-on-one fight, they're practically guaranteed to win in a three-on-three situation. If it's twenty against twenty… the outcome is obvious.
So the lead ice demon raised its spear, pointed it at the barrier, and began chanting an ancient incantation. If a wise and learned mage were present, they would recognize from the sound alone that it was evil ancient magic, infused with hatred and resentment—undoubtedly "dark power." Even if a mortal could learn it, they should never touch it.
And so, a dark blizzard began to rapidly form. Twenty ice demons moved in unison, chanting ancient incantations of negative power, gathering their strength, ready to slam it down upon the protective barrier. Once the barrier was broken, any attack they chose would be—
So at this moment,
So just as the ice demons were about to finish their spell...
"Locate, lock on, fire volley!"
That's when fireballs rained down from the sky like cannonballs, landing on the heads of the demons!
Eleven fireballs, infused with magic bullets, trailed golden-red flames across the night sky, all bearing the logo of Wotan Mystic Technology Company. They fell like meteors onto the heads of the Ice Demons, exploding in a spectacular display!
On the open ground at the edge of the barrier, Hayden raised his bronze staff and created a large illusion circle, which actually ambushed ten Russian mercenaries and Eric. Even the devil's eyes could not see through it!
However, despite this, even though eleven Wotan Corporation fireball bombs struck the demons on the head, they didn't appear to be seriously injured. It was clear that the fireballs' destructive power was significantly reduced compared to normal.
Hayden and his fellow humans weren't the only ones who had prepared in advance. Demons have never been a race afraid of magical attacks. After all, they are essentially a war god race from an ancient era!
These former Russian mercenaries, while not lacking in courage and fighting spirit, were simply not good enough in combat. Using Hayden's method of strength calculation, they were only at level three, the so-called "professional" level. They were trained, had considerable combat experience, and were equipped with professional gear. But that was all; they couldn't compare to truly top-tier professional warriors.
Among the mercenaries here, only Hayden and Eric can be considered "first-rate"... and they are even stronger.
"Load! Get ready for another round!"
Illusions are difficult to see through if one doesn't approach them with a skeptical attitude. Conversely, since it's already been detected that someone is hiding here, illusions are not very effective against demons.
So Hayden, while directing the mercenaries to load the fireballs, said to Eric, "It's our turn!"
Alec, who already deeply hated demons, immediately raised the short iron club, swung it in the wind, and roared, "Northern Magnetic Demon-Slaying Divine Light, go and kill them!"
Before he finished speaking, his supernatural power was already activated, and the short stick burst forth with blinding lightning. Then, several metal parts, guided by the lightning, flew out from his long black coat and, as if possessing a spirit, merged with the short stick to form a one-handed warhammer engraved with several runes.
It turns out that the short iron club was just the handle of a warhammer. But even when assembled into a warhammer, the weapon wasn't actually that big. Why bother making it with this structure and then assembling it on the battlefield?
The reason is simple. Because this is just the beginning.
Eric tossed his warhammer high into the air. Lightning continued to radiate through the air, causing the night sky above and the ground beneath his feet to tremble. A second later, countless tiny black grains of sand surged forth from the earth, attracting the lightning and magnetism, merging with the warhammer to form a—
Enormous!
A dazzling flash of light!
A steel warhammer the size of a locomotive, constantly flashing with blinding lightning!
For a moment, even the demons were somewhat taken aback.
"No matter how strong the shell, it is nothing but dust before the hammer of heaven!"
Eric had already waved his hand, ordering the warhammer to smash down! Incredibly swift and powerful, it hurtled down with an aura that regarded everything as worthless!
In a split second, the ice demons dared not be careless. They could only redirect the dark blizzard they had originally intended to use to break the barrier, directing it towards Eric's thunder hammer as it hurtled down. The dark demonic ice storm collided head-on with the descending lightning, a battle that did indeed resemble the clash between the new and old gods of Norse mythology!
Where did this incredible warhammer come from?
Of course, it was made from the two kilograms of arrowheads and blade fragments that had been stained with Eric's blood, which were dug out of Eric's body before!
Hayden had previously stated that supernatural powers might be flexible, and their power might originate from within, but sophisticated spells, incantations, and rituals are far more powerful. While less flexible, they are still stronger than directly using supernatural powers. Otherwise, why would anyone bother developing various magical techniques?
This Thunder Hammer was specially crafted by Hayden at Eric's behest, a technological device that concentrates Eric's advanced enhanced human abilities into a single purpose. Since it's stained with his blood, the cold iron fragments dug from his flesh can naturally be linked and deformed through sympathetic connection, and can even condense the scattered, minute forces together.
The divine power, originally scattered throughout the body's flesh and cells, is thus unified and controlled under a single consciousness through this method and imagery. Even if each element of divine power was originally minute, once gathered together, it can generate immense power.
Its power is at least three times that of Eric's usual full-power output!
That being said, even a high-level enhanced human outputting three times their full power couldn't possibly defeat the combined output of twenty mid-level demons. Otherwise, they wouldn't be enhanced humans; they'd be battle gods switched at birth. The dark blizzard devoured and tore at the descending lightning. After a few seconds of stalemate, the former ultimately emerged victorious.
However, this dark blizzard, which had already changed direction, could no longer be used to break through the protective barrier.
This was exactly Hayden's plan.
"Excellent! That's how you should play!"
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Hayden shouted loudly to the little fairies inside the barrier.
"Flower fairies, now's the time!"
"Gather the energy you originally used to power the barrier defenses into my ritual magic!"
092: Namo San, this is karma and retribution!
Borrowing energy from the little fairies?
Why? Aren't they non-combatants?
That's right. Those little flower fairies are indeed just non-combatants.
But don't forget, they are gods!
Even the less frequently updated versions of the Old Gods, even the lowest-ranking gods... these little sprites are still gods!
Even if they don't dare to fight, even if they lack the courage to fight, and even if they don't have the skills to fight, even if they look only the size of a palm—don't forget that in reality, these little flower fairies' magical talents are almost the same as those of enhanced humans!
Fairies are naturally more powerful than mortals!
As for their physical strength, needless to say—unless they're made of special materials like cold iron weapons, they wouldn't actually get hurt even if someone put them on a chopping board and chopped them with a kitchen knife! Even if you ran them over with a car wheel, they might not even get dusty!
Can humans do that?!
So, although it sounds awkward, the group with the strongest total magical power on this battlefield is actually those dozens or even hundreds of little fairies hiding inside the protective barrier.
Their combined magic power is at least two or three times that of the twenty mid-level demons outside.
Given Hayden's usual tendency to be short of magic power and to meticulously gather energy from all sides, could he possibly forget that there are a hundred high-level magic sources flying around behind him?
It's wrong to forcibly take the little fairies' magic, but we're fighting to protect them right now. They'd definitely be willing to share some of their magic to fight, right?
...This isn't exactly an ideal way of thinking, but Hayden was never a perfect person, so he did it without hesitation. And the little imp basically had no opinions of her own.
If you explain things clearly and convincingly, they will take it seriously.
So they transferred some of the magic power that was originally used to supply the barrier's defenses to Hayden's ritual magic.
This was within Hayden's original expectations. After all, it was part of his plan.
...However, less than two seconds later, he immediately sensed that something was wrong.
A vast amount of natural energy converged into Hayden's scepter, churning and pulsating—that was to be expected, yes, but why was there so much more energy than he had imagined!? An overwhelming, invisible force surged into the scepter along the sympathetic connection, causing it to vibrate as if electrified, and become scalding hot, as if it were about to explode in his hand!
How is this going! ?
It turns out that these little fairies were scared half to death by the devil, and worried that a little bit of magic power wouldn't be enough, so they poured the energy that the Dream Flower usually used to produce materials into Hayden after purifying the swamp.
What astonishing power this is! More than a hundred little fairies, taking advantage of the arcane barrier and the purified land, displayed an unparalleled primal natural power. How could anyone possibly control it?
Hayden's bronze scepter is now nearly melted. He put a lot of effort into making it, but it's hardly a divine artifact; it's a miracle it hasn't exploded yet, let alone the fact that Hayden still has to use it!
The demons weren't fools. They might not see that Hayden was shooting himself in the foot, but couldn't they see that he was channeling a powerful attack? The five demons immediately turned their attention to Hayden, forming an inverted pentagram in mid-air. Their magic merged, transforming into a massive black ice spear that pierced the air, aiming straight for Hayden's head!
Hayden was already struggling to control the energy in his hands, let alone defend against the attack!
This time you die!
At this moment, only Angela, who is standing to the side, can save his life, right?
Strangely enough, Angela remained silent throughout the battle, basically just standing beside Hayden without doing anything. Only now, seeing that Hayden was about to suffer a huge wound, did she finally take action.
But I didn't personally go and stop it.
“Hounds,”
She simply opened her mouth and said...
"Your commander is protecting you."
Before the words were even finished, the ten Russian mercenaries had already begun to move. Seeing the giant ice spear hurtling through the air, they knew they couldn't stop it on their own, so they immediately reached for their waists.
They all wore wolfskin belts with brass buckles around their waists.
"O Moon, from the silvery moon, the great lord of the wind and sky! You bring us the covenant of life!"
The young members of the Volkov family sang loudly.
"Hounds neither enter the forest nor the valley! We hunt only for the silvery glory of the moon and the sky!"
They turned the brass buckles on the wolfskin belts. The belts vibrated beneath their fingers, radiating warmth, a form of life of their own. The wolfskin belts bound them together, brimming with an infused vitality.
The next instant, the buttons clicked, and a wild life force blew into their bodies, seeping into every cell, simpler than casting any magic.
power.
They have transformed.
It was not about becoming the werewolf Hayden had seen, but rather a more obscure alien creature, a taboo subject that could not be spoken of.
Bird wings, snake scales, wolf teeth, the heads of four living creatures, wheels burning with countless eyeballs, and other indescribable forms—these mutations appeared and disappeared one after another on them. In the constant, irregular mutations, they transformed into a gigantic, silvery-white beast with multiple bodies, multiple eyes, and multiple arms.
These indescribable beasts roared and used their bodies as shields to block the giant icy spears that flew towards the demons!
But how ferocious was the combined attack of five mid-level demons? The giant ice spear pierced through the bodies of one, two, three, and four alien beasts, even cleaving their heads and bodies in two, until it finally stopped when it struck the fifth beast.
However, before the demons could launch another attack, they saw that the alien beasts whose heads had been smashed had grown new heads.
Their flesh and blood made "pop pop pop" sounds, bubbled, and rapidly regenerated the missing body tissues.
This left not only Hayden speechless, but even the devils were dumbfounded.
What the hell is this thing?!
“Master, do not stop casting the spell.” Angela gently reminded him, “They can hardly defeat so many demons; they can only hold them off for a while. Now, only you can destroy these demons.”
But Hayden still couldn't help but ask—what the hell is going on?!
Compared to the strange things Angela has come up with this time, the natural power that has now gathered on his scepter is hardly that important!
However, Angela was indeed right. A vast, almost uncontrollable power surged and throbbed within his scepter. The mysterious natural energy manifested by fairies since time immemorial possessed the power to subdue demons!
We can't delay any longer. Now is the time to strike while the devils are still intimidated by the Russians!
"Go back to your darkness! You vile spirits! Otherwise you will be cursed and reviled forever! Awaken, earth! Open your mouths! Devour the evil spirits!!"
Hayden wasn't foolish enough to subject his own body to such unstable primal energy. A natural human's flesh and blood would simply burst, and even though he was now closer to being a enhanced human, he couldn't afford to do that.
So he simply shouted loudly, and then slammed the scepter and the energy in his hand hard onto the ground.
The earth, recently purified by the [Dream Flower], immediately responded to Hayden's call. The earth spoke. Suddenly, a crack appeared beneath the feet of the ice demons, and twenty giant hands made of mud and stones reached out and grabbed at the demons.
With just this one grab, sixteen ice demons were slowed to react. Although they immediately tried to teleport away, they were still pulled in. Once these earthen and stone hands grasped their prey, they never let go, gripping tightly and dragging them violently into the crack in the ground. Only four demons managed to escape in time before all of them were caught by the giant hands.
At the same time, the earth closed up. The sixteen demons that had been dragged in may have been crushed to death, or they may not have been able to escape the grasp of the earth. In any case, no one ever saw them again, and they truly disappeared from this world.
One hundred little flower fairies, each contributing a small portion of their magic power, combined with the purified earth energy, could accomplish this.
Unfortunately, the remaining four Ice Demons weren't foolish enough to continue enduring such power and be slaughtered. Realizing the situation was hopeless, they quickly retreated. Before Hayden and his companions could give chase, they had already teleported away with methodical movements, leaving no trace of their escape.
So, this battle was won...?
The Russian mercenaries, who had just transformed into monstrous aliens and hadn't even managed to bite a single devil, roared in fury. Being attacked but unable to retaliate, they were naturally extremely displeased.
Eric then recalled the Cold Iron warhammer he had just thrown. The new warhammer hadn't been destroyed, but it did appear to be somewhat damaged. He clicked his tongue, at a loss for what to do for the moment, and decided to repair it when he got back.
Hayden, however, did not feel that the matter was over.
As mentioned before, the souls and bodies of many ancient gods are one and the same, making them relatively unrestricted by physical limitations and naturally adept at teleportation magic. They can teleport almost at will—of course, magic power is still consumed, but they won't accidentally teleport themselves into getting stuck in a wall—which means that the demons' mobility is basically limited only by resources.
Since Joyful Heaven was behind this, Hayden didn't consider his side to have won.
He turned and checked the protective barrier again—and sure enough, the goblins' antics had overloaded it. Just to be safe, Hayden pulled out the rowan staff he'd been making since the Mid-Autumn Festival. This time, instead of sticking it into the ground, he inserted it into the protective barrier. The rowan staff, now fully imbued with the light of the full moon and powered by the forces of nature, quickly emitted a protective glow.
Transformed into monstrous aliens, the Russian mercenaries, who had been roaring angrily, were suddenly delighted by the full moon's light and lay down on the grass outside the barrier, no longer angry.