"Hello, it's nice to meet you, gray-robed wizard."
She greeted Hayden.
“I have been sent to breach the defensive barrier of this camp. Where there is light, there is shadow. Your Moonlight Protection spell is completely ineffective against me. Surrender now and let me cut off your head.”
Are there really people in the world who would surrender after hearing her words?
Hayden really wanted to ask her, but unfortunately, now wasn't the time to fool around. This tengu ninja was strange as she was, but Hayden could sense genuine, powerful magic emanating from her. This energy was definitely no less than that of Alicia last year—that is, the normal level of a god.
Moreover, this Tengu ninja clearly possesses combat skills above the level of an ordinary goddess.
Therefore, Hayden naturally dared not be negligent. Fortunately, he glanced over and discovered that the Russian mercenaries had already nailed the forty evil-breaking silver stakes into the ground before they were defeated.
With the demon-subduing formation complete, what else is there to fear?
So Hayden pointed the bronze scepter at the Tengu ninja and immediately began to gather the natural energy of this land.
"Get out! Evil spirit! I am one with this land! My breath is the wind, my heartbeat is the pulse of the earth! To test my wrath is to test the power of nature!"
He says,
"Go back to your dark master! Otherwise the earth will open its mouth and devour evil spirits!"
Clearly, the Tengu ninja had no intention of turning and running away. Therefore, Hayden forcefully swung his scepter, activating the Demon-Subduing Formation. This formation was composed of forty silver stakes used for exorcising evil, and was powered by the earth itself. The Tengu demon ninja was now surrounded by the silver stakes; there was no way she could escape.
Hayden could feel the land responding to his magic, beginning to supply energy. He could feel this invisible yet powerful force forming a binding net, trapping the ninja within. The sudden flashes of light and the intense magic were like a strong gust of wind tearing through the air.
However, the Tengu ninja showed no panic. She wasn't even surprised. Hayden cast a spell, but instead sheathed her katana, put the weapon back in its sheath, and stepped forward empty-handed.
Take one step, that's all.
But Hayden immediately sensed that the magical structure sealing the ninja had loosened. One moment she was still trapped in the net of restraints Hayden had wrapped around her, and the next she had vanished, as if Hayden's demon-subduing array had never existed.
In that instant, only two sentences flashed through Hayden's mind:
*Not the devil*
And
Oh no!
She is not a demon, at least not entirely. She is something that is neither afraid of the exorcising silver nor of the earth's power.
At the same time, the Tengu Ninja appeared out of thin air behind Hayden. She kicked Hayden vertically into the air, then leaped into the air herself, using a flawless joint lock to firmly grip Hayden's arms from behind.
The jump reached a height of tens of meters. At the highest point, the two of them turned upside down, spinning rapidly like a bulldozer, before plummeting vertically!
Someone like Hayden, who had studied all sorts of strange and secret techniques from around the world, could now understand—this move was an ancient ninjutsu technique that involved restraining the opponent from behind and then slamming their head into the ground with a vertical descent from a great height.
[The meal has fallen!]
Today, what is about to be blasted into the land of New Jersey is Hayden's head!
094: Ninja, don't blame me for being despicable.
What comes to mind when you think of Japanese tengu?
Basically, he has a bright red face, a long, thick nose, raven-like wings, carries a fan, wears wooden clogs with only one tooth, and robes similar to those of a monk...
...Moreover, they also live deep in the mountains and forests.
As the Tengu ninja kicked Hayden into the air and slammed him down from the sky, Hayden was still thinking about these things.
It's said that people experience a revolving lantern of thoughts before death because they're trying to find solutions from past experiences and memories in a life-or-death crisis. This claim is quite dubious, but Hayden's mind is indeed currently filled with a flurry of thoughts.
He knew almost nothing about the ancient beliefs of Far Eastern Japan. But people can always deduce principles from phenomena, right?
This tengu ninja did indeed possess a hint of demonic energy, but Hayden's demon-subduing array had little effect on her. In other words, she was probably not actually a demon, but rather some kind of being tainted by demonic nature, essentially closely connected to the natural forests, even one with nature itself. That's why she was able to break the demon-subduing array, which possessed exorcising properties and whose energy came from the earth.
Half-demonized, or perhaps only three to a quarter demonized fairies or spirits—that's probably the kind of thing.
As for the technique used by the Tengu Ninja to escape the Demon-Subduing Formation, Hayden had heard of it. He had heard that ancient Japanese mountain ascetics possessed a secret technique similar to "divine footwork," allowing them to travel through the air wearing iron clogs with only one tooth, and to fly from the ground to Mount Fuji with a single step.
To put it simply, this should be a very powerful dimensional-jumping supernatural power. With skillful use, the Tengu ninja was able to fly out of the Demon-Subduing Formation, which was not effective against her, and instantly fly behind Hayden, kicking him into the air, which was obviously not difficult for her.
So, how exactly did all those thoughts that Hayden had been having in mid-air help him in his current situation?
the answer is--
Absolutely not helpful!
When you're firmly bound by a foolproof joint lock and being slammed down from the sky, it's already too late to think about how to break the move by understanding its principles.
A fraction of a second before impact, the Tengu ninja released his hand seals and nimbly leaped away. Only Hayden's head was smashed into the ground like a lump of dough! Even the ground couldn't withstand such a heavy blow, leaving a crater-like mark and kicking up dust and sand!
Hayden's head was smashed into the ground like a rice seedling being planted, and his body remained motionless.
What a cruel and brutal technique! Is this the kind of ninja combat that so easily defies the laws of physics?!
The Russian mercenary was still lying on the ground, slowly regenerating, while the little fairies were all too frightened to move. No one could stop her from dispelling the protective barrier of the camp.
Is there anything more despairing than this?
Of course!
Outside the camp's barrier, Eric and the ten mercenaries, still on guard duty, saw over a dozen new demons teleport in simultaneously. Most of them were mid-level ice demons, just like the ones before.
Eric immediately tried to contact Hayden inside the barrier, but received no response whatsoever. He wasn't stupid; he immediately realized—something must have happened inside the barrier too!
This precious wilderness camp is about to be attacked and taken down by the devils instigated by the wicked capitalists!
"All-out defense!"
In that critical moment, Eric remained remarkably calm and decisive.
"Let Hayden and his men handle the situation inside the camp! They'll definitely find a way! We just need to keep the enemy forces outside pinned down!"
The mercenaries all nodded in agreement.
With a fierce roar from the warriors, they charged towards the demons' ranks. Eric, in particular, led the charge, his cold iron warhammer arcing as it smashed towards the demons' commander.
They had complete faith in Hayden and Angela's abilities, unaware of the predicament Hayden was currently facing.
Does he deserve the trust his companions have placed in him?
At least the Tengu Ninja didn't think so. In her opinion, this gray-robed wizard, despite his considerable reputation, was utterly useless. However, he wasn't exactly a complete waste; at least he could land a blow on her.
"Surprisingly, he survived a hit from the [Izuna Drop]."
The tengu ninja turned to Hayden's body, which was lying upside down on the ground, and drew his katana again.
"Then let me be your second."
Kaishaku, which means to cut off someone's head with a knife! This ninja is truly terrifying and powerful! Even though Hayden was lying in the pit pretending to be dead, she still keenly sensed that he was actually still alive!
Hayden had originally planned to launch a sneak attack when she got close, but couldn't he even do that?
Is Hayden really going to die like this? Is his battle about to end?!
Of course not!
Before the tengu ninja's katana could fall on his neck, Hayden quickly pulled his head back out of the ground, and with a swift incantation accompanying his bronze scepter, he shouted: "Fugur!"
A blinding flash of lightning shot out from the top of the scepter, heading straight for the Tengu ninja's head, striking her—
—They didn't hit her.
Just as she sliced through a bullet flying towards her, the Tengu ninja effortlessly cleaved the lightning with a single swing of her sword. After splitting the lightning, she didn't continue her attack, but instead watched with interest as Hayden continued his antics.
But that was lightning!
Why can ninjas use katanas to cut through lightning?!
This surreal scene finally made Hayden realize—this is the composure of the strong.
Not to mention that most of the spells in ancient magic are long and tedious, even modern spells that only require one word are still too slow when facing tengu ninjas at this distance.
She could cut Hayden down with a single blow whenever the Tengu Ninja wanted to.
Now that things had come to this, Hayden became even calmer. He twisted his neck to reposition his dislocated bones, and thus he was unharmed, except for getting a little dusty.
Moreover, Hayden was enveloped in a faint emerald glow that rose and fell slightly with his breath.
Why wasn't he injured?
Of course, he survived only thanks to Angela's power.
A month ago, Karen had discussed with Hayden how to modify the ointment he made with Angela's scent into an infusion oil, which would enhance the effect and last for twenty-four hours. Hayden was extremely impressed and immediately went home to do as she suggested.
As a result, Hayden now possesses a body like that of a protagonist in a shonen battle manga—physical impacts such as blows, collisions, or slams that don't involve sharp blades or cutting/slashing are virtually useless against him. Even if he's hit by a large truck and thrown into the air, he can immediately jump up, dust himself off, and be completely unharmed! Even if he's knocked away by an enemy and crashes through several walls and floors, he can quickly recover!
Not bad, right?
Unfortunately, this didn't seem to be very useful against a tengu ninja who could split lightning with a samurai sword. If the tengu ninja really chopped Hayden into minced meat, with not a single fat piece on top, he would still die.
So, what should we do?
Hayden didn't know what other ninjas were like, but this tengu ninja in front of him was incredibly strong. She possessed a supernatural ability similar to the Shrinking Earth Technique and the speed to cut through lightning with her sword. At a distance of only ten meters, she could probably leap over and cut off Hayden's head in less than half a second.
During the entire process of being kicked away by the Tengu Ninja from behind, Hayden didn't even have a chance to chant the word "ventus" to transform into the wind and escape. He didn't have time before being kicked away, and he couldn't transform after being captured.
At this moment, if Hayden dared to cast any of those long and tedious ancient spells, he certainly wouldn't even be able to finish a single word. Even if he really turned into the wind, the Tengu ninja would probably be able to catch up with him and kill him at supersonic speed.
UI.
An enemy much faster than you, someone who can kill you fifty times in the time it takes you to chant one spell—how are you supposed to fight that? Besides, the ninja's shuriken are no pushovers. In close to medium range combat, Hayden would definitely be at a disadvantage, yet they're only ten meters apart now. Any move Hayden makes—whether it's moving, casting spells, or even defending—could trigger an attack from the ninja.
Honestly, how do you play this?
Therefore, the only solution Hayden could think of now was—
"I lost."
He raised his hand and said,
"Tengu Ninja, your karate is indeed impressive. I concede defeat."
Hayden obediently lowered his head.
It is said that tengu have long noses because they are extremely arrogant. This tengu ninja certainly enjoyed hearing this.
"In that case, please surrender."
Hayden couldn't see the face beneath the tengu mask, but she must be quite happy right now.
"You are considered an excellent spellcaster among mortals. Someone as talented as you would certainly not lack a position even if you wanted to switch to another god."
Judging from her tone, she probably mistook Hayden for an employee under the command of the Peacock King.
This misunderstanding has both good and bad aspects, but in any case, at least Hayden can use it now.
"The rise and fall of a samurai is determined by fate and destiny. Even in death, one should be as graceful and heroic as a withering flower. There is honor in death, not shame in life! How can there be any reason to turn to another lord?"
So Hayden began, his face serious.
"Even if it's just rotten wood and illusory flowers, we should still fight a glorious battle before we die! Neither of us should do anything to dishonor our reputation!"
Even if you say that, you're not a samurai... A normal person would probably say the same thing about Hayden.
However, the Tengu ninja did not raise any objections upon hearing this; instead, he showed great respect for Hayden.
"Faced with a battle to the death, neither fearing nor betraying, such loyalty and courage are truly rare!"
She raised her katana above her head, assuming a fighting stance. It was a gesture of cleaving in two, signifying the enemy's head.
"Prepare as you please, make your moves as you see fit, I will gladly oblige."
So now Hayden has time to prepare at his own pace.
This tengu ninja is a bit simple-minded—though she's probably not really simple-minded, just very confident. She's a far stronger fighter than Hayden; the difference in their strength is like a grown-up karate master versus an elementary school student—utterly hopeless.
Hayden alone certainly couldn't defeat this ninja. A seasoned adult karate master, even if given free rein to attack an elementary school student, wouldn't lose. That's why she was so confident. This is the confidence of a strong person against a weak one.
If Hayden wants to win, he has to come up with some strange tricks.
So he gently stroked the runes on his bronze scepter with his fingers while chanting the incantation:
"Give me the flames (ignis), draw my blade (lucisgladius)!"
A dazzling white flame sword immediately shot out from the top of the scepter.
Don't forget, Hayden originally used this bronze scepter to enhance his fire and wind spells, which were also his preferred elements. He hadn't used the scepter to throw fireballs at people in a long time, purely because Angela's damage output was far superior.
Now Hayden raises his scepter and reaches out for fire, and the elements respond, bursting forth from the head of the scepter as a flaming lightsaber.
Throughout the entire "sword drawing" process, the Tengu ninja didn't stop her. Because it was a lightsaber! Who doesn't like a lightsaber? In fact, she was quite pleased to see Hayden about to conjure a lightsaber to fight!