Chapter 64

Jamie, the captain of the Third Team, frowned as he stared at the rift that refused to close. If even the Second Team had made it, they would have sealed this breach long ago.

The Guides were wearing themselves out just trying to hold the line. The Espers fought with everything they had against the oncoming creatures, but it was clear they were only buying time. No one knew how much longer they could endure. Injuries were mounting, and the Guides were growing exhausted as well.

“The support team has arrived!”

“Guides! Guides! Over here, quickly!”

It was utter chaos. Still, the only saving grace was the news that His Highness the Crown Prince was on his way.

‘If only His Highness arrives…!’

Jamie, drenched in sweat, refused to lower his shield. His breath was coming in ragged gasps, but he knew that the moment he faltered, everyone behind him would be swept away. The news that reinforcements had arrived gave him a surge of hope. But when he saw who had come, his face darkened.

“They’ve sent the Fourth Team, the one made up entirely of Guides, as reinforcements?”

Perhaps they hadn’t properly assessed the rift’s class, or perhaps there was some other reason. Either way, he would have to get to the bottom of it later.

“It seems they expect us to hold out.”

The Guides were likely sent to help the Espers at the front endure a little longer. Realistically, it would be nearly impossible for the Third Team to handle a B-class rift on their own. Nonetheless, under the circumstances, this was probably the most pragmatic solution.

Jamie turned to Lianna beside him and asked.

“Can you hold out?”

“As long as we have steady guiding, we should be able to hold out for an hour. But what about you, Commander?”

Jamie gave a curt nod. He was frustrated that the Espers’ powers weren’t effective against these creatures. However, given their low classes, perhaps it was to be expected.

“Ugh—”

Seeing Lianna stagger and cough up blood, he called out urgently for a Guide.

“Guides! Is there any Guide who can perform guiding?!”

At his desperate cry, one of the Guides stepped forward from the rear. Golden-brown hair, damp with sweat, clung to his brow. His face was etched with fear as he faced the shapeless creature. Even so, at the call for help, he didn’t hesitate to step forward.

Jamie glanced at the name tag on the Guide’s uniform.

“Asilian? Quickly, give Lianna a full guiding. Push her as far as you possibly can.”

“Yes! I’ll do everything I can.”

Asilian hurried to Lianna’s side, where she kept fighting despite coughing up blood. He took her hand and began guiding.

“If it isn’t enough, I’ll guide you directly, even if just for a minute.”

“I’m all right for now. Just give me a little guiding and then fall back. It’s too dangerous here.”

“I’ll help as much as I can.”

Asilian shook his head. There were far too few Guides. So, he gripped Lianna’s hand tightly and poured what guiding energy he could into her. It was meager, but if it could help, he wanted to give everything he had.

Had he ever seen a rift this close before?

He met the eyes of a grotesque shape lurking in the crack where the light spilled out. Whatever it was, man or monster, it opened its jaws wide and lunged downward at terrifying speed.

“G-Get back! Everyone, get out of the way!”

Jamie shouted frantically to those behind him, but it was already too late to run. Espers and Guides tumbled together in a panic, clutching at each other as the chaos deepened.

With tremendous force, the shield holding the front lines shuddered violently. Asilian hurriedly pulled Lianna into his arms.

“Lady Lianna! You have to get back!”

He might have been a C-class Guide, but Lianna was only D-class. Asilian poured his energy into her, hoping to help her escape.

“Are you insane? You should be the one running! Hurry! Why are you putting yourself at risk when your class is so low…?!”

Lianna tried to push him away.

“If we don’t hold the line, the damage will be catastrophic! We have to block this, no matter what.”

Asilian caught his breath as he stared at the rift. Soon, a powerful light began to radiate from his body with a low, resonant hum.

“A-Asilian!”

Lianna’s scream rang out just as a splintering crack split the air. At the same moment, the ground beneath their feet gave way.