hough she was still bleeding and currently losing blood. In reflex to the cut she got and also to stop the bleeding, she immediately placed her hand on the wound.

Then again immediately she saw another sword headed towards her – to be precise, the sword was approaching towards her back and was headed towards her in a way similar to the previous one. Thus, she immediately moved opposite the direction where she was headed. She did successfully stop. However, she was still cut again at the back-left part of her body. The cut was quite deep, but she'll survive.

As though not to give her a chance to breathe. Another sword came flying towards her and now the sharp edges are facing the ground or are now on vertical. With all the evasion she has done and barely had any rest as well as the wounds that hurt and the bleeding, will she able to dodge this one? No, she can't, and Zoey realized this herself.

She has grown weak after everything, and her loss of strength caused her to slow down her movements a lot. Now that the angel changed the way he shoots his sword, then the angel knows that she has lost strength, it was as though this was the angel's plan all along. For her to get tired and lose a lot of strength. That said, that means she couldn't dodge the sword fast enough which is moving at great speed.

Will this be her end? Is everything over? Will this be her final moment? Questions like those crossed her mind as she felt everything was moving in slow motion. Like time itself slowed just for her to think about different things before her life is taken.

When demise was halfway on her, everything around her seemed to be shrinking like her life. However, halfway, the flying sword seemed like it was pushed away from its way direction and as that happened there was a little spark like how it would be when both metals clash.

As the spark happened, someone suddenly appeared. The person clashed her knife against the flying sword. In the powerful impact, her knife also flew off her hand as well as pushed her a little. Of course, the impact was painful, but it's nothing that she can take, what was important is that what she tried to save is safe.

"—Maya?!"

"Zoey, keep running!"

Maya – the one who saved her – told her Zoey to keep running. If she keeps running, she may lose a lot of blood in the process. However, if she doesn't, the angel might attack her again and might finally hit her. Thus, the better option will be to run, plus she might have another chance of survival. Besides, she won't die quickly from the wounds she currently has and once it's safe her wounds can be treated quickly with healing magic.

With those in mind, she began to run.

Maya returned her sights to the dark angel and grabbed another knife from a sheath on her thigh. The knife could help her block a sword just in case if there's another one coming. A flying sword could be taken out when attacked on its side and put if off course whether it's heading towards Zoey or herself. Although a blade coming towards herself will be difficult to handle, she can still manage, either dodge or find a way to stop the blade.

"Stop interrupting, will you?"

After the angel said that, he immediately moved his hand in a swiping motion. And with it appeared what caused Maya to widen her eyes in shock. Also, at that moment, she began to breathe shakily and her heart to throb more than before.

"W-what.."

Numerous black color themed knives suddenly appeared before him as he moved his hand. The group of blades covered a large area, and if used to attack that could mean it could damage a large area. Or perhaps, all of those blades are for Maya herself. With that in mind, how can she escape from all of those knives, there was like hundreds of those pointed in different directions in front of the angel.

Then immediately after all the blades had appeared, the angel moved his hand forward, and with it, the blade instantly flew forward towards where they were pointed. Zoey was in the middle of everything, now how would she escape from it?

If she tried to run, she would still get caught up in it. If she doesn't run, then she would take all the blades head on and that would mean absolute death. Then the option to have a higher survival rate would be to choose the former option. And Maya instantly chose that option as hundreds of blades began to move.

She prepared her knife, that's because she can use the blade to block any blade that may hit her vital parts. Then she began to run to have a better chance to evade any approaching blade, even though there are hundreds of those knives and evading them would be near impossible, it wouldn't hurt to try.

As she began to take a step, shots of lightning enchanted bullets came storming and took out a lot of the blades coming towards the direction where she was going to run. However, there was still a lot of those blades left.

The blades have gone close to Maya. Some blades would definitely hit her, no question about that. Thus, all she could do to survive is parry any blade that would surely hit her on the vitals.

A blade was moving towards her head, right between the eyes to be exact. Thanks to her years of training, her reflexes will be enough to handle things like this. When the blade was within her reach, she instantly parried off the blade heading towards her head.

But, instantly after she did that, a blade has scratched her left shoulder. Fortunately, she was moving so the blade only passed by her. However, immediately, she noticed another blade coming straight towards her heart. Her left arm may have a scratch on the shoulder, that was nothing, she could still parry the incoming blade quick enough. Thus, she quickly parried the incoming knife, however, instantly after that a blade had struck her right leg.

However, she did not give a lot of thought into it. Instantly after the blade struck, she saw a blade coming straight towards her throat. Thus, she instantly parried the incoming blade, however, before she could notice, a blade had already struck the right side of her chest.

It was painful, but that was not the time to give in to the pain. Another blade was coming straight into her left eye, thus, in an instant, she parried the incoming knife. However, as she did that, a blade had struck her belly and that was where she really felt the pain. Because of that, her movements slowed down, and before anything else, a knife had struck her right shoulder.

Then immediately after that, a knife struck the center part of her chest, then her left leg and again her belly and both her shoulders again. That was the last of the blades, however, several knives had struck Maya, blood coming out from her wounds and blades remained pierced on her body. With all the damage she received, she slowly fell to her knees as every little movement she made caused pain in various parts of her bodies.

Blood dripping from the knives which struck her body and blood crawling down her body and began to stain the land. Everything around her looks so blurry even though she was only looking on the ground. Her body began to weaken as her body seemed to desire to lay on the soil and her eyes seem to almost want to close. However, she will be able to live a short while.

The angel moved his hand as though preparing for a swiping motion – or to be precise, it was just how he would shoot a sword. When Maya watched him, she began to feel that it was the end, one small blade would suffice in killing her.

However, amidst everything, a large thick wall of ice appeared between Maya and the angel. In a second, Maya had already known where the wall of ice came from.

To keep the angel from attacking Maya who was gravely wounded. John immediately attacked the angel right after the wall of ice appeared. John threw a grenade enchanted by him to the angel, the grenade physical hit the angel and the angel turned his head to look at the grenade the had hit the ground.

Then immediately after that, the grenade exploded. Explosion engulfed the angel, however, it was not an explosion alone. Along the explosion of flames, there was also an explosion of electricity with it. That was because the grenade was enchanted by John's lightning enchantment.

Thus, it's not flames that will consume the target alone but also the element of lightning, so not all target will be able to survive if one does survive, he would be greatly wounded and would be in the brink of dying.

However, amidst all the smoke that covered the angel, a sword suddenly emerged from the thick smoke. The said sword was headed towards John. For a second, John shrugged in surprise.

Fortunately, John has the reflexes to properly react to this. He instantly moved aside. When he did, the sword went pass him by an inch. However, immediately after that, another sword went flying towards John. Having to notice it, John instantly moved his himself aside to dodge the incoming sword.

However, this time, the blade could hit him, thus he used his shotgun to parry the blade from its side. In the process, his weapon broke apart, however, that was a worthy sacrifice in order to save his life, after all, it was just an object. The sword was merely pushed a little but broke its momentum and thus saving his own life.

Immediately after all that, multiple rays of golden light barraged on the angel. Then instantly after that, the angel was encased in ice in an instant. Then suddenly, there was a chain of light that went unto Zoey, Maya, the caster of the ice element and lastly unto John.

When John was hit by the light, he felt energized, like his energy was back to full. John knows whose magic that exactly was. Well, not only him but also the other members of the order.

When the chain of light touched Zoey, her wounds began to heal and she felt fully restored and she felt like she can run in full speed once again.

As for Maya, the pain she felt from various parts of her body began to ease. Knowing whose magic that was and knows what the purpose of that ray of light was. She pulled out every single knife that stabbed her body, it may be painful, but it was nothing that she can handle. Besides, the healing magic eased the pain. Then when she had pulled out every single one, her wounds began to heal and she felt restored.

"Hm.. light? Interesting, it's kind of like her."

The angel said as he turned around to look at the source of the barrage of light.

Vincent cast his spells unto his allies. Some of his allies had already been killed which angered him. He didn't expect for his allies to be taken out just like that.

He thought that he could have healed all the allies before they died. However, before he could send a chain of healing, they died almost in an instant or perhaps even in an instant, so he couldn't save them. Perhaps his anger is not only pointed at the angel but also into himself for not being able to save his comrades.

He failed in supporting his allies which were supposed to be his role for being a holy magic caster. Although he is the highest level among them, he was still the best option in terms of supporting the team. Perhaps he really did just fail in being the support, but why is that? Probably because everything happened so fast, or probably because the opponent was just overwhelmingly powerful.

After everything Vincent had witnessed, he realized that staying in the rear just won't do anymore. Right now, his comrades need more firepower, so the only option now is that the ones in the rear must go in the front lines and engage the enemy. As the highest level in the group, even Vincent alone to go in would be enough, besides, it's important to have people in the rear to attack the opposition.

I could do more to help directly attack the angel in the current situation. Then I will have to use my weapon.

Vincent cast away his magic rifle and reached something on his waist. He held the hilt of his sheathed sword and pulled it from its sheath.

What revealed was a blade with ravishing embellishment. The blade shone brightly as though the blade was newly made. The central part of the blade has the color of gold and with it some kind of writings from ancient times.

The exquisite hilt flawlessly connected with the blade as though it was done very carefully. The blade was emanating some sort of holy aura which was apparent with the bit of golden light shining on the whole blade.

The sword is called the Sword of Salvation. The sword was passed down for generation within Vincent's family – the bloodline of the Spero family – and was created in the time when the world was in the brink of destruction. The sword was created unknown centuries ago and was one of the strongest weapons created in that time. It was the matter of destruction so the people of the past would need powerful arsenals to fight against powerful creatures.

And this sword was created by the finest blacksmith and during its creation, it was imbued with holy magic by several powerful mages. The sword is one of the most important and powerful relics in the world and must not go into the wrong hands. Now, it seems there was no choice but to use the sword if they are to win in this battle. Nevertheless, they will have a better chance if everyone attacks the opposition.

"Guys, we'll go in and engage."

"..Alright."

"Right."

"Roger."

Every single one of them discarded their weapons and charged towards their enemy.

"Head on. Haha, fine then!"

The angel said and he positioned his hand in order to wave his arm. However, before he could shoot a sword, he was suddenly engulfed in ice in an instant.

Still, the angel immediately broke the ice. Fortunately, as the ice broke, one of the people from the rear which is a fast a runner was already close to the angel.

The man instantly cast his magic.

"[Perfect Clones]."

Two perfect clones of his appeared on both his sides. One of the clones took daggers on both hands to use as weapons. The other took two magic powered pistols to use as weapons. As for the original, he had the choice of whether use both daggers he has or the two pistols, in the end, he chose to use a pistol and on the other hand a dagger.

In contrast, he could have not discarded his weapons, however, if he didn't and kept carrying that around he would lose mobility and he would be an easy target.

One of his clones, the one with the daggers, advanced forward first. The angel swung his sword, however, the clone parried it with its daggers. It could be seen the clone itself was exerting a lot of force just to block the angel's sword.

As that happened, all the ones that have range arsenals as weapons fired at the angel. Of course, they were trying not to hit the clone.

The right hand of the angel was holding the sword, and his left hand was free. Thus, they should be wary of that hand for he might try to shoot a sword from it.

As the clone blocked the angel's sword, Zoey jumped above the angel and landed a downward kick on the angel's head. However, the angel was still unharmed. Her kick was powered by her magic which can be determined by the glow of her metal boots and a small explosion like occurrence as she hit the angel. However, it seems that was not yet enough.

"Tch! How hard is this guy's defensive magic?"

Zoey said after she retreated back after hitting the angel.

"Wow, this clone is a bit tough. But not tough enough."

The angel pushed his sword and with it, the clone didn't withstand the sword as it blocked. The clone was cut in half by just the angel giving more force than before. As the clone was cut in half, it disappeared.

Right after the clone disappeared, the other clone took charge and engaged the angel, the clone approached the angel until they were both at almost zero distance. The clone pointed its gun on the hand of the angel which was holding the sword, and the other pointed at the angel's head. Then immediately the clone opened fire the two guns simultaneously.

"Seriously? Haaah."

The angel said and immediately he grabbed the clone by the throat. Instantly, he crushed its throat, then the dead clone vanished.

They were merely using the clones as a decoy or to buy time, that is the reason why the caster kept sending the clones in. After all, he can just summon another pair.

And he did summon another pair.

"Not another two again."

The angel said, he immediately approached the caster in great speed. As the caster saw this, he was greatly shocked and took a big step back. However, that did not give him a large chance to survive though.

The angel already had the caster within reach in almost in an instant. Then the angel plunged his sword on the caster's chest – to be precise, on the caster's heart. It seems the angel wants to make sure that his targets are dead. And the caster did die.

The angel let go of the sword which was still pierced through its victim. And immediately, as the angel let go, he conjured another sword.

Immediately as the angel conjured another sword, Vincent was now close to the angel. Vincent instantly swung his sword. However, before Vincent could fully swing his sword the angel also swung his sword towards him.

The force of the angel's swing was so strong that his action of swinging became a block. Vincent got blown away a few distances as the angel's sword impacted unto Vincent's sword. The shock the sword received crawled unto his hands and the force made Vincent's hands ache.

The good thing was that he was using both his hands in holding the sword. If that was not the case, the sword would have blown off from his hand and he would have severely injured or worse, he would have died. Even though he was suddenly blown away, he still got his balance and managed to stay on his feet as he stepped back on the ground.

Immediately right after he returned his feet on the ground, he cast a healing spell on the one was just attacked by the angel.

"[Healing Ray]."

Even though the person still had a sword pierced his body, Vincent hoped that his healing spell would help in the survival of the man. The spell he cast was a high tier one, so he thought it will be effective.

However, when the ray of light hit the body, nothing happened. This could mean that the man was already dead.

Dammit.

Vincent could not heal him right immediately when the sword was plunge on the man because the angel was right next to him. He thought that when he won't attack, the angel would just strike him down. So Vincent thought that the better option was to attack the angel and as he holds back the angel's sword he would heal the man. However, he never expected the angel's strength would be to the extent that he would get blown away.

Shortly after that, large vines began to wrap around the angel. Mostly holding both his hands.

Then as though everyone knows what to do next, the one with ice magic prepared himself to cast a spell. Right before he could do that, John called to him.

"Let me enchant your magic."

John quickly extended his hand to the man and cast the enchantment.

Electricity then began to appear on the man's hands. The man immediately cast his magic.

A large wave of ice with some electricity on it came approaching the angel. And shortly, the angel was engulfed whole by ice with lightning effects. The ice was enchanted not only by lightning effects but also the ice's strength, so the ice is much harder.

However, they know that ice won't hold the angel for long. Thus, the ones who were going to attack quickly rushed towards the angel.

Vincent immediately rushed towards the angel as the ice engulfed him. Then a few seconds, the angel broke from the ice, though he only broke the upper part so his lower part is still inside the ice.

As that happened, Vincent quickly swung his sword at the angel, however, the angel blocked his attack. Then immediately after that, the vines returned to entangle the angel again.

After that, a member of the order quickly grabbed and held the angel's left arm. The man that was holding the angel's left arm used his magic. His veins started to glow red for a moment and immediately after that, it seems the angel's struggle has lessened.

The man's magic is that he can increase his physical strength. And it would seem his magic is just enough to hold the angel's arm. But is that really the case?

As Vincent and the angel's swords were clashing together, Vincent's sword shone with golden light. Then the angel's sword seemed to be taking damage, it was starting to have little cracks to where the part Vincent's sword was hitting.

The angel was probably surprised because he shrugged a little.

The one holding the angel's arm and Vincent seems to be doing fine. But that doesn't mean the others would do nothing.

John cast his enchantment magic on the caster of the vines. Then the vines which were entangling the angel began to have lightning effects on it. After that, John grabbed his pistol and opened fire exactly at the angel. Of course, his weapon was enchanted.

Then Maya – while invisible – approached close to the angel. Then she suddenly appeared directly in front of the angel. As that happened, John enchanted her weapon.

She pointed her submachine gun at the angel's neck where there was a little gap, and she fired on point black range.

Zoey ran to the angel and she did a jump kick on the angel's back. She did jump kick and downward kick multiple times and continuous. Then she used one of her best spells.

As she decided to use the spell, John enchanted her boots.

"[Breaking Impact]!"

She cast that spell as she was above the angel. Then her boot glowed and she kicked with all her might as she descended upon the angel. The impact gave off a great blow of the air and a blinding light.

The spell she used would be enough to easily break a bunker, whether metal or cement. Thus, she and the others expected that the angel's defenses have been broken, and a little hope or rather prayed that at least the angel's armor was damaged.

However, their prayer failed.

Right after Zoey returned to stand on the ground, she saw the part of the angel's back where she hit, and there was no damage whatsoever which caused her eyes to widen in surprise and puzzlement. After all the effort, nothing she or everyone else have done was effective. How could something like this happen?

As for Maya, she was still shooting. However, even after all this time, even at point black range, her weapon seems unable to get through nor damage anything.

Three spears made of ice suddenly hit the angel's back. Those spears were supposed to be one of the best piercing magic attacks, however, even those spears just shattered before they could touch the angel's armor.

As those spears were ineffective. The person with the ice element cast another wave of ice towards the angel's back. This time the edge of the ice wave had sharp edges. However, just like the recently, the sharp edges shattered.

How is this even possible? All of the attacks they made, are all ineffective. Not even a mere scratch.

"You have good teamwork. I'm impressed, it's nice to see something like this for once and a while."

Those words came from the master of the dark angel. As the members of the order heard him, they instantly looked at him perhaps because of reflex. Like how would someone look when they are called or when there is noise or someone is talking.

Then the man continued.

"However, it's time for you stop playing around. We have used too much time. I want to go home. So, end this now."

The angel was also looking at the man and then he responded.

"As you wish, my lord."

Then the angel turned his head to face the people in front of him – or specifically, at Vincent. And the angel said.

"Oh well, you heard him."

The angel said in a joyful manner, one could imagine he must be smiling behind the helm.

Suddenly, the ice on the lower part of the angel broke. Immediately, everyone's guard escalated.

"You have an interesting weapon."

The angel said to Vincent.

Then the angel instantly extended his hand and because of the Vincent was pushed back.

Immediately after that, the angel turned his head to face the man who was holding his left hand.

"You're starting to annoy me."

The angel gripped the man's head all of a sudden and he lifted the man up like it was nothing.

The angel casually moved even though there were vines entangling him. He acted like there was nothing holding him at all.

The man struggled to get away. He tried to push off the fingers that were taking hold of his head. However, even with his strength, he doesn't seem to be even twitching the fingers that are holding him. He tried so hard to the point he held his breathing to give all the strength to his arms. However, nothing seems to be working.

"Die."

A long blade instantly rose from the ground which impaled the man in an instant. The blade overlapped his back and there was a bit of flesh from the insides of the man sticking on the blade.

There was an expression of shock left on the face of the man. However, shortly after, his expression changed to that of a dead person.

After that, the angel let go of the man – or it should be said corpse.

The angel looked around the vines that were entangling him.

"I don't like my wings being entangled, especially like this. It feels uncomfortable. Anyway, in respect of your brave and warrior-like efforts in fighting me. I will now fight you seriously. I will let you witness more of the abilities which I possess."

Immediately after he said those, the vines behind him that was entangling him was suddenly cut in pieces. Just like how it would be when a vine was cut by a blade, but this time looked like numerous blades struck simultaneously in an instant.

As the angel expanded his wings after the entanglement, what everyone saw caused their eyes to widen at the same time felt more anxious.

It was so shocking, they could not easily believe that he could do something like this. How could he have an ability like it?

The angel's wings have fully changed, totally different from before. Before, his wings didn't look harmful, but this time, it is – no, it was more than harmful. This time, he could be described as deadly.

Instead of feathers that supposed to be what his wings are made of. Now, it was totally different. Wings were supposed to be soft and smooth, but now it was the opposite.

The feathers of his wings had turned into blades. Each and every single one of his black feathers was changed into black blades. Somewhat similar to a knife – each and every feather has changed similarly to blades of a knife.

And those blades looked so sharp that it seems one gentle touch will easily scratch one's skin or can even make one bleed a lot even though from a small scratch.

The angel raised his sword and took a look at it.

"It's damaged."

The angel quietly said, and after that, he cast aside the sword.

Then, another sword appeared on the same hand that was holding a sword.

"Alright! Let us finish this!"