Shadow Slave

"Argh! Damn it!"

Effie stumbled back and swiped the Zenith Shard in a wide arc, cutting through the bodies of several Nightmare Creatures. With her other hand, she took hold of the oversized translucent tick that bit deep into her thigh and tore it away, losing a chunk of flesh in the process. Before the repulsive creature had time to sever her fingers with its sharp mandibles, she crushed it in her fist.

Feeling hot blood streaming down her leg, she grimaced and unceremoniously wiped the pulverized remains of the tick on the fabric of the Sunlight Shard, then spun to follow the trajectory of her spear.

Effie was tired. So, so tired. She was utterly exhausted.

…But there was no end to the nightmarish horde.

'Can't you all just die, bastards…'

Catching the shaft of the Zenith Shard with both hands once again, she thrust it back and skewered another abomination with its sauroter, then tore the sharp spike away and dashed to the side. A moment later, a terrifying scythe of a carapace centurion sunk into the spot where she had just been. Effie spun the spear and lashed out with it, piercing the chest of the massive creature and killing it on the spot.

As the heavy body fell to the ground and sent tremors through it, she had a second to draw in a pained, raspy breath. Her wounded leg almost buckled.

'Why is no one covering my back…'

Effie looked around to check on the fellow Sleepers who had been fighting by her side, but failed to see anyone.

All around her, there was nothing but the endless mass of Nightmare Creatures.

Everyone was already dead.

…Except for her.

"Ha. Ha-ha. Ha!"

impenetrable wall of claws and chitin. She only knew that someone was still alive and fighting back there because of the radiant white light that continued to illuminate the vast expanse of the battlefield… of this

where she stood. Here, there was nothing but

have much hope

looked at the ground

she raised her head high and stared at the approaching tide of monsters, her

then, beasts. Oh, what a

***

he tried to counterattack, but was forced to jump back with a muffled curse. A sharp stiletto flew past his face, leaving a shallow cut on his

'Damned abominations!'

Knight, The Slayer, and the Priestess were trying to surround him. They moved with terrifying speed and possessed enough power to obliterate a Sleeper

any Sleeper. The shadow was wrapped around his body, making him faster and stronger. With its help, he was barely able to hold on and

…For now.

the Builder, and the Hunter. Those three seemed to be even more ferocious than his own opponents, so the Shadow was having a lot

doesn't make any

than him. But Saint was an awakened demon, and one of the most dangerous Nightmare Creatures of her Rank he had

yet to join the fight. The seventh golem stood motionlessly some distance

as well. Now, he was holding the tachi in one hand and the stiletto in the other. This wasn't what

was one of the reasons why Sunny was still

light hammered into his eyes, making him stagger and blinding him for a few short moments. In the next second, the Priestess lunged at him. She wielded no

catch the golem. His second hand moved, blocking a strike of the Slayer. Just as before, the

the attack and bought himself enough time to regain his vision, only to be faced

Her shield had been caught by the beak of the Builder's war hammer and pulled down, which gave the Hunter an opportunity to thrust

on much longer… think,