The Broken System Chose the Antagonist

Chapter 89: Hold the Line! [3]

"ROAHHHHHHHR!"

A deafening roar resounded across the entire battlefield like thunder, causing both Predicaments and Vitalists alike to freeze in place.

The people who heard its frightening roar were immediately overcome with fear, amplified by the roar’s vibrations that travelled through the ground.

Those who had once thought lightly of the situation a second ago were now shaking to the point of collapse. With just a single roar from the Soldier, the Hearts of most had now become corrupted with fear.

The seed of fear that had taken root inside their Heart at the start of the battle had now blossomed into a wicked flower of despair that quickly infested their mind.

"UAHHHH! RUN AWAY!" One by one, Vitalists quickly began to flee from the barricades, unable to withstand the fearful turmoil that overwhelmed their Heart — those closer to the barricades exhibiting more fear.

"Ngh..." Nadia clutched her chest in discomfort. Like everyone else, she was also deeply affected by the roar. But with the help of her willpower and resolve, she was able to resist the fear that threatened to corrupt her Heart.

Fortunately, she wasn’t the only one. For just like her, there were some who handled fear better than others.

Roxy was able to brave through the fear-inducing roar. Unfortunately, Beatrice wasn’t able to, and it took great effort to get the petite woman to snap out of it.

Elias, on the other hand, was also able to brave through the fear-inducing roar, just like her and Roxy. Surprisingly. She hadn’t quite expected him to fare so well against it.

What she also didn’t expect was for Ross to look so mentally exhausted.

’He looks like he’s barely keeping his mind together...’ Nadia thought with concern. Then moved on to Seraphine and Callum, who were still situated on the roof.

She had expected them to also be corrupted with fear, but surprisingly, they didn’t show many signs of it besides faint trembles. Even Seraphine looked to be faring well. Could it be because they were further away?

Nadia couldn’t dwell on the thought for long as something she feared came to pass.

The Predicaments that had been huddled around the barricades had suddenly turned ravenous, like they had been released from a metaphorical chain. One by one, the Predicaments began to leap over the line dividing them and entered their space, while at the same time, trampling over their barricades.

"THEY’VE BROKEN THROUGH THE BARRICADES!" Similar cries and shouts erupted amongst the fighters.

Those who had been corrupted retreated further back, while those who hadn’t yet succumbed completely to fear stood their ground... trembling.

"We can’t let them get further past this point! Sharpen your Vitality, you guys and let’s show these monsters who’s boss!" A fighter shouted, raising his sword. Then, with a battle cry to rally those around him, he charged in.

Nadia witnessed their charge and alarmingly raised a hand at them. "Wait, you all, stop—!"

CRUNCH!

Before Nadia could even finish her shout, a Predicament had already bitten down on the fighter. The sound of bones and metal grinding together with wet flesh and blood rang out from the monster’s mouth.

They then watched as the lower half of the fighter’s body collapsed to his knees without the upper half of the man’s body.

At the sight of that...

"U-UAHHHH—HE’S DEAD!"

... Those who had yet to succumb to fear were immediately corrupted.

The death of one of their own was the last nail to be hammered into their Heart.

The Predicament, which had devoured the man, leaned down to finish what it had started. But it was then startled when a silver blade flashed through the air, followed by searing pain that pierced its brain.

Nadia, who had stabbed her sword into its eye, had a burning look of rage in her eyes. "Damn monster...!" She hissed loudly.

The battle was far from ending and she had already failed her goal!

’Damnit!’

Before the Predicament could retaliate, she quickly twisted her body and sliced off the upper half of the Predicament’s head, revealing a glowing sword stained with gore.

Afterwards, she distanced herself from the Scoundrel, who, despite missing the top half of its head, continued to move, albeit aimlessly. But that soon changed when the Predicaments behind it trampled over its body.

Ross, who had now got his bearings, analysed the situation. Seeing as the path towards the sea was closed off by Predicaments, he quickly devised something else.

"EVERYONE, RETREAT BACK INTO THE WAREHOUSE! Those who are still able to fight, assist those unable to in the retreat!" It didn’t take a second after his command for everyone to immediately retreat.

Nadia was the first to respond to the incoming Conundrum, followed by the six Scoundrels under Ross’ control, then Roxy, Elias, and Beatrice. Both Callum and Seraphine continued to assist from above, but they could only fire so frequently... and accurately.

In the first few minutes of the chaos, two of the Ross’ Scoundrels had fallen to the Conundrum. Fortunately, they were able to kill off three Predicaments in exchange. Though...

Only just barely.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t a fair exchange... for by the time they managed to retreat into the warehouse and seal the door closed, they had already suffered considerable casualties.

Of the roughly 200 individuals in the group, they had already lost close to 10%. The fighters who had assisted in the retreat had also sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe.

Fortunately, Nadia was able to come out with only moderate injuries, even despite being at the very forefront of the fight. Light scratches to narrow streams of blood...

Unfortunately, that couldn’t be said for her mental state and armour.

’20 people... 20 people gone just like that...’ Nadia clenched her jaw as she gripped her jeans. Her armour was covered in harrowing cuts and rough dents. There were even holes and tears in the set.

It was clear that the armour was nearing its limit.

As for her mental state...

Fatigue was clear in her eyes, along with immense guilt and regret.

’If only I were stronger...’

’If only I were quicker...’

Despite doing whatever she could to shield those behind her, she wasn’t capable enough to stop the Predicaments from slipping through her grasp and reaching them.

Nadia gritted her teeth with despair. Countless negative emotions were bottled up inside her mind, causing her Heart to teeter on the edge of Corruption. And she wasn’t the only one with these sentiments, as it was evident on everyone’s face that they felt something similar.

Some showed solemn expressions, some showed anger, while some cried out in grief and fear. The air was heavy with dread and despair. From this point on, nobody knew what was going to happen.

She then glanced over at Roxy, who was being treated by Beatrice and others. As someone who had acted as a shield for the retreat, she was the one who had suffered the most injuries.

The woman was no longer wearing her armour, as it had been destroyed during the retreat. She was covered in several gashes and cuts, and was bleeding from all over her body.

Luckily, her group had brought bandages with them. But it was clear that, after having her {Power Wall} destroyed so many times, she was nearly out of Vitality.

Elias was only minorly injured, while Ross wasn’t at all, due to his Predicaments. Although it did appear he looked less mentally drained, he was visibly tired, like Elias. It seemed that, similar to Roxy, they were running low on Vitality as well...

’I think everyone is, to be fair...’ Nadia swept her gaze around, seeing pale faces on several fighters. Then she froze. ’Wait, where are those two?’

"Nadia?"

"...!" The Heroine instantly flinched when Seraphine suddenly appeared beside her. "S-Seraphine... how long were you there for...?"

Seraphine cracked a wry smile. "Not long, me and Callum just found a way through the back." She then gestured over to the handsome fellow, who was currently talking to Ross.

"It’s really handy to have a Gift like his... Invisible to both the eyes and in smell..." Seraphine muttered, deeply envying the man’s supernatural ability.

"Ah... so that’s how you got in."

The two then made their way over to Ross and Callum, who now stood beside Roxy and Beatrice. It was obvious they were talking about something important. Upon arrival, they were quickly filled in on the situation.

Nadia, who listened as Callum filled her in, widened her eyes in shock.

"A... Soldier-class Predicament?" She couldn’t keep her shock from escaping her lips. Ross had already predicted that they would come across a Predicament of that level in this battle, but she had hoped it wasn’t the case...

Callum then glanced at Seraphine, who glanced back at him uneasily.

"That isn’t all..." He muttered. "Haven’t you all wondered why the Predicaments were all so sluggish at the start of the fight, but now aren’t? That’s because of the Soldier’s doing."

"But for what purpose?" Beatrice asked earnestly. "And does it have to do with the fact they haven’t broken down the door yet?"

It had already been several minutes since they retreated back into Rusty Den, and not once had they heard anything from the doors.

"I doubt they had become disinterested in us, right? And I doubt they’re like vampires; who needs consent to come in."

At this, Callum nodded somberly with a grave expression. "Yes... It didn’t take long for both me and me to know what it was trying to achieve."

He then turned back to everyone and said something so unbelievable that even Ross had a hard time believing it.