Defense specialization and large-scale combat two.

Fighting intensifies across all fronts. Yet the main battlefield remains central. Pain leads the charge, seizing the moment of instability caused by Maple’s preemptive strike. Naturally, the front is the most dangerous position. To defeat him would significantly weaken enemy forces and raise morale.

“[Judgment Holy Sword]!”

Of course, ideally. One after another, Pain cuts down players, advancing past Mizari’s healing, toward the distant [One Night Castle].

Despite the violent display, Mii’s flames show no sign of igniting.

That means the same overwhelming technique used once during this event. [Dawn]—preparing a devastating flame. Waiting passively will only delay the inevitable. Once unleashed, it will claim many lives.

Therefore, it is necessary to destroy the enemy before they can act.

"Pain! Really, you're being reckless again! Notes [Roundelay] — uh [Multiple Barriers]!"

A buff is cast to align the group's movements. Attacks from around them are blocked by barriers. The timing worked out—Frederica had managed to bypass the top two of the [Thunder Storm] group, and Mii remained quiet. The defense held.

"Drag and Dread, and [Maple's Tree] are drawing them away. If they do not return, destroy the main camp as is."

With support from the magical attacks of allied guilds advancing alongside, Pain's holy sword light buries the immobilized player without pause.

"Ah, honestly. Can't you just stop already?"

"Oh, Sin—hey, how's it going? We're both in a tight spot, huh?"

That’s right. Well, as you might guess, Mii’s still preparing. So it’s me this time.

Mizari and Markus lack the skill to stand at the front line even with their summoned monsters. There’s no alternative but for Sin to step forward. Sin speaks, while preparing a vast number of blades through the Crack Sword and Wen’s Wind God.

“Frederica!”

Pain gives a brief signal to Frederica. There is only one meaning.

“Huh!? She’s serious… well, I’ll apologize to everyone later! — Multiple Teleportation!”

All buffs within range are forcibly transferred to Pain. At full party capacity, the limit is exceeded. The accumulated buffs overload Pain, who charges forward without pause.

Syin releases all blades toward Pain. They pierce Pain’s body, pass through, and emerge behind. HP remains nearly unchanged.

“Hah!?!”

Pain does not consider defense. It absorbs every buff gathered from hundreds of players. In an instant, it fully recovers—through extreme damage reduction and sustained healing.

“Ray, [Full Mana Release], [Flow of Light]!”

No force exists to stop the monster charging forward, driven by status and buffs.

It cuts down every player attempting to halt it. It closes on Syin with speed far exceeding any attempt to retreat.

“Hey now, that’s a monster beyond belief!”

[Holy Dragon’s Light Sword]!

The light unleashed from the swung blade extends its reach and expands its range through the combined power of hundreds of players, layer upon layer, swallowing every existence in a straight line all the way to the rear of the formation.

"Y-yeah... this is way different from normal..."

Only this time. The unprecedented destructive force caused by the special-edition [Multi-Transference] leaves even Frederica, the one who summoned it, wide-eyed.

Yet as the light fades, what emerges are many players still standing, their HP intact. As their HP drops, a large magic circle glowing with golden light spreads behind them, and their health begins to restore.

"...[Resurrect]?"

"Correct answer! Seriously, what the hell are you doing? I'm actually scared now."

Syin places the [Crack Sword] at his feet and retreats to the distant sky, avoiding any follow-up attack.

Yet, Pain’s extradimensional range surpassed even the reach of the [Resurrection] revival, causing catastrophic damage.

Ordinary methods could not even delay him, let alone halt him on the spot.

“Buy time somehow! Or we won’t get started!”

“Break through!”

Players surge toward the diminished stronghold of [Emperor of Flame].

One by one, their numbers dwindle, yet the advance stalls. It does not matter if they survive. Skills meant to render them invincible, or defensive abilities, are used not to win the immediate battle, but to gain mere moments. They slow the enemy just enough.

To force a breakthrough, one would need power on the scale of Pain himself.

Pain is here. Likewise, a force of equal prominence exists over there. To win as a guild, to win as a faction—resolve to it, and even the most mundane tactics become meaningful when channeled entirely into delaying the enemy.

"Please, Mii! Blow them away!"

"Hold on, Pain! I'm coming! Are you really sure about this!?"

"Form up! Capture nearby monsters too!"

"...hnn, what are you planning?"

The time limit was known from the start. The sun, manifesting upon the fortress built by the Flame Emperor's nation, waited only for the moment of descent.

Even the event-exclusive item—monsters that run toward enemies—have been gathered and brought to the side. But Mii’s flames will not stop, not even to form a wall.

"Are you really sure about this? Huh!?"

"Frederica, hold firm."

"Ugh!"

While countering the enemy’s shift with magic and Notes, Frederica glances back as if awaiting something.

There, a massive white pillar of lightning connected sky to earth, crackling with thunder.

“Mii, I’ve been waiting!”

“No more 【Lightning Rod】s, I presume.”

Velvet, encased in a lightning pillar from 【Excessive Charge】, stands opposite Drag and Dread. They avoid fatal wounds, but are battered beyond repair. Earth lies fallen. Shadow’s evasion skill has been spent.

Velvet and Hinata possess too many threats requiring immediate response.

“Don’t think 【Excessive Charge】 ends here!”

Velvet raises a hand to the sky. Lightning surges backward from around her, illuminating the heavens. The two comprehend the coming event instantly through the motion. Thick storm clouds form above, their glow intensifying with unrest.

Ahead, Mii’s created sun burns brighter, its flames flaring fiercely.

“Won’t stop…?”

Dread steps forward, toward Pain, eyes fixed on the castle of 【Emperor of Flame】.

Precisely timed. Lightning and fire spread toward the ground.

“【Mallet of the Thunder God (Thor Hammer)】!”

“【Dawn】!”

Lightning splits from above. Inferno spreads from below. The battlefield is consumed. Two violent lights fill the sight.

Fire and lightning race across the field. The moment passes. Surviving it is impossible.

Lily and Wilbert, having once again bought precious time, watched the devastating attack that turned the battlefield into a wasteland.

"Remarkable. That pair’s assault is on another level… Wil?"

"…Lily, prepare for combat."

Wilbert’s puzzled expression hinted at something unseen beyond the fading flames and lightning—enemy forces surviving, far more than expected.

"Then, what kind of mechanism is this…?"

In the stilling flames, all eyes held their breath. The sudden silence made the voice echo strangely.

"【Rebirth of Darkness】"

Immediately afterward, a thick, sticky black substance spread across the ground. From it, monstrous shapes emerged one after another.

They seemed familiar.

Somewhat like the ones from 【Rampage】.