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A wave of flames scorched the air and alerted everyone in the city, as, of course, it would. The flames towered over the buildings and would’ve covered the outer western edge of the city in the shade if it wasn’t a source of light.

The stretch of flames wasn’t short in height or width, but certainly, horizontal length was more impressive as it covered four of the side street entrances.

Anlesa's marvelling at their own creation was short-lived, as there was still work to be done. The mutated creatures weren’t all going to be done in with one attack.

With a quick flick, Syrus stored her sword back into the sheath, and they could feel the heat still radiating off it onto their back.

The mutated elephant stumbled back into the forest, its body swinging left and right to dampen the flames. Eventually, the flames along its body turned to smoke without a continued fight. That beast was one of the lucky ones; its tough hide let it survive the direct blow of the attack. Syrus' intent was to create a wall that would drive off the creatures, not necessarily kill them, but it contained enough power to do a decent job at that.

While the city was wondering what skilled mage had appeared in the city and moving to confront the issue, Syrus had already begun moving.

Metal wire floated around their wrists as she ran towards the creatures that still thought about moving towards the city around the fire.

She waved her arm, and Eva followed the motion, whipping through the fire with a sharp, deadly snap.

While Syrus was rushing to drive back the fowl beast. An overly excited Eva couldn't help herself.

[Syrus, do you think I could do something like that?] (Eva)

In truth, Eva wasn’t asking for confirmation but affirmation. Syrus' technique brought about a wave of inspiration within Eva. Manipulation already had the advantage when it came to using mana within objects, and while creating an attack like what Syrus did seemed unlikely as Manipulation had no real worldly impact with its mana, Eva was already looking into ways to utilise Manipulation's own unique traits to create something magical.

[Yeah, sure you can. Just focus, okay?] (Syrus)

[Understood!] Eva was locked in. Her dark emotions were completely suppressed by her excitement and curiosity. While certainly not intended by Syrus, she was happy with the outcome to an extent.

Eva and Luna’s lack of understanding of her technique had also saved Syrus a potential long head full of complaints. The information was never conveyed in any book they had read, and Sryus’ mostly disinterest in their learning days never really considered bringing up the fact it wasn’t there.

Because the technique was quite difficult to pull off and really easily could’ve blown up in their face. She practically made a bomb and held onto it while it was in the process of exploding.

[How long do you believe that fire will keep those creatures held back?] (Luna)

[Hopefully, until everything is done. Mutated animals are still just animals, while a lot more aggressive and definitely more likely to not run away from fights that are going to get them killed will still run under the right situation.] (Syrus)

[So, the fire was to drive them off.] (Eva)

[Yeah… but not as many are retreating as I would like.] (Syrus)

Syrus looked through the flame, and while there were many that began running off in the opposite direction. A few stood around, moving left and right, trying to figure out what to do.

[Still… There are quite a few mutated creatures here.] (Luna)

The number was certainly enough to terrify Luna. She wasn’t confident of escaping with their life intact if they all came charging towards her at once.

[The only way they could’ve gotten so many creatures to go towards the city is by control or fear. I don’t think the former because that seems like fantasy bedtime stuff, and the closest to that I have heard of was feeling the emotions of one creature. Fear is by far easier and more likely and might explain why some aren’t running off. They are more afraid of the threat that is behind them than the fire in front of them.] (Syrus)

[A few holes, a few creatures have run off, and what could scare something like the elephant? The fire appears to have done minimal damage to it.] (Luna)

From what they could see of the elephant, it barely looked hurt, and its bloodshot madness-filled eyes tracked Syrus through the flames with hunger and rage.

[Not all creatures are all that smart, and a fire exploding in something's face is going to make one shit themselves.]

Boom!

“Fuck!” Syrus swore, and she turned around.

A large explosion was heard from the opposite side of the city.

[What’s happening?!] (Eva)

[I don’t know. Best case, a single round of explosions. Worst case another wave of creatures attacking from the opposite end.] (Syrus)

[How would they even get mutated animals to that side of the city?!] (Luna)

The east side of the city was closer to the ocean, and the only thing of note on that side was the eastern SeaSide Forest, which, apart from a few poisonous creatures, wasn’t too dangerous, and it certainly didn’t house any mutated animals.

[Questions for later.] (Syrus)

Syrus began to get ready to run towards the opposite side of the city.

[Wait! Syrus, what about the creatures here?] (Luna)

[Don’t worry.] Syrus explained. [Back up is here.]

She had been listening for footsteps, and finally, a brigade of hunters and the city security had shown up. Ready to investigate the fire and fight off any beast they knew was there thanks to all the howls and screeches.

Syrus dipped out of the way before they noticed her.

She ran through the panicked city.

But while panicking, most people seemed to know where they were going.

While running, Syrus swiped an average-looking blade off a vendor's store.

[Syrus!] (Eva)

[I ain’t going into combat without a functioning weapon.] (Syrus)

No one continued the complaints as they saw a large-scale creature on the other side of the city breaking buildings.

[I’m speeding up.] (Syrus)

Blood attribute mana filled her body as it strengthened and she accelerated towards their target.