Godlike Player in a Game-Like World - Chapter 317: Madman (part 2)

”Sentinel’s Sanctuary. ”

In an instant, the small wooden shield expanded and transformed into an unstable-looking wooden fortress that surrounded them all. Despite its seemingly fragile appearance, the transparent golden protective shield enveloping it gave the wooden fortress an impenetrable aura.

”Mirage Veil. ”

After Mell’s skill had completely materialized, Verda immediately activated her own defensive skill. And as a result of the effect of this skill, Mell’s wooden fortress began to shift its form once more.

First, the wooden image of the small fortress underwent a profound transformation, shifting into a transparent form that seamlessly merged with the outer golden shield. The structure then grew, doubling in size, and transformed into a magnificent castle, emitting a resplendent golden glow while still maintaining its transparent nature.

”This should suffice. I hope.” Verda murmured, her gaze fixed on the combined defensive skills of their two items.

All eyes were now trained on the approaching flames, hoping that the defensive prowess of their combined skills would withstand the impending test.

”It’s truly him,” Nysora exclaimed, finally able to see Raydon clearly amidst the flames.

Raydon’s figure was now unmistakable to all eyes—moving alongside the black flames, they emanated from his body in undulating waves, leaving a trail of darkness in his wake.

What astonished them even more than the black flames was the fact that Raydon seemed to be defying gravity, running a full meter above the ground.

Every time he took a step, the soles of his feet pressed into the air, setting the surrounding oxygen on fire and catapulting him forward with the force of a miniature explosion.

In response to this scene, Nysora reflected on the capabilities of the golden fortress that surrounded them. Concluding that it would not be sufficient on its own, she made the decision to add a defensive-type skill of her own.

”Flame Guard. ”

When Nysora activated her skill, her fiery red hair caught ablaze, and the flames that were emanating from her body rose quickly. This created a flame projector with her image, which wrapped the entire fortress in an additional layer of protection.

”Augment. ”

Then Elysia activated her own skill with her voice, which had always been emotionless but now transformed into a voice that was pleasant enough to cause incredible emotions to be released in the listener.

The sound of Elysia’s voice quickly traveled as an invisible wave to the other members of her team, and then to the protective shields that encircled them. After that, the previously see-through gold structure transformed into solid gold, and its size almost immediately increased by a factor of two. The flames surrounding the fortress, bearing Nysora’s likeness, expanded along with it, amplifying their fiery potency.

”Mell, if you had warned us from the beginning, we wouldn’t have had to go through all of this,” Verda said in a tense tone as she waited for the expected collision, having no outside vision due to the fact that the fortress had become completely solid gold.

Mell frowned, contemplating Verda’s words. How could she possibly have known the extent of Raydon’s power? She had informed them that he was not ordinary, but even she had underestimated his destructive capabilities.

“He’ll be here in a few seconds. Get ready,” Arora warned the others, relying on the calculated time provided by her crows still hovering in the sky.

The group fell into a tense silence, mentally preparing themselves for the imminent crash they had been anticipating. However, to their surprise, the entire golden fortress began to shake, but only for a brief moment before coming to a sudden stop.

“What happened?” Nysora queried, her astonishment evident in her voice. She had expected a significant impact, or at the very least some damage to the fortress, even if it could withstand it. However, not even her own defensive skill, which was protecting the fortress’s outermost layer, had taken any damage.

“He stopped,” Arora stated, her voice mirroring the disbelief felt by the rest of the group. It was unfathomable how Raydon could halt himself so abruptly while moving at such incredible speed, a testament to his mastery and control over his chosen skill or technique.

Moreover, the shaking they had felt within the fortress was merely caused by the trailing momentum of the flames left in Raydon’s wake, which crashed harmlessly into the fortress.

“Deactivate your skills,” Nysora commanded, having finally come to the realization that Raydon had in fact come to a halt and that the anticipated collision would not take place.

Mell, who possesses the skill that serves as the foundation of the skill combination, nodded. The moment she deactivated her skill, the golden fortress that had been surrounding them abruptly transformed into a brilliant light and soon completely vanished, providing those who were inside with an unobstructed view of the area beyond the walls.

‘This is madness,’ echoed in the minds of every one who beheld the scene outside.

It appeared as though the entire area had been completely burned by fire, with the exception of the location where the golden fortress had been standing, and the surface of the ground was covered in gray ashes. Even the fires that had raged along the flower path, which Raydon had traversed, were now extinguished, leaving behind a trail of lifeless gray ashes where blooming flowers once stood.

As they took in the devastation left behind by Raydon’s power, their focus shifted to Raydon himself, who was standing in front of them with a composed expression.

The black flames that had once enveloped him had vanished completely, leaving no trace of their destructive presence. Nevertheless, the condition of Raydon’s body was the thing that left them completely dumbfounded.

It was ruined by deep wounds that were long and jagged and covered his entire body. The corners of his mouth were constantly oozing blood, which stained his lips a crimson color. The whites of his eyes, enveloping his enigmatic gray pupils, appeared as if they were filled with blood, on the verge of spilling over at any moment.

As they beheld this sight, a unanimous thought resonated within them—the person who had unleashed such madness upon their surroundings was undeniably a complete and utter madman himself.