Chapter 1620: Attack

The monster approaching Adrius was, as expected, part of the retaliation the curse had unleashed against them.

The Archmage had anticipated something like this from the moment he and the others activated their formula.

Despite the situation his expression was calm as he watched the creature emerge from the darkness.

He did not feel entirely secure because he had no idea how powerful these creatures might be, but he was not particularly worried either. He was confident that he could handle whatever came his way for the time being.

The monster gradually emerged from behind the dark mist. At first glance it resembled a human, although its proportions were terribly distorted.

Its limbs were unnaturally long and its arms were covered in numerous protruding blades that looked like mutated bones growing directly from its flesh.

Its body twitched as it approached, its bloodshot eyes fixed on Adrius.

He could not tell if the creature had once been one of Scadri’s inhabitants before the curse transformed it or if it had emerged directly from the corrupted energy. However, he suspected the former.

The curse might have turned the person into a mindless monster, which meant there was still a chance that the creature could be restrained without killing it.

’I’ll just have to immobilize it.’

The monster suddenly let out a roar before lunging toward him. Its elongated arms swung forward with terrifying speed, sending several bone blades slicing through the air.

Adrius calmly stepped aside and allowed the attack to pass within inches of his body. Before the creature could turn around, several golden threads appeared around its limbs.

The threads moved, darted through the air and wrapped around the monster’s wrists before extending toward its elbows and shoulders.

The creature reacted violently and tried to tear them apart with its blades, but Adrius tightened his fingers and caused the threads to pull in different directions.

The monster staggered as its arms were forced apart.

It refused to surrender so easily. It twisted its body and swung one of its bladed arms toward Adrius, cutting through several golden threads in the process.

Adrius immediately produced more of them and sent them spiraling around the creature’s body.

He moved backward while guiding the threads with precise movements of his fingers, avoiding the monster’s attacks while gradually restricting its movements.

The creature roared and thrashed about as its blades continued striking at the threads.

However, Adrius had already secured several layers around its torso and legs.

With one final movement of his hand, he pulled the threads tight and forced the monster down onto its knees.

More golden strands wrapped around its back and pinned its arms against its body until it could no longer move freely.

Even then, the creature continued struggling. Its distorted body twisted against the restraints and it released another series of furious roars.

Adrius regarded it briefly before establishing a telepathic connection with the other two Archmages.

"Lysander. Sylmira. Are you both under attack?"

"Yes. Something came after me shortly after the disturbance began," Sylmira replied. "I’ve managed to restrain it, though."

"Same here, master," Lysander added. "Quite an unpleasant creature, I must say. It seems our little experiment has attracted their attention."

Adrius glanced at the monster struggling beneath his golden threads before responding.

"Then the curse must be reacting, but this is only the beginning. We don’t know how many of these things are hiding throughout the city or what else might emerge. Stay vigilant and don’t let your guard down."

"Understood," Sylmira replied.

"Don’t worry, master. I can handle myself," Lysander said with his usual confidence.

Adrius ended the connection and turned his attention back to the metal plate.

The creature restrained behind him, he had no intention of allowing the interruption to delay their work.

He extended his hand toward the plate and resumed channeling his Magic energy into the engraved symbols.

The golden light grew brighter as the energy flowed through the metal.

"I will end you," he said quietly while staring at the darkness surrounding him.

His words carried a cold determination. He had no intention of allowing whatever lurked within the curse to stop them now.

Meanwhile, Erend and Erebus also noticed something approaching. Their senses detected several hostile presences moving toward them from different directions.

They could feel the violent desire radiating from the approaching figures, and it was clearly directed at them.

Erend glanced around before turning toward Erebus. "Are they your people?"

"Yes. Do not hurt them," Erebus replied immediately.

Erend nodded, understanding what he meant.

If these creatures had once been inhabitants of Scadri, killing them would be something they should avoid unless absolutely necessary.

However, that presented a slight problem for him.

His powers were primarily suited for destruction. He could easily eliminate an approaching enemy, but restraining one without causing serious harm required a level of control that he did not have.

"You’ll have to be the one restraining them. My power isn’t... very delicate," Erend said.

Erebus glanced at him before nodding. "Then I will handle it."

The figures finally emerged from the dark mist.

Several monsters approached from different directions, each possessing a different appearance.

One had a hunched body covered in layers of dark, hardened growths while its elongated arms dragged across the ground.

One resembled a human with an upper body that had grown disproportionately large, with several twisted limbs protruding from its back.

One moved on all fours, spine arched unnaturally, its mouth opened far wider than a human jaw.

Despite their different appearances, they shared the same bloodshot eyes and the same unmistakable hostility. They rushed toward Erend and Erebus without hesitation.

Erebus spread his wings slightly and raised one hand. The shadows beneath the approaching creatures immediately began to move.

Dark tendrils surged out of the ground and wrapped around their legs before they could reach him.

One of the monsters tried to leap over the tendrils. Erebus closed his fingers and caused the shadows to rise higher. They coiled around its torso and dragged it back toward the ground.

The others continued advancing. One swung its enormous arm toward him, another attempted to circle around and attack from the side.

Erebus was calm as he moved his hand across the air. His shadow responded instantly, sending several thick tendrils toward the creatures.

The first monster’s attack was intercepted by a shadow that rose between them. The tendril wrapped around its arm and twisted it away before another strand caught its body.

Meanwhile, the creature approaching from the side found its legs bound by shadows that emerged beneath its feet. It struggled violently and tried to tear itself free, but the restraints tightened with every movement.

Erebus continued controlling the shadows with measured gestures.

He did not need to approach the creatures or engage them directly. His power spread across the ground like a living network, allowing him to restrain several targets at once.

Within moments, every monster had been immobilized. Dark tendrils coiled around their bodies and held them firmly against the ground, leaving them unable to attack despite their continued struggles.

Erebus lowered his hand and watched the creatures with a stern expression.

He had managed to restrain them without killing any of them, just as he had intended.

However, their appearance and behavior showed him just how deeply the curse had corrupted his people.