The two assassins stood their ground despite their shaken confidence. They were professional killers, after all, trained to seize any advantage. "He’s heavily wounded… we can do this!" one of them hissed, his voice sharp with determination. Their resolve grew stronger when two ghastly forms materialized beside them. The spectral forms of their fallen comrades hovered in the air, their translucent faces twisted in rage. The souls of the deceased assassins had returned, bound by their determination to see the mission through. Emery heaved a deep sigh. This was the challenge of facing grand magus figures—they were notoriously difficult to put down permanently. With a curt nod to one another, the four assassins charged again, two in physical form and two in spectral. Emery gritted his teeth as pain wracked his body. The cosmic energy from the assassin’s earlier blades still coursed through his veins like molten fire, threatening to tear him apart from within. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold out, but retreat was not an option. As the assassins closed in, Emery made a decisive move. "Come out and help!" he called out, his voice firm despite the strain. A ripple of spatial energy burst from his body, and a moment later, a figure emerged—a creature of wood and vines, its body adorned with glowing runes. Twik, the plant creature, landed heavily in front of him, its sturdy form exuding an aura of raw power. BAMM!! Twik slammed its massive arms into the ground, erecting a formidable barrier of roots and vines that surged upward to intercept the assassins’ attacks. Cosmic blades met enchanted wood, sending sparks flying. "Kuang-ku-ku!" Twik’s guttural sounds echoed, its glowing runes intensifying as it drew power directly from the Elysian Tree, making its body as tough as enchanted steel. "What is that creature?!" one assassin growled, his blade vibrating from the impact. "Where did it come from? Did the alchemist summon it?!" Another assassin squinted at Emery. "No… it must be an artifact. Look! The power’s coming from his gloves!" Their eyes locked on Emery’s Elysian Vambrace, now brimming with energy. Convinced they’d found the source of Emery’s power, the assassins redoubled their efforts. They darted forward, their blades slicing through the air. Emery raised his hand, and the Elysian Roots responded instantly, their radiant glow illuminating the chaotic battlefield. Twisting and writhing like serpents, they enveloped both Emery and Twik, weaving together into an impenetrable cocoon of luminous vines and enchanted bark. The assassins didn’t falter. They closed in, their blades flashing with deadly precision. Cosmic steel clanged against the barrier, each strike powerful enough to cleave through stone. Yet, the roots regenerated almost as quickly as they were damaged. Splintered bark reformed, glowing with renewed vitality, as if mocking their efforts. "He’s hiding inside!" one of the spectral assassins snarled, "Destroy it!" The four assassins unleashed a storm of attacks. The two physical figures attacked relentlessly, their movements precise and synchronized, cosmic energy trailing their blades like comet tails. Meanwhile, the spectral forms hung back, conjuring destructive spells. Bolts of crackling energy streaked toward the cocoon, exploding on impact and sending shockwaves across the battlefield. The ground trembled under the barrage, yet the cocoon endured. Twik’s connection to the Elysian Tree, bolstered by Emery’s fusion of nature energy, kept the barrier regenerating faster than it could be destroyed. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced through the cacophony of battle. ARRGHH!!! The sound snapped their attention to the side, where Stoltz, the elderly grand magus, was overpowering their leader in a brutal melee. The assassin leader’s movements had grown desperate, his once-flawless techniques now marred by panic. The sight lit a fire under the remaining assassins. "We need to break this now!" one of them barked, their urgency renewed. At that moment, Baldoni, the alchemist, stepped into the fray. His once-pristine robes were in tatters, parts of them burned and smoldering. He had barely managed to escape the swarm of shadow flame bees, and his face was twisted with anger and desperation. Seeing the glowing cocoon, Baldoni sneered. "Step back if you don’t want to get burned," he warned the assassins. He pulled six vials from his belt, each filled with swirling, molten orange liquid—Undying Flame Potions. Without hesitation, he hurled them at the cocoon. WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! One by one, the vials soared through the air, their fiery contents igniting on contact. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Explosions erupted in quick succession, each blast roaring like a beast unleashed. Flames surged outward, consuming the cocoon in a torrent of searing heat. The air shimmered with intense energy, and thick smoke billowed upward, obscuring the battlefield. The outer layers of the cocoon withered under the assault, the enchanted bark and vines blackening and crumbling to ash. Baldoni stood at the edge of the inferno, his chest heaving as he watched the flames devour his target. "That should do it," he muttered, a grim smile tugging at his lips. But as the smoke cleared, his grin vanished. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂 From the ashes emerged a towering figure—half-man, half-beast, its form clad in armor made of intertwining roots and glowing with ancient runes. Emery had used his time within the cocoon to prepare a devastating counter. During the siege, Emery had activated his [Plant Mastery - Fusion] technique. The roots of the Elysian Tree had merged with his Twilight Form, creating a new entity brimming with pure nature energy. His armor pulsed with green light, and the runes etched into the wood glowed with an otherworldly power. [Battle power increased exponentially.] [Pure nature energy has enhanced your spell power.] [Pure nature energy has increased your magic resistance.] [Pure nature energy has accelerated your regeneration.] Your journey continues at freewebnovel The undying flames that licked at his body flickered for a moment before dying out, unable to harm him any further. Emery stood tall, his golden eyes blazing with primal fury as he stepped forward. Each movement radiated raw power, and his presence alone seemed to shake the assassins’ confidence. "What… What is he?"