Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

If he had time to use the hammer, it would have been better and more efficient as well. However, Rain still didn't hesitate in using all his mana to expand his forearm guards… instead of covering it in ice or earth, Rain just converted his raw mana into diamond blades.

When everyone saw that, they opened their eyes widely… they knew people who could use their earth magic well to the point that they could create gold, but not a diamond. Just a few grams would consume all of their mana… and here was Rain with two diamond blades.

"Bring it on, asshole," Rain said.

The enemy, sensing Rain's willpower in the confrontation, halted the spinning of his hammer and shifted to a more direct and focused stance. It was evident that Rain's move to form diamond blades was not just a mere mind game but a serious intent to face the opponent head-on.

Acknowledging Rain's determination, the enemy reciprocated by abandoning any subtleties and gathering all his strength for the next strike.

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as both Rain and the enemy prepared for the clash of their attacks. The surroundings seemed to hold their breath, waiting for the eruption of energy between the two powerful forces converging in battle. The clash was imminent, and the outcome hung in the balance, shrouded in the uncertainty of their combined might.

Without hesitation, Rain charged… but the enemy reacted on time to swing his Warhammer… in the next moment, one of the diamond blades collided with the head of the warhammer, and the impact was thunderous. Everyone felt like their eardrums were about to explode, but the sound didn't last forever… the diamond blade was shattered to smithers, and Rain's right arm was smashed to a pulp.

All of the bones, muscles, and flesh were completely destroyed beyond recognition.

Despite the excruciating mix of pain and cold that surged through Rain's body, he remained stoic, determined to see his plan through. The sensation was paralyzing, an agonizing attack that seemed to seep into his very being. The pain manifested slowly, very slowly…

Rain gritted his teeth and focused on the task at hand. He brought the other diamond blade toward the enemy with a calculated swing. His intention was clear – to sever the dominant arm of the target and claim his weapon. However, the reality fell short of his expectations.

As the diamond blade sliced through the air, it met resistance when it encountered the enemy's armor. The razor-sharp edge managed to breach the formidable defense, exposing the vulnerable flesh beneath. Yet, the blade's movement was abruptly stopped, stopping midway through the enemy's arm.

Rain felt a surge of frustration and disappointment, but he refused to let it show. The enemy winced, a hint of pain registering on his face, but it was clear that Rain's plan hadn't achieved its intended success. Well, not everything was lost…

"Do it," Rain said.

Despite his words, there was no reaction… it took a few seconds, but then the enemy changed his stance to grab the Warhammer with his other arm. That forced her to move. From the base, something flew toward the battlefield insanely fast… no one even noticed what had happened until it was too late.

The enemy was there for a moment, but then it wasn't… Sealyn charged from the fortress, using all her might to impale the enemy and destroy him completely. Her spear pierced the armor of the enemy with ease since she covered it in ice as well and made it extra sharp and hard with all her mana, and her charge made her cross several kilometers in a single moment.

Still… that hadn't been her best attack. There was a chance that she would have impaled Rain as well if she had gone all out… she stopped her attack as soon as she pierced the back of the enemy… but that had been enough to destroy his lower half after freezing it completely.

As for her spear, it stopped a few centimeters away from Rain's head… even though he had prepared himself to block the attack with the remaining diamond blade… that was unnecessary.

Without hesitation, Sealyn jumped away and raised her spear once more to split the remaining parts of the enemy's body in two. However, as soon as she stepped in, the upper body disappeared, and she just cut the air.

When everyone saw that, they blinked several times in shock… soon they understood that the guy was teleported back to wherever he came from. It was close, they almost killed that enemy, and Sealyn couldn't help but let out a sigh. Still, she couldn't regret her choice… she was disappointed in the outcome for failing to do what was necessary given her position.

Still, she couldn't have sacrificed or forced her father to sacrifice anything else when he already had lost one arm like that… even though it could be healed.

"Sorry, Sealyn… it seems that I could have done better," Rain said. "If I had taken that guy's weapon, you wouldn't have hesitated in the final moment.

"No… this result is on me for my lack of determination," Sealyn said and then sighed once more. "Well, it doesn't matter, nothing can says that the enemy couldn't have escaped in that situation as well."

The atmosphere on the battlefield took on a somber tone as Rain and Sealyn exchanged those words. The weight of missed opportunities and the realization that the enemy had narrowly escaped hung in the air, creating a mood of disappointment and reflection. The shadows of what could have been cast a temporary gloom over the group.

However, as the moments passed, the mood began to shift. Other members of the group approached, offering words of encouragement and support. Their camaraderie and shared determination helped lift their spirits, turning the disappointment into a collective resolve. While the enemy had managed to slip away, the fact remained that they had suffered fewer losses than them...