Celestials Game: Inheriting the Flawed Legacy of the Soul Warlock

"That means we're cutting through, right?" Ezra asked, even though the answer was obvious.

"Once locked, it's either go through the pack or escape quickly, which is impossible. Check the left and right. They always build their nests in a U-formation," Selene explained in a shaky voice that suggested she was about to cry.

Ezra quickly sent his spirit body to the left and saw a group of huge spiders rushing toward them like an armored fortress. He gulped and checked the right, confirming Selene's words: they were also closing in from that side.

Worse, they weren't just coming from the sides; they were trying to merge behind Ezra's group, blocking their escape path.

The trio was already deep within the ranks without realizing it. Ezra realized that his sight with the spirit body was still limited; he couldn't see clearly during aerial surveillance, which caused him to miss the tank tarantulas.

The left and right rushed at extreme speed like a rising tide, while the ones ahead remained still.

Those caught off guard would be ensnared, while those who noticed the threat would be forced to rush ahead, falling right into the trap.

"We are going through," Seraphina declared, dismissing her axe.

Her presence became oppressive as a pair of green, narrow swords appeared in her hands, slightly curved than his Silver Edge.

Ezra narrowed his eyes at the sight.

'Those resemble the mantis legs. No wonder she gave me the monster crystal. I got the leftovers after I did the work. We need to talk after we escape, and… I take back her point in my good book,' Ezra thought, retracting his gaze.

Selene, who had been eyeing Ezra skeptically since Seraphina summoned the swords, exhaled when he looked away.

"We need to move. Those things are catching up. You know how it's going to be… we're tearing through the horde," Seraphina said calmly before sprinting ahead.

Selene followed closely. Ezra tried to keep up, pushing himself beyond his limits, but he was slowly being left behind by the duo.

After a minute, the girls halted near the boundary.

Ezra caught up, sweating profusely from the effort.

"Why are you slow again?" Seraphina asked with a frown.

"That Mantis… its legs have something fishy. It will surely wear off after some time, but it's reducing my speed at the moment," Ezra said, having already planned his excuse.

Seraphina nodded, her focus shifting ahead as she gripped her blades tightly.

Selene, who was also sweating—either from fright or the short run—was breathing heavily.

Ezra could see the Tank Tarantulas folding their legs and hiding among the leaves, camouflaging like black fruits on the trees.

"Here's the thing. I would love to wait until I recover from the toxin of that Forest Mantis, but…" Ezra looked to the side.

He could hear tumbling sounds in the distance.

"We don't have time. For efficiency, Seraphina will lead to open the path, Selene stays in the middle to use her vines to stop any falling Tarantulas, and I will cover our retreat and guide the path with my aerial surveillance," Ezra stated calmly.

This was the plan he had come up with on the way, realizing that if they just joined and rushed in, his chances of survival would be slim.

"Nice plan, but remember, Selene uses mana to control those vines from the trees. It's also mentally taxing, so you can't slow us down," Seraphina said with a stern expression.

"Also, the closer the tree, the less mana I use," Selene added.

Ezra nodded, taking a deep breath. "Beyond this place is an empty forest before the Haven. So, just one escape."

"Which way?" Seraphina asked.

Ezra pointed to what looked like a random position, but from above, it was the farthest from the Tank Tarantulas.

Seraphina ran in that direction, followed closely by Selene.

Ezra quickly caught up, grateful for Seraphina slowing down for him. She was easily the fastest among them.

They had just entered the tranquil forest when a piercing shriek reverberated through the trees. The 'hanging fruits' transformed into living monsters. He would have been caught off guard if he hadn't known they were Tank Tarantulas and not black fruits.

The ones on the sides launched themselves forward like released boulders.

"Left!"

Ezra roared as he saw the sight.

Seraphina instantly followed his command.

Ezra pulled Selene, who had hesitated.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Tank Tarantulas rained down on their previous position, raising a cloud of dust. They quickly stood up and rushed at them from behind.

While the ones ahead hopped off the trees and landed on the ground, forming a barricade, a few clung to the trees.

Ezra, observing from above with his spirit body, witnessed the two earlier hordes charging in from the sides merge with those advancing from behind.

Now, hundreds of Tank Tarantulas were rushing from behind, while about fifty blocked the path ahead.

'I thought the ones from the side were only to make us enter the trap…'

Ezra narrowed his eyes and calmed himself as he felt death encroaching from behind. The back became the most dangerous position.

"Seraphina, open the path as fast as you can and don't wait for me. Selene, the SKY!"

Selene, who had been lost in the chaos, snapped back to reality. She lifted one hand, and tendrils of vines emerged to intercept the descending Tarantulas.

The trio finally crashed into the first Tarantula head-on, and Seraphina decapitated it with two swift slashes, even against its tough armor.

"Right!"

Seraphina changed direction, slashing at two more Tarantulas, sending them flying.

With Ezra guiding them along the safest route, Seraphina's sword went wild, slicing through everything in its path. When she missed or was overwhelmed, she resorted to punching and kicking the Tank Tarantulas, each blow deforming their armored shells. Each slash cut deep into their bodies, double slashes splitting them in half.

Every part of her became a lethal weapon. She faced every attack directly, shielding the two behind her. Her armor soon became soaked in red.

Like a spear, Seraphina pierced through their ranks, exceeding Ezra's expectations.

Ezra, trailing behind, had to move swiftly to keep up. Despite the interruptions that hindered Seraphina, she was remarkably fast.

Eventually, the hordes from the sides and behind closed in.

Ezra realized it was time for him to play his role in protecting their retreat.

Now, his role has become the most difficult and dangerous.