That time I got reincarnated with a glitch: strings of fate

A blinding flash, and one of the men threw a talisman that exploded, unleashing an infinite torrent of water into the cave.

Simultaneously, another man conjured a pink barrier, sealing off the cave exit. The water rose rapidly, and beneath its rushing current, Emily slowly stopped hearing the ringing. She realized they were being trapped, the water intended to suppress her phoenix form. Emily told Adam she could evaporate both the water and the talisman, but Adam would be harmed.

"Don't worry," Adam responded, transforming into his black anomaly armor.

"Go all out." Emily shifted, emitting extreme heat, instantly evaporating the water and the talisman. Adam lunged at the barrier, trying to punch through, but his fist became stuck in a sticky, gum-like substance.

"Prepare to counterattack!" Adam shouted to Emily, then spun rapidly, pulling all the gum onto his body. Emily, now freed, unleashed a powerful fire shockwave out of the cave.

The three men jumped back, but one of them produced another ringing sound, momentarily paralyzing Emily. Adam dispersed a mana explosion, tearing the gum from his body.

He then pulled Emily into the Shadow Realm just as a shadow behind the three men expelled a fiery blast. All three were burned but survived, protected by their gum shields. One of them quickly deployed a healing talisman, recovering their injuries.

Adam reappeared, punching all three men in different directions. Emily grabbed one of the men, but he swiftly conjured a gum-like substance, trapping her legs to the trees below. Adam slammed his fist into the man responsible for the ringing sound, causing him to cough blood; no barrier could withstand Adam's punch.

Adam then rushed toward the man with the talismans. The man threw a talisman that opened a teleportation portal, and Adam, unable to stop, plunged through. He nearly hit Emily's parents on the other side, but managed to stop his attack, hitting the ground and moving out of the way just in time.

Emily was left alone, erupting in a furious fire flare. The talisman man created multiple barriers to absorb the flames, while the gum man spun a web, attempting to ensnare Emily.

However, Emily soared into the sky, raining down fireballs across the area.

Adam and Emily are facing a highly coordinated and specialized team of Sanctum elite, each with distinct powers, and Emily's parents are now directly in harm's way.