Chapter 364 - 324: Incomplete Miracle

Chapter 364: Chapter 324: Incomplete Miracle

The scene seemed to deliver a powerful psychological blow. Even after the Teleportation Gate vanished, he continued to stare dumbly at the spot where Lloyd had disappeared.

Then, his lips trembled slightly, and he managed to force out a few slurred, unintelligible syllables.

What he had actually wanted to say was, ’May the path beneath your feet blossom with a hundred flowers.’

............

"Ugh... hah... hah..."

The Bounty Hunter Teaching Assistant clutched his severed left arm, leaning against a wall. His face was deathly pale, and sweat pouring from his forehead and back streamed down, mixing with the blood that dripped endlessly from his wound.

Before him, two lecturers were struggling to maintain a makeshift Wisdom Barrier, using it to fend off the frenzied assaults of the ’Seniors’ and books.

Though they were still alive and had temporarily maintained their lucidity and Rationality, they were at the end of their rope...

Not long after they had separated from Lloyd, the three of them had also discovered that the ’Seniors’ and books had come to life.

Caught off guard, the Teaching Assistant was touched on the left arm by one of the ’Seniors’.

Within a mere two seconds, the lower half of his left arm decayed at the speed of light, leaving only yellowed bone in the blink of an eye.

Moreover, the decay threatened to spread to the rest of his body.

So, without a moment’s hesitation, the Teaching Assistant drew a dagger-like Spiritual Blade and decisively severed his own left arm.

But this only allowed him to hang on for a little while longer...

He had saved his life, but his Spiritual Power seemed to have been affected, and it was now draining away at an alarming rate.

The ’Senior’ that had launched the successful sneak attack immediately began to ’call for backup.’ In an instant, countless ’Seniors’ and books swarmed toward the three of them.

Fortunately, both lecturers were of the Wisdom school. They had a certain advantage against these knowledge-based Demons and also possessed a wealth of archaeological experience, so they managed to carve a bloody path out.

However, their planned route was completely disrupted. Fleeing in a panic, the three failed to rendezvous with the professor’s group or return to the camp, and were instead forced all the way into a relatively cramped break room.

The ’Seniors’ and books had no Rationality to speak of and naturally didn’t understand the concept of collision boxes. By crowding and blocking each other, they inadvertently allowed the three humans to hold on for a little longer.

But it was also their actions that drew all the ghoulish things from the nearby corridors and stairs, which in turn gave Lloyd the ’opening’ he needed.

But the cost...

"I’m not getting out of here," the Teaching Assistant said weakly, struggling to sit up. "I’ll use my final Law to create an opportunity for you."

"There’s no need," Lecturer Lille said with a smile. His face showed little despair, but rather a sense of calm acceptance and magnanimity. "We’re not getting out either..."

He had resolved himself to face certain death long before they set out.

"*Hahh... hahh...* At least... we have to hold out until the Spatial Storm begins..." Lecturer Randy said, also weakly.

He would rather be torn to shreds by the Spatial Storm than fall into the hands of these Demons.

That way, he could at least die as a human...

"I hope Lloyd and the others have already evacuated," Lecturer Randy continued. "That way, it’s not a total loss. The academy will know what happened here and won’t send anyone else to their deaths."

While fending off the Demons, the three of them had quickly exchanged opinions and reached a consensus about their current situation—

The Miracle they had set out to recover was likely no longer the Time Freeze it was originally thought to be.

The Miracle Magic, once holding such great promise and believed to be capable of changing humanity’s future, had been affected—or rather, ’tampered with’—by some unknown factor and no longer possessed its documented effects.

It might still possess certain Attributes related to Freezing and Time, but it manifested with completely different effects.

It could perhaps still be used to combat Spiritual Contamination by freezing it.

But in that frozen state, the Spiritual Contamination would undergo a bizarre transformation, giving rise to brand-new Demons like the ’Seniors’.

Even if such a Miracle were successfully recovered, it would likely bring not a future and hope to humanity, but Calamity and despair...

"Heh, look on the bright side. At least we won’t have died in vain. We’ve helped people understand that these past Miracles aren’t our salvation."

Lecturer Lille delivered this hopeless conclusion in the most optimistic tone he could muster.

But he couldn’t hold back the bitter smile on his face.

He could still remember his fiancée, and the large villa they had just finished renovating but hadn’t even had time to enjoy...

Just then, Lecturer Randy spoke up with a suggestion:

"How about... you do us a favor, William, and give me a quick death? I trust your expertise in this area."

"Yes, yes, me too," Lecturer Lille chimed in hurriedly.

The Teaching Assistant looked up at the Demons frantically assailing the temporary barrier, nodded, then tightened his grip on the Spiritual Blade and forced himself to his feet.

The next second, several flashes of invisible sword light cut through the air, streaking toward the two lecturers.

But they narrowly missed, brushing past the two men without harming them in the slightest.

Instead, a few of the ’Seniors’ that had been ramming the barrier most forcefully were instantly split in two, revealing the pitch-black emptiness within.