Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB]

The raging flames didn't engulf the entire cave like before. This time, the firepower was highly concentrated, limited only to the area where the strange creature, Life, was located.

"Did it kill him?"

"I hope so." Ethan could feel that the energy fluctuations on the other side hadn't weakened in the slightest. Either that, or Life's vitality was so immense that it was impossible to tell whether it had weakened. The incendiary bomb's effect was far worse than he had expected.

The flames also dissipated unusually quickly, and when Ethan saw that Life's form appeared almost untouched, he realized that extending the burn duration wouldn't make a difference. It was as if the previous attack hadn't broken through the creature's defenses at all.

Still, the previous attacks weren't completely pointless. At the very least, Ethan discovered the vine connected to the massive plant behind Life. It was crucial—it continuously supplied the creature with powerful energy. With that energy source as its backing, Ethan's attacks couldn't even scratch it.

He didn't understand why Life chose to face them in this form. Perhaps this form allowed it to use its full strength, but it also exposed a critical weakness. Ethan had already concluded that if the connecting vine was severed, Life would lose its continuous energy supply. It wouldn't be able to fight in this invulnerable state anymore.

He already had the Battle Cross in hand. This situation was more suited to close combat. Fortunately, he had cast strengthening magic on himself beforehand, greatly improving both his strength and mobility. He could now fight at a level far beyond his usual state.

Ethan stepped out heavily, displaying a speed he had never shown before. In almost a blink, he dashed toward Life. The Battle Cross in his hand was activated at full power, releasing a blade of blue energy. As he swung it, a dazzling crescent-shaped arc flashed through the air, not just beautiful, but lethally sharp.

Whether Life sensed the sword's power or simply didn't want to take any chances, a seed suddenly appeared in his empty hand just as Ethan closed in. It grew at an astonishing speed into a long staff that blocked Ethan's blade.

The energy blade struck the wooden staff, creating a metallic clash. The staff in Life's hand constantly changed, sprouting countless branches and blooming with myriad flowers.

Holding the flower-covered staff, Life flicked Ethan's blade away with one hand. Then, as he swung the staff, the flowers scattered, not randomly, but directed by the motion of the staff, sweeping toward Ethan.

Unwilling to find out what those flowers could do, Ethan leapt back the moment his Battle Cross was deflected, putting a safe distance between himself and Life.

The petal-laden staff passed just in front of him, and Ethan noticed that his protective energy was slashed as though by countless sharp blades, sending out ripples.

"These petals… are like blades?"

Not only that, the petals drifting past carried a sweet fragrance. Though protected, Ethan suddenly felt dizzy. When he landed, his feet stumbled and he nearly fell. On instinct, he reinforced his protective energy multiple times and immediately cast a magical shockwave to prevent Life from taking advantage.

His reaction was spot on. If he hadn't responded in time, Life's next attack would have pierced his heart.

The staff in Life's hand had transformed into a spear. Though the magical shockwave blocked it momentarily, it still aimed straight for Ethan's vital point. But before it could land, Logan and Cleo rushed in.

Wolverine easily blocked Life's strike with his claws, and Cleo seized the opportunity to lunge at the strange creature with his longsword.

"Go to hell, monster!"

But just as the sword was about to pierce Life, Cleo realized he couldn't push it forward at all. The blade's tip touched Life's surface, but ripples formed and the sword couldn't go any deeper.

"Damn, how can his defense be this strong?"

Energy shielding wasn't new to adventurers at Cleo's level, but this was the first time he had encountered something so powerful. With this kind of armor, Life could exert far greater power than any ordinary being. Right now, it was like a child wielding a weapon against a fully-armored adult—he couldn't inflict any real damage.

Ethan certainly noticed this too. Cleo's speed and power in that strike were on par with Ethan's, even after using strengthening magic. If even Cleo couldn't break through, Ethan wouldn't stand a chance either.

"Logan, attack the vine behind him!"

Ethan, now recovered, used his sword to parry Life's spear while drawing as much of his attention as possible, creating an opening for Logan.

Just as Logan raised his claws to cut the vine, Life suddenly turned his head, completely ignoring the attacks at his front that threatened his heart. Transferring the spear to his right hand, he raised his left, and a long whip covered in spikes appeared, instantly wrapping around Logan and hurling him away.

"…"

Watching Logan fly through the air before crashing to the ground with a loud thud, Ethan could only pray that the impact hadn't been too bad. Taking advantage of Life's distraction, he launched a fireball.

The fireball, cast from the Book of Inheritance, was powerful. Though it still couldn't break Life's energy shield, it forced him to lean back, disrupting his line of sight.

Ethan seized the moment, unleashing the full power of his strengthening energy under his feet. Using the fastest speed he'd ever achieved, he appeared behind Life in an instant. The Battle Cross glowed with a dazzling energy blade, while his strengthening magic surged to its peak. He slashed at the vine with full force.

"Human, give up the struggle!"

Ethan's attack left only a shallow scar on the vine, and under the constant stream of life energy, the wound quickly healed.

Seeing this, Ethan decisively pulled away and shook his head helplessly.

"I was hoping to finish this now, but it seems that even if I can do it, the cost would be too high."

Ethan glanced at Logan, who had made his way back to his side, and Cleo, who had also returned.

"It's not worth it."

Ethan was a magician. Magicians were, by nature, cautious and rarely engaged in direct combat. They usually stayed rational and preferred the most efficient, low-risk approach.

Under normal circumstances, when things turned unfavorable, Ethan would retreat without hesitation—like when he was trapped in an illusion from a psychic attack.

The only reason he had fought this long was because he had enough trump cards left to play. He used this encounter as a chance to test his combat capabilities.

The results weren't exactly great, but not too bad either.

Compared to Cleo, Ethan clearly held the upper hand.

But against the monster in front of them, even if Ethan could win, it would come at a steep price. And he wasn't willing to risk it, especially not when they weren't completely out of options.

Now that he had assessed the situation and made a decision, there was no need to keep wasting energy. It was time to play his ace.

"Diana, your turn."

Ethan's trump card was Diana. Throughout the fight, Ethan noticed that there had been no signal interference, so Diana was fully aware of everything happening.

She had wanted to come in from the start, but Ethan had quietly signaled her to wait. So she held back and silently observed from afar.

Now, at Ethan's signal, Diana, already prepared, launched her attack.

Divine power condensed in her arms and then gathered into a brilliant beam of light that shot down from high above, piercing the island's ground and creating a new exit to the cave.

Most importantly, the divine light struck the vine connected to the massive plant behind Life with pinpoint accuracy, slicing it cleanly.

She was able to hit so precisely because Ethan had marked the target during his earlier attack. While he didn't know in advance that his slash would fail, he had made a habit of leaving contingencies, which often paid off.

Just as Life began to process what had happened, a figure burst in through the newly opened hole and landed a solid punch, sending him flying.

Ethan couldn't help but grin as he watched Life tumble across the ground, carving a deep groove with his body.

If watching Diana beat Ares before didn't fully convey how terrifyingly strong Wonder Woman was, this comparison now made it crystal clear.

(To be continued.)

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