Athena in Tower Defense Game! [LitRPG]

Chapter 158: The Destruction of the Shelter

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Chapter 158: The Destruction of the Shelter

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It seemed to be a battle without suspense.

The monster's gaze finally shifted from the shelter to the diminutive human.

Like a starving tiger pouncing on its prey, it charged toward Athena, intent on overwhelming her in the inky waters beneath it.

Athena stood atop the earthen wall. As the wall rose, countless withered treants shouted from below, attempting to drag her down.

Suddenly, behind her, a pair of transparent wings, akin to those of a giant bee, unfurled slowly. These wings shimmered with a crystalline clarity, glinting faintly in the dim light.

As the wings spread, the surrounding air stirred, creating a gentle current that lifted her, allowing her to soar into the sky.

The monster charged toward her, and she, too, flew toward it.

Unanticipated was the sight of this human soaring through the air. It lashed out with its claws, aiming to knock her from the sky.

An hair, reminiscent of seaweed, elongated impossibly, reaching toward Athena and leaving her with nowhere to escape. With a deft twist, she evaded the onslaught; her wings were now an integral part of her being, a confluence of power that surged toward the creature, closing the distance.

The once wildly flailing tendrils and claws ceased their frantic assault, now wary of harming their master and instead seeking to ensnare her.

In the midst of their intricate dance, their gazes met once more.

This creature was toying with her!

Yet Athena could not afford to dwell on such thoughts; there was no retreat left.

She hovered behind the monster, her form dwarfed by its monstrous size, her black abyss axe resembling nothing more than a child's toy in her hands.

With a fierce swing, she aimed to bring the axe down, but the monster suddenly expelled a surge of black mist around it, a mass of writhing shadows that ensnared her arms tightly.

The protective snow armlets twisted and deformed under the immense pressure, but she gritted her teeth and struck downwards with all her might, her axe meeting the dense smoke.

Before the shadows could engulf her completely, she retreated once more.

Her arms were already soaked in her own blood.

Following that, a torrential assault erupted from her-- a tempest of blows accompanied by explosive fury. She swung her axe repeatedly, each strike infused with all her strength, as if to cleave the very heavens apart.

Through her relentless effort, she discerned a fleeting crack in the creature's defenses and seized upon the opportunity, closing in on the wound she had previously inflicted.

Without hesitation, Athena plunged her black axe deep into the monster's wound, cutting downwards with every bit of power she possessed. The axe was smeared with the purplish essence of purple dream buds, and the gash released tendrils of black smoke as flesh and blood disintegrated.

A howl erupted from the monster, its massive form quaking violently. Athena's actions had thoroughly enraged it.

[ Mental Strength Check… ]

[ Check Failed! ]

[ Paralyzed, 1 second! ]

Athena stood dazed, her body locked in place, while the monster's claws surged towards her with the force of a tempest.

Suddenly, she was whisked away by something-- a peculiar creature with wings.

Yet, contrary to her expectations, the creature’s invisibility proved ineffective here, as if it were inherently countered.

In yet another assault, it overwhelmed Athena, pushing her away. Her small frame was slammed to the ground.

Now free from the immobilization, Athena saw little hope. The only possible means to break the deadlock lay in the explosive orbs.

But even those would not deliver a fatal blow from the outside; the creature’s weakness lay in its head, specifically in the delicate eyes it so diligently guarded.

Since their battle began, it had not opened its mouth; instead, it emitted sounds from deep within its throat.

She attacked the wound repeatedly, yet her efforts yielded little benefit, leaving her battered and bloodied.

As bait…

[ Calling forth the Servant ]

Darkness shall consume all!

Enemy debuff -30%; self buff +30%.

The sudden debuff hit her, sending her flying backward; several of her internal organs shattered, yet the strength beyond human limits allowed her to continue moving.

Determined to take a final gamble, Athena focused her energy, hurling her black axe towards the monster’s eyes. The axe spun through the air, exuding a fierce momentum.

The monster sensed the danger and raised its hand to block; the axe struck with tremendous force, causing blood to gush forth, while Athena collapsed to the ground, her consciousness teetering on the brink.

The creature regarded the axe embedded in its hand, then turned its attention to the fallen Athena.

Victory was at hand!

With a swift motion, it swept its arm, and long hair whipped into the air, sweeping toward Athena! In the blink of an eye, her body was ensnared in the hair and drawn into its grasp.

Its fingers tightened like iron claws, gripping her fiercely and continuing to constrict! As its grip strengthened, every bone in her body creaked ominously, the sound sending chills down her spine.

Blood began to seep from her orifices, and the already unconscious Athena jolted awake, her body wracked with agony!!!

"ARRGGHHHHAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

Her screams pierced the air, sharp and agonizing!

The creature opened its maw, relishing the blood that dripped from her, before finally tossing Athena into its mouth.

In that brief instant, the tides turned once more, and her wings unfurled again.

[ Redemption ]

Type: Earring

Rarity: Extremely Rare

Description: A beautifully crafted earring, not only exquisite in appearance but endowed with formidable powers; never let its beauty deceive you.

Whenever you find yourself on the brink of death, it grants temporary protection, restoring health over time. However, defeat your enemy within one minute, or suffer severe backlash, leading to instant death!

Her murky eyes instantly cleared, a single breath sustaining her.

She retrieved her last two explosive balls, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to the monster. The distance was perilously close, and the creature remained completely unguarded; she hurled the balls directly into its gaping maw.

Leaping beside its eye, she conjured arrows that pierced into its pupil, following swiftly with an explosive ball thrown into the abyss of its gaze.

The monster retaliated violently against the shelter.

With a tremendous roar, an explosion erupted simultaneously within its body and its eyes! The shockwave distorted the surrounding air, creating ripples that sent shivers down the spine.

Under the force of this overwhelming power, the monster was obliterated, its remnants scattering across the area. The spectacle was astonishing, resembling a spectacular fireworks display.

Yet, behind this seemingly beautiful facade, danger lurked.

[ Kill the Dark Minion's Avatar! ]

[ Shelter Barrier Energy: 1% ]

But the next moment… a colossal impact reverberated.

[ Sanctuary Barrier Energy: 0% ]

As Athena plummeted rapidly, she barely caught sight of another avatar's silhouette and the shattered remnants of the shelter's barrier.

Those fractured barriers floated down like leaves caught in a tempest.

Athena struggled to regain control, but she realized she had lost all command of her body.

She barely had time to activate a new barrier; the bear, too, attempted to grow larger but, like the creature, remained oblivious to life and death…

The enormous form lunged downward, a massive black sphere materializing in its grasp!

[ Shelter Barrier Shattered! ]

[ Shelter Under Attack! ]

[ The Shelter is Destroyed! ]

[ Player 'Big Dream' is now a Wandering Player! ]