The intense pain made Ichira groan, and he quickly retreated backward. Before Bai Ye could approach, Ichira crossed his hands and slammed them hard onto the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!" Ichira reached for a scroll, unfurled it, and said, "Silver Fox!"
With a bang, a large cloud of white mist erupted from the scroll.
The next moment, a massive silver fox appeared before Bai Ye.
Ichira commanded, "Kill him!"
The white fox immediately bared its fangs and claws at Bai Ye, lunging to bite him. But…
*Pfft!*
The instant the white fox lowered its head!
The Xuanyuan Sword in Bai Ye's hand swept out, golden sword energy scattering. It struck the white fox's shoulder, creating a wound from which blood splattered.
Bai Ye stepped forward and suddenly swung his sword.
As the Xuanyuan Sword swept to the side, one of the white fox's forelegs was instantly severed.
A pained howl rang out. The white fox fell to its side, crashing heavily onto the ground. Then, with a 'bang,' it dissolved into white smoke.
Seeing this, Ichira was greatly alarmed. His hands moved rapidly, forming hand seals.
"Fire Style, Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Ichira took a deep breath, then brought his hands to his mouth. Following this, a giant fireball was expelled from him, pushing towards Bai Ye.
In the blink of an eye, Bai Ye's body was completely engulfed by the fireball.
Ichira lowered his hands, watching the direction of the flames.
Was his attack effective?
Bai Ye didn't seem to be able to emerge from the ball of fire immediately.
But at this moment…
Suddenly, an arm shot out from within the flames, grabbing Ichira by the throat.
The surrounding flames dispersed, and Bai Ye reappeared. He smiled at Ichira and said, "Sorry, fire doesn't work on me!"
*BOOM!*
The next instant, the flames in Bai Ye's hand exploded.
Amidst the roar of the explosion, Ichira was sent flying.
In that moment, Ichira not only felt the searing pain, but under the impact of the blast, he felt as if several of his bones had broken. His entire body was wracked with pain.
"Berserker…" Ichira looked at Bai Ye approaching and shouted, "Save me!"
Heracles was also in a fierce battle, covered in countless wounds.
However, upon hearing Ichira's call, he immediately abandoned Gilgamesh, smashed through a wall to his side, and headed towards Ichira.
Just then…
The Xuanyuan Sword in Bai Ye's hand descended again. Golden sword energy tore through the air, and as it was about to strike Ichira, Heracles suddenly charged in from the side.
*Pfft!*
The golden sword energy struck Heracles's chest, and a large amount of blood instantly erupted.
The gash that opened was terrifying, extending from Heracles's shoulder all the way to his waist, exposing bone and looking incredibly grotesque.
*Thump!*
Heracles knelt on the ground, his hands falling limply, and he lost all signs of life.
"Get up, get up…" Ichira yelled, "You can't die, kill them all!"
Following Ichira's desperate cries.
Heracles, whose eyes had been closed, suddenly snapped them open, emitting a crimson glow.
"Aaaargh!"
Heracles roared, then raised his axe blade, about to swing it towards Bai Ye.
"Chains of Heaven!"
Gilgamesh's voice rang out, followed by the sound of dragging chains.
Countless chains surged from all directions towards Heracles, swiftly wrapping around his figure and binding him tightly.
Then…
*Pfft, pfft, pfft…*
The Gate of Babylon activated again. A barrage of weapons flew from behind, piercing Heracles's body repeatedly, pinning him instantly.
*Roar!*
Heracles raised his head high, letting out a ferocious roar.
Simultaneously, blood poured from Heracles's mouth, dyeing his body red.
Heracles fell silent, but…
The Noble Phantasm, Twelve Trials, activated. Soon, Heracles's body revived, and his dimmed eyes regained their light.
However…
A chain, like a venomous snake, coiled around Heracles's neck. The moment Heracles tried to struggle…
*Crack!*
The chain tightened relentlessly until Heracles's head was snapped, the sound of bone breaking echoing.
Gilgamesh approached with a cold smirk. He reached into the shimmering golden curtain behind him, took out a silver holy spear, and aimed it at Heracles's heart.
"Ants are always ants," Gilgamesh declared. "What if you have twelve lives? I'll just kill you twelve times!"
The moment Gilgamesh finished speaking, Heracles revived once more, his eyes glowing red again.
But this time, Gilgamesh didn't even give Heracles a chance to struggle.
*Pfft!*
Gilgamesh thrust the holy spear in his hand forward, piercing Heracles's heart and sending him away once more.
Gilgamesh let out a contemptuous smile. "I've already killed you five times."
As Gilgamesh spoke, the surrounding Chains of Heaven trembled, and Heracles revived again, struggling once more, but…
*Pfft, pfft, pfft…*
Golden ripples emanated from behind Gilgamesh, and countless weapons shot out, repeatedly embedding themselves into Heracles's body.
The immense force even sent Heracles flying backward, crashing into the wall behind him and being pinned there by a pile of weapons.
Gilgamesh declared, "That's six times!"
Revival, death, revival, death…
An enraged Gilgamesh was terrifying.
Arrogant, capricious, and moody…
Gilgamesh's temper was clearly quite foul. He might spare someone if he was in a good mood, or he might go all out to execute someone if he was in a bad mood.
Yes, execution!
The current situation had transcended the realm of combat; it was now a unilateral execution by Gilgamesh!
The seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh time…
Heracles was utterly defenseless, his chances of revival constantly taken away.
His body was already covered in wounds and blood.
Gilgamesh sneered, "You have one life left!"
Ichira finally felt true terror and shouted towards Heracles, "Hold them off, Berserker! You must hold them off! Just stall them so I can escape!"
Gilgamesh looked at Heracles, whose eyes had reopened, with amusement. "Is that your Master?"
…