The ground trembled beneath the weight of destruction, and as the dust cleared, the others cautiously approached the epicenter of the upheaval.

The scene before them was one of devastation and ruin, a stark reminder of the power Terry had unleashed in his determination to confront the enemy.

"... What are we going to do?" Rebecca asked while she was putting the corpses of the people that were kidnapped on the ground.

"I wish that we could bury everyone where they wanted to be, but we don’t know where that is," Gustavo said. "I suggest taking only the guild masters with us. Their subordinates will need that, right? Aside from that... It is cold, but it is a waste of time looking after the other bodies. I imagine that we don’t have much time to hunt the overlord."

The group stood there amidst the aftermath of destruction, their emotions as turbulent as the debris-strewn landscape around them. Vanessa’s eyes, though logical, held a mix of shock and resentment as she looked at Terry. The sight of what he had done was hard for her to reconcile, even if she understood the necessity.

However, her expression softened as she noticed Terry’s arms. His forearms, the same arms that had borne the brunt of his powerful attack, were gradually healing, but their hue had shifted to a concerning shade of purple. It was a clear indication of the immense strain and damage he had endured.

Despite the evident pain he was in, Terry’s fists remained clenched. The determination that had driven him to unleash such destructive force still burned within him, refusing to waver even in the face of his own injuries. The cold sweat on his brow was testament to the intensity of his focus.

The conflicting emotions and tension lingered in the air, a palpable reminder that their mission had taken them to the edge of what they thought was possible.

"... We need to leave and then return, we will arrive at the next location," Vanessa said after taking a deep breath. "A being like this probably has countless bases and laboratories in the shape of flying fortresses, but the portals still will take us to its main body at some point."

Everyone nodded and then they returned to the portal. Once they reached the other side, they left the guild masters there in their ice coffins. The group looked around and frowned when they noticed Terry wasn’t there, but soon he showed up.

"What happened?" Rebecca asked. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Just doing something, it is unimportant," Terry replied. "Things will be harder now since the enemy knows of our skills, but he only is interested in my trait, so we can avoid the danger. I can keep destroying his fortress since it won’t try to kill me until it learns about my trait completely."

"This isn’t about you," Vanessa declared. "Your word won’t be enough when we say to the others that we avenged the guild masters."

Vanessa’s gaze held a mix of determination and resolve. In that moment, it was clear to her that everyone had a role to play in dealing with the overlord threat. The destruction of the flying fortress and the loss of their fellow guild masters had left a profound impact on them all, pushing them to unite against this common enemy.

For Gustavo and Fernanda, the need to avenge their fallen neighbors resonated strongly. The memory of those who had been treated as mere tools, stripped of their humanity and manipulated, fueled their desire to bring justice to their memory.

Vanessa, on the other hand, felt a sense of responsibility towards the other guild masters, even if their relationship hadn’t been built on deep camaraderie. They were colleagues, fellow hunters who had shared a path of trials and challenges.

"I guess you are right," Terry said. "Since that is the case, we should work together to give the enemy as little time as possible to prepare. You, Rebecca and Gustavo will help me gain speed to attack the fortresses when we find them, that should be enough."

"Will your arms last that long?" Rebecca asked. "They aren’t healing that fast."

"I will manage," Terry declared.

Amidst the ancient ruins, surrounded by the whispering trees of the forest, the group emerged from the portal. Their determination was unwavering, fueled by the memory of their fallen comrades and the dire need to confront the enemy head-on.

Their gazes lifted to the sky, scanning the clouds for any sign of the enemy fortress. Soon enough, their keen eyes spotted another massive cloud drifting away from their location. The ominous sight confirmed their suspicions: the enemy was moving, adapting, and likely preparing for their next move. It was a real pain in the ass...

But before they could allow hesitation to take hold, the distant hum of approaching engines reached their ears. Turning their attention downwards, they saw a fleet of colossal robots ascending toward them, their mechanical forms glinting in the sunlight.

With unwavering resolve, Rebecca and Vanessa swiftly synchronized their powers. Earth magic surged beneath Terry’s feet, propelling him upward, while Gustavo manipulated gravity to make him lighter, aiding his ascent. Terry’s arms and legs moved with controlled precision, and his powerful kicks to the air further accelerated his trajectory.

As Terry neared the flying fortress, he ignored the mana bombs that were launched in his direction. Time was of the essence, and he knew that he had to close the distance as quickly as possible. With determination burning in his eyes, he focused his energy and will, channeling it into a single, powerful strike aimed directly at the heart of the enemy stronghold.

By working together, the group destroyed those flying fortresses in no time. Still, it was hard for them afterward. They saw some capsules were unconscious humans were in and other creatures as well. They didn’t wake up, and their bodies were in a state that couldn’t be recovered from, so there was not much that the group could do for them.