The intense pain made Ichira grunt, and he quickly retreated backward. Before Bai Ye could close in, Ichira crossed his hands and slammed them onto the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!" Ichira reached for a scroll, unrolled it, and said, "Silver Fox!"
With a bang, a large cloud of white mist erupted from the scroll.
In the next instant, a giant 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…
*Puff!*
The moment the white fox lowered its head!
Bai Ye's Xuanyuan Sword swept out, golden sword energy flying, striking the white fox's shoulder and drawing blood.
Bai Ye stepped forward, suddenly raising his sword in a sweep.
As the Xuanyuan Sword slashed sideways, one of the white fox's front legs was instantly severed.
A pained howl rang out. The white fox fell to its side, crashing heavily onto the ground, and then, with a "bang," it dissipated into white smoke.
Seeing this, Ichira was greatly alarmed. His hands moved in rapid succession, forming hand seals.
"Fire Style, Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Ichira took a deep breath, brought his hands to his mouth, and then blew out a massive fireball, propelling it towards Bai Ye.
In the blink of an eye, Bai Ye's body was completely engulfed by the flames.
Ichira lowered his hands, watching the fireball.
Was his attack effective?
Bai Ye didn't seem to be able to emerge from the fire immediately.
But at this moment…
Suddenly, an arm shot out from the flames, grabbing Ichira by the throat.
The surrounding flames dispersed, and Bai Ye revealed himself, smiling at Ichira, "Sorry, fire doesn't work on me!"
*Rumble!*
In the next instant, the flames in Bai Ye's hands 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 explosion, he felt as if several of his bones had broken, his entire body wracked with agony.
"Berserker…" Ichira, seeing Bai Ye advancing, shouted, "Save me!"
Heracles was also in a fierce battle, his body covered in countless wounds.
However, upon hearing Ichira's plea, he immediately abandoned Gilgamesh, smashed through a nearby wall, and rushed towards Ichira.
It was at this very moment…
Bai Ye's Xuanyuan Sword struck down again. Golden sword energy tore through the air, and as it was about to hit Ichira, Heracles suddenly burst in from the side.
*Puff!*
The golden sword energy struck Heracles's chest, and a gush of blood erupted.
The gaping wound was terrifying, extending from Heracles's shoulder to his waist, deep to the bone, immensely gruesome.
*Thump!*
Heracles knelt on the ground, his hands hanging limp, lifeless.
"Get up, get up…" Ichira shouted, "You won't die! Kill them all!"
Following Ichira's cry.
Heracles, whose eyes had been closed, suddenly snapped them open, emitting a scarlet glow.
"Ah!"
Heracles roared and raised his axe, about to swing it at 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 entangling him and binding him securely.
Then…
*Puff, puff, puff…*
The Gate of Babylon activated again. A myriad of weapons flew from behind, piercing Heracles's body repeatedly, instantly pinning him.
*Roar!*
Heracles raised his head high, letting out a roar.
Simultaneously, blood poured from Heracles's mouth, dyeing his body red.
Heracles fell silent, but…
The Noble Phantasm of the Twelve Labors activated, and soon, Heracles's body revived. The dimming light in his eyes reignited.
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 cracking echoing.
Gilgamesh walked forward with a cold sneer, then reached into the radiant golden screen behind him, retrieving a silver holy spear and aiming 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 again, his eyes once more glowing red.
But this time, Gilgamesh didn't even give Heracles a chance to struggle.
*Puff!*
Gilgamesh thrust the holy spear forward, piercing Heracles's heart and sending him away once more.
Gilgamesh smirked contemptuously, "I have already killed you five times."
As Gilgamesh spoke, the Chains of Heaven around them vibrated. Heracles revived again and began to struggle. But…
*Puff, puff, puff…*
Golden ripples emanated from behind Gilgamesh, and countless weapons flew out, embedding themselves into Heracles's body again and again.
The immense force even sent Heracles flying backward, crashing into the wall and pinned there by a pile of weapons.
Gilgamesh stated, "Six times!"
Revival, death, revival, death…
Gilgamesh, consumed by rage, was terrifying.
Arrogant, capricious, and unpredictable…
Gilgamesh's temper was clearly quite foul. He might spare someone if he was in a good mood, or he might exert his full power to execute someone if he was in a bad mood.
Yes, execution!
The current situation had surpassed mere combat; it was Gilgamesh unilaterally carrying out an execution!
The seventh time, the eighth, the ninth, the tenth, the eleventh…
Heracles was utterly powerless, his chances of revival steadily depleted.
His body was already covered in wounds and blood.
Gilgamesh sneered, "You have only one life left!"
Ichira finally felt true terror, and he shouted desperately at Heracles, "Hold them back, Berserker! You must hold them back! Just stall them so I can escape!"
Gilgamesh looked at Heracles, who had once again opened his eyes, a glint of amusement in his gaze. "Is that your Master?"
…