Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 275

Pshhh!

"These lunatics."

Theo noticed a group of cultists charging toward Harald from the side. He fired Death Beat to intercept them and provide cover. The enemies had become more organized, attacking from all directions, leaving no opportunity to focus solely on the front.

"Strip them alive! Offer their skins as tribute!"

Fanatics pursued them relentlessly, firing arrows and launching projectiles with slings from behind, forcing Theo to split his attention. He stayed at the rear, handling the attacks targeting Lodbrok, who was positioned in the center of their formation.

The air feels heavier by the second.

The oppressive weight bearing down on Theo's shoulders was becoming undeniable.

Even with Lodbrok dismantling one formation, it's this bad?

If the formations had been intact, the pressure would have been overwhelming. Fortunately, the skill levels of the pursuing cultists were laughable—though their unrelenting madness made them dangerous in their own way.

They don’t fight like humans; they act without thought for their survival.

Meanwhile, Lodbrok knelt on the ground, focusing his efforts on dismantling another formation.

This is only the beginning. How many more of these are there?

Theo wondered how long they would have to endure this attrition before they reached the Second Apostle.

"It’s done. Let’s move."

Lodbrok quickly dismantled another formation. It was clear he had mastered a rhythm, dismantling them faster with each attempt.

On the Outer Edge of the Forest of Death

Atop a towering cliff overlooking the sprawling sea of trees, the Second Apostle gazed out with piercing eyes, scanning the horizon. His brow furrowed.

"A nuisance has arrived."

The hunting formation he had devised grew stronger the deeper the prey ventured into it. Like a net closing in, the apex of the formation would crush intruders under immense pressure, draining their mana completely until they collapsed from exhaustion.

If only the formations remained intact.

Now, several holes had been torn in his carefully laid trap. The "fish" within his net were still thrashing about unscathed, and the sight of it grated on his nerves.

The Second Apostle reviewed the flow of mana within the formations, assessing the situation. Watching his disposable followers die meant nothing to him. Their only value lay in delaying the intruders, serving as sacrifices to his cause.

They’re moving far faster than anticipated.

While he had predicted that some of the intruders might bypass the formations through brute force, the pace of their advance was unprecedented.

Even a basic formation takes less time to create than it does to dismantle.

The intricate magic circles he had devised were among his finest creations, and he had considered them nearly impossible to dismantle without the intervention of the Mage Tower Master. Yet here they were, unraveling one after another.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

The situation required drastic measures.

"All forces, prepare for annihilation."

At the base of the cliff, high-ranking priests loyal to the Second Apostle sprang into action. Without hesitation, they retrieved crimson pills from their robes and swallowed them.

Crack! Snap!

The sound of muscles twisting and veins bursting filled the air as their bodies contorted grotesquely. Beneath their robes, muscles swelled unnaturally, and their bloodshot eyes glowed with an unholy light.

Though blood dripped from their mouths, their expressions twisted into smiles of ecstasy.

"Go forth and prove your faith with your lives."

"Kyahaha!"
"Krrrraah!"

The priests let out guttural cries, charging into the forest like ravenous beasts. The Second Apostle watched them go with satisfaction, raising his hand to form a holy symbol.

"How many lives will this blessing claim today? Such rare beauty."

The fanaticism in their expressions brought him a cruel sense of joy.

Back in the Forest

The pattern of attacks was predictable.

The cultists hurled themselves at Lodbrok, desperate to stop him from dismantling the formations. Theo and Harald fought to keep the path clear as Lodbrok worked.

Is there more to this than meets the eye?

Despite Lodbrok dismantling several formations, the weight of the oppressive mana lingering in the air had only slightly eased.

They’re trying to boil us like frogs.

Though their stamina remained intact, the repeated engagements and the sheer weight of the oppressive mana were beginning to grind on their nerves.

"Annoying bastards. Do they really think this’ll work?"

Harald grumbled as he bisected another cultist with a single swing of his axe. The lack of true resistance frustrated him. He had come here seeking revenge, but so far, the fight felt more like a chore than a proper battle.

"This is the twelfth one," Lodbrok muttered, already dismantling yet another formation with practiced ease.

It’s becoming monotonous.

Just as that thought crossed Theo’s mind, a violent ripple of energy disrupted the calm.

"Something’s coming," Theo said sharply.

"I know," Harald replied, gripping his axe tightly.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

The sound of heavy, rapid footsteps approached. Theo ignited the dragon’s core within him, resonating it with his mana circuit. Sparks crackled as he readied his blade.

"Kyahahaha! So, you’re Theo Ragnar!"

"I’ll tear you to shreds!"

From the shadows emerged abominations—mutated priests whose forms defied humanity. Their bodies were twisted beyond recognition, their eyes filled with madness.

These aren’t human anymore. What the hell did they consume?

Theo tightened his grip on his blade, determined to end them swiftly.

Swoosh!

With a single strike, he severed the left arm of the nearest fanatic, aiming to incapacitate them. But instead of hesitating, the creature ignored the pain entirely, lunging at him with its other arm.

Pain doesn’t register for them?

Theo swiftly severed the other arm, but the creature snapped at him with its teeth, forcing him to decapitate it.

"Relentless."

Before Theo could catch his breath, he heard the telltale hiss of arrows slicing through the air.

"Burn in hell!"

A group of mutated priests charged forward, their bodies glowing with an ominous light.

"They’re going to explode!" Theo shouted.

Realizing what was happening, he kicked the nearest one away just as it detonated in a blinding flash.

"Damn fanatics."

The explosion shook the forest, scattering blood and body parts everywhere. As more priests charged forward, their cries grew louder:

"Oh, blessed be the Lord! Accept my death as an offering!"

They’re using suicide attacks now?

Theo cursed as he unleashed Death Beat, the floating swords targeting the priests’ heads with lethal precision. Headless bodies collapsed one after another, but the swarm showed no signs of stopping.

Behind him, Theo sensed a sinister presence.

"Glory to the Second Apostle!"

Before he could react, two priests appeared out of nowhere, glowing brighter than the rest.

Too close!

A blinding light consumed Theo’s vision as the air around him erupted in fire and chaos.

Boom!