[Phase 2: Survive The Monster Wave For 59 minutes 58 seconds.]
"The first wave of monsters will consist of weaker monsters such as kobolds, orcs, and trolls, as well as other low-level monsters," I informed them, as Irethiel had already reported the monsters to me, and they appeared to be only a few minutes away from us.
"...Aren't these monsters going to fight each other?" Silvia inquired abruptly.
"No they won't fight among themselves, because they are under the control of another high-ranking monster," I replied as I pulled out my other katana from my inventory.
"How did you find out about that? What if your information is incorrect? Won't we all perish as a result?" The blonde-haired man expressed his skepticism.
"It's up to you whether you believe me or not, and you're free to walk away if you don't, because I don't really need an unskilled archer like you anyway," I said sarcastically.
And when he heard me, his face distorted, and his group made awkward faces.
"...Are we going to face them head-on?" Alice inquired, her voice concerned.
"No,...I'll deal with the first wave myself, until then you guys prepare the trap along with that pink-haired girl using her earth magic," I explained.
"...."
"...Are you certain you want to face this monster wave by yourself, Ares?" Silvia inquired in a worried tone.
"Sir Ares! I may not be as strong as you, but I am willing to fight alongside you," Alice stated determinedly.
"I appreciate the gesture, but I'd like you to save your mana for the upcoming waves," I said.
—Shudder!
—Shudder!—
We could now see the monster wave approaching in our direction.
"Tch, if he wants to die, let him! Let us get out of here before we are stampeded to death by these monsters," The guy with the blonde hair said.
"...Yeah, I agree with Cole; I believe we should leave from here and hide somewhere. Because it is only stated that we must survive for one hour," The muscular man stated.
"Are you guys really serious right now?" Alice was taken aback by their actions.
"...Yes, we're serious, because we don't want to sacrifice ourselves just because you admire him and have decided to follow him," the blonde-haired man replied.
"I believe we ought to leave now Cole," As the monsters approached closer, the muscular man spoke quickly.
"So what about you, Victoria? Do you want to stay here, or do you want to accompany us?" The blonde-haired man inquired, his gaze fixed on the pick-haired woman whose name was Victoria.
"...o-oh, I'll accompany you guys as well," Victoria said with an awkward face.
"W-what, Victoria, you as well?" Alice was baffled after hearing Victoria's response.
"...I'm sorry, Alice, but I believe what Cole said is true; we were only notified to survive, so I don't think there's any reason for us to risk our lives by confronting these monster waves head-on," Victoria stated.
"...."
When Alice heard her, she was rendered speechless for a brief moment.
"W-Why don't we all leave together Alice? There's no need to go head to head with this monster wave, is there?" Victoria spoke quickly as she held Alice's hand.
***
Ignoring their conversation, Ares used his skill of Static electricity to engulf the electric aura around both of the katanas he was holding.
Then, imitating Mika's signature move, he held his swords in the shape of a cross and used his skill Fell Crescent.
FELL CRESCENT!
Two crescent-shaped attacks covered in electricity moved quickly toward the approaching monster wave.
Boooom!—
A huge boom was heard, followed by an immense cloud of smoke, as it struck the monsters up front wiping out more than half of the monsters instantly.
But Ares didn't waste time waiting for the smoke to clear; instead, he took advantage of the opportunity to continue his attack while the monsters were dazzled by the smoke.
And he quickly encircled himself with electricity and dashed toward the monster wave, which was now only a short distance away, leaving only the blue trail in his wake.
Swish!—
Ares moved through the monster wave like a ghost by combining his Speed with snake-like movements.
He killed every monster in his path who was still alive after his previous attack with just one blow; it was a swift, clean onslaught.
And only the dead bodies of the monsters could be seen wherever he passed.
...
...
It had been around five to six minutes, and Ares alone had killed several hundred monsters, while only the eerie screams of the monsters could be heard within the smoke, that was now constantly being generated by Irethiel.
He resembled a slaughter machine that would never tire.
And similar to what he did before, Ares kept invading the monster horde and continued to eradicate them.
The monster's fates weren't all that different from one another. As he was able to completely outclass all the monsters because of his skills.
Every monster was being killed with a single strike, and the intensity of his attacks did not change.
Slash!—
Slash!— Slash!—
"His accuracy and mental focus are frightening..." Irethiel muttered and gave Ares an endearing look as she realized how consistent Ares's attacks are.
When he came across a monster, it seemed as though he was playing with them like they were some dummies because the monsters couldn't keep up with him and weren't able to attack him even once.
She'd met a few of the geniuses before, and most of them were terrifying when their true power was unleashed.
However, Irethiel had never met anyone like Ares who was capable of sustaining such powerful skills on a consistent basis...He had a constant attack speed that never changed.
'He doesn't appear to be a teenager, but rather an experienced warrior who has been fighting monsters for decades,' Irethiel reflected inwardly witnessing Ares fight.
"...."
And Ares finished wiping out the entire monster wave by himself in just a matter of fifteen minutes.
Silvia squinted her eyes in the direction of the smoke that was gradually dissipating, along with Alice who had decided to stay.
"...Oh, my sweet Lord," Alice exclaimed in shock When she noticed the monsters' dead bodies littering the ground and saw Ares standing in the middle of it carrying two katanas that were now stained with the blood of butchered monsters.
[End Of The First Monster Wave!]
[Prepare Yourself, The Next Monster Wave Is About To Approach!]
We quickly saw the Gate notification indicating the end of the first monster wave, and I believe we still have about 5 minutes before the second wave begins.
"You didn't leave with your friends?" I asked Alice with curiosity as I walked over to where she and Silvia were.
"...No, because I believe there is something fishy about simply surviving these monster waves rather than eliminating them," Alice explained.
"Just as I had expected, you are indeed smart," I said, smiling.
As what Alice stated was indeed true, the option of simply surviving phase 2 is a delusion, as the monsters will simply pile up over time, making it impossible to hide anywhere.
Furthermore, we will have to fight all of the monsters together in the final phase, which will be defeating a Gate boss.
"What now, Ares? How should we handle the approaching monster waves now that the pink-haired woman has already left and we can't set up the trap you mentioned?" Silvia hurriedly enquired.
***