Chapter 222: The Magic Enforcer
The Dispel Charm
The silver Snake King was right; once the Swamp Monster was defeated, the gray-robed figure would be free to deal with them, and at that point, the situation would spiral completely out of control.
The rain was getting heavier, quickly turning from a moderate shower into a downpour.
Large, driving raindrops poured down relentlessly. Standing in the rain, the group looked like defeated, soaked stray dogs. Jack Harvey was shivering from the cold and couldn't help but ask,
"Kid, can't you have your subordinate take out all the Snake Kings?"
"The trump card isn't something you use lightly."
Luke replied curtly. He looked up at the sky. The heavy rain was severely impacting the Hummingbirds. Their metal wings were already heavy, and with the added weight of the rain, they could barely fly and were forced to perch on the treetops.
"Goddamn weather!"
He cursed under his breath. It had to come now, of all times, just as the major battle broke out. They were truly down on their luck.
Just then, Zatanna suddenly spoke,
"I have a way to deal with the Snake Kings, but it will take time."
"What way?"
The girl said gravely, "The Snake Kings were transformed from humans. They are products of black magic. If I cast a Dispel Charm to alter their internal magical structure, I can turn them from snakes back into people." Seeing everyone staring at her, she quickly added,
"Of course, this is just a theory. I don't know if it will actually succeed."
Luke said seriously, "You know the Dispel Charm?"
Zatanna nodded, hesitating. "I remember the incantation, but I've never tried it. It's a high-level spell."
"Then try it. Don't be nervous. Just treat it as practice."
"O-Okay!"
Zatanna took a deep breath, stepped back, and began to chant the incantation. The others immediately formed a circular defensive perimeter around her. As the low, obscure syllables echoed, the surrounding magical energy in the forest suddenly became volatile. The air rippled visibly, and a field of magical energy began to converge toward Zatanna.
The gray-robed figure sensed something and tried to rush back, but the equally aware Swamp Monster desperately held him in place. He could only shout,
"Take out that woman! Don't let her finish the spell!"
The Snake Kings, hearing the command, focused their attention. Their eyes locked onto the closed-eyed Zatanna through the gaps in the crowd. They, too, felt it—as the chanting resonated, an intense feeling of exhaustion spread through their bodies, as if something was being stripped away.
"Dispel Charm!"
The Snake King who had studied magic finally remembered. "It's the Dispel Charm! That woman is using a Dispel Charm! Don't let her finish the incantation! Kill her!"
With that, they charged recklessly toward the hillside. The remaining Snake Kings exchanged glances and followed suit. The Snake Kings were products of black magic, and if exposed to a Dispel Charm, their internal magical structure would instantly collapse, which could easily kill them.
This move drew every single Snake King to them.
Showdown: Magic vs. Might
Over a dozen Snake Kings surrounded the slope from all sides, increasing the pressure exponentially. Emily held out her left hand, unleashing a burst of cold energy that froze one Snake King into an ice sculpture. Becky and Wilma continually threw grenades at the surroundings. The recovered Stan Darloff used his remaining telekinesis to throw two Snake Kings away. The others also exhibited their skills, with gunfire, explosions, and a mix of ice and fire surrounding them.
But this couldn't stop the Snake Kings' advance. Facing a life-or-death crisis, even the more timid kings were forced to fight with everything they had.
The distance between the two sides rapidly closed: 200 meters... 150 meters... 100 meters...
In a flash, they were only 40 meters away. Under the rain and mist, the Snake Kings, with their hoods spread and fangs exposed, were terrifying. If they managed to close the distance, everyone would die.
The situation was dire, reaching its most critical juncture.
Jack Harvey covered his head with both hands, his expression filled with terror. The others also looked grave; some had even tossed aside their guns and drawn daggers.
Luke glanced at Adam, who nodded, stepped a few paces forward, and stood in front of Luke. A large cloud of white mist burst from his body and spread, enveloping the surroundings. At the same time, green flames erupted in Luke's eyes.
A terrifying wave of energy extended forward. Everywhere it reached, time seemed to pause. The charging Snake Kings froze one after another, their pupils contracting inward, their faces contorted with absolute terror.
"They stopped! They stopped!"
Someone shouted excitedly. Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief, casting looks of reverence toward Adam. This silent giant was incredibly reliable, far better than his master. Only Emily wore a strange expression; she had been next to Luke and clearly felt a fleeting sense of fear from her lover.
Not long after the Snake Kings stopped, Zatanna completed her spell.
A powerful magical fluctuation radiated from her. Her body slowly levitated, and countless magical symbols appeared around her. She spread her arms and looked forward with an authoritative gaze.
"Word of Command: Expulsion!"
A wave of white light spread out, sweeping over the grass, trees, and puddles. It wasn't fast, but it had a powerful visual impact. As it passed the Snake Kings, large black ripples erupted from their bodies—the materialized dark magic.
The gray-robed figure stopped. The white light approached, illuminating the sheer horror in his eyes. For spells that require constant magical maintenance, a Dispel Charm is a natural counter. He had never imagined this young girl could cast a high-level spell only achievable by a grand master.
The heavily wounded Swamp Monster roared with excitement,
"You're finished! You're dead, heretic!"
Facing the white light, it didn't dodge but opened its arms, welcoming it. Its massive body rapidly shrank in the light wave. Simultaneously, the black spots on its body vanished into black ash under the light, carried away by the wind.
Seeing this, the gray-robed figure's face was utterly hideous, but he was helpless. He could only erect countless magical barriers in front of him to contend with the light wave.
The practical effect of the Dispel Charm far exceeded expectations. The Snake Kings hit by the light wave fell to the ground, screaming, contorting, and struggling. Large black ripples streamed off their bodies, and their physical forms began to change. Eyes shrunk, mouths narrowed, and their skulls continually shattered and reformed with eerie cracking sounds.
Their long, thick bodies contracted inward and expanded sideways. Two fleshy lumps popped out beneath their spines. Bones pierced through the lumps, growing rapidly. The Snake Kings shrieked in agony, their faces twisted with unbearable pain.
The sight sent shivers down everyone's spines.
"What terrifying black magic."
August muttered to himself. "I didn't expect the reversal process of the Evil Soul Sacrifice to be this gruesome."
Jack Harvey, who had been trembling in fear, seemed to regain his old authority. Holding his M16, he shouted, "What are you standing around for? Kill these pieces of trash!"
As he opened fire, the others followed suit.
Bullets and grenades were thrown at the struggling Snake Kings on the ground. Moments later, all seventeen Snake Kings were dead, without exception. Even in death, their bodies continued the transformation process, but without the magical maintenance, they became half-human, half-snake monstrosities.
The subordinates were gone. Next up was the boss.
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