I stepped forward, gripping my sword.
In that instant, the tower's reaction shifted.
It began to vibrate violently, radiating waves of power across the area.
The people who had been prostrating themselves rose in terror, screaming as they rushed toward the tower.
(This is bad.)
I cast a spell, erecting several barriers to block their path.
By doing so, I tried to prevent them from being absorbed by the tower.
I couldn't allow any more casualties.
Soon after, Miasma billowed forth from the tower.
Suddenly, Golden Tentacles erupted from the earth, splitting the ground apart.
They lunged from all directions, seizing the people and absorbing them.
The victims were consumed entirely; not a single drop of blood remained.
The False God had extended itself beneath the surface like the roots of a massive tree.
The fact that even I hadn't noticed it suggested it possessed an incredible Stealth Ability.
Perhaps Perception was impossible as long as it remained stationary.
(I’ve been completely had. Was this a trap?)
Before I could even register the regret, the Golden Tentacles lunged for me as well.
I swung my Keepsake Sword, severing the encroaching limbs in a single stroke.
Direct contact with the tentacles was too dangerous.
Even I would likely be absorbed upon contact.
If my very existence were consumed, I wouldn't even be able to revive through another Undead.
A reckless charge based on naive assumptions would lead to instant death.
(Half-hearted defense will only backfire. It’s better to cut them down.)
Making a split-second decision, I began hacking through the tentacles with the Keepsake Sword.
Yet, the tentacles continued their assault with overwhelming density.
Their numbers showed no sign of thinning.
No matter how many I severed, more sprouted from the earth to replace them.
All the while, more people were being swallowed up.
(At this rate, it’ll be too late. I can’t afford to be leisurely.)
Driven by urgency, I attempted to close the distance instantly with teleportation.
However, the art failed to trigger correctly.
It felt as though the Magic Power within my body was being thrown into chaos.
This was undoubtedly the tower’s influence.
Despite the layers of protection I had prepared, they were clearly insufficient.
My ability to use Advanced Arts was being restricted.
Activating Forbidden Magic seemed equally impossible.
Forced to pivot, I turned to other forms of magic.
I unleashed Mid-Ranking Magic, weaving it with Miasma and Magic Power.
A barrage of Long-range Attacks rained down upon the Golden Tower and its tentacles.
Yet, despite their overwhelming destructive power, the tower absorbed every single spell.
The Golden Tower remained unscathed, as did the tentacles.
It appeared that any attack infused with Magic Power or Miasma was simply treated as nourishment.
(What an absurd ability... So this is the Will of the World?)
I raced through the city streets, slicing through the tentacles that lashed out from every angle.
I wove through the shadows of buildings, pushing forward while evading the constant flailing of the appendages.
However, once I reached a certain proximity, the enemy’s defenses thickened significantly.
I had no choice but to fall back, taking cover where I was hidden from the tower's sight.
(I’ve got the gist of its abilities. Now the real fight begins...)
As the screams of the dying and the cries of joy from the deluded reached my ears, I focused my thoughts.
It had been quite some time since I’d been forced into such an unrefined, gritty struggle.
Then again, I wasn't in any position to complain.
The False God clearly wanted to keep me at arm's length.
It appeared to specialize in Mid-range and long-range combat.
In that case, my path forward was clear.
I had to close the distance and strike with Physical Attacks.
With the Keepsake Sword, I could even slice through the tower itself.
There was no sense in backing down now.
I was being forced into a comically disadvantageous position, but I had to see this through.