GLITCH

The Gatekeeper

The sky started to become darker and darker as the Glitch is in the manifestation process. There are no more innocent bystanders within the city. It's all empty streets, hallways, and buildings. Well, the street we're in is the only exception.

"Ma'am! We did as you commanded! All lower-ranked Glints are forced to withdraw and assist the civilians to safety. The Glints who knows [Teleport] were getting those persons in your list to come and defeat the Glitch."

Good. That's good. All we can do is wait for this Cerberus to appear and slay it.

"Ferni, ma'am! I have urgent news!"

"What is it?"

"We've received reports that there are multiple Glitch manifestation sightings all over Lecrucia! Therefore, most elite Glints could never come here on time!"

"Say what?"

Damn. Is this how it is? To think that that Vanguard guy is telling the truth. I mean, I did believe him, but how he talks about and the scale of the consequence when he used a skill to help Queen Licht and Rylai has an astronomical difference! This is continental in scale, dang it!

"It can't be helped. They need to prioritize the Glitches in their places. By the way, how many Glints with considerable strength are here?"

"Ma'am, there are at least twenty-seven Glints with such qualifications!"

That's not enough to stop this incoming abomination. I just bit my lower lip out of frustration. A scornful look is plastered on my face as I kept on thinking ways how to defeat the Glitch.

"Miss Ferni!"

"We're here, ma'am!"

"You guys!"

I asked one of the [Teleport] users to extract these two.

They're wearing the same way before, just different colors but still the same type of clothing. What am I thinking again? Ugh, maybe it's because of me getting noxious.

One of them was wearing a dark green leather jacket and orange jeans. He got a couple of piercings on both of his ears and got this spiky, orange hair. He's a white, brown-eyed individual with a stern look on his face. He's more or less looks like a delinquent. The other one's wearing a red hoodie and some loosed blue jeans. This time, however, he didn't bring his headphones. He's a curly gray-haired, semi-muscular boy. As Rylai told me in a text before, they are capable of doing wonders. She referred to them as "Delinquent Boy" and "Boy Dancer". It's kinda funny, to be honest.

The ones who just joined me and the rest are the McCullin brothers, Sen and Edward.

"Thanks for coming here."

"Nah, it's good to be here and kick the butt of that three-headed dog with my swordplay. It's also for experience baby!"

"Please don't mind my brother. We came here to help."

"I deeply appreciate it."

"By the way, I don't see Rylai anywhere", Sen said while quickly turning his head from left to right while putting one of his hands in a salute form but covering both of his eyebrows, looking for Rylai in a jestful way.

"Ah, yes. About that—"

I wasn't able to continue my statement as I blocked an attack aimed at me with my shield. Aiming for my life eh?

Basing on the trajectory, I looked up at the sky and saw someone floating. He's wearing some kind of formal wear...? Okay? Is this some kind of a royal ball or something?

"Who could've imagined that one of the Fallen is in here. Let me guess, the Blood Eminence?"

"My, my... To think that someone remembered me by such a refined lady is truly my happiness as a gentleman. Indeed, it is I."

"You're not the ones who tried to summon this Glitch, right?"

"Of course, I didn't. This Glitch came of its own volition. I didn't even want to come here in the first place if it weren't for a certain individual I must found no matter the cost. Say, is there an individual named Rylai Lux here? Dert told me she was."

"Too bad for you, she's not here. And even if she was indeed here, I do not intend to expose her from the likes of you."

"Oh my, that is indeed unfortunate. No matter we shall meet again, the two of us."

"Why are you guys obsessed with her?"

"Simple, my lady. She's a unique existence, something that bends the law of balance and power. I have come and ask her to join our ranks."

"Heh? Is she that low to you?"

"Who knows? Anyway, I'll be on my way. Have a nice day."

He vanished, maybe a [Teleport] user?

Ugh, let's not mind that for now.

"Don't mind what had happened just now! Everyone, focus your senses, and don't you ever die, you lot!"

"YES, MA'AM!"

The Cerberus is almost here.

Rylai, I hope you are safe.

Hmm? Wait. There are miniature Glitches spawning. No way, we have to deal with them too?

"Aren't those Infernal Wolves!?"

"Damn! It's a Glitch loop!"

"Don't waver! We can do this if we fight together!"

"Yeah!"

"That's right!"

Various shouts of encouragement could be heard here and there.

I'll see what I can do to protect the majority of them. I'm not omnipotent, but I'll use [Taunt] to lure them towards me as the others would try and kill them with ease. I think that would do.

"AWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"Here they come!"

The endless horde of Infernal Wolves surged in waves, coming straight towards us.

Infernal Wolves, as the name infers, are Wolves with red fur, and on their paws are scorching pads and their blazing fangs could burn anyone on contact. It's a pretty decent Glitch to fight with when alone but if it's in a horde, it's a different story.

The lesser the casualties, the better. But the best is zero casualties, though that's next to impossible.

It would've been a little easy if all of the elites are here but they've got their hands full. It all depends on me and the others that are right here, right now.

Seven Infernal Wolves jumped and readied their fangs aimed at me. I don't have time for such a cute number of these goons. I bashed half of them with my sword and sliced the rest with my sword. I then cast the skill that is a guaranteed key for the survival of my team.

"Come at me, you sly wolves! [Taunt]!"