Chapter 448: [446] Defeat
The atmosphere grew heavy with tension. Natsuki glanced at August, her usual composure replaced with a flicker of concern.
As much as August often drove her to the brink of exasperation, she couldn't deny that, over time, she had come to see him as a trusted ally. Since becoming the Warden of the Prison Barrier, August was one of the few people she could call a close companion.
"Hey, is that your only familiar?" Natsuki asked, breaking the silence.
"Yeah, I've only contracted this one," August replied casually.
"You—you only have one? Why don't you contract more? Are you low on magic power or something?"
"Not at all. One is simply enough."
"Enough? It's basically a one-against-five situation here, and you're telling me one is enough?"
"Don't worry. Numbers mean nothing to the Reaper."
"Yeah, sure," Natsuki muttered skeptically. Though the Reaper wasn't weak by any means, Vatler was fielding six familiars, one of which was a fusion of three powerful entities.
Just then, the Reaper emitted a soft hum, its form glowing faintly.
In the blink of an eye, nine identical Reaper materialized from its body, each identical to the original. The new Reaper formed three groups of three, surrounding Vatler's familiars from all sides.