Hunted by Characters I Drew!!

Screams of desperation filled the air: 

"Ah! My legs! Why can't I move them?" 

"My arm! It's frozen solid!" 

"It's so cold! Someone, help!" 

"Ahhh!" 

The adventurers were overwhelmed by a freezing spell, their voices echoing as they succumbed to the biting cold. For those caught in its grip, it was nothing short of a nightmare. 

Alexander stood among them, exuding an aura of indifference. "Why are you all so eager to throw your lives away?" he said, shaking his head as though he pitied them. 

With a flick of his hand, the adventurers closest to him were encased in ice, transformed into lifeless statues. Another wave of his hand swept them aside, clearing his path as if they were mere obstacles. 

Without sparing them another glance, Alexander continued toward the Apollo Familia's residence. 

The crowd watching from a distance could barely process what they'd just witnessed. 

"This is... terrifying," someone whispered. "He froze hundreds of level 1 adventurers in an instant. Is this the power of high-level magic? It has to be at least level 3 tier magic!" 

Another murmured, "Do you realize what this means? Magic that strong can injure even a level 4 adventurer!" 

"But wait," a sharp-eyed observer chimed in. "Didn't you notice? He didn't chant a single incantation. Could that be... instant magic!?" 

"Impossible! Instant magic is only achievable by level 5 magicians! Maybe it's silent casting?" 

"Whatever it is, it's terrifyingly powerful," came the awestruck reply. 

——

Back in the Hall of the Gods, Apollo's expression twisted with anger and embarrassment. 

Hestia, on the other hand, couldn't contain her delight. "Hehe, Apollo, how's it feel? Ready to admit defeat yet?" 

Apollo turned his head away, refusing to meet her gaze. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Hestia. That was just the warm-up. I still have my level 2 elites waiting in the wings!" 

As if on cue, the projection shifted to reveal a new group of adventurers stepping forward. This group, unlike the first, numbered only in the dozens, but their presence was far more imposing. 

These were level 2 adventurers, an elite force. For most, reaching level 2 was a lifelong achievement. The fact that Apollo had gathered so many of them was a testament to his Familia's size and resources. 

At the head of the group stood two young women, Cassandra Ilion and Daphne Lauros, their expressions tense as they watched Alexander approach. 

"It's over," Cassandra muttered under her breath, her tone tinged with dread. "The snow has fallen, and the sun is about to freeze over." 

"What nonsense are you spouting now, Cassandra?" Daphne replied with a weary sigh. "Stop relying on your dreams for everything. We're in a fight—we have no choice but to see it through." 

Daphne herself despised Apollo and the Familia, but duty bound her to the battle. 

With determined resolve, the group advanced toward Alexander. 

Alexander's pace didn't falter. His cold gaze swept over them as he spoke, his voice calm but commanding: "Step aside." 

None of them moved. 

"What a shame," Daphne muttered before charging at him, her fist aimed squarely at his face. 

Alexander caught her punch effortlessly. Her eyes widened in shock as an overwhelming force surged through his hand, rendering her immobile. 

"This is bad!" Daphne struggled, but it was useless. Desperately, she glanced at her comrades—only to realize that all the other level 2 adventurers had been frozen solid without her even noticing. 

"When... did this happen?" she whispered, horrified. 

Alexander leaned in slightly, his voice calm yet icy. "The battle is over. You two... should leave while you can." 

With that, he handed conversion cards to both Cassandra and Daphne. Alexander wasn't interested in their appearances but rather in their abilities—especially Cassandra's talent for precognitive dreams, which intrigued him greatly. 

The two women, confused but understanding the implicit warning, accepted the cards and stepped back. 

Meanwhile, back in the Hall of the Gods, Hestia, who was watching through the projection, exploded with anger. Her twin ponytails practically bristled with her emotions. 

"What are you doing?! This is a war, not some dating game! And here you are, flirting with girls? You've got to be kidding me!" 

While Hestia fumed, Apollo's face twisted into an expression of pure rage. 

"You dare seduce the women of my Familia in the middle of a battle?! Hestia, is this the kind of Familia you're raising?!" 

Before Hestia could respond, Loki burst out laughing, unable to resist taunting Apollo. 

"Hah! What's wrong, Apollo? Is your pathetic Familia falling apart because your adventurers would rather join Alexander? Don't blame him for being better than you—it's not his fault you're such a loser!" 

"You—!" Apollo sputtered, his face turning a deep shade of purple. 

Loki smirked, clearly reveling in his misery.