Apocalypse with my SSS Harem Beauties-Chapter 138: Fireman

The moment they crossed the broken boundary of collapsed buildings and twisted metal that marked the outer edge of the guardian’s territory, the Ether in the air changed.

It was no longer the thin, chaotic mist that drifted through most ruined zones. Here it gathered thick and heavy, swirling in dark orange currents as if the surroundings area had been set ablaze and the smoke never fully dispersed.

Faint sparks drifted between the ruined structures. The ground beneath their boots felt warm, almost pulsing, and every breath carried dry heat that scraped lightly against their throat.

The temperature rose steadily the deeper they advanced. It was not unbearable yet, but still felt unnatural. Like walking toward the mouth of a furnace that had been burning for days without rest.

They tightened formation without needing to be told.

Six from Michael’s core unit including Michael himself. Ten from Myles’ side.

Sixteen armed survivors moving as a single block through warped streets and melted asphalt.

Lilian remained close to Myles, closer than usual. She did not speak. Her expression stayed calm, but something in her eyes had sharpened.

A faint sensation pressed against her senses the closer they drew. It was subtle at first. Then clearer. It was not merely elemental of fire. It was something else beneath it.

Something from higher being. She felt it brush against her awareness like a distant pulse from another plane like her own. Another being.

A higher realm presence was here.

She said nothing.

There was no benefit in unsettling the others before confirmation. If this truly was what she suspected, then the situation would escalate far beyond a simple guardian fight.

Until then, she would just watch.

From a distance, the combined group looked formidable.

Their numbers alone would intimidate most roaming threats whether its monsters or other survivors.

Their steps were disciplined. They have magical weapons. They moved like veterans who had survived enough battles to understand what was at stakes. Any outsider watching would assume the guardian was the one in danger.

However, Michael did not think like that. He knew what waited ahead.

The heat intensified as the street narrowed and the buildings grew warped and half-melted.

Windows had liquefied and hardened again into distorted shapes. Black scorch marks climbed up concrete walls and even the metal frames of cars had sagged as if softened by prolonged exposure to extreme temperature not long ago.

Michael suddenly raised his fist.

Everyone stopped instantly.

He gestured sharply toward the right. They shifted and pressed themselves behind the remains of what once had been a commercial complex.

The outer walls were blistered and swollen, the surface warped and strange organic-looking flesh on it looked melted after prolonged heat exposure.

Michael leaned forward slightly and pointed ahead.

"There," he whispered.

Through the dense orange Ether mist, shapes became visible.

At the center of a wide, open concrete yard, stood a massive structure half-fused with the ground.

Blackened stone pillars surrounded it in a rough circle, each one cracked and glowing along their fractures.

At the center of that circle rose the altar. It was tall, jagged, and carved from dark material. Veins of molten orange energy pulsed across its surface.

Around it, the ground had transformed.

The asphalt had melted and solidified into uneven black glass. Pools of slow moving flame gathered in shallow depressions.

The air shimmered violently above them.

Standing between the altar and the outer perimeter, partially obscured by swirling orange mist, was a towering silhouette.

Four meters tall humanoid and distorted creature.

Its body burned constantly, but the flames did not flicker randomly. They coiled tightly around its body, forming what looked like plated armor of living fire.

Heat radiated outward in waves that made the surrounding air tremble.

Suddenly they saw the flames around the towering figure rolled slowly as if breathing.

The orange mist shifted with every pulse of heat, revealing fragments of its silhouette before swallowing it again.

Myles stepped forward from behind the warped wall. He drew his short sword in one smooth motion.

The blade caught the distorted light and reflected a glow against the orange haze.

"Okay. Let’s go," he said.

No hesitation or dramatic speech coming from him. Just a simple declaration.

Michael’s group turned to look at him almost at the same time. They were not used to that kind of temperament. They did not see any visible fear or long tactical re-evaluation. He did not ask for one last confirmation. He did not stall.

He simply moved and was ready to fight.

Behind him, Victor adjusted his grip on his weapon. George’s expression turned sharp and focused. Kade hitting his gauntlets together. Daniel’s eyes narrowed. Samantha’s fingers were already gripping her bowstring. Ethan takes a deep breath slowly, centering himself. Clara tightened the grip in her frost spear.

They looked ready.

Their faces did not show recklessness. They showed determination.

This was the kind of determination that came from surviving repeated near-death battles and coming out stronger.

Michael’s group felt it and thought:

"They look very brave."

"They don’t look afraid even after everything we told them about the guardian."

"Are they just battle-hungry fools? Or do they truly have the strength to support that confidence?"

Michael studied them for one more second. Their posture was not stiff or overly tense. It was controlled.

Maybe they really do have something to back it up.

The thought steadied him rather than insulted him.

He had wanted this fight. He had pushed for it. The altar was within reach. The strength was within reach. Red’s shadow lingered in his mind.

Michael nodded firmly.

"Right. We attack now."

The formation shifted immediately.

Ethan, Samantha, Hana, and Tobias peeled away from the main group without needing further instruction. They moved along the side of the building, climbing debris and broken concrete slabs to secure elevated ground.

Hana stayed protected between Ethan and Tobias. Samantha scanned for line of sight through thinner sections of mist.

Ranged unit established now.

On the ground level, Myles stepped forward first. Victor moved slightly to his left. George to his right. Darius advanced from Michael’s side, shield raised. Rafe crouched low, ready to dash. Selene positioned herself just behind the front line. Kade and Daniel filled the second layer, prepared to reinforce or rotate.

The heat intensified as they left cover.

The guardian moved as if realizing their existence.

Flames around its body surged upward as its head slowly tilted toward them.

Two hollow sockets ignited brighter within the fire armor.

The ground beneath its feet cracked further, black glass splintering in thin fractures.

The pressure in the air spiked.

Then, with a heavy step that shook the concrete yard, the four-meter fire guardian advanced to meet them.

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