1 Hour before the incident.
A floating monitor was showcasing the figure of a fearsome guy quickly dashing through a barren land.
The «Infinity Zone» is a secluded area maintained both for battle practice, sports and material farming. It's a unique area that mysteriously continues to constantly regenerate the same mobs over and over again over time making it also a prime location to host clearing challenges.
Armed with a sword and photon rifle, he quickly tore through the initial mobs he met with ease. With an amazing sword stance. He dealt sword counters against nearby targets and switched out to Burst Fire shots from his rifle against approaching targets, all while maintaining a good boundary against his foes.
“Nox! Nox! Nox!” The crowd yelled out.
The Level 1 was cleared pretty easy as the Brats in large numbers mostly fell to his sword. After ending the last wave of mobs, Nox quickly recharged his rifle and switched to full charged mode. He then aimed towards the distance. Setting himself for long range combat with a prone position.
“Oh my God only 17 minutes in and he’s already cleared the Brats!”
“Could this be a new record in the making?”
*Pang-pang-pang* The moving targets ranged around 500 meters, 1000 meters and 1500 meters all roared after being shot.
The field consisted of exactly 50 enemies and 47 of them were Brats. As for the second obstacle of this challenge, the operators had to eliminate 2 level 2 Razor Manes with the final obstacle a level 3 «Alpha Glass Mane»; a variant Razor Mane vastly larger with a Glass physic.
With the ability «Shard»; self-destruct on death. It was the nightmare of close combat operators as it destroys and corrupts anything within its range with high reports of casualties among new operators. This raised Alpha Glass Mane to rank level 3 despite its fragility and durability being weaker than a level 2 Razor Mane. The only strategy viable to counter it is by dispatching at long range as soon as it's spotted.
“Raaaagggghhh” the Alpha roared after receiving 3 consecutive full burst shots to its chest before self destructing into shards in all direction.
“Tch…All out already” Nox clicked his tongue and threw away his overheated rifle while crouching up.
*Swish~!* A crisp sound resonated, the sword flashed blue as it emitted an icy trail in its trajectory through the air. The «Frost Edge» a one-handed sword imbued with the animatter trait of the «Ice Element», cleaved through the body of an ambushing Razor Mane splitting it in two.
*Crack* Without even a sound its entire body was frozen and shattered without a trace.
“T-there it is! The Frost Edge relic!”
“As expected of the rumored successor! Is he finally stepping up!?”
“One last enemy with two minutes to spare for the new record! Could this actually be it!? ”
As the crowds clamored and discussed in excitement, the other Razor Mane swiftly approached.
“Awooo” The Razor Mane howled, melding into the mist with his skill.
“Is that all?” Nox smirked.
Switching to a sword draw stance Nox closed his eyes.
With one fluid movement he then slashed his sword towards a direction obscured by the mist.
“RELEASE!” The sword hilt glimmered encasing the whole sword in a bluish aura.
Immediately the atmosphere changed. The water in the air and mist quickly transformed into identical swords, piercing through the revealed Razor Mane.
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“Kraa…” With a weak cry the Razor Mane disintegrated leaving only its Animatter behind.
“AND THERE IT IS A WHOLE NEW RECORD BY ONLY BY A 16TH OF A SECOND!”
“Yeaaaahhh!!!” The crowd cheered as an announcement chimed indicating a new Record has been updated.
1. 00:23;56 - Nox *New*
2. 00:24;12 - Michael
3. 00:36;18 - Aaron
4. 00:39;23 - Klaus
5. 00:43;11 - Hazel *New*
6. 00:44;43 - Zephyr
7. 00:49;05 - Elliot
8. 00:57;24 - Charlotte
9. 01:01;03 - Reynold
10. 01:04;47 - Sullivan
The record was a huge deal. It was a real test of technology, intelligence, pathing ability, positioning, stamina, and skill. After all, even with relics and advanced weaponry no one has ever defeated the records of the Benedict Family, Aaron the pioneer of Photon Rifles, let alone Michael who far surpassed him with both melee and long range expertises. And now with Michael missing in action, the emergence of Nox was a first.
That was why Nox’s record came as a huge surprise. Someone who was outside the Benedict Family surpassed the records. Although he was trained under Michael himself. Nox proved he was capable of replicating his master's skills and skillfully using it in battle.
All around the sounds of joy and cheering could be heard celebrating the birth of a new Legend.
***
I clenched my hands as I saw the scoreboard change.
“This isn’t how it was supposed to go…” I mumbled as I gritted my teeth.
“Hey…you okay Lucius? You don’t look so well”
Voicing her concern, a childhood friend named Hazel, held my hand and tried to comfort me.
“It’s fine, I'm fine!” I shrugged her aside and pulled my hand away.
It was about my turn to challenge the records. While others had already done so last year, this year was my first time participating.
“Lucius, I know you're upset! But if you aren’t ready you can try it again next year…so don’t push yourself okay!”
“Stop it already, I'm old enough to make my own decisions!” I angrily retorted back and got up.
“Lucius…I-”
The door towards the «Resting Bay» opened with the sound of air compressing as it slid open.
Walking in, multiple people entered the room with Nox in front.
“Woaahh! Congratulations Nox!”
“Amazing! Please give me some pointers senior!”
“Hey, teach me how to wield a sword like that!”
The sounds of multiple footsteps grew nearer and the crowd that were clamoring over Nox suddenly came to a halt.
“Hey Hazel! Here you are! I haven’t been able to congratulate you on ranking 5th in the records”
Nox extended his hand, wanting to pat Hazel on her shoulder.
“Ah, yeah. No big deal! Not as great as the new record holder right? Congratulations Nox” Hazel responded indifferently while evading Nox’s attempt to touch her.
“Haha, I guess so, but this was all of course due to Michael’s teaching and the relic he passed on to me” Nox proudly responded while purposely showing off Frost Edge in front of me.
The spectators were amazed and commented “Even with how great his achievement is, Nox is so humble!” and “He even respects other people's effort and gives proper credit” could be heard.
Nox raised his hand and told the crowd he wanted some time alone. The crowd looking a bit disappointed reluctantly agreed.
“Sorry guys, we’ll talk more later okay!” Nox replied as he watched the crowd leave the room.
Hazel got up and approached Nox, whispering in his ear.
“Anyway, Nox, can you help me talk Lucius out of this? I’m afraid he might hurt himself out there alone” Hazel said in a low voice as she cautiously looked over in my direction.
Seeing as the crowd had left, I quickly checked my terminal. Ignoring the two.
-Infinity Zone’s reset timer 09:10;14-
“I guess I still have some time to calibrate my weapons.” I mumbled as I turned myself towards the door.
“Well if you do me a favor i might just do it” Nox replied as he tilted his body closer to Hazel.
“Tsk, never mind then i asked the wrong person” Hazel replied while averting her face from Nox
She then tried to push him aside, but Nox grasped her hand and pulled her into his embrace with his other hand.
“HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING! LET ME-”
Angered, Hazel tried to resist but the gap in their strength meant her struggle was fruitless.
I quickly looked back, startled by Hazel raising her voice.
“Oh right…Lucius! As a friendly reminder, I really hope you could think twice before attempting the record~ We wouldn’t want you to be hurt now would we?”
What friendly reminder? That tone and your face says for itself you bastard! I thought to myself.
“If you guys wanna flirt, can’t you wait till i leave?” I said, slightly raising my voice while pacing myself towards the exit.
“LET GO!” Hazel angrily stomped on Nox’s foot. After which he then released his grip on her.
“Okay, okay! Chill princess, no need for violence it was just a joke!”
Nox raised his hands up and smiled jokingly. He then took a step back and proceeded to tease Hazel.
“Thanks for the treat~!”
“Y-you! I’ll deal with you later!” her face flushed red in anger and embarrassment as she backed away.
I looked back in disgust and saw the mocking look on Nox’s face.
Not wanting anymore to deal with them, I quickly left the room and headed towards the «Intrusion Point» with Hazel chasing after me.
“Wait Lucius! Wait up!”
***