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Chapter 317: Stubbornness and Pride
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Like a dog whisking off water after a dip in a pond was Elementis–Labrador’s actions.
Because of its size and speed of movement, Siva was almost brushed off as he sustained a few moderate injuries.
He crashed into a patch of forest and then made a ditch because of the heaviness of his armors.
The puppets were in tatters but still physically in a tight condition nevertheless. They only lost their formation and flew in many different directions.
Since the [Generator] can only support them in a 100m radius from Siva, aside from determining their locations with labels of distance on his vision, he can’t control the puppets to come back to his direction if he can’t reach them on that 100m distance.
“Shit. I really need to create separate [Generators] to better utilize the [Orbiter Control] to the Black Master Armament.”
“Regrettably, you’ve only cracked that secret the moment you unlocked NanoFocus.”
“Yep.”
The [Generator] is the power source and as well as the core of the Black Master Armament.
Siva’s [Orbiter Bracelet] allows him to control the Black Master Armament and as well as any and all Black Ironwood Alloy-made equipment items that operates on the same frequency as the Orbiter Bracelet, remotely, within a 5km-wide circle around the [Orbiter Bracelet] —given that they can power themselves using [Generator].
The BMA has the [Generator] as a power source and it can control any Black Ironwood Alloy-made equipment items around a 100m circle.
Regretfully, Siva only have one item with the [Generator] function that’s why he said that this current «Black Master Armament» is not his ideal final form. (A/N: he said this in chapter 59)
Meaning, if Siva wasn’t wearing the BMA right now, he can completely control it like a real puppet within a 2.5km distance by utilizing the Orbiter Bracelet’s [Communication’s Link] and the [Absolute Control] effects.
(A/N: for reference about the abilities of the Orbiter Bracelet, please re-check chapter 56)
He pulled a Red Potion and stuffed it on his lips before looking at the direction of the closest Master Puppet with a floating dash.
Comparing the speed of BMA against the Flight Armor’s maximum attainable speed… the latter’s maximum speed output was just 20% of what the BMA could do.
The BMA was a magnificent machine on its own and its full potential is yet to be seen…
…and yet, Siva couldn’t help wishing that if he is only given more time and chances, he could have at least taken another step forward and complete one more part, or two, to complete the Black Master Armament.
“The creation of Black Master Armament needs 500,000 NanoCubes because of NanoFocus, and in order to use [Absolute Domain], I needed to spend 1M NanoCubes just for it. I also spent the same amount of NanoCubes to create the rest of the Master Puppets, and another Mega Crate of Black Ironwood Alloy. Now, I only have two Mega Crates of Black Ironwood Alloy left. In my own calculations, I can perhaps create five or six standalone [Generator] items to accompany the puppets…”
While he regretted the lack of power on his part, Siva also thought of how he could strengthen the BMA in the future.
“In the end, I only need more time…”
He reached the first puppet but didn’t actually get near it. He only needed to enter its 100m mark so he could use the [Absolute Domain] to control the NanoTech inside of it.
As a result, the puppet, like a robot, woke up just like a puppet and rushed towards his direction to stand near him.
It was a speed —the maximum speed— that was surprising and shocking to Siva.
This was a travel speed that really outmatched the acceleration speed that the Flight Armor could do.
At the speed of a blink of an eye, from being 100 meters away, one of the Faceless was already at his side, standing with its cannon weapon in hand.
ROOOOOAAARRRRR!!!
Following a rumbling explosion, the dragon had already recovered from the fall earlier and was on its way to face him.
“It’s only been 10 seconds!” Siva tried to complain but he knew it was useless since with the size of the monster, from the time he was knocked off its back to the time he consumed a Red Potion, and then to the time he retrieved one of the Faceless puppets, Siva had only spent ten seconds at most and within that time, the dragon had already began to look for him.
“Shit!”
ROOOOOOAAARRRRRRRRR!!!
“Boss, that guy’s really mad at you. I’m now 100% sure of it.”
“Please, stop saying it with a bland tone!”
While Siva didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at his situation, he began to dash out of the dragon’s reach as fast as possible.
From zero to 150kph, the BMA’s speed indeed a lot faster than the Flight Armor. The difference to the two is that the BMA doesn’t consume the very expensive Firestones; it only spends one 20k worth of Stun E-Grenade every one hour.
It was a lot cheaper than a Firestone.
But no matter how fast he was, the dragon only needed a single step and a leap to outmaneuver him in an instant.
BAM!
The ground rattled and shattered, a crater with the dragon in its midst lifted the soil and the forest floor into the sky as it landed in front of Siva.
Its massive size was frightening, no matter how you see it. Just opening its mouth alone is already enough to cover Siva’s retreat in but a moment.
Adding its superior agility, size, strength, and the reach… and then adding its seemingly untiring pursuit to destroy him, Siva was actually feeling that perhaps he might die in here.
“Survival probability had dropped to 10% again.”
“Please, stop with the bland robotic tone!”
Siva yelled and then turned, dashed, and flew to the left side, dodging a descending paw that snapped the land like an exploding surface of water, sending rubbles and debris flying towards the sky.
As if a cat playing with a cornered rat, the paw changed directions and descended again and just like earlier, it sent large pieces and chunks of the land up one kilometer in the sky very easily.
—Siva now included.
“Whoaaaa….!!”
Rocks hit him and battered his body. He was in a great amount of pain as he did his best to resist and balance himself in midair and step on the rocks that flew up with him.
“Such a regular action and it caused large pieces of land flying this high in the air.”
“Referencing data; it seems the dragon is in rage mode right now, boss. Meaning, all its attacks are going to be more powerful and violent from now on… be careful not to be hit.”
Siva drank another Red Potion. Deep in his heart, he really wanted to cry now.
“How much longer until the three minute mark?”
“Exactly a minute, sir.”
“Alice! Cramer! Are you guys alright?”
It has long been twenty seconds and the effects of the Pose of the King should have subsided by now.
[I’m okay!]
[God damn it! How are we going to bring it down?]
When he heard their reply, Siva didn’t waste time and checked up on Akhenaton as well.
“My Lord. The dragon is enraged. Its attacks will be powerful but at the same time, predictable. Let me deal the damage on its wound on its back.”
“Just the thing in my mind! Do your best to not get snapped in two.”
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“I will.”
Akhenaton was like a single arm’s size when he’s compared to the dragon. Although he could use a multitude of techniques and arrays of forms with his spear to attack the dragon, since he was big, the dragon was keeping 50% of its attention on him to prevent Akhenaton from dealing a decisive blow; while the other 50% of its attention was split into searching for his target and guarding against the attacks of the little flies.
It was a large creature with obvious destructive capabilities. If not for Akhenaton, Siva would have long since been squashed like a bug, regardless of how fast the BMA’s acceleration rate is.
Besides, there were also the limits of his physical body; where the current BMA may be faster than the Flight Armor, Siva’s current status wasn’t strong enough to use that speed.
In the end, he did indeed more time to get stronger… which he doesn’t have.
“Calm down sir, getting angry at this fact wouldn’t solve your current problem. And even considering your strength at the moment is already enough to put at the highest pedestal against anyone in this planet…. That we know of.”
—anyone.
Meaning, only against people…
He was stronger than any one person but he wasn’t as strong as he thought he is when against the real opponents that he must to fight against if he wanted to protect Baron.
“My enemies are at the level of this monster. I can defeat any normal person but against my real enemies, I am but a speck of sand… too small to even be treated as a threat.”
Siva bitterly swallowed this fact as he did his best to dodge and balance himself, darting off the flying rubbles and towards the [Smasher] who had luckily been thrown off with him as well.
“Target secured.”
“On to the next one!”
Again, he only needed to get close to the puppet for him to retrieve it.
Unlike him with his physical limits, being able to only cover 50m in one dash at best, the [Smasher] puppet traversed the 100m distance between the two of them in a blink of an eye.
Akhenaton made a slash towards the dragon’s left side but the dragon’s muscular left leg (or arm) parried his strike with enough force to drive the golden idol staggering backwards.
Cortana noticed Siva’s side thoughts and said to console her master, “Being incomplete is indeed a pain in the butt.”
Siva’s thoughts were kindled, “Even I have no idea how I can make him recover his former strength. Unlike Gabriel, Akhenaton was a real fighter and his strength as a complete Immortal should be stronger than Gabriel. It’s such a shame that on times when I needed strength, I am always slammed against the wall made up of time.”
Cortana chose not to reply against it since she’s aware of Siva’s thoughts and so concluded that she doesn’t have to put more salt to his wound.
From beginning to end, Siva lacked time the most.
If he had more time, he could train himself and gain more permanent stat boosts with them; he could also develop the ultimate form he wanted with the Black Master Armament; he can train with magic craft and learn how to embed magic to the BMA; and if he could have more of that time, he could also get more materials and strengthen the weapons that should come along with the BMA.
“Target secured.”
“Next!”
“Sir, dodge to the right.”
SWOOSH!!
Despite having its hands full with Akhenaton, the dragon was still able to conjure enough attention to attack Siva directly.
“I’m reading its behavioral pattern sir and I could conclude with 100% certainty that its target is not anyone else but you alone.”
“I’m also having that feeing!” He replied with full sarcasm and mockery to his current predicament.
BAM!!
Dodging the attack and the wind pressure that along came with it, Siva was still slammed to the ground and was thankful it wasn’t the full brunt of that attack.
He took another Red Potion and consumed it then eyed the dragon that shoved the land with the same arm it used to slam him to the ground.
Like brushing the surface of water, large pieces of land were tossed upwards and the lush-green forest just outside the southern quadrant of the city was once again levelled, expanding the area where the Godking, Sword Immortal Alexander, once flattened with his will alone.
Thinking about it now, Siva realized that from then until now, facing this dragon that equaled a Chaos God —an entirely different level of existence than him, getting away unscathed might have all been due to luck.
“I hate it.”
From before until now, Siva had only relied on his own strength to defy the odds that’s against him.
“Luck isn’t part of my strength and I can’t rely on a strength I can’t control to save myself and Baron!”
He spat the empty vial of Red Potion and turned to fleeing at the fastest speed he can control.
Another loud explosion rung just a few hundred meters behind him and he realized that if he had been slower, he would have totally been crushed along with those flying debris!
“Whoaaaaa…..” the shockwave reached him and he was once again tossed along the flying debris and rubbles that dwarfed a 3-story building.
In between his panic were the awe-striking roar of the dragon and the trampling of the ground as it prepared to finish him with its giant maw.
“Akhenaton!” Siva shouted with all his might.
He was badly tattered and he needed five more seconds before he could use another Red Potion because of the cooldown.
“Boss, I’m beginning to think that this cooldown thing is plotting against you.”
“You think?!!”
As sarcastic her joke was, he could only sadly accept the conditions set upon on this game. As free the players are to exploit everything that’s within the reach of their fingers, this [cooldown] thing was set in place to promote strategy building and tactical planning to give chance to players who excel on those areas.
Well, after all, a game where only muscles matter wouldn’t be called a game for the rest who only had their brains.
BANG!!!
A mighty explosion rocked the dragon as the full weight of a golden idol came knocking tis dragon face with a full-bodied cannonball.
It was a ridiculous sight to see a fearsome image such as Akhenaton to actually use such crude way to attack the dragon but in all respect, it was very effective for the dragon not only failed to block it but it actually made a hit straight to the face.
As a result, the dragon staggered because of the opening Akhenaton had exploited.
It saw an opportunity to finish off its target, so it let down its guard and decided to rush in for the kill. Like Cortana said, this dragon really wants to kill him.
“Who sent you here?!!”
Cramer was down. FlowerLord was down. There are so many people around him… why is this giant creature so fixated at hunting only him?
He cried on that question as he saw Akhenaton reach out a hand at him and flew off in a different direction at his fastest speed.
“Cortana!” Siva yelled and following this was the girl’s voice replying in an urgent tone.
“I’m on it!”
CLANK!CLANK!CLANK!
A series of clanking noises rung around him and Siva felt his body become lighter as the BMA that he’s been wearing until now detached itself from him.
The last part to detach was the left glove but before it did so, Siva clenched his hand on one Stun E-Grenade and let the [core] of the BMA on the back of his left hand absorb the energy.
After that, he let the glove go and completed what seemed to be a genuine puppet operating without a string… him.
“Don’t get off the grid!”
“I’m on it!”
Cortana didn’t waste time as he let the faceless and the [Smasher] out of Akhenaton’s embrace and went out to secure the other master puppets.
“Akhenaton, don’t go too far. I need to recover my puppets! I can’t leave them here!”
Of course, Akhenaton wasn’t aware of Cortana yet as her existence was only known to Siva. He didn’t have to tell Cortana her plans because she knew exactly what he wanted and according to this reasoning, she will adjust her “output” and try to fulfill his ‘wants’ using whatever means she can use to her disposal.
[My Lord… it is dangerous… this True Dragon is stronger than me and I was only able to hit it that one time because it was focusing its attention on you.]
Akhenaton’s reply didn’t come from the golden but directly from his mind.
When in [Freedom] mode, Akhenaton was granted all his Immortal Abilities back to him… or at least, whatever it was that was still available for him to use with his current condition.
[Removing your armor, My Lord… this is too risky and will compromise your defense!]
“I know!” Siva drudgingly clenched his fists. “But I can’t leave them here. They’re my weapons… my only chance at fighting against everything else that’s stopping me to save Baron… Cortana!”
“Five more minutes…!!’
“Tsk… it’s too long. What about the marshal and the Miranda fleet’s attacks?”
“Recalculating… two more minutes at most, sir…!”
The situation was getting bad at the moment and Siva was armorless by his own wishing which just makes everything more complicated.
“Another smashing attack, sir.”
“Incoming!” When Siva yelled, Akhenaton dashed in the air tried to dodge a swooping tail whip that covered their entire skies.
Akhenaton dodged it to the side but the crushing force of the wind pressure rendered the dodge a bit crumpled, the dragon’s left wing slamming the golden and Siva straight to the ground.
The brutal attack swooped them crashing slanting to the ground, a long and large ditch levelling the forest floor where Akhenaton crashed and tumbled.
GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA….!!!
A victorious cry came from the dragon and once again launched an assault to where it felt Siva was with the help of its draconic abilities.
The land quaked and rattled, the second battle between the giants happening in Alexandria shook all and every soul currently in the city.
The dragon smashed its massive arm at the fallen golden idol whose arms protected the important package he clutched on his chest. Then, like a cat playing with its mice, the large arms of the dragon played with the balled Akhenaton, left and right, until finally it used its tail to swipe him off his feet and throw him off again.
Akhenaton landed at a familiar desolated part in the southern quadrant of the city. The long trench his fall had made marked another sight in the area.
It was brutal display between their differences.
Unable to hold the momentum, rolling on his fifth cycle, Akhenaton’s left arm who received the ruthless stomp earlier snapped off and flew in the air along with Siva who tugged two Red Potions on his mouth, wishing that the pain and damage on his body would be lessened with it.
[My Lord!]
Just when Akhenaton tried to jump and reach for Siva, whistling sounds came to their ears.
Four translucently bluish white spikes flew from its swung tail and impaled the golden idol to the ground in an unsightly manner; two on his body and two on his legs… followed by a loud howl as if the dragon was announcing its successful revenge on the earlier cannonball.
“Akhenaton!”
[I am alright, My Lord.]
Of course, because what had been damaged was only his mobile prison; there were no signs of Akhenaton being injured when he spoke directly to his ears.
[Run! Go back to the Fortress, I will activate the barrier!]
“I can’t do that. I’m not yet finished recovering my weapons!”
[But My Lord…]
“Don’t worry I have a plan! Throw me towards that dragon…!!”
[That’s suicide!]
“Just do it!”
Having said that, Siva clenched his hand to the item he’s been holding on for a while now.
His left hand on the item, on his right hand the axe who now weighed more on his arm because of the lack of help from the BMA.
Akhenaton caught the free falling Siva in midair while he was still pinned down to the ground and with its still useful arm, then, made a throwing motion towards the dragon.
[I hope you know what you’re doing, My Lord.]
“Trust me. GO!!!”
[Haaaah!]
Like a pitcher in the Major League, the one armed Akhenaton threw Siva towards the dragon with all his might.
BOOM!!!
“SHIIIIIIIIT…!!! I really underestimated this…”
Too late for regrets, Siva was thrown towards the large creature at an agonizing speed of 500kph.
He felt his body beginning to break at the weight that fell on his body. But thanks to that speed as well, the dragon was surprised and was too late to react.
Akhenaton’s throw aimed at the dragon’s head that was only a kilometer away from him.
The dragon could only open its mouth to receive its designated target, as its primal instincts went.
“Eat this!”
A 200m-large carnivorous cave welcomed Siva as he stored the item in his hand on his inventory and then pointed his palm on that throat of savage darkness to release the item with its full effects.
.
.
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Another desperate gamble…
What was Siva thinking?!!
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