Chapter 23 - Minutes to Disaster
⌠Warning:⌡ ⌠The treasure [Necronomicon Single Page [1/5] (Replica) - Rank F] has received catastrophic damage! It has become unusable for the rest of the scenario or until properly repaired.⌡
This time, a small text window from the system appeared, visible to everyone, reflecting the impact of the woman's attack from just moments ago. The sight of it made them tremble, but they didn't hesitate to react. Despite the surprise and speed, the adrenaline coursing through their bodies urged them to start running. However, while Drake hurried to help Adam get back on his feet after his electric shock, Kazue raised her voice toward the pirate captain who had saved them.
"What should we do now?!"
In response to these words, Magnus's tone filled with irritation, and he quickly replied.
"Twenty minutes. Pass the message to those in the nearby factories. I want everyone at the coast in twenty damn minutes."
"Oh? What's going to happen in twenty minutes exactly?"
The woman from the Armada interrupted with a mocking smile, already on her feet and once again brandishing her four electrified weapons while looking at Magnus in a challenging manner just to speak a little bit more.
"Well, it doesn't matter, anyway, all of you will be dead in ten."
"And what exactly will happen in ten minutes?"
“You tell me first”
The exchange of words between the woman and the pirate led nowhere but to mock each other, provoking one another to make the first move or lose their composure. Magnus, with a swift flex of his mechanical arm, made it start working and emitting large amounts of white smoke.
“Go!”
Adam was just recovering from the numbness caused by the electric shock, with Drake's shoulder as support, but he was still able to lift his gaze at the pirate’s final shout and see two skill windows that appeared right as both combatants charged at each other.
[Skill: Blastpiston Jab Lv6] [No info available]
[Skill: Quadra Surge Lv6] [No info available]
Both techniques would collide directly, creating a massive shockwave: Magnus's fist against the woman's four electrified spikes. Which would be more powerful? Unfortunately, they wouldn’t stay to find out, as everyone was already moving back toward their original direction, the factory entrance from which the woman had emerged.
Adam still couldn’t fully feel his arms, but after a few steps, he was able to stay on his own and keep pace with the rest for the remaining distance. Upon arriving, he and the others saw the interior of the factory. Similar to the first one they had visited, this one also had various assembly machinery. However, instead of a group of soldiers and workers, they found just two guards and at least seven pirates tied up and gagged with metal cables. Additionally, a small group of factory workers huddled at the back, clearly frightened.
The usual course of action might have been to follow the situation's thread and defeat the two enemies to free the captured pirates. However, unlike the soldiers they had faced before, these guards wore very different armor—much larger and more robust in appearance. Whereas the standard armor resembled medieval gear, these were more akin to astronaut suits: bulky and heavy, adorned with multiple plates and Ironclad Armada symbols, as well as helmets with green visors and oxygen tubes on the sides. This gave them a rather futuristic look, even for their setting.
"Hold it right there! In the name of the Tenth Regiment of the Ironclad Armada, you are under arrest!"
As soon as they detected the intruders, the men exclaimed, pointing at them and demanding their surrender while deploying two enormous rectangular shields from their backs, as tall as themselves and adorned with a golden lion's maw design right in the center.
Li prepared for the inevitable confrontation by making his spellbook shine, and Kazue, for some reason, had regained her smile and seemed eager to fight again. However, Adam looked worried when two new information windows appeared before his eyes, this time more detailed but no less concerning.
[Steel-Marine Captain High Armor - Rank C] ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠Available only to Ironclad Armada members of Captain rank. Its metal plates grant the passive skills [Elemental Resistance Lv3] and [Damage Reduction: Slashing Lv3], and significantly increase the user's strength and endurance.⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ ⌠Warning: It greatly reduces the user’s speed and agility.⌡ ⌠Hint: It is recommended to improve the armor design, as the neck folds are not protected.⌡
[Lion’s Pride Aegis - Rank C] ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠An imposing rectangular shield, forged from heavy steel with a golden lion’s head in its center as a mark of the 10th Regiment of the Ironclad Armada. It gives the user the skills [Cogwheel Bastion Lv3] and [Golden Hex of Sloth Lv3].⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ ⌠Warning: It greatly reduces the user’s speed and agility.⌡ ⌠Hidden: It has an artificial “Soul fragment”.⌡
“Ra-rank C equipment”
Adam murmured with a fixed gaze and wide eyes behind his glasses, words that did not go unnoticed by Li, who changed his expression to one of complete concern. Not wasting any more time, he lifted his glowing spellbook.
”[RAAJIA IGNIS]”
[Skill: Raajia Ignis Lv1] [You have seen the skill twice, data is being collected] [Low-level AOE fire magic, creates a summoning circle above the user's head and conjures a body part reflection of a [Fire Dragon Hatchling]. Depending on the spell's level, different body parts of the reflection can be utilized.] [Level 1: Head]
“No!”
The spell was cast a second time, forming a circle of fire above his head and summoning the dragon's head towards their enemies. This caused Drake to suddenly shout, realizing that the area attack would sweep through everyone present, just as it had in the previous factory. This included the pirates they were supposed to rescue, as well as the facility workers. Just because they were "characters in a story" didn't mean he could casually make them suffer or take their lives. After all, they seemed like real beings.
But he could do nothing to prevent the spell from being cast. The creature's jaws opened quickly, and taking advantage of the armored men's surprise, unleashed a powerful sea of flames that threatened to engulf the entire room. However, before that could happen, both soldiers stepped forward side by side, with their shields raised. Adam saw the eyes of the lion's head at the center of their aegis glow with a red light before another system window popped up in front of him.
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[Skill: Cogwheel Bastion Lv3] [No info available]
A sudden, intense whirring of gears filled the air as the soldiers' shields emitted a massive burst of white smoke. This smoke slammed into the wave of fire, halting it abruptly for a moment. In the blink of an eye, the entire sea of flames was extinguished without leaving a trace, never even managing to reach any of its intended targets.
"Damn it! There's nothing we can do here, we're leaving!"
Exclaimed Li, slamming his book shut and turning around. The rest of the group followed suit without hesitation, while the two armored soldiers were already in motion, powered by turbines protruding from their backs and legs. Despite their steam-driven boost, the soldiers wouldn't be able to catch up in time to prevent their escape. However, this would not be an issue for the Ironclad Armada members, seasoned warriors accustomed to battling targets much faster and more agile than themselves.
“Stop, you scum!”
One of them shouted, and Adam then saw his three companions collapse to the ground as if something very heavy had suddenly fallen on them. Not understanding what was happening, he had to stop and turn around, only to be met with another unpleasant surprise.
[Skill: Golden Hex of Sloth Lv3] [No info available]
A hex? What just happened? At first, the boy didn’t understand anything, but his confusion was interrupted by a flurry of windows that popped up in front of his eyes, one after another, without pause.
[Your speed has been greatly increased] [Your agility has been greatly increased] [Your reflexes have been greatly increased] [Your speed has been greatly increased] [Your agility has been greatly increased] [Your reflexes have been greatly increased]
“This is...”
Adam felt an extremely weird sensation in his body, feeling lighter than he had ever imagined, like being submerged but without the water’s resistance. Immediately, the attribute that came to mind was his Demi-Lich power, ‘[Malediction Reversal]’, the ability that had allowed him to survive the curse residing in his body and that could reverse the effects of curses and blessings.
“What?! How’s he not down?!”
The two soldiers had gotten quite close by then, and Adam snapped out of his thoughts when he heard one of them shout in his direction. However, as he looked at them, it was as if they were moving in slow motion. His senses were operating beyond human capability, and combined with the adrenaline rush and boosted stats, he could think much faster than usual.
Without really understanding why, Adam's body started moving on its own. He began running toward the soldiers and reached their position in what seemed like an instant to them.
“What?!”
The one closest to him tried to use his shield and free arm to grab the boy, but Adam, showcasing unreal agility, climbed up the folds of the armor until he was crouched on the soldier's helmet.
"How convenient that your helmet isn't airtight"
Adam said, shaking a small object he had pulled from his belt unnoticed, which was nothing more than one of his failed gas grenades. He activated it immediately, releasing the gas into his opponent's face.
After activation, a large amount of grayish gas began to emanate from the object, enveloping both the young man and the soldier, who tried futilely to remove his attacker from his top, but Adam effortlessly evaded every movement.
The other soldier had stayed put, observing what was happening and hesitating to intervene due to uncertainty about what was occurring behind the smoke screen. However, he remained highly alert for any sudden developments. When he spotted a figure emerging from the fog in his direction, he delivered a powerful swing with his shield, only to be surprised by the fact that he had struck the unconscious body of his partner.
“Gideon!”
The shock was considerable when he saw him lying there but without any visible signs of injury. Thus, he couldn't react to the barely perceptible speed of Adam emerging from the smoke curtain and climbing the same way he had done with the other, also holding another grenade in his hand.
“Don’t worry, he’s just asleep”
The same process was repeated as before, surrounding both with the smoke and causing the heavy armor to collapse inertly on the ground. Adam took a glance, hoping to see any notification indicating that the ‘[Sleep]’ status had taken effect, but nothing appeared except for those related to himself.
[Sleep status condition is affecting your body] [You’re immune to Sleep status condition]
Sighing with relief and noticing the effects of the curse on his body beginning to wane, he took the opportunity to approach the captured pirates and carefully untied their restraints.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Reinforcements sent by Captain Magnus. We were instructed to assist anyone we find and to tell them to head to the coast as soon as possible."
One of the captured pirates seemed wary at first, but after Adam assured them of who had sent the help, they asked no more questions and simply got up after being freed.
"Okay, then we’re leaving."
Without even thanking him or trying to help the other members of the group who were just beginning to regain their mobility, the men simply ran hastily toward the exit. Adam sighed once again and prepared to assist his companions. However, before he could approach them, a sob reached his ears.
Turning his head, he noticed that the sobs came from the group of workers in the area. They were all seated and terrified by what had happened, knowing they were at the mercy of ruthless and bloodthirsty criminals.
“Oh, don’t worry, we won’t harm you. However, I suggest you evacuate the area as soon as possible; it looks like the battle might escalate in a few minutes.”
Adam assured them, trying to be as friendly as possible with the same smile he had shown Kazue when they were locked up on the ship days ago. Whether they followed his advice or not, he turned around, finally heading to the other group member's position, but only after giving one last instruction to the civilians.
"These two are just asleep; I also suggest that you take them with you if possible."
Feeling that the boost to his physical abilities had nearly worn off, Adam moved to help the others, supporting them as they tried to get back on their feet, although their legs still seemed a bit weak.
[Your speed has returned to normal] [Your agility has returned to normal] [Your reflexes have returned to normal]
"Damn it, this is humiliating. What the hell did those guys do?"
Li was the only one visibly upset by the situation, vehemently trying to stop his legs from trembling so he could regain his composure.
"It was a hex cast using one of the abilities of their shields... Which is weird, how is it possible for a mechanical shield to have that kind of power?"
Could those shields be cursed objects or ancient technology? No, it didn’t make sense according to the information he had gathered about those things, but what was certainly troubling was the hidden description of that item, indicating it had a kind of soul fragment. Could it be similar to the 'core' used by sea monsters or the 'soul' needed by Sebastian’s mechanical bird to function? There had to be some kind of connection that I still hadn’t figured out.
"And why exactly were you not affected?!"
Adam’s thoughts were interrupted by Li’s sudden question, which was indeed valid. It reminded him that he hadn’t yet explained his condition to everyone, only having briefly mentioned it to Kazue.
“It’s… complicated. I can explain everything about it, but I don’t think this is the best place.”
“He’s right; it’s quite unusual but interesting. You should explain it later.”
The girl suddenly said, barely paying attention and taking advantage of her improving legs, to approach the soldiers resting a few meters away, especially the shield of one of them. She was eager to take it after Adam mentioned that the skill that knocked them down came from those artifacts. However, despite her efforts, she was unable to lift any of them due to their immense weight.
“Hey, help me carry at least one of these. I’m sure it will be very useful.”
“Kazue, I don’t think it’s a good idea or that we even have the time for that.”
Drake commented once he was fully back on his feet.
"How much time has passed? We should visit at least one more factory before heading back. The more occupying forces we can drive away, the fewer casualties there will be on both sides."
However, just as they were about to exit through the main entrance, a massive explosion nearby shook the entire environment, including the metal structure they were in. What had caused that? The four finally emerged, only to face the source of the sudden and violent explosions.
As they looked up at the sky, they saw a multitude of zeppelins hovering overhead, so numerous that they completely blocked out the sunlight over entire streets. From these airships descended countless soldiers from the Armada, not only those in seemingly medieval armor but also many more who could be seen landing on rooftops and nearby streets.
“Oh come on!”
Exclaimed the man in the hat, watching as soldiers in heavy armor, and even a couple of towering rustic-looking robotic suits with massive pipes emitting smoke, landed on rooftops and nearby streets. The sight was overwhelming.