A vast rumbling followed a dust cloud. The ground shook in a rhythmic beat as a powerful figure moved. Despite it being alone, deep in monster territory, it ran unopposed even with all the chaos it created. Any monster foolish enough to try had already died.
They all felt the change in the air. The Red Swarm which terrorized the local wildlife suddenly disappeared. But monsters knew. A powerful predator, especially an Ant colony, doesn't just die.
Its disappearance ant sothing worse had been born.
Sothing that could destroy even a monster Ant colony. And it was coming.
***
"Elian, just say you're lost already. You said your school only took 4 hours to get to the dungeon, we've been running for days now. You're obviously going in the wrong direction. Again! What is it with n and asking for directions?"
Bianca flew beside Elian as she lied on her back. Although neither of them needed sleep, food or shelter, being on the move non-stop was boring.
"Not helping, Bianca. It's not like you are any better. Sad that even with all the power in the world you still suck at directions. Just how did you even manage to know where to go when you were on the run."
The woman pouted as she retorted in anger.
"Being directionally challenged is a trait shared by those with an IQ over 140. I used the tried and tested Kinetic Orientation thod used by the first explorers."
Elian, still running, kept an eye out for danger.
"Who gives a crap if you're smart, if you can't even read a map! And you call yourself a breaker? I never heard of the Kinetic Orientation thod, you just made that up, didn't you?"
Following Bianca's confession, the distance between the two shrunk greatly.
And both of them welcod it. Like ice thawing, Bianca beca a bit more honest about her feelings and wants. Often rebuking or insulting the boy in an attempt to hide her embarrassnt. Elian retaliated by teasing her more and more.
"How insolent! Of course not! It's a well-docunted thod known for its potential and ease of use!"
"Oh really? Then how does one choose a direction with the Kinetic Orientation thod?" Elian asked in a smug tone.
"T-That..."
"What? Cat got your tongue?"
Bianca began to twiddle her fingers as she deliberated. A whisper ca from the divine beauty, a second later. "S-Stick..."
"What? A stick? How in the world..."
"You place a stick upright a-and let it fall. You follow the direction it leans towards."
"..."
"..."
"That has got to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard. As expected of a sheltered rich lady."
"Mou! Shut up! It works! Just go East! I detect people there!"
Elian had also learned Bianca hated appearing ignorant. She often uses conjecture and logic to co up with answers. The woman would even twist truths just to make her statents seem more believable.
"Yes, yes, my lady. Heading east. This is just like with the penguins. Who would have thought that there was soone that believed that they could fly and ate ice for breakfast, lunch and dinner."
"I TOLD YOU TO FORGET ABOUT THAT ALREADY!"
The ground Elian stepped on suddenly froze causing him to slip and fall. Elian unable to stop his montum rolled along the ground for a good five minutes before he crashed.
"Ow."
"Hmph! Serves you right! Penguins are loyal creatures. Monogamous and protective of their family. They endure the cold without complaint. I just thought we matched."
Used to Bianca's adorable outbursts, Elian brushed the dust off as he picked himself up.
"They're goofy as hell, make the dad do all the work, and waddle around 40% fat."
The Witch of the Frozen Night clicked her tongue at Elian's comnt, she was about to continue the debate when she suddenly snapped her gaze in a separate direction. In an instant her deanor lost all warmth and turned sharp as a knife.
"Elian," Bianca said in a frigid tone.
"I know. Eleven humans under attack, right?"
"Yes, they will die if no one intervenes," Bianca said with finality.
"So? We saving them? Or looting their corpses?"
"What do you prefer?"
"Hmm. Since both of us suck at directions, let's just save them. My mom always said one helping hand deserves another. Let's have them lead us to the next city," Elian suggested as he shrugged.
"Okay. But try to not stand out, okay? Just fight with your sword. I will also turn invisible and only speak to you," Bianca instructed. "If they ask, you already morized the story we made right?"
"Yeah, I was a runaway orphan who grew up as a rcenary and found this cursed suit of armor by chance. I will use sand or borrow a phone to communicate. I will just bla it all on the armor."
"Good. If it's a girl..."Bianca then clamped up and looked away.
"What? What do I do if it's a girl?"
"Nothing. Just go."
Elian dropped low and removed the sword from his back as he ran, angling it for a running slash. His black cape turned solid and created large cones behind his shoulders and back. Clicking and turning gears all began resounding as if a machine ca alive.
"Bianca."
"Hmph, I still think using my power like this is insane."
"Please? You know that you are the only one I can ask. Just think of it as our unique superpower."
"Tsk! You and your glib tongue."
Parts of Elian's armor opened exposing glowing ore pooling into compartnts. The funnels were all positioned in front of the compartnts as if they expected sothing.
"Here I go."
At that mont, a death rendering frost ca upon the compartnts. Bianca's cold clashed with molten ore and began to create an intense, devastating chemical reaction. The compartnts abruptly closed and latched onto the funnels.
"Bleugh!" He vomited. "Ugh, this is rough."
"I told you to give up on this idea. Stabilizing it is impossible."
Inside the molten ore and ice fought each other for supremacy. Then the powerful force ca.
Elian smiled and gripped his sword tighter. "Not a chance. Thermodynamic Boosters..."
Elian's back exploded violently, however he directed all the force to the funnels with created a brutal thrust. Far stronger than any detonation he created to date, the black knight was catapulted forward at unimaginable speeds.
"GOOOOO! AWW HELL YEAHHHH!"
He flew like a teor, the terrain blurring past as if ti had fast-forwarded. The wind crashed into his body like a tidal wave, but it didn't matter. His body began to heat up as his anticipation grew.
My blood and Bianca's ice is a match made in heaven!
He tore through the landscape faster with every pulse. Eventually he saw a group of specks crowding around what looked like a giant scorpion. As he grew closer, he saw the humans as they desperately fought the monster. The scorpion held a person hostage in its pincer.
Perfect! You will be my test dummy! Try not to die too quickly!
Without even an inch of hesitation, Elian angled his body to attack. He dispersed the Living tal in his greatsword and forced it to grow from just 1.5 ters to over ten. Its size beca so ridiculous it was as if Elian grabbed a colossal tree by the trunk and made it his weapon.
"Sigh..." Bianca lanted beside him.
Then faster than anyone could even comprehend, Elian rushed the gigantic scorpion and cleaved off its two claws and stingers in one lateral slash from the right. He was already gone by the ti its limbs hit the ground, blood fountaining behind him.
GROOOOOOOO!!!!
"WHAT WAS THAT?"
"STAY ON GUARD!"
"KYA!!!!"
The monster scread in pain. Confusion and unease spread among the survivors. But Elian never cared about anyone else beside his target.
And Bianca.
He twisted the funnels on his back to redirect his weight. Elian forced his entire fra to lean to the right. The sudden reversal caused his body to creak and his insides to burn. The compartnts on his back all blew open venting smoke.
"Elian! Stop! You are going too fast!"
"Faster! Now!"
High off the battle, Elian shouted for Bianca to act. Molten ore again flooded the compartnts. Answering his call, frost far colder than before mixed in. Sealing her cold energy in, Elian's body braced for the rush.
Then the chaotic dance of ice and molten ore ca once more. Along with the powerful explosion, the black knight raised his gigantic sword overhead and slashed down as the wind shrieked in protest.
"ARGGGGHHHHH!!!!" he roared.
He tore through the beast in one clean stroke. It might have been a monster that many feared, but to Elian, it was just a big scorpion that died without so much as a scream.
Reviews
All reviews (0)