Chapter 44: Tochiux Serpent 4
The roaring sound of helicopter blades filled the air. Filming the scene from inside the aircraft was a group of reporters.
{Hero’s Report News}
[We are live right outside the hero academy. Report of the return of the Tochiux Serpent! Its sudden appearance has caused destruction in the district. It’s a catastrophe, but thankfully, the Hero Phantom has once again made an appearance! Will he be able to defeat the Tochiux single-handedly? Stay tuned!}
The camera quickly shifted back to the scene.
The news was on broadcast showing as the Tochiux rapidly moved towards Nicholas.
"Ahhh!!! They went on a mission without me! How dare they?!! Now Hero’s Report is going to steal the day." Julie yelled as she saw the broadcast on screen, "I’m definitely not letting him out of my sight after this!" Her brows furrowed in annoyance.
Watching the livestream across several platforms, the comments were up again.
[Zrail: Damn! Taking on the Tochiux? Even Vixen couldn’t take that alone]
[Frying_Bird: I’m just here for some action. Who cares if he can handle it alone or not?]
[Reddog_10: Yeah bro’s definitely cooked this time]
[Thegreatestscape67: Again? Bro’s becoming my favourite hero! This is what we need! Back to back action!]
While the others on the outside seemed to take the situation lightly, within the area it was a different case altogether.
In just a second of its appearance, it already left a chunk of the area in mass destruction. That alone was enough to make them understand the severity of the problem.
But right now, they all had their eyes fixed on their saviour.
Nicholas now stood facing the hundred-foot-tall monster as it launched down at him.
{Void activated!}
Nicholas instantly felt the pressure fade, but the form of the serpent didn’t change, ’So Void can’t alter the change to its form?’ Nicholas thought as he pulled out a grenade to toss into the open maw of the serpent.
But right before he could, its eyes flashed, almost as though knowing what he intended and before he could react, the large tail whipped at him from the side.
BOOM!
The powerful force ripped through the air, causing a large cloud of smoke to rise into the air.
[DaylithNight: Sheesh.. What a way to find out the beast isn’t dumb]
[Masatoshi_K: Is he still alive?]
Everyone watched intently as the cloud of dust cleared.
But to their surprise, Nicholas stood his hands crossed over his face and had only been pushed a few meters back by the impact.
[Josh256: He took that shit head on! Crazy!]
Nicholas himself was also surprised by the strength, a force that had been able to shatter buildings but yet he was only moved by the slam with his bones intact.
He had expected an increase in strength after raising his stats, but even he didn’t expect such strength, ’How powerful would it be if I poured the remaining points into strength?’
The serpent was just about to dive back into the cloud of dust in a relentless attack, but right then, golden bands suddenly wrapped around its body, holding it in place.
In a second, black lines flashed across its massive form.
With a burst, it’s thick viscous black blood sprayed out in all directions.
[Unknown56: HOLY!]
[...: Is that who I think it is?]
[Null: Rope girl! Night Ninja!]
The camera shifted, revealing a hero dressed in a blue and red ninja outfit that seemed to be a mix of modern and old and the other a lady with a golden and black tight skin suit, and ropes extending out of her hands.
[KYL: If those two are there, the Tochiux has no chances]
Just then, the massive serpent moved its form, thrashing ruthlessly. The earth shook violently and Rope girl held her rope tightly, the force pulling on her.
"I can’t hold this thing for long! It’s too strong!"
"You don’t have to hold it back, I’m ready" Night Ninja replied back, brandishing his blades as he entered into a pose.
Just as the two were about to attack, the gaze of the serpent rested on them.
They felt the crushing pressure resting on them.
"I-i can’t move!" Rope girl managed through gritted teeth.
The serpent rolled around, tearing through the large ropes that bound it, its gaze now fixed on Night Ninja and Rope girl who had both injured it.
Its tail rose into the air like a whip and came down with immense force.
BOOM!
The earth shook, as the powerful wave spread outward.
The earth caved in, forming a small crater from the weight of the monster.
But it didn’t stop!
BOOM!
A thunderous clap echoed as the tail came whipping down a second time, venting its anger on the two.
Rope girl and Night Ninja were slammed into the ground like ants, blood flowing through all the orifices of their bodies.
[...: Goodness]
[Josh246: Spoke too soon]
[Even_gods_can_die: C’mon after such an entrance? I expected better]
The tail came crashing down a third time, but right before it did, the two bodies disappeared from the spot, spatial energy wrapping around them and in replacement a grenade appeared.
It slammed its tail into the grenade and a muffled explosion rang through the air.
"Shiieeek!!" The serpent let out a pained roar as blood leaked from the large hole in its tail.
Its eyes travelled looking for the source of the attack until it fell on Nicholas who stood calmly, with the bloodied Night Ninja and Rope Girl beside him.
Its pupils shrunk as they landed on him, pure unrestrained rage, it dashed at him full speed ahead paying no attention to the trail of blood it left behind.
Its eyes glowed as it activated its ability.
"You can only use that if I want you to" Nicholas said with a cold voice as he activated void again, "The first time I guess you could see I was testing... But now, I’m really curious what a maxed out strength stat does"
Nicholas had deactivated Void for a split second and dumped every remaining Charm Point into Strength.
And he only had one thought in mind.
✦ ݁˖Strength: 23+ 57>>> 80
[Unknown56: What’s he planning to do? The Tochiux will crush him.]
[KYL: Did the Tochiux petrify him too?]
"Shiieeek!!!" the Tochiux roar tore through the air as it closed in on him, driving it’s massive maw at him, its eyes bright with killing intent.
Nicholas planted his feet.
He didn’t dodge.
He didn’t run.
He didn’t even raise a weapon.
The livestream exploded.
[WHAT IS HE DOING?!]
[MOVE!]
[HE’S DEAD!]
[NO WAY HE’S PUNCHING IT—]
Nicholas stood fearlessly as he jerked his hands forward like a bullet.
The two clashed at the center.
And for a moment, the space went silent.
