Chapter 289: The Duel and the Notification
[ Gene Weapon: War Lance ]
[ Grade: Mid ]
[ Type: Piercing Lance ]
[ Effects: +30% Piercing Damage. Attacks ignore 20% of target’s defense. Effective against armored and shielded targets. ]
[ Secondary Effect: Perfect Thrust - repeated strikes on the same point increase penetration chance. After three consecutive hits on the same spot, the next thrust guarantees armor break. Cooldown: 1 second.
Activation Cost: 15 Spirit Energy per activation ]
[ Durability: 100/100 ]
The War Lance glowed into existence...
Everyone, including the ones on the ramparts watching the battle, saw how the lance appeared as if it were summoned out of nowhere.
The weapon was dark, and it seemed quite fragile because of how glossy it was.
However, since they knew that it was a Gene Weapon, they could only imagine its limitations.
Soon, the crowd around gasped as Kai pointed his weapon at his opponent.
Atom’s optics flared, shifting from calm blue to a sharp crimson glow.
This time, it wasn’t a temporary alarm. It was at this point that the Sentinel’s stance changed instantly. It seemed as if it was no longer hesitating!
Kai smirked. "So you recognize the War Lance, huh? Good. Let’s see how you handle this."
He then charged forward with the Titan Step, propelling himself with a burst of speed.
Whoosh~’
His body endured all this as he phased past Atom’s guard!
Then, his War Lance thrust forward!
[ Gene Weapon Skill Activated: Perfect Thrust ]
The lance struck Atom’s chest, piercing through its Adaptive Shield.
Sparks erupted as the weapon drilled into the same point repeatedly, each thrust faster than the last.
The third strike shattered the shield at that spot while the fourth drove deep into the alloy frame!
"Break!" Kai shouted...
Atom staggered back, but its armor held!
Nonetheless, seeing how Atom was struggling, the crowd erupted in cheers, stunned that Kai had managed to pierce the Sentinel’s defenses.
But Atom wasn’t finished.
Its self‑repair protocols engaged... It felt as if it were some kind of nanotech circuits glowing as the damage sealed.
"Wow! Good job, Atom! Let’s see its limit then!" Kai shouted. He was truly impressed by Atom’s regeneration!
Nonetheless, the fight wasn’t over yet.
The Sentinel’s blade extended fully as well.
Whoosh~
It swung in a vertical slash, forcing Kai to retreat.
Kai then activated his Spirit Dominion!
"Stay!"
Soon, chains burst forth to intercept the strike.
They lashed around Atom’s blade arm, pulling it tight!
At the same time, a shockwave erupted to disrupt its balance.
Atom faltered for a moment as its systems were rattled once more.
"Come on!"
Kai pressed forward with his Titan Step, propelling him into a flanking position.
He thrust the War Lance again, aiming for the same weak point...
Bam!
The weapon drilled forward, piercing deeper...
Once again, Atom triggered the Overdrive Mode!
Soon, a mysterious energy was pulsing violently inside Atom!
The chains snapped apart just like what happened before, and soon, the Sentinel’s movements accelerated beyond normal limits.
Kai’s instincts screamed.
Slayer’s Flow sharpened his awareness, warning him of the incoming counter from Atom.
He then moved to his left, narrowly avoiding the blade that carved a deep scar into the ground.
"Damn... you’re really going all out now," Kai muttered, sweat dripping down his brow...
"But that’s what I wanted..."
Atom advanced relentlessly, with its blade trying to reach him repeatedly.
However, Kai blocked with the War Lance!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flying as steel clashed against spirit‑reinforced alloy. Each impact rattled his arms, forcing him back step by step.
However, Kai was able to endure it!
"Alright... I still have half my Spirit Points... One more try, I guess." Kai muttered.
Just like that, he activated Spirit Dominion once more.
Chains erupted from the ground, lashing around Atom’s legs...
It was the same tactic but this time, he thrust the War Lance in perfect sequence, drilling into the same point again...
Thud!
The crowd gasped...
Just like before, Atom’s systems surged, repairing the damage instantly.
However, during the repair, Kai had noticed how Atom had actually slowed down a lot!
It was a perfect opportunity for him!
The Sentinel’s crimson optics dimmed slightly, as if recalibrating...
’Got you...’
Kai used his Titan Step and arrived behind Atom!
However, instead of striking the Sentinel, he lowered his weapon and breathed heavily. His Spirit reserves were down by 60%!
***
Since the A.I. Apocalypse was still here, Kai didn’t dare to exhaust his Spirit Energy.
He has to be prepared to fight in case the A.I. Army suddenly attacks.
"Alright... that’s enough. I’ve seen what I needed."
Atom froze, and soon, its blade retracted slowly.
Kai exhaled, slowing his breath. He glanced up at the ramparts, where the crowd murmured in awe.
"No winner today. Just progress!" Kai shouted.
Kai didn’t linger after the spar.
Once Atom’s blade retracted and the crowd dispersed, he knew his next priority... ensuring every shelter under his care had enough Survivor Medals to compete in the upcoming Auction.
He traveled first to Freedom Shelter, where survivors greeted him with relief.
Kai organized exchanges, helping them convert excess resources into medals through the Gene Trader’s system.
He reminded them to be careful...
Next was Haven‑28, where morale was lower. It seemed that they had been attacked by some Sentinels while he was away. Thankfully, X-06 and other modified Sentinels were here.
Kai personally oversaw the conversion of scavenged equipment into medals, even giving some more of his own reserves to boost their numbers.
Finally, he returned to New Haven‑45, his strongest base. The survivors there had already stockpiled medals thanks to his earlier strategies, but Kai reinforced their confidence.
"We’ll enter the Auction prepared. No one here will be left behind."
By the time he finished his rounds, the Global System Notification appeared.
[ Global Event Reminder ]
[ Special Operation: Black Market Auction ]
[ Time Remaining: 3 Hours ]
[ Duration: 2 Days ]
[ Instruction: Survivors who have obtained Auction Tokens will soon be transported. ]
[ Note: All qualified Survivors will disappear from this world and enter a separate realm prepared by the Gene Traders. Only those with tokens may enter. ]
