Chapter 71: Chapter 56: The Man Who Fought a Death Knight Encounters a Formidable Foe
Matthias’s Power was called Arc Manufacturing Machine.
The enemies who had died at his hands, the champion program candidates who had fallen to him—nearly everyone who had ever fought him believed his Power was an Elemental Domain, and a rare Electric Attribute at that.
He had exploited this misunderstanding to defeat powerful foes time and again, climbing step by step to his current position.
Wizard Slayer.
An Empire champion program candidate.
An absolute elite of the Death Battle Group, a member of the Ash Guard tactical squad.
The only ones who knew the true Special Ability of his Power were himself and the absolute leader of the Death Battle Group, Sedon.
Extraordinary Armament·Arc Manufacturing Machine.
From the moment he Awakened his Knight Power, it had always been hidden within the chambers of his heart.
He hadn’t paid much mind to the one thing Reinhardt had said to him, but now, the unsettling feeling of having his every action and thought seen through sent a chill down his spine!
’A Power of the same type as mine?’
A simple statement.
It was as if from that moment on, the outcome of this battle had already been decided.
When Matthias’s high-temperature plasma hand-blade struck the Morphic Armor’s defensive field, it was completely different from his fantasy of slicing off Reinhardt’s head like a hot knife through butter.
The feedback from the impact felt like plunging into a thick, viscous mire!
Under the searing heat of the high-temperature plasma, the dark purple living matter let out a piercing shriek!
’This guy—!’
In that fleeting instant, Matthias’s expression changed drastically. The Electric Cutting Blade was his ultimate Combat Technique, his trump card. Paired with the extreme mobility of his Trait·Current Surge, its destructive power during a sneak attack was immense!
Not even a Tier One Mage from the Land of Stars could withstand it!
The only risk was that this move required a close-range sneak attack. Matthias rarely played this trump card unless he was certain of a one-hit kill.
Because of his Special Ability, although the Arc Manufacturing Machine gave him extreme mobility and destructive power, his defense had always been his greatest weakness.
In this regard, he was the complete opposite of Reinhardt, whose Morphic Armor’s Special Ability was geared toward defense.
Matthias wanted to withdraw his hand-blade and put distance between himself and Reinhardt, but it was too late.
The instant he used his Trait·Current Surge to move at high speed between points of different electrical potential, Reinhardt had already turned, propelled by his high-pressure airbags.
In his line of sight, the surging currents enveloping Matthias’s body were like a cableway, carrying him away at extreme speed as he tried to escape.
Even in the faint blue glow of the electricity, Reinhardt could see Matthias’s horrified eyes, hidden beneath his Full Coverage Helmet.
But his entire trajectory was laid bare before Reinhardt’s eyes.
Fear Knight Dortmund was the strongest Official Knight Reinhardt had ever encountered, bar none. From his battle with that foe, Reinhardt had learned a great deal.
For instance, he learned how to deal with speed-type Knights like Dortmund and Matthias.
[System, upgrade the Spring-Loaded Chain Axe Handle.]
[Slaughter Points deducted: 120; Current balance: 57.]
[Spring-Loaded Chain Axe Handle: A specialized upgrade adapted for the Black Cutter. The chain fixed inside the handle allows for the quick retrieval of the Giant Axe after it has been thrown. The perfect choice for a Body Technique Knight.]
The next second, the axe handle in Reinhardt’s hand vibrated slightly. A hidden chain extended from the end of the handle, precisely fastening itself to his wrist.
’Trying to run?’
’Ruthless Iron Hand!’
The high-pressure airbags operated at full capacity.
A blast of air erupted!
Matthias felt the terrifying wind pressure as Reinhardt closed in, but while in his Current Surge state, he was completely unable to change direction before reaching the next point of potential difference!
In that instant, the overwhelming pressure from Reinhardt’s superior combat intelligence, experience, and raw power coalesced into an immense, unparalleled sense of oppression!
Cold sweat streamed down Matthias’s face, his heart pounding with absolute terror!
’A Third-class Knight from the dregs of the Empire?! No—! This guy, Reinhardt, he’s a monster!’
He had only experienced such immense pressure in battle twice in his entire life!
Not even the other champion program candidates from the Imperial Main Battle Legion had ever made him feel such fear!
Once was when he encountered a Tier Two Mage in the Land of Stars—a terrifying being that even Earth Knights and Pure-blood Dragonfolk would fear!
The other was when he foolishly challenged Battle Group Commander Sedon!
And yet, facing a low-ranking Knight who appeared to be of a mere Four-star Military Rank, the painful memories that had once filled him with terror and dread resurfaced.
’Was it because our Powers are the same type? Did he figure out I couldn’t change direction mid-movement?’
Just as he reached the point of potential difference and tried to use that brief instant to change direction and pull away, the crisp sound of a metal chain rapidly unspooling suddenly rang out.
The Giant Axe that had been in Reinhardt’s hand was now flying behind him!
Matthias noticed the chain attached to the end of the Giant Axe. In that instant, he could almost hear the mocking whisper of the Death God in his ear.
At that moment, a Black Armored Knight standing to Sedon’s left said in a low voice, "Matthias has failed. Should we intervene?"
Sedon’s expression remained grim, his voice cold and merciless.
"He’s wasted too much of our time. You and the Ash Guard go. That Lord wants him alive. This is an order."
As his voice fell, five Black Armored Knights moved as one. Just as Reinhardt’s Iron Fist was about to smash through Matthias’s chest, one of them raised his right hand. Solid Ice Crystals spread out, forming a massive Shield Tower in front of Matthias.
