"You are that 4th one."
A voice came out of the Metagen which came from the north. It has a dark blood-red color and a crown on top of its head, almost identical to the Metagen piloted by Sovereign Princess Elise.
It was called the Fireblood Sovereign. According to the database, his awakened ability involved both fire and blood. Quite obvious, isn't it?
"Yes. That's me, Enthroned Prince Julian. Isn't it rude to talk when you're inside that? Unlike you, I don't have an Ultimate Metagen yet. It's still in the works, you see."
"Aren't you quite bold? Do you think by reaching Transcendence you're already the same as us? We're already at this level for more than 20 years!"
This time the voice came from the Metagen which came from the northwest. It's a towering black Metagen which has white spikes on its back, it could be stretched outwards which would make it look like a wing made of bones or pulled into its arm and body to make it look like giant tusks attached to it.
The Ultimate Metagen was called the Majestic Mammoth. The Imperial Guardian's awakened ability involved superhuman strength. It sounds pretty weak but it was supplemented by his specialized Metagen that could accommodate his ability and make it even on par with the blood and fire ability of the Enthroned Prince. Normally, he could be on par with Nysia but with his limited capabilities and the addition of Orb of Reinforcement in Nysia's arsenal, his strength falls short.
"Not really, Imperial Guardian Liam. However, I'm confident I can leave this place unscathed. For your insecurities which endangered this world, I can only shake my head. Don't worry, I'll straighten you all up soon. Ah. Of course, with Nysia's help."
"Such arrogance! Do you think you know everything?!"
"I don't. Will you tell me everything? Why work together with the enemies of the world? I can understand the Dark World since they are your supply of Level 2 Source Energy but what about the Anzeans. What's the deal with them?"
"It wasn't--"
"Liam. Don't talk too much. This kid is quite interesting. It's been a while since we had someone new. The others die on their Trial after all."
Before he could provide me with information, the Enthroned Prince stopped him. However, from those two words he managed to say, it sounds like it wasn't them who had a deal with the Anzeans. Is it that Emperor?
"Or you had them killed before they could finish their Trials. That's quite a brilliant method to keep you in power, I must say."
Since he interrupted the Imperial Guardian, I turned to face him. The Imperial Guardian is an old man. Even after being a Transcendent, his appearance didn't change to make him look younger. And being an old man, he's easier to rile up than this Enthroned Prince.
He's maybe a bit cunning and cold but he's crazy over his wife. There was a case where he killed a subordinate because that subordinate tried to gain the favor of the Sovereign Princess, in a political way.
He sent her to the League because he believed that he had a firm grasp on her but in the end, Elise chose to stay and fight against him. Maybe his wife grew some grievances against him when he offered her Order of the Light's Cradle to become the front of their Order of the Dark Host.
"Maybe? However, if you think you can leave easily, you should spread your senses out and see. Without a Metagen, do you think you can outrun us?"
"I see. So you're set on killing me here?"
A few kilometres around me they created a net consisting of Metagens and aircrafts. Maybe the Darkgens and Anzeans were also waiting at somewhere hidden. This could be said to be a Transcendent battlefield, they'll just be collateral damage if they join in.
"Not really. You're that woman's… man. I'd like to see how she would react if I burn your blood in front of her."
So that's how he wanted to play. Dragging Nysia into the equation, eh? Well, he didn't know that I am protective of my Companions. Let's have him taste something worse
Now I have this urge to drag him out of that Metagen and kill him before he became a huge pain later.
"Are you that petty because your wife left you? Don't worry. If I managed to kill you, I'll be sure to take care of her. Maybe leave a descendant to take up your throne and continue the lineage. Of course, it wouldn't be your descendant."
"You…!"
His wife really is this Enthroned Prince's weak spot. I guess he's just that crazy over her. The rage in his voice couldn't be hidden and I could feel the surrounding Meta Energy stirred due to his control.
"Ah. Don't cough out blood inside there. You're not in that kind of novel. Maybe even if I failed to kill you, I'll continue with that plan. It will only be a matter of time for you to die anyway. That way you'll taste more humiliation than if you die. At least you'll know where she is and who she is with."
"Arrogant brat! Curb that tongue of yours!"
Ah. To think that words can be this effective.
The Fireblood Sovereign zoomed in to my position with a blood-red lance on its hand. It then became something like a red meteor rushing in to end me.
"Nysia, I believe the news already reached you. Don't move from there and wait for me"
Before he arrived, I opened the Interdimensional Communication and contacted Nysia. Because she's connected to me, she already received the notification about my Transcendence. There's no way she wouldn't be privy of the news about two Mythic-ranks moving to this place. I had to stop her before she decided to rush over here again. It's already different than before. I'm not a lamb on the chopping board this time.
"Idiot Daisuke!. Use that Orb of Concealment already and leave that place. If not I'll really rush there."
"Believe in me this time. I'll come home and marry you, alright? The Emperor hasn't moved so standby there."
"I couldn't change your mind…"
"The Enthroned Prince wanted to humiliate you by capturing me so... I decided to return the favor to him. Watch me, Nysia."
After saying that, I stood ready for the incoming Ultimate Metagen. Nysia on the other side caught sight of what's in front of me and saw the red streak of the incoming Enthroned Prince. She gasped in surprise but she didn't say anything.
For me who had no Metagen to use to face someone piloting an Ultimate Metagen, I probably looked crazy to her.
Energy Amplification!
Domain of Valor!
Bulwark of Invulnerability!
Bedevilled Outburst!
And lastly… Phantasmic Doppelganger!
Leaving the Energy Incarnate Transformation and the Orbs as some sort of trump card, I used all four Halo Skills. No matter what, I'm already prepared to run away if things don't go well on my end.
[Energy Amplification has been activated]
[Energy Burn has started.]
[Burn Rate: 20 units of Flux Energy/second]
[Gained 20% increase in all abilities, skills and energy effectiveness]
[Will expire upon Energy Depletion or deactivating Energy Amplification]
-
[Domain of Valor has been opened]
[Used 80 units of Flux Energy to activate]
[Gained 39.9 Strength, 39.9 Endurance, 3 Intelligence]
[Gained 24% Speed Enhancement]
[Maintenance Cost: 16 units of Flux Energy/second]
[Will expire upon deactivation]
-
[Bulwark of Invulnerability has been opened]
[Used 80 units of Flux Energy to activate]
[Gained Quintuple Layer of Energy Shields]
[Gained 36% Defense Enhancement]
[Maintenance Cost: 16 units of Flux Energy/second]
[Will expire upon deactivation]
-
[Bedevilled Outburst has been activated]
[Used 80 units of Flux Energy/second]
[Maintenance Cost: 8 units of Flux Energy/second]
[Will expire upon deactivation]
-
[Universal Rank : Rank 1 Transcendent
Strength: 110.8 (207.5)
Endurance: 110.7 (206.8)
Intelligence: 12.5 (18.8)
UPL: 210.84]
-
Due to the Energy Amplification, the cost decreased and the effects increased. But still, it's a lot heavier with the addition of Bulwark of Invulnerability and Bedevilled Outburst
However, upon seeing my updated stats, with the addition of the buff from the Domain of Valor, it's almost double of my Power Level before reaching Transcendence!
Along with the four clones, I met the red meteor head-on.
All four of my clones were getting 100% effect of my buffs so they're more useful than normal. With Quintuple Energy Shields covering them, they all lined up in front.
Boom! Crack! Boom!
When that red streak hit my first clone, it slowed down due to the shields and the explosions made from Bedevilled Outburst!
1st clone penetrated.
2nd clone destroyed.
3rd clone damaged.
The power the Enthroned Prince accumulated was used up by the time he reached the 3rd clone.
Using that as an opportunity, I molded projectiles of Energy Explosions and instantly bombarded his Ultimate Metagen.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The same as me, the surviving two clones did the same, though their Energy Explosions dealt smaller damage than mine, it was still an additional damage.
"What the hell…"
From afar, I could hear the gasping voice of the Imperial Guardian as he cursed while watching this scene unfold in front of his eyes.
30 seconds later the Fireblood Sovereign hurriedly fell back, with smoke made from the explosion covering its visage.
"What? Is that all your rage can do?"
I smirked as I watched the smoke subside and saw the damage my Energy Explosions dealt to that blood-red Ultimate Metagen.
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