Although the Incarnation shouted stop, it's all too late. I already absorbed that large amount of Brute Energy and incorporated it in my Pathway's progress.
It amounted to at least 1% so it's not bad.
But because it happened right in front of his eyes, the World's Will once again fumed into fury.
Using those thunderclouds that he brought with him, it rumbled loudly as lightning crackled within it, threatening to strike down at me.
In his rage, the Incarnation was about to send down thick lightning bolts to smite me. In which case, I planned to endure.
Whether I was right or wrong, it didn't matter anymore. Perhaps, I was really frustrated at what he's been doing after comparing him to how active the World's Will of the World of Elements is. Braving the danger that could potentially weaken her while this guy would only appear when he felt something threatening his authority.
However, although I planned to endure his strike, Yuko along with the other four flew forward and faced it.
This time, Yuko and Zerina's Pillars presented themselves and transformed into their Guardian Forms.
Being a Rank 2 Transcendent, her Pillar Guardians were almost like mine. They're almost on par with normal Transcendents' strength.
Fully clad in shiny golden armors, Yuko's humanoid Guardian Pillars reminded me of that anime with the power of the Zodiacs. Since I could only see their backs, I could only deduce what could be seen in front.
Each of her Pillar Guardians possessed a figure of a woman, each of them holding different sets of weapons that glowed in the same golden color; a bow, a spear, a sword, and a maul.
Contrasting the brilliant colors of Yuko's Pillar Guardians, Zerina's three Pillar Guardians all wore gray armor, adorned by a black cape behind them. Each one of them wielded a short sword engraved by different kinds of possible Runic Symbols.
Of course, those Symbols weren't from her System. It's like a slot for engraving a genuine Rune in it to bolster the Pillar Guardians' prowess.
Erin and Avelin also summoned their Pillar Guardians which has now turned to four after their breakthrough to the 5th Realm.
Avelin's fourth Pillar took on the form of the Berserker Thornhog. The King Realm Beast that Old Man Reol fought from the war back then, and the Beast Core she got and consumed also came from the same species. With the addition of that Thornhog, apart from the giant falcon, all Pillar Guardians of Avelin were the embodiment of destructive strength.
Behind the four, Irja transformed into her Vibrant Spirit Form, calling out her four Lesser Spirits which seemingly tried to gigantify themselves to also look imposing.
Led by Yuko's golden-armored Pillar Guardians, everyone charged towards the lightning-filled thundercloud to engage the furious World's Will in battle.
"Hah… How I wish I could also have Pillars." At the side, Caila helplessly muttered. Noelle on her side also silently agreed with her.
Given Caila's System and how she developed it, she's really someone suitable to tread on a Physique-type Pathway. Perhaps if she became a Transcendent, her Transcendent Pathway would be about assimilating Physique-type properties. As for Noelle, she'll probably tread on Elemental-type.
They're not my Companions so they could only look on in awe at Yuko and Zerina's new ability.
Reinys that was with the two had her fists clenched tightly. Watching Yuko and the other girls, she's probably thinking about how she would bridge the gap that was about to widen once more.
The three still needed at least two days at the current rate of their Absorption to reach the threshold. It's because the energy stones from that Dimensional Space contained Level 2 Source Energy. They needed my minute assistance to consume it or else they'll be like the Corrupteds. That's how I did it when I enhanced the Heavenly Lightning Tribe and helped Old Man Reol to reach the threshold.
"Girls, why did you all step up?"
"You're planning on taking his lightning with your body, right? How can we stand by and watch that? Just quietly watch there, monster. We'll knock some sense into this World's Will Incarnation." Becoming their spokesperson, Erin answered my question while the other four nodded in agreement while showing the whites of their teeth.
"Alright. Don't overdo it. I intentionally angered him so it's my fault this time."
I wouldn't say I hate it when they suddenly jump in front of me. Watching their small but strong backs, I guess I have to be careful with how I do things from now on. These girls will always run in front of me whenever we're in trouble, one wrong move and I might put them all in danger.
Let's think back again and remind myself to stop being complacent.
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[A new location has been added to your Dimensional Skill: Portal Creation]
[Current Portal Destinations: World of Meta, World of Spirits, World of Elements, World of Barbarians]
Ganged up by the five girls along with their summoned Pillars and Lesser Spirits, the Incarnation of the World's Will was put in a tough situation as if he was getting bullied.
In the end, before the five could deal a fatal blow on him, they all stopped and flew back to my side.
Because of that, we finally had the chance to talk to him. But still aggrieved at his plight, the World's Will didn't stay long and just gave us what we needed from him.
The Portal Skill and the information about the cliff. Apparently, it's not a cliff before but another landmass, something fell from outer space and that was the result, it buried the previous land along with the Barbarian living in it. And that resulted in the existence of the End of the World Cliff and a seemingly endless abyss beneath it.
According to him, even he hadn't fully explored what's down there and what kind of cosmic object fell in this world.
If even the World's Will itself couldn't explore it then it's surely outside the realm of our current strength. Whatever was down below, it was probably at the same level of the Ancient Ruins or higher.
Now that we're done, we marked the place to be Old Man Reol's spot for his Transcendent Trials before going back to the fortress.
And soon enough, night approached us once more.
This time, before going to Irja's room, my feet led me down below where the trio's room was located.
Even before I reached the door of their room, I already saw Reinys, outside of their room as she stared out into the night sky.
Upon seeing me, she almost panicked but in the end, she only lowered her head and meekly greeted me.
"Daisuke. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with one of your Companions?"
"What if I say I'm here to see you?"
"H-huh? Me? Why? There's no reason to." With how hurried her voice is, Reinys almost stuttered but with the grace of a Princess, she magnificently got out of it.
I stepped forward and stood next to her, joining her in looking out into the sky from this open window.
"Do I need a reason to see you?"
"No… It's just… Nevermind." Reinys shook her head and breathed in to get her composure back.
Once she did, her tense shoulders relaxed as she also stared out into the night sky. In this way, silence soon reigned between us that there's only the faint sound of footsteps from far away coming from the patrolling Barbarian entering our ears as well as the sound of our breathing.
Perhaps suffocated by silence, Reinys broke it by asking a question. "Why? Why are you not angry at me?"
Taking my eyes off the sky to look at her, I released a faint smile. "There's no reason to be angry at you. Do you think I'm that petty to hold onto that? It's already in the past and you've undergone a lot of hardships. You're Yuko's trusted friend. Besides, I'm not really angry. Annoyed, yes. But I understand where you're coming from."
"… I'm a horrible Princess. To push my ideals, I hated you for being at her side. Using my brother's name was actually an excuse. In the first place, Yuko had no interest in him. I just can't stand the idea of the weak you being qualified to stand next to her. That's why…" Reinys shook her head, cutting off what she's about to say. And soon after, she dropped it altogether and continued."… Also, I'm the one responsible for my brother to become Corrupted. Giving him false hopes, I'm a horrible sister as well. But your words, those… encouragements you sent to me… I received them well… Thank you for helping me to stand back up on my feet, Daisuke."
"I see. You thought a lot about that, huh? Like I said before, don't beat yourself over it. You're here with us now. You want to continue following Yuko, right?"
"Yes but…" "This sounds like I'm betraying her but I… I also want to follow you. To be next to you."
"How is that betraying her? Yuko and I will be together for as long as we can. Following her is also the same as following me. Anyway, Reinys, do you want to be my Companion?"
Since she will keep talking as if she's doing something horrible, I didn't mince my words and directly dropped my question on her.
And as soon as the question entered her ears, Reinys froze in place. In a bit of a panic, she almost stumbled towards me because of the exaggerated movements she did to calm herself down.
"… Huh? Wait. What did you just say? Did I hear it right? Me? Your Companion?"
I caught her arms and stabilized her footing before responding to her. "You heard it right."
It's up to her now whether she will accept or not. But looking at her current reaction, I'd say the cat is already in the bag.
Although this looks like I acted on impulse to ask her, I considered this carefully and by asking myself whether I like her or not, the answer came out naturally as yes.
This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om