After getting the confirmation from Yuko, I summoned my four Pillar Guardians and sent them to the four straggling Transcendents that weren't piloting a Darkgen.
Lith, using her flames to proper herself, the two daggers in her hand accurately struck one of the Transcendent on his back. In his desperate attempt to negate the damage, he opened his Domain and circulated his energy to his foot to kick Lith off his back.
The other three Pillar Guardians, however, failed to catch up to the Transcendents desperately trying to get away.
But before they could leave the surface of the moon, Yuko, Irja and Zerina blocked them. Using their Metagens they made a blockade preventing the four to leave.
And to chase the other three who went in a different direction, Avelin and the other Transcendents chased after them, riding Kazeyoshi's wind and Amry's flame.
Through that one shot from Dannae's gun, that injured Rank 2 Transcendent whose name went unuttered died first.
When they arrived from outside this enclosed area that they prepared to trap us, she was already disheveled, wounded and out of sorts. The grace of a Rank 2 Transcendent of a higher world was already non-existent.
I had no idea if she was a descendant or not, as soon as they landed and when Erin had the nine Transcendents line up with them, I instantly pulled the trigger.
Because it was only a pure energy blast gun, some of the quick-witted or those who had higher instincts still managed to jump out of its scope. The unlucky Rank 1 Transcendents, on the other hand, were incinerated or exploded along with their Darkgens.
If someone measured the Power Level of that blast, it was more probably almost 700 UPL. Most of those Rank 1 Transcendents only had a UPL of 200 more or less.
Among those who died, only the Rank 2 Transcendent woman still had her body intact.
"Monster, no wonder you're that confident even if Yuko told you they're coming. Transcendents were now an easy kill for you…"
"Not really, technically, it was Dannae who killed them. It's her ability that made this possible. I was only responsible for aiming the gun at them. And if I ever fight a Rank 1 Transcendent, if they have a troublesome ability or Pathway Skills, I will not be able to easily defeat them if I face them head-on."
"… Uh then remind me not to get on her bad side."
"As if you'll be on each other's bad sides… In any case, we're finishing up here. Wife, do you need help with that?"
Even though I told Yuko that we're going to close the Portal, the barrier behind us that's preventing entry to the secured Portal Location hasn't been broken through yet.
Nysia was fully utilizing her Defense Manipulation. However, it seemed as if she's fighting against a late-stage Rank 2 Transcendent as a Rank 1 Transcendent.
My senses never left her side, even when I left to assist Erin or when I fired that gun. I was clearly observing Nysia's struggle against the sturdy Energy Barrier they raised.
Surely, there's a way to enter and exit that place from those Dark World Transcendents but it's not 100% that they would give out that method. Moreover, it would render Nysia's effort pointless. She's already halfway through it but there were two more layers when she delivered a full-powered attack against it.
"It's too thick and they're using their Level 2 Source Energy to power this up. Because of that, the regenium's regeneration is a lot faster than normal." Nysia's face once again appeared on the screen. There's now a sweat lining down her creased forehead, evident of how hard she's working at the moment. However, as soon as she saw my face, her expression relaxed and a smile once again appeared on her lips. "I do need your help, husband. Come here and hug me."
Upon hearing that, Erin who's eavesdropping on our conversation interjected. "I can't believe Sister Nysia will be this shameless."
"Every Companion of yours is now trying their best to steal a march against one another, except me and Noelle." And Caila who's calmly watching the events since earlier chimed in her observation.
"Is that how it looks like, Caila?"
"Are you actually asking me about that? As you can see, even the Princess is doing the same."
With a smirk, Caila pointed at the girl curled up in my arms, trying her hardest not to be caught on the live feed of the inside of my Metagen that was being shown on Erin and Nysia's screen.
"H-huh? I'm not the one who… initiated this."
"But you didn't resist when he pulled you towards him."
"It's a rare chance so…"
"Un. We're supporting you so no need to be shy, Sister Reinys."
"Ugh… Even you, Noelle."
Because I'm not feeling any pressure in the current situation, I naturally made use of this time to bond with one of my Companions. And being the one closest to me at the moment, I pulled her in when I came back after firing that gun.
"Caila. She's right. I'm the one who initiated this." I took a glance at the previously annoying princess that was now like a rabbit in my arms. With her eyes slowly being filled with indignation, she puffed up her cheeks as she started hitting my chest with her small and cute hands.
It's a hit without any power backing it. It's just her way to protest from being teased too much. We still have a lot to talk about and things we need to straighten up regarding our past but at this moment, she's like Yuko and the others, a Companion that I will be taking care of with all that I have.
"In any case, let's finish this, Nysia. I'll give that hug later. Yumiko and the other three are still waiting for me to deal with that descendant in the World of Elements."
Right, there's still that world. After that, we're going to blitz the other Heroes' Otherworlds. The designated time to go back to Earth is less than two weeks now. We will not be able to go to every world of the registered Heroes. Moreover, I still haven't found a way to go to their world apart from the Support Recall.
I might not be feeling any pressure against these Darkbugs but that's not a reason to drag this out. I taught Avelin that lesson about not dragging things out. If I didn't follow it, it would be like I was spouting bull—meaningless words.
"I understand, husband. Erin, you can also help us. Later, we'll get our time with him."
"If that's the case then I won't hold back."
Although Nysia decided that by herself, seeing Erin becoming energized at that thought stopped me from rebutting.
I'm not alone anymore or rather, everyone is now in my arms' reach. There's no way I will deny their shows of affection.
Given time, we will be able to adjust ourselves at this setup wherein there are a lot of them while I'm alone who will be attending to them.
Soon enough, there will not be any point for me to move when we're on this kind of battlefield.
With my Companions' current strength wherein one or two of them could defeat a late Rank 2 Transcendent, only those at the higher rank will be able to make me move out from the back to take a beating for them.
-
-
"It's open!" Erin cheered after seeing the thick Energy Barrier broke like glass after our combined attacks drilled into it.
As soon as it did, the interior of the domed space welcomed us.
Apart from the familiar Portal that I already saw in four different worlds, Nysia and Erin were somewhat taken aback upon seeing the current state of the place.
There were the familiar tubes collecting and storing the Dark Energy being exuded by the Portal in large storage tanks. They're similar storages that we got from the Black Market back then.
Apart from those storages, there were computers, work stations and other sections that were probably occupied by the Corrupted Researchers or the equivalent of them in the Dark World.
Also, there's an apparatus that was firmly built in the middle. Judging from the Energy it was exuding and the wires connected to it. That's the one maintaining the artificial gravity in this stronghold.
Judging from it's make, It's not something made from World of Meta's technology but something they brought from the Dark World.
The Dark Energy tank connected to it was bigger than the rest that could be seen. If we destroy that apparatus, this stronghold would be destroyed in an instant. However, it would also mean death to the weaker Core Pilots that were still having a hard time navigating through this unfamiliar battlefield.
This place was also devoid of Mortal Ranks that should've been busily working just like the Portal Location on World of Elements and World of Barbarians.
"What do we do now, husband?"
"Loot everything, even the digital files in those computers. Their research here will be beneficial in the future development of the World of Meta."
Using my Adaptability, I tried looking for the hidden entrances or exits that the previous occupants of this place used to escape.
Before the death of those Transcendents, those guys were still working here. But after that, they immediately made their escape, futilely hoping to save their lives.
When I found one of such hidden passage, Erin immediately moved in and captured them all. They were only hiding below the surface. They dug through the moon's surface, creating interconnected tunnels.
Upon descending down to it, aside from the trembling Researchers, be it Corrupted or Dark World natives, Erin found a huge stash of Dark Energy storage tanks, regenium ores, unused Darkgens and other devices they managed to invent in here by utilizing regenium and their Level 2 Source Energy. Although most of them were defective, the Researchers of the United Alliance will surely be able to glean something from them.
Thankfully I had a lot of empty Necklaces. In less than five minutes, Nysia and Erin swept the place clean leaving only the artificial gravity apparatus and the Portal.
At this point, I already left the confines of my Metagen and instead of that, I put on my Powergen. Even if the enhancement to my Energy Control was minuscule, it's still an enhancement.
I sat down in front of the Portal and concentrated. After a while, I looked up and shouted. "World's Will! I need your assistance here!"
And as if he was only waiting for my shout, a gentleman in formal attire suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Well, not really out of nowhere, the burst of Meta Energy which suddenly filled the place was enough indication of his identity.
Like the other World's Will, the one here was now more sentient than the last time I saw him in that space where he summoned our consciousness.
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