Zerina stepping forward to take the floor against the scar-faced Transcendent could be said as the girl trying to test where her limit lies. We've been holed up in the Space Vessel for days and in a sense, they're already used on sparing against one another. That's why finding a new enemy in these foreign Transcendents' form, the girl just couldn't help it.
Besides, that Rank 3 Transcendent blew up my plan of talking this out and negotiating peacefully. Letting her stretch her muscles for a bit was fine. At a critical moment, I could pull her out of the battle.
"Don't overdo it. Retreat if you find him too strong for you." While eyeing the Rank 3 Transcendent who looked like he was furious at an ant challenging him, I reminded Zerina.
With the Autoskill feature from my System, Tem, the incarnation residing in it had my Domain of Valor activated all the time without any cost to me. It's using the faucet connected to the World of System after all.
Not just Zerina, even Reinys and Lunaria who were nearby me were supported by it, adding more than 200 UPL in their total prowess. With my base UPL, not counting the additional stats I'm getting from all of my skills, reaching 600+, the Domain of Valor became more overpowered than before.
Although that only put them at the early stage of a Rank 3 Transcendent, that's enough to let them stand their ground against the scar-faced without being defeated in a blink.
Moreover, since I told her I would support her, I also activated another skill.
Energy Linkage!
Transferring a part of my Energy Control to Zerina, her Flux Energy bloomed like a gigantic lotus flower creating an imposing appearance. With her stance like a proud knight of flowers, the girl was just breathtakingly spectacular.
Upon noticing that sudden implosion of Zerina's strength and energy control, the scar-faced Transcendent twitched his face in an ugly fashion as he unleashed a punch accompanied by a skill.
His Physique-type Source Energy gathered around his fist and an overwhelming force shot towards Zerina's Pillar Guardians.
"Defense Rune!" Zerina shouted that as she commanded the Pillar Guardians to withstand that attack.
A bright green glow flashed from her short swords and Runic Symbols overlapped the gray-armored Pillar Guardians, raising their defenses.
At the moment, the four Pillar Guardians of Zerina appeared imposing through their darker motif. They all looked like a Dark Knight straight out of a fantasy movie whose reason for existence was vengeance against a tyrant.
On top of Zerina's Defense Rune that was pulled from her System Pathway, different Runic Symbols continue strengthening them as they fearlessly charge forward, short swords in hand, to cut through the threatening power of the Rank 3 Transcendent. At each slash, it looked like they were cutting through the space itself.
The overwhelming force that was threatening to disintegrate their existence was shaved off to a point that when it reached their bodies, the green brilliance of Defense Rune dispersed it completely.
Upon seeing that, the scar-faced Transcendent visibly became irritated. He stomped his feet sending a blast of pure Source Energy towards the four Pillar Guardians followed by another skill; a golden foot of a statue was seemingly conjured, copying what he did.
No matter how veteran he was in battle, it looked like being blocked by Zerina, someone he found not to his level, brought out his worst side.
"How preposterous to think that someone of your caliber can stop me. Take this!" He shouted angrily.
But Zerina who was behind her four Pillar Guardians simply side-stepped and delivered a flurry of sword slashes after blinking close to him.
That's a little dangerous considering she's at a disadvantage in terms of stats but through her connection to me, I sensed Zerina's determination to pull the fight into a melee rather than throwing numerous skills.
This time, she's now fully exhibiting Swordforce to the point that she's trying to create some Sword Skills.
That's right. After I told them about my Sword Path, those who were using weapons and grasped the concept of Weaponforce began their own study of it. Although only Avelin managed to produce a half-awakened Weaponsoul in her greataxe, Zerina, Nysia, Yuko and the others who were close combat fighters all thought that if they also awaken a Weaponsoul, that's another key strength that they could use in aiding me.
In any case, some of them also had another reason; to quickly close the gap between us. Our situations changed, after all. Instead of me lagging behind them, I was now the strongest among us.
"Take this!" Zerina crossed her two short swords and her swirling Flux Energy gathered on their blades, fusing with her Swordforce. Following that, with her Transcendent Pathway consisting of assimilating the Physique Type, she activated her slightly-enhanced Jewel Skill as well as her drafted Sword Skills.
"Runic Tempest!" She shouted at top of her lungs as her hands began moving, slashing and hitting the scar-faced Rank 3 Transcendent who had just adjusted his body upon noticing Zerina close to him.
He raised his arms and his Source Energy covered them, blocking Zerina's attack.
Although it looked like he was being overwhelmed from afar, that didn't seem to be the case.
"Zerina, dodge to the side!" I shouted through telepathy. Thankfully, she instantly heeded my words.
BOOM!
A moment after she side-stepped and stopped her barrage of attacks, another frightening attack was ejected from the scar-faced Rank 3 Transcendent. Another part of a golden statue conjured, punching to his front, breaking the space.
"T-thank you, Daisuke," Zerina replied while stuttering a bit. If she was a second later, there's no doubt that she'd be injured by that.
Now that she understood that what she was facing wasn't just a normal Rank 3 Transcendent, the girl started using most of her skills as well as her equipment.
Nonetheless, no matter what she did, the best she could do was put a wide gash on her opponent's body that easily closed too.
He's a Physique-type, they're built sturdy.
Two minutes later, the girl disappeared, using the ability of her cape, and retreated to my side, a sorry expression on her face.
Her Pillar Guardians were all out of commission, their true form as simply tall Pillars lined with cracks.
"You did well…" I patted her head and let her rest behind me, Energy Zone already pouring down on her as well as a healing spell from my Elemental Pathway. "He's just that strong. Besides, I believe what you did isn't fruitless. Look."
I pointed at the front or specifically at her opponent who also looked a little battered. With the dust, smoke and energy particles dispersing, the figure of the scar-faced Rank 3 Transcendent reappeared. He still looked grumpy and angry but considering he didn't chase Zerina when she retreated to my side, there's already a change in his behavior.
"What do you think? Did my companion make your blood boil? Do you want more? I can be your opponent this time." I smirked at him as I unsheathed the Willful sword. Momo, the awakened Weaponsoul residing in it peeked her head out cutely before flying out and settling down on my shoulder, her whole body glowed in the blue Swordforce.
Although she still looked cute, sensing that the scar-faced Transcendent in front of us was an opponent, her cute eyes sharply landed on him as streaks of Swordforce ejected from her and the Willful Sword's blade, each one glinted sharply as though it could cut anything into pieces.
Upon seeing that, the Rank 3 Transcendent widened his eyes and muttered incredulously, his Adam's apple moving up and down, "… a Sword Master."
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