svetikya Page 12
Page 12
Apollo's blessing needs to be bathed in sunlight, rising from dawn, reaching its peak at noon, and fading at dusk.
On the contrary, Artemis's blessing is determined by the changes in the moon, with the full moon having the strongest effect and the waning moon the weakest, but this also requires being bathed in moonlight.
so......
“Let’s go, girls, the same old rules this time.” Bai Zhi pointed ahead: “Try to destroy the walls as much as possible, and expose all evil to the moonlight.”
"Hey hey! In the name of the moon, I'll punish you!" Franka responded with a fist pump.
"Captain, please be serious. Franka, you too." Razer was as serious as ever.
Terra Blacksteel Temporary Worker: Chapter Twenty-Two Ashes, Flamebringer, Pardoner
The restaurant area of the department store.
The entire floor was filled with a variety of restaurants. Looking back at its heyday, how bustling this place must have been! But now, the glass is broken, the tables and chairs are overturned, and the iron gate is rusty, making it look like a ghost town.
The innermost area is an abandoned self-service restaurant.
That place has now become the base of the Ashes mercenary group and an area where hostages are held.
Two figures sat in the center of the restaurant.
Ash, clad in heavy armor, stood three meters tall as a Sarkaz muscleman. The two-meter-long sword behind him seemed perfectly suited to his physique, and his dark purple skin added to his eerie aura.
"Yan Ke, have you thought it through? If you agree, the position of vice commander is yours."
Ash continued to raise a bottle of liquor, chugging it down without batting an eye or getting out of breath. He remained clear-headed and advised, "Once this mission is completed, we can become King Theresis's confidants. When we achieve our goals in the future, we can occupy a significant position in the military region."
Beside Ash, a 1.9-meter-tall, lean but muscular swordsman, Flamebringer took a sip of wine and said, "No need. I have no interest in power. Standing at the top makes one too easily corrupted, which will cause weapons to rust. Once weapons rust, warriors are not far from death."
Flame Reaver politely declined the offer, and Ash wasn't annoyed; he'd heard these kinds of things many times before.
If anyone else refuses, Ash will stab them in the back. However, if the target is Flamebringer, he will extend the invitation again. Ash respects the strong, and Flamebringer is very strong, in no way inferior to him.
The two clinked glasses again.
Right next to the restaurant, a group of researchers in white lab coats huddled together, deeply dissatisfied with the fact that the enemy had suddenly breached the research institute and they had been captured.
The researchers in Letania have a deep understanding of Originium Arts. Although they lack combat experience, mercenary groups would have to pay a price to subdue them using only Originium Arts.
Unfortunately, not all researchers are infected, and without their staffs, they are no match for any mercenary.
Moreover, the researchers looked ahead and saw a black-robed man sitting cross-legged on the ground, holding a long sword.
This man in black robes was the one who shattered their long-prepared Originium Arts in one fell swoop, making him the culprit who breached their defenses.
But now, she is their protector, shielding them from being bullied by mercenaries and gangsters.
It's very contradictory.
“Boss.” A Sarkaz mercenary pushed open the restaurant door and walked over, whispering to Ash, “The support team responsible for the escort has sent word that they are being held up by Princess Theresa’s army. You won’t be able to arrive for another five hours.”
"Five hours, huh?" Ash downed his drink in one gulp, crushed the bottle with his bare hand, and said in a deep voice, "Tell the brothers to go on high alert. There's no way no one knows our location. Keep track of the time, hand over the man, and this job is done."
"Yes, the brothers have all rested well during the day, so there won't be any problems at night. Traps and alarms have been set up at all entrances and exits. I can guarantee it with my life."
The mercenary spoke cautiously, not daring to anger Ash, or he would surely get a punch.
“Go, tell the brothers that I have given them a death order: even if it means death, do not let anything go wrong.” Ash nodded.
After the mercenary explained his situation, he was about to leave when Yan Ke stopped him and offered a different opinion.
"Don't push yourself too hard. If you find that the enemy is too difficult to deal with, have most of them gather on the top floor. The presence of the two of us is the greatest insurance."
After Yan Ke finished speaking, he dismissed the mercenaries and then explained to Ash, "Theresia has a strategist on her side, codenamed Doctor. He is an evil spirit who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Ordinary mercenaries would be nothing more than meat on a chopping board if they were to face him. Only strong individuals like you and me can be unafraid of his schemes, I suppose."
"Is it really that exaggerated?" Ash frowned, but he still believed Flamebringer's words.
"That's how exaggerated it is. As I expected, there's one card on the surface, and at least one card hidden in the shadows," Yan Ke affirmed. Having faced the Doctor before, he knew how terrifying the Doctor was.
“But, that…” Ash looked at the black-robed pardoner.
"That's great, we don't even need to lift a finger." Yan Ke laughed: "Hey, when someone comes to rescue these people, you don't want to see them being rescued, right?"
He raised his voice for the second half of his sentence, which made the hostages even more vocal.
The pardoner gripped his longsword tightly and remained silent.
After staring at the hostage for a while, Ash sighed regretfully and said, "I'll go out and take a look. This mission is very important, and I'd rather spend more time on it."
Yan Ke remained noncommittal.
Inside the department store, the mercenaries, weapons at their ready, kept a close watch on all the entrances and exits, completely unaware that the scene at the mall's main entrance and exit was distorted for a moment before returning to normal.
The trio from Black Steel walked straight in.
Vision is achieved by light reflecting off objects back into the pupil, allowing us to see things clearly.
Originium Arts: Light Manipulation, Reverse Ray, Pseudo-Invisibility.
The technique of refracting surrounding light to achieve invisibility.
During the day, Bai Zhi's current skills are not enough to deceive the Sarkaz, but at night, it is not so easy to detect them.
They infiltrated the department store openly and honestly. The three of them didn't speak a word along the way, dodging many mercenaries and gangsters. Razer and Franka, who had gone through several missions together, were very clear about Bai Zhi's abilities.
Not knowing the location of the hostages, the three searched the entire department store floor by floor. There was a map of the store at the entrance, so they weren't worried about repeating the same things. However, the more they searched, the more alarmed they became. There were more than twenty mercenaries and over fifty gang members.
The gang members were mostly thugs who made up a large number of people and were not reliable. However, the mercenaries were of high quality. There were people patrolling each section of the road and reporting every few minutes to prevent the enemy from infiltrating.
The pseudo-invisibility technique has a weakness: it cannot block out sound. Fortunately, the footsteps of the patrol team concealed the footsteps of Black Steel and his two companions. However, the sheer number of people made it impossible for them to find a place to discuss the rescue plan.
After searching three floors, just as Bai Zhi was about to go up the stairs to the fourth floor, she felt a chill run down her spine and a sense of threat came from the upper floors.
With a sudden realization, Bai Zhi turned around, grabbed Lei She and Franka's hands, and ran into the nearby library.
For a strong person, vision may be wrong, hearing may be wrong, all five senses may be wrong, but the fighting instincts developed over a long period of time will never be wrong.
next moment.
"Alert!" A roar echoed throughout the department store, and the scene fell silent.
Only heavy footsteps came down the stairs, and then, except for the necessary entrances, the mercenaries and thugs headed towards the third floor.
A strong person will never admit to being wrong about another equally strong opponent who poses a significant threat to them.
Terra Blacksteel Temporary Worker: Chapter Twenty-Three - This is my escape route!
As portable lights illuminated the abandoned shopping mall, it vaguely regained some of its former glory.
Unfortunately, those walking through the mall were not customers, but thugs wielding cold weapons.
tata tao...
With heavy steps, Ash's tall figure reached the third floor. His massive body blocked the light, and a faint smell of blood seemed to linger around him.
Even the mercenaries trembled at the sight of Ash, fearing they might accidentally provoke this tyrant. The gangsters, needless to say, didn't dare to approach him at all.
Ash scoffed at the gangsters' appalling performance. If it weren't for King Theresis's orders, he wouldn't want these cowards alive by his side at all.
However, the most urgent task is to find the person who infiltrated.
"You guys guard the stairs and don't let anyone escape. The rest of you spread out and search. Once you find the intruder, gather everyone together." After giving a few instructions, Ash's gaze wandered over the surrounding bookstore.
From the moment the intruder's presence was detected to the encirclement, the entire process took less than two minutes. It was impossible for the intruder to have gone too far without being detected. All the surrounding shops were the most suspicious, and Ash would have to search them personally.
Bai Zhi and the other two concealed their presence, keeping their heads down and observing the ashes walking in the corridor outside the door out of the corner of their eyes.
The sense of crisis rising in their hearts told the three that what lay before them was undoubtedly a monster.
It's best to avoid a direct confrontation. The Ashes aren't an enemy that can be dealt with quickly. If others arrive to help, the decapitation operation will fail, and they will also fall into a disadvantageous position.
However, when Ash reached the shop door, he stopped, turned his head, and scanned the shop with his scarlet eyes before walking in.
As he drew closer, the ground seemed to tremble with each step he took. Bai Zhi wrapped her arms around the waists of Liskarm and Franka, and her control over Originium Arts: Light Manipulation: Pseudo-Invisibility became increasingly precise.
A hint of doubt flashed in Ash's eyes. He shook his head and walked to the side. Then, he suddenly turned his head and looked directly at the location of Bai Zhi and the other two. Unexpectedly, the three of them met Ash's gaze.
'Oh no!' Bai Zhi's hair stood on end.
He released their waists, took a step, and flung out a blade of light that pointed directly at the ashes. In an instant, the dimly lit bookstore exploded with light.
The sudden flash of light caused the thugs to howl in pain, and even the mercenaries were forced to close their eyes. Ash was no exception, but his fighting instincts told him that he could not surrender.
Ash drew the greatsword from his back, the blade enveloped in intense flames, and unleashed a simple downward slash.
The scorching hot broadsword and the radiant blade of light collided, sending blinding sparks flying in all directions, and flames erupted inside the bookstore.
Forced to raise his broadsword, Ash took a step back. He was surprised; although it was a sudden attack, it had been a long time since anyone had blocked his attack head-on.
In contrast, Bai Zhi, unable to gain leverage in mid-air, had his light blade shattered and his body crash into the wall, cracking open with a large spiderweb-like pattern. He was no less shocked than Ash; the physical attributes enhanced by Bai Zhi from four worlds had been easily withstood.
“Interesting. I thought he was just a cowardly little mouse, but he’s not bad.” Ash laughed wildly, looking Bai Zhi up and down, licking his lips with his tongue, and said excitedly, “Sarkota, not bad, a good man. I’m getting excited.”
Bai Zhi was startled by the scorching gaze of the ashes, shivered, got up from the ground, and re-condensed two light blades in her hands. No man can remain calm in the face of philosophy.
However, not wanting to lose face, he replied, "You're not bad either. Your strength doesn't overshadow your physique. Few can withstand my sword."
Upon hearing this, Razer and Franka, still in pseudo-invisibility and buried under the pile of books, looked at each other and communicated with their eyes.
"The captain is good at shooting, right? When has he ever used a sword?" Razer looked puzzled.
"Yes, the captain wasn't lying. If he's never used a sword, then no one can take his sword." Franka instantly understood Bai Zhi's subtext.
'This is sophistry!' Razer, being a serious person, finds it hard to accept this argument.
However, these two peripheral observers have no impact on the two players in the battle.
Every time the light blade and the scorching greatsword collided, they would break. In the next instant, Bai Zhi condensed another light blade to take over. The light blade broke, which just dissipated the power of the ash. This close combat fell into a stalemate.
Mercenaries believe in victory, and a few mercenaries in the distance, armed with guns, aimed at Bai Zhi and fired.
It has to be said that it is ironic that Sarkaz was attacked by guns, whether it was by the 3407 Er Er % Si Xia (4:) against Bai Zhi or by mercenaries.
From childhood to adulthood, the Sakota people are most familiar with religious texts and guns and bullets.
He took the blow head-on, freeing his left hand. The light blade spun in mid-air, the blade touching the bullet, changing its trajectory and guiding it towards the ashes.
Puff puff--
Even as Ash raised his hand to block, several bullets were embedded in his arm. His eyes burned with rage, and he roared, unleashing Originium Arts in reverse, the scorching flames completely engulfing the blade.
At this moment, Ash no longer wielded a sword, but a pillar of fire.
The scorching heat that leaked out ignited the entire bookstore from a distance, and also set fire to the bookstore next door.
The entire third floor became a scene of purgatory.
Bai Zhi frowned, moved her feet to the left, and clasped her hands together, merging the two light blades into one, transforming it into a two-meter-long lightsaber.
next moment.
The scorching pillars of fire slashed down relentlessly, the hellish heat seeming to burn everything to ashes.
The dazzling lightsaber swept across swiftly, its brilliant light like a shooting star piercing the dark night of despair.
The moment the attacks made contact, both sides paled in shock.
The dazzling lightsaber was melted by the pillar of fire, and Ash's expression was not one of acceptance, but rather one of surprise.
The expected force did not materialize, and it felt so light.
It was lighter than during the initial clash. Even though the pillar of fire ignited the lightsaber, given the opponent's displayed strength, it shouldn't have been shattered, unless...
The opponent didn't use much power in this attack.
As his thoughts raced, Ash's pupils contracted.
not good!
"bar......"
The moment the word left his lips, Bai Zhi's figure in front of Ash suddenly blurred, exploding into a series of afterimages. The speed exceeded what he considered the limit during their battle.
Following the force from her hand, Bai Zhi leaped up, smashed through the window behind her, and jumped outside.
"You've been tricked, Ash! This is my escape route!"
With a finger tapping her temple, Bai Zhi revealed a mocking smile before her figure vanished swiftly, her pseudo-invisibility activated once more.
Silence, silence is the third floor at this moment.
"Ahhh!"