Chapter 117 - Aldrin's Foolish Challenge (1)

Aldrin unhesitatingly slashed his sword at the unsuspecting Carlos. And like always, the effect of his Grade 2 weapon immediately activated.

A layer of ice instantly formed covered Carlos' wound. Little by little, it gradually spread throughout his body.

Normally, the weaker ants and spiders hit by it would be encased in ice in a few seconds. But to someone stronger like Carlos, the progress was too slow.

Furthermore, being a middle Stage 2 Energy Refiner, the middle-aged man's brain quickly processed the situation he was in. With a vein popping out from his temple, his blood furiously boiled followed by the churning of his refined energy, enough to make his surroundings vibrate.

Moments later, a hazy projection conjured behind Carlos.

Before Aldrin's eyes, it appeared to be a wooden structure, a tiered tower to be exact. However, it's still incomplete or rather, still under construction. The first two floors were already complete with emerald-green brilliance spilling from its seams. The third floor was only halfway done and the brilliant light present from the first two floors was nonexistent.

Aldrin was aware of what the projection of a tiered tower means. That's the unique signature of a Stage 2 Energy Refiner. The Radiant Tower.

Upon reaching the peak Stage 1 wherein an Energy Refiner's Energy Channels would be overflowing with his or her refined energy, that excess would go towards constructing or crafting one's unique Radiant Tower. It would exist just above the Energy Quintessence. The Tower could house more refined energy; an extended storage of sorts. However, that's not its only function, each completed floor had a unique effect on an Energy Refiner.

It's something Aldrin would surely experience when he reached that point. Today, however, he could only revel at Carlos' attainment.

At this moment, the first floor of Carlos' Radiant Tower burst open and its emerald-green brilliance draped over him before quietly disappearing.

Visually, that looked simple but Aldrin's chest tightened as if his instinct told him of the danger that he was currently in.

His wish to fight someone like Carlos was extremely foolish. Janet reiterated that point to him many times. And like he expected, the fear of death loomed over his head, totally different to what he felt when he's up against the absurdly strong Ant and Spider Champions.

When the hazy image of his Radiant Tower disappeared, Carlos' green-colored refined energy rampaged around him. The silent night that was only filled with the rustling of leaves and their voices gradually turned chaotic.

And in a split second, the ice that threatened to cover his body shattered in an instant. The resulting surge of energy blew Aldrin away despite his attempt to bank his feet deep on the ground.

"You little punk! You've done it now!" Carlos furiously roared. His arm extended towards the blown-away Aldrin.

Sensing the incoming attack from the middle-aged man, Aldrin rolled to the side.

He then looked to the side and saw his previous position explode as if an Essence Grenade was thrown at it.

"Is it that bad to ask a question, Instructor? Oh. I'm sorry for wounding you, it's a slip of my arm. There's no need to get this angry, right?"

Even with the trickle of sweat forming from his forehead, Aldrin maintained his calm as he played dumb.

Obviously, even a child wouldn't believe that. Its purpose was to further irk Carlos which was successful.

There's no need for him to state the obvious. Sneaking an attack and successfully wounding Carlos revealed that the middle-aged man's identity had been exposed. But with the sudden rage filling his mind, he hadn't processed everything yet.

At the moment, he's focused on the point that someone like Aldrin dared to trick and attack him.

That's like asking for death in the World of Energy Refiners. Even if there were crazy ones who could jump ranks, those instances were supplemented by the superiority of Metadome or Battlesuit.

This time, neither of the two was present. So, in a normal sense, Aldrin would have no chance to wound him again apart from that initial sneak attack. That's why Carlos was puzzled about where Aldrin's confidence was coming from.

"You got the gall to say that, you punk. Have you gone insane? No. Even if you're not, you won't be seeing the light of the day again!"

"I said I'm sorry. And here I thought you, instructor, is truly benevolent."

While shaking his head, Aldrin used Shadow Steps, just barely dodging another explosion.

This time, he saw the attack coming from Carlos' outstretched arm. It's a Concept that turned his refined energy into a compressed ball of air that exploded on impact. If he was hit by it, he might not die from it but that's enough to end the battle.

When he reappeared, a little closer to the middle-aged man, Aldrin launched himself along with his four Shadow Clones almost instantly.

He didn't have that much of a time after all. In the scheme of things, he's truly not needed to catch the man. Janet only indulged him in his selfishness to challenge Carlos.

'Once he realized that I'm just the first arrow shot from a trap that he set his foot into, my role would quickly end. I better step up my game.'

With that in thought, he pulled out another weapon, wielding it on his left. It's his other Grade 2 Weapon, the Obsidian Blaster.

At the same time as his clones were effortlessly kicked and punched away by Carlos, Aldrin aimed the gun and fired towards his opponent.

BANG!

The bullet loudly whistled, threatening to break the sound barrier.

Even if Carlos saw it coming, there's just not enough time for him to dodge. Besides, he's fairly confident that whatever Aldrin threw at him wouldn't be enough to hurt him.

His body was already covered with his Minor Aura Veil and his Radiant Tower's enhancement bolstered his defense further.

Instead of dodging it, Aldrin saw Carlos charging towards him, right in line with the Obsidian Blaster's bullet's trajectory.. With a blade in hand that glowed in a brighter green along with the wind whirling around it, he brandished it towards the bullet in hopes to deflect it.