Chapter 210: Free Fiery Hugs

Chapter 210: Free Fiery Hugs

POT -50

His Potential flowed freely to keep [Kinetic Control] activated. Rather than immobilizing a stronger opponent, Priam froze his own hand.

His opponent's arm pulled with terrifying force, but Priam's grip refused to yield.

Opening his mouth, Priam released the Breath he had quickly condensed. The attack lacked energy—he had less than a second to gather aether—but his newfound ability to manipulate and concentrate aether had enabled a swift charge.

Pyro merged with the Breath to create a terrifying laser. The unknown woman blocked with her second dagger and Kazuki backed away. Turning his head, Priam directed the Breath toward the arm he was locking. It was physically impossible for his opponent to dodge, and she screamed in pain before delivering a kick to his chest.

The speed of the attack left him no chance to dodge. A second train of thought activated, and [Kinetic Control] absorbed a small part of the kick’s energy. Priam shot backward like a cannonball before briefly merging with his mist to cancel his inertia. Landing a few meters away, he used [Three-Headed Hydra] to heal his wounds in an instant.

Despite his rapid regeneration, Priam gritted his teeth. The woman's blow had driven into his chest like a battering ram. Two attacks of that nature would be enough to kill him.

[Enemy Tier 3 detected.

Analyzing attributes...

Probable Build:

Strength, Agility, Dexterity ~4000.

Perception, Constitution, Vitality ~3000.

Mental attributes ~2000.

Danger level: mortal.

Note: Physically oriented. Without a critical error from the target, the host’s chances of victory are nil.]

[Identification]

[?] - Hidden record.

Lvl Up: [Identification] lvl 14

MEM +1

"Not very encouraging..."

An explosion sounded, and Priam used his Domain to slow Kazuki. The hoplite landed at his side with a limp arm.

"Who's this?" Priam growled, summoning Promesse.

Kazuki shook his head. "A haughty representative of the local tribes. I could handle her for a bit with Knightmare but I fear for Oasis..."

Priam shook his head, letting the adrenaline rush over him. "Brother, your enemies are my enemies. Think we've got a chance together?"

"To win? None, but Jasmine is hidden in the shadow of the Tier 0 she accompanies. There are two other Tier 3s, but as long as we don't target them, they shouldn't intervene."

Priam glanced at the young woman watching the fight next to Hyshana and grimaced. He wasn't proud to take a teenager hostage, but if it were the only way to save those he loved, then he wouldn't hesitate.

"What does she want?" he asked, refocusing on the fight.

"Officially, access to the Auctions. Unofficially, she's testing us."

"Great," ironized Priam. "I might have a way to surprise her with a kamikaze attack. You have something in stock?"

"If the fight lasts a little longer, I should be able to reach Spear Mastery II, which should be able to penetrate her defenses. By the way, I've become an Ace," announced the hoplite with modesty.

Priam smiled. With such a rival, he had no chance to rest on his laurels.

The dust cloud raised by the fight settled, and the unknown woman advanced. Her left hand was badly charred, but was still holding a dagger. "Kelak coompa bla't’h?"

"... What did she say?" Priam grimaced. He hadn't had time to use a skill crystal and didn't understand the language of the tribes.

"She's asking why you're interfering in a duel."

"Tell her this is my land. If she wants to duel, she can do it elsewhere."

Kazuki gave him a slight smile. Priam had taken care not to offend the hoplite's honor.

The woman shook her head upon hearing the translation before pointing to herself. "Eleha."

After introducing herself, she flashed towards him. Promesse blocked, but the energy behind the blow sent Priam several meters backward. Without giving him time to react, a new attack followed. Activating Micro and [Kinetic Control], he parried again. Despite his defense, the impacts of the attacks were too powerful for his body, and Priam soon tasted a metallic tang in his mouth.

Lvl Up: [Sun Steel Body] lvl 2

CONST +6

META (END) +3

[Diagnostic] indicated that microcracks were appearing in his bones. With one good arm, Kazuki entered the fray to prevent Eleha from continuing her assault.

META (Authority) +3

Lvl Up: [Kevlar Tissue] lvl 2, 3, 4, 5

CONST +12

Priam attempted to ride his mist, but a flex of her Domain locally annihilated the Concepts. His cloak of mist and flame disappeared, leaving him naked as a worm. The cat looked down at Priam's second spear and froze, evidently surprised by her opponent's lack of clothing.

"If I still had a bladder, I would've pissed on you," Priam taunted futilely, grabbing the animal's paw and activating [Kinetic Control] to seal their embrace.

Eleha's surprise turned to astonishment as Kazuki's spear impaled her from behind. Under the shock, her Domain flickered, and Priam called upon the Fire Unity. He didn't attempt to flee—something prevented his hearts from reforming and he was dying—but invoked the Concept.

The Fire burns all, and here is my pyre.

His flesh transformed into flames, and Priam added a touch of Pyro. He locked eyes with Kazuki for a moment before releasing the Breath he had been accumulating since the beginning of the fight.

A devastating pillar of fire surged toward the heavens. The blast was so powerful that it drowned out a feline's roar.

That was a fiery hug.

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 563 (+6)

Constitution 893 (+33)

Agility 555 (+3)

Vitality 840

Perception 719

MENTAL:

Vivacity (D) 516

Dexterity 589 (+1)

Memory 462 (+1)

Willpower 1 036

Charisma 631

META:

Meta-affinity 553

Meta-focus 358

Meta-endurance 361 (+7)

Meta-perception 258

Meta-chance 230

Meta-authority 57 (+3)

Potential: 9 850 (-179)

Tier 0

Sun points: 135 922 (+0)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.

[Tribulation]: Three Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 162 days 6 hours 2 minutes 53 seconds.

Next thresholds: 6 attributes > 600 / 3 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1 200