Chapter 641: Retro Evil

Chapter 641: Retro Evil

Many things were capable of numbing pain. If Nil were to be believed, a strong enough mind was all that was necessary to allow a person to get beyond ones physical limitations. Since he was a mage, that probably was true. In Dallions case, though, the best solution was adrenalin, and currently he was getting lots of it.

The number of wounds that covered his body were more than he had his entire life. The stinging was barely noticeable. If it wasnt for the smell of blood, Dallion would have thought he was covered in sweat. The greater concern right now was stamina. Even with the fight turning in Dallions favor, it had taken him a lot more effort than he had planned. Already he had resorted to several more point attacks to reduce the manticore. Fighting using spark vibrations alone had proved to be too slow. If Dallion had continued along that route, he would have needed hours to defeat the creature, and that was beyond his time window.

With every successful attack, the manticore got smaller. Void matter had stopped pouring from the floors above, suggesting that the Star was short on it. More than likely, he was keeping the rest for himself. That was one of the things that kept not making sense. If the roles were reversed, Dallion would have swooped down to join the fight just after the manticore had formed. Nil kept insisting it was due to Moon imposed restrictions, but Dallion was no longer sure.

The manticore leapt through the gaps in the beams, making sure not to come in contact with the metal. Wounds had caused it to shrink to the size of a normal lion. Its abilities, on the other hand, were just as potent.

Leaping up, Dallion slashed at it with a vibrating harpsisword. Before he could hit the creature, scales emerged from its body, blocking the attack. Due to the sparks effect, the scales shattered, though not before the rest of the manticore had detached itself from them, escaping a safe distance away.

I could still deal with it, Aether suggested. It and the fight that follows.

Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Dallion split into half a dozen instances. All of them chased after the manticore. It was tempting to have them do point attacks, but as he had found out a while ago, point attacks required energy, even if done in instances.

Aware that they had entered a war of attrition, the manticore ran to the other side of the pyramid. It didnt tire, so it had the option of continuing the fight indefinitely. Like the Star, it had become the defender, one that Dallion couldnt just ignore.

I can take him, Nox said. The crackling had calmed down significantly now that so much of the void matter had been purged.

I dont want to lose you, buddy, Dallion replied, attempting to corner the manticore again with instances.

Then dont miss.

It was a gamble in the best of circumstances, but it had also given Dallion an idea. In half of his instances, he got into a position of a long ranged attack, then threw the Nox dagger. The manticore leapt to the side, letting the dagger hit one of the sky steel rods. However, that was Dallions goal to begin with. The moment he saw the creature change direction, he split again. Two of his instances dashed straight at the manticore. Then, when he was a foot away, he performed his final attack.

Scales covered the whole of its body same as before, but this time Dallion didnt follow up with s standard spark attack, but went all out with a point attack as well.

The scales shattered like thin ice. Moments later, the force punched through the rest of the manticores body, causing it to pop into a cloud of spray. Minuscule black droplets flew in all directions, quickly evaporating under the power of the spark.

Finally, Dallioon said to himself.

Breathing heavily, he went to retrieve his dagger. He didnt pausehe couldnt afford to. The moment the adrenaline was gone, pain and exhaustion would hit him like a ton of bricks. He had to reach the star before that could happen.

Well played, Arthurows said. Tool you long enough. If you were one of my followers, youd have been elevated to second in chargethat would be my representation in the world. People have killed each other for millennia to achieve that rank. Not all that many managed to make it.

Not bothering to reply, Dallion leaped up along the rebars. There were no ladders or even openings in the seventh floor ceiling, but that only meant that Dallion was going to have to make one.

I can still grant you that, the star added. Its more than anyone else could offer you. Even if you release the phoenix, youll only get some spellcrafting skills. I can give you so much more.

Spark, Dallion whispered, thrusting the harpsisword forward.

Instinctively, Dallion split again and did a line arrack. Void matter cubes emerged all around him, protecting the furniture and arcade machines.

You dont listen, do you? A sharp edge was felt in the Stars tone. And still he didnt attack.

Wont be the first time youd lied. Dallion took a step back. Whats next? Will you offer me a Xbox if I join you?

No. You either join me or Ill kill you. Thats the deal. Armor of void matter formed over his casual clothes. This means he was serious, but also that he was afraid. The Moons still have some dominion over me, so to kill you, I must follow the rules. Offering you a way out is part of the rules.

Aether, if I release you, can you kill him? Dallion asked.

Easily, the aetherbird replied. All the void matter is just for show.

Can I?

No way. Even if you didnt get any wounds getting here, youll be squished.

Why let me come here, then?

Because only this way youll believe me, you have no other choice than releasing me.

Hes tempting you, isnt he? Arthurows frowned. I bet hes going on and on about how he can make everything right if you just release him back into the world. Did he start promising things yet?

Dallions expression stiffened.

What did he promise? Teaching you magic? Having you take my place?

Getting Gleam back, Dallion said.

Your shardfly? It was inevitable. The species is violent and territorial. How else did you think they survived in the wilderness?

You could have stopped the other one. You chose not to.

Maybe I could have. There was a grain of doubt in his voice. Dallion heard it clearly. Is that what it would have taken for you to join me?

It might have.

I guess well never know. A gunblade emerged in each of Arthurows hands. Now that he was in his own domain, the weapons were a lot more finely crafted with immaculate details, and no doubt much more accurate and deadly.

Drawing the Nox dagger, Dallion tapped the Harpsisword in his leg. Just then, a rectangle appeared.