Chapter 117: Chapter 117: System's Stake

Fathoran: 279 - 70 crit = 1 Resistance / 148 Armor Resistance.

The claws closed like a relentless cage around the Founder.

Elio Mana: 9

With a fluid motion, Fathoran raised his cloak and wrapped himself in it.

Elio, with all the strength he could muster, began to crush and twist, determined to end the threat once and for all.

Elio Mana: 7

Fathoran: 149 - 25 = 1 Resistance / 123 Armor Resistance.

Elio could feel the resistance of the Founder's body and increased the pressure...

The sound of carbon and nickel hands grinding filled the air.

Elio Mana: 6

He squeezed harder...

Elio Mana: 5

Fathoran: 124 - 25 = 1 Resistance / 98 Armor Resistance.

Harder...

Elio Mana: 4

Fathoran: 99 - 25 = 1 Resistance / 73 Armor Resistance.

HARDER!

Elio Mana: 2

Fathoran's cloak gave way!

CRIT

He* + C* + 2O* + Mana → He(CO2)2* (Barrier) (+50 Resistance (5 min))

6C* + 3O* + 2H* + Ni* + Mana → NiC6O3H2* (Defense enhancer) (x2 Def/Magic Def (5 min))

Fathoran Mana: 6

Fathoran: 74 - 35 crit = 1 Resistance / 58 Armor Resistance / Barrier Resistance (50 - 35) 15

3O* + 2H* + Ni* + Mana → Ni(OH)2·O3 (Corrosive Attack)

Fathoran Mana: 4

Fathoran, still trapped in the attack, could only aim in Elio's general direction.

An explosion of energy caused the carbon hands to shatter into a thousand pieces.

Before Elio could process what happened, a sharp, piercing pain tore through his chest.

Elio: 234 - 25 crit = 1 Resistance / 188 Armor Resistance.

Elio looked down, incredulous, to see a corrosive stake protruding from his heart. The world around him began to fade, and his legs gave way beneath him.

♢♢♢♢

Chaos erupted the instant Fathoran's stake pierced Elio's chest.

The young leader collapsed, his body motionless as his brain couldn't receive oxygen... but still protected by the System's Armor.

Fathoran knew he had little time; the armor would expel the foreign object and regenerate Elio in a few dozen seconds.

Lucien and Selene reacted with a speed born of desperation...

Lucien Lythorien's Statistics

Wind Swift (+20 MD)

Mana: 25/40

Selene's swift pushed him back again, moving him away from his target.

Lucien seized the moment and did the same.

Lucien-Selene Mana: 19

Lucien and Selene exchanged a quick glance, communicating without words.

In perfect synchrony, both launched their attack. Lucien aimed high with his sword, while Selene crouched for a blow to the abdomen.

Lucien-Selene Mana: 18

Fathoran, showcasing his century of experience, blocked Lucien's sword with his own and, in the same movement, twisted his body to avoid Selene's fist.

Without wasting a second, Fathoran counterattacked.

His sword moved in a complex pattern, forcing Lucien and Selene to retreat. Each blow he launched was calculated not only to damage but to bring him closer to Elio.

The swifts of both Summoners sprang into action again, creating air currents that tried to push Fathoran away from his target. The Founder used his sword, cutting through the magic to resist the onslaught.

Lucien-Selene Mana: 15

Fathoran feinted an attack at Lucien, who raised his sword to block. At the last second, he changed direction towards Selene.

Selene, surprised, barely managed to move, but the sword cut her cheek.

Selene: 140 - 5 = 35 Resistance / 100 Armor Resistance.

Lucien, seeing an opening, attacked Fathoran from behind. The Founder spun with superhuman speed, his sword clashing with Lucien's.

Selene seized the moment and launched a series of quick nickel-imbued punches. Fathoran took them head-on, his barrier absorbing the damage.

Selene Mana: 12

Fathoran: 74 - (4x3) = 1 Resistance / 58 Armor Resistance / Barrier Resistance 3

Fathoran counterattacked with a series of quick thrusts, forcing Lucien and Selene back.

He gained more ground towards Elio.

Lucien, seeing Fathoran's advance, used a strong swift impulse and launched a vertical cut aimed at his head.

Lucien Mana: 13

Fathoran's barrier glowed, absorbing part of the impact, but the sword managed to graze his scalp.

Fathoran: 74 - 4 = 1 Resistance / 57 Armor Resistance

The barrier disappeared, giving hope to the duo of summoners.

A metallic sound against the stone floor alerted Fathoran; the stake had been expelled.

Elio would wake up at any moment!

Lucien's swift pushed Fathoran back once more.

Lucien-Selene Mana: 12

"Enough!" Fathoran roared, preparing a corrosive stake.

Selene and Lucien had no way to block the attack, so they decided to prevent it.

They launched their own attacks against Fathoran.

Lucien-Selene Mana: 11

The stake was fired.

Fathoran Mana: 2

Lucien and Selene's attacks were destroyed, and the impact hit them as they stood together covering Elio.

Selene: 135 - 25 crit = 10 Resistance / 75 Armor Resistance.

Lucien: 140 - 25 crit = 15 Resistance / 75 Armor Resistance.

The stake that was heading for the head was slightly deflected by the impact and lodged itself in Elio's chest again.

Elio: 189 - 25 crit = 1 Resistance / 143 Armor Resistance.