novelcity
Chapter 156: Delroa
Chapter 156: Delroa
No.6 Delroa.
This Single Number, which had been eliminated in the Lüpir star system, was still a symbol of terror in the Galactic Empire.
The Lüpir star system, where 90% of the Galactic Empire’s forces evaporated during the subjugation operation alone, became the graveyard for most of the heroes who once dominated the space age.
Half of them had become wandering souls as soon as the battle began.
Boom-
“Everyone, close your eyes!”
Just making eye contact with Delroa was enough to blur the boundary between life and death.
Enormous blood-red eyeballs. 12 eyeballs were contained within their pupils. And within those eyeballs, 108 more eyeballs gazed at the Imperial forces.
Staring at the blood-red eyeballs seemed to reverse one’s will to live, as if strangling oneself.
“Ugh!”“Argh!”
Some heroes were strangling themselves while spitting blood.
This isn’t the time to be thinking.
Karlstein forcibly knocked them out and glared at Delroa. Only then could he take in the creature’s full form.
Countless hands enveloped the huge blood-red eyeballs. Behind the body made of hands, 12 wings fluttered slightly, leaving afterimages.
Single Numbers were characterized by a bizarre disgust that twisted one’s thought processes.
That’s not the real one.
It was clearly different from the one that nearly annihilated the Galactic Empire forces. Not only was it smaller than expected, but it also lacked the same overwhelming presence as before.
Yet… its unique mental attacks were similar.
Damn it.
The heroes with closed eyes were trembling and sweating.
In truth, sealing off vision was not a big problem for those here. They had often trained with some of their five senses restricted.
But even so…
“Urgh.”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
“What on earth?”
The heroes could barely control their bodies. They struggled to respond properly.
It was a mental attack that went beyond restricting senses, as if completely removing them from perception. Its mental attacks were so bizarre that even non-sensory training could not fill the gap.
This Kaiju was a completely different type from Kameira, which only responded with physical force.
It had to be this one of all things.
Those participating in this subjugation operation were composed to match Kameira.
Heroes were highly valuable personnel. Rather than meaningless sacrifices en masse without considering compatibility like in the past Lüpir operation, they were better catered to specialized missions.
In other words, they were badly matched against Delroa.
I have to do this. No, I’ve got to do it alone.
Fighters like Maxien, Leira, and Palteon had to focus their strength on defeating Kameira later. They could not afford to waste their strength here.
Karlstein steeled his resolve.
Right.
Above all…
“Delroa!!!”
He also possessed Delroa’s power.
Let’s see who’s stronger.
“All forces, fall back!”
Currently, the allies could shout with their mouths open, but they could not tell if they were speaking properly, if they could hear, or if it was real. However, the golden wavelength in Karlstein’s voice was properly conveyed even to allies who had lost their hearing.
“Your Majesty!!”
“Are you there?!”
“My senses… even using Ether…! Ugh!”
Karlstein took a deep breath and shouted, imbuing it with Delroa’s power.
“Do not panic and stay where you are!”
Fortunately, Delroa just stood there staring at him, unmoving.
Karlstein invoked his power and placed his hand on Milo’s shoulder. A force alien to Ether rose and combined with the Ether.
At first, I couldn’t even draw this much…
Golden light seeped into Karlstein’s red Ether.
Whoosh-
A wave spread out instantly as the air was pushed away from Karlstein.
“You should be able to endure for a moment.”
“Urgh…!”
The veins on Milo’s muscular body bulged.
“Y-Your Majesty…!”
His senses seemed to have returned barely, but he was not in good condition.
“It’ll be hard, but bear with it.”
It was the power of a Single Number to begin with. It was difficult for a human body to withstand it unscathed.
No one but Milo could endure this much.
“You lead the others and retreat to the passage.”
“Your Majesty! I cannot—“
“Milo! Do you dare to disobey?!”
Karlstein was urgent. Once Delroa started acting in earnest, he would not be able to pay attention to anything else.
“Ugh! U-understood. Cough!”
“I didn’t call you for nothing. You alone must protect all of them.”
Milo barely managed to nod.
“…If it’s just enduring.”
“Yes, I trust you.”
Most likely… this was as far as Milo could go.
“That’s enough. You’ve done well.”
Having placed such a heavy responsibility solely on Milo, he would likely struggle to contribute in the upcoming battle against Kameira.
“Take care of the rest, install the suppressors, and stand by.”
Karlstein pulled out the No. 6 balance-type armament, a spear and shield form, from his weapon box.
Crack-
Golden Ether began to explode outwards.
“Hoo…”
Golden aura rippled in his breath, and ghostly fire flowed from his eyes.
Why was Karlstein worshiped almost like a religion in the Galactic Empire?
Humans instinctively drew out power to protect themselves from danger. This was correlated with both physical and mental strength. Ether was basically a mutually destructive energy source that destroyed the mind the more it was used.
The more recklessly and excessively humans circulate Ether, the more they unconsciously consume mental strength.
But Karlstein’s mental barrier… had never reached its limit until now.
Ether close to infinity began to burst out from within his body.
I’ve slain it once, I can do it twice again.
***
?uuh, tf wrong with the screen
?flickering on and off lol
?o is it just me? suddenly feeling goosebumps
?yea it been that way since entering that clearing
?kinda feel sick idk y
?ughh
?What is this?
At first, they thought there was just a problem with the screen. It had been broadcasting fine until now.
But after Delroa appeared on screen, things gradually became quiet.
Was it inexplicable anxiety? Or perhaps an instinct as living beings?
?fack urgh
?somehow feel like throwing up
?my heads going fuzzy since that thing appeared
It was as if the reality of ?Chaos?, which had only been felt indirectly until now, was becoming visible.
?It was this bad?
?and this isn’t even the final boss right
?feels like a final boss tho rite lol
?never seen orange looking so seriousface
?uhh what the hells up with those guys?
?Suicide?
?so suddenly wtf?
?maybe its a mental attack?
?@.@…
For users just watching through the Community, they only felt chills, without major problems. But when it started affecting reality, it became tangible enough to feel on their skin.
?phew. idk what it wud be like seeing that in reality
?would prolly faint
?just fainting is lucky dude
Fortunately, the Community connection gradually stabilized.
?Lich-sama doing god’s work yo
?heard bro is pouring his soul into stabilizing the community.
?lmao
?he was active enough to be a community celebrity, yet he’s gone missing after going under oradge
?think he being worked to da bone hahaha
?thats how you use engineers lol
And then came Karlstein’s golden Ether.
?this one’s even worse.
?Is he really human?
?ugh. it’s not that gross or idk uncomfortable feeling again but…
?What is this?
As Karlstein began to wield his power in earnest, even the Community users could feel it.
?feels like im boiling inside for sum reason
?same.
?Passion? Resentment? Anger? Joy?
?no i think its like a complete set of emotions lol
?bros i gotta take a break for a min
?same.
The confusion from the sudden emotional changes was brief.
?IS THIS REAL?
?are we being affected because Oradge’s in serious mode?
?No way lol
?say something believable brahaha
?but i think it’s true?
?How strong must he be for this to be possible?
?….
The Community’s atmosphere became heavier as the influence reached beyond the Community.
It was different from earlier with Delroa. A Kaiju was, obviously, different from humans.
Well, it could be possible. There could exist beings capable of influencing beyond the Community. It was a vague thought, but they did not deny the possibility with thoughts like maybe, perhaps, or could be.
But a human? By himself at that?
It felt different. So much so that they wondered if there was a problem with the Community.
?Lich bro r u slacking?
?monitor the server bro lol
?Is this really okay? What if we suddenly get possessed or something later?
?dats some scary shit ha
?lmao ikr
But they could not help but fall silent at the ensuing battle.
?….
?….
The Kaiju called Delroa was being personally torn apart by Karlstein, splattering blood.
***
[Welcome to the secret chat room.]
?You’ve come?
?Why so late?
?Ah, I had some business.
?I heard you’re quite busy these days?
?Well, aren’t we all?
?Haah…. These are turbulent times.
This was, to put it, a gathering of Community users who did not engage in external activities.
?What do you think of the Galactic Empire?
?Hmm…
?Cautious aren’t we now.
?Come now, it’s just us.
?Hmm….
But no one would dare underestimate them.
?It’s a complicated situation.
?The world is wide indeed.
?It was the wrong time to be licking each other’s wounds.
They could not be compared to ordinary users.
?Isn’t it unclear what stance we should take?
?Still… he’s too extreme.
?His actions since claiming to be an administrator have been truly dangerous.
?Not just extreme, but impulsive too.
?Dimensional conquest….
?But he wasn’t the type to be consumed by conquest either.
?I don’t think it’s bad.
?It will be difficult to delay any longer. Your dimensions might be the next target.
?Hmm….
?Let us decide quickly.
?But considering Sephiroth and Chaos….
Were they to cooperate… or oppose Oradge?
But as those in power always have, they brought up cautious arguments.
?He doesn’t seem to know about our existence, is there a need to step forward?
?Waiting might not be bad.
?Mhm I agree
?We need to observe his future actions.
?Let us watch a little longer.
And then…
?Oh, I have something else to share with you all.
?Mm?
?Good news?
?Haha. It’s nothing much, just thought it might be time to accept a new member.
?Oh.
?How many centuries has it been?
?Well if it’s your recommendation….
?Indeed, I’m quite interested.
?So what’s their nickname?
?Is it an active fella?
After a moment’s pause, someone finally revealed the nickname.
?It’s someone called I’mThePirateKing.
?Oho….
The Community was vast, yet at the same time, /genesisforsaken