Chapter 125

“Edu! Leave the rest to me!!”

Chancellor Ryeoju dives towards Eisen Lier.

“Yes!!”

Edu responds loudly, shifting his gaze not to Eisen Lier but to the enemies charging in from both sides.

His sharp features indicate he has been working out quite seriously, his size having grown significantly.

Dressed in optical camouflage clothing, figures wielding particle swords in one hand rapidly approach.

‘Hunter Bot Medium Type.’

Upon identifying the target, he begins his response.

“Humanoid summoning, Marionettes!!”

Before the armed Marionettes, a group of Marionettes without any weaponry is summoned.

A group of unarmed Marionettes align perfectly before their fully equipped counterparts.

“Unarmed ones, charge! Grab them!”

[Understood.]

The unarmed Marionettes charge toward the Hunter Bots.

[Constraint, elimination.]

In response, the Hunter Bots increase their speed and charge head-on.

Sizzle-

Bang! Clang!!

The particle swords slice through the Marionettes.

Hunter Bots and Marionettes crash into each other, scattering away.

[?]

While some are being sliced, some Hunter Bots are subdued by multiple Marionettes.

“Armed ones, fire at the subdued enemies!”

[Confirmed.]

Pew Pew Pew!

Fully automatic shotguns spit fire.

Slug rounds from the 12-gauge shotguns penetrate the heads of Hunter Bots, scattering and destroying their bodies.

Bang.

The bodies of the fallen Hunter Bots.

“Alright, let’s finish off the enemies-”

At that moment, a Hunter Bot slightly farther back grabs something from within its possession.

A cylindrical object glowing with a blue light.

A grenade from the Invaders.

“Grenade! Fire at it!!”

Pew Pew Pew!

Concentrated gunfire is fired in its direction.

[?!]

The Hunter Bot is neutralized by the destructive force.

But the beeping tone from the fallen grenade indicates it has been activated, the color changing.

“Tsk.”

Recognizing the activation of the grenade, he raises his voice.

“Everyone, cover your ears and get down!”

He shouts loudly while diving sideways toward a nearby machine.

Clamping his hands firmly over his ears and curling up just in time, the explosion occurs.

Boom!

Rumble….

The situation changes rapidly.

However, there is no time to lie there idly, so he quickly stands up and observes his surroundings.

[Truly impressive skills! This is quite remarkable.]

“Keep comparing me with such remarks…!”

In one corner of the command room, Chancellor and Eisen Lier exchange rapid blows that are hard to keep up with visually.

Clang! Clang!

The continuous sound of metal clashing against metal.

The handling of six arms by Eisen Lier is impressive, but Chancellor, with his small frame, dodges all the attacks and attacks the openings, proving to be incredible himself.

Caught in the spell of their fight, the gunfire erupts nearby.

Bang!

An armor-piercing slug round hits the arm of a charging Hunter Bot, and the particle sword, mid-swing, veers off course as the wrist is torn off.

The Hunter Bot group is closing in rapidly.

It also seems they have gathered all their forces here, as more Hunter Bots keep pouring in from the corridor.

‘This isn’t the time.’

After steadying his thoughts and concentrating on the situation, Edu observes.

The tangled fight between the Marionettes and the Hunter Bots.

Though slightly pushed back by the overwhelming numbers of the Hunter Bots, they are not about to fall immediately.

Then the priority should be—

“To all my allies, please retreat further!”

“Understood!”

Lovan and his subordinates respond swiftly to my shout.

After confirming the secured space at the back, he raises his voice again.

“Lovan, it’s alright if the gear is somewhat damaged, right?!”

“I understand we can’t spare the situation! Please do as necessary!”

“Yes, understood!”

After receiving the confirmation, he takes immediate action.

“Cancel Collection! The place shall be the empty space behind me!”

– The collection function will be canceled. The MBT-4S Saver Tank will be deployed in the nearest empty space.

A streak of light appears as the Saver manifests.

[Edu-dono, have you found me.]

“Yes, please board inside and take care of the people behind!”

[Understood.]

The sound of the hatch opening is heard.

“Everyone, board the tank!!”

“Understood, everyone, move!”

Lovan and the subordinates swiftly board the tank.

Though there were quite a number of people, the modification of the vehicle for living purposes turns out to be a wise move.

[All personnel have been accommodated.]

“Alright, then please support the Marionettes!”

[Understood.]

The turret moves.

Once the cannon points slightly downwards, the coaxial machine gun begins firing.

Dr-dr-r!

The bullets piercing the neck section of the Hunter Bots.

The head parts fall and roll down while armor-piercing rounds hit the torso deprived of its head.

Though the power of the armor-piercing slugs is lacking, the continuous firing of the coaxial machine gun breaks the momentum of the enemy.

The situation where the allies were slightly being pushed back becomes advantageous again, with the support fire from the Saver.

“Alright, it’s done here-”

He moves his gaze back towards Chancellor.

Klang!

“Ugh!”

“Chancellor!?”

A gear flying from Chancellor’s hand.

[Weakling, is this all your battlefield skill encompasses?]

The scythe, having flown off, returns to its original form. The unguarded Chancellor is now targeted by Eisen Lier’s greatsword.

“Marionettes! Stop it!”

Responding to his shout, the Marionette army charges at Eisen Lier.

[Hmm.]

The greatsword is pulled back before it could be swung and instead, it’s swung horizontally.

The Marionettes cleanly fall apart, cut in half and collapse.

– Warning, significant damage to the summoned creatures. The summoning of Marionettes will end.

– Warning, significant damage to the summoned creatures. The summoning of Marionettes will end…

Even as they disappear one after another with their forms destroyed, it was enough.

“Blood Magic – Bloody Slash!!”

A crimson blade is launched at Eisen Lier.

[Yuck.]

The blades clash as he takes a defensive posture with his close-range weapons.

Ka-gang!!

The retreating body of Eisen Lier.

Seizing the opportunity quickly gives an order.

“Saver, turn sideways and fire the main gun!”

[Understood. Main cannon aiming, firing.]

A loud boom shakes the ground.

The shell collides with Eisen Lier’s body.

Pow!

Between this, Chancellor quietly lands beside Edu after retrieving the gear.

“Thank you, Edu. Thanks to you, I survived.”

“Anything but, it’s only natural.”

“Hmm.”

While conversing, the smoke gradually disperses.

Green light flashes in the fog as Chancellor’s eyes focus on Eisen Lier.

[The ability to summon large units. No, something slightly different, I suspect.]

Even after being hit directly by the tank’s cannon, there are no apparent wounds on Eisen Lier’s body.

“Tsk.”

Just as suspected, this didn’t work either.

While he’s contemplating this, Chancellor’s voice is heard.

“To endure even artillery… truly a difficult opponent.”

“Yes.”

Iron Knight, Eisen Lier.

Not a monstrous creature like Megabase or Earthquake, but in terms of pure combat power, one of the consistently top-tier foes.

And his capabilities are not just specialized for human combat but also referred to as the Grim Reaper among Awakened.

Chancellor is certainly not weak, but, in a nutshell, the match-up is just too bad.

“We may be able to prolong the fight… but guaranteeing victory is a challenge.”

“I’ll offer my support.”

“Hmm? Edu, can your Marionettes-”

“It’s fine, Chancellor. This time, what I’m going to summon isn’t Marionettes.”

At the level-up to 40 the day before, the level 1 enhanced summoned beings were unlocked.

While there wasn’t a pressing need to use them until now, this is the moment to summon them.

“Advanced Humanoid Summon! Baby! Girl! Guy!”

– Advanced summoned beings Baby, Girl, Guy haven’t been unlocked yet. Shall I use skill points to unlock?

“Unlock them please!”

– Baby, Girl, Guy’s unlocking complete. Consuming MP to summon the summoned beings.

Mana flowing out of his body.

Then three summoned beings appear before him.

Baby, with an infant body type shorter by a head and round body features.

Girl, with two huge panels protruding from the back of her neck, taking an arrogant stance.

Guy, whose appearance resembles a gorilla with exaggerated features, his impressive size catching the eye.

[Oh, what a new challenger.]

Eisen Lier’s voice rising with joy.

[However, one cannot revel in just joy alone. Adversary, I will now face you with all my strength!!]

A blue fire erupts around Eisen Lier’s feet, resembling a galloping warhorse.

The six-armed knight charges in.

“Leave the support to us!”

“Understood! Baby! Girl! Guy! Protect Chancellor!”

The three summoned beings nod following the order and follow close behind Chancellor.

The distance narrows in an instant and the battle resumes.

Chancellor’s first move.

With his feet firmly planted, he points a small hand toward Eisen Lier.

“Blood Magic – Bloody Lance!”

Red wedges forming around him.

As he clenches his fists, the wedges shoot toward Eisen Lier.

[Impressive.]

Using his greatsword slightly tilted, Eisen Lier absorbs the impact while blocking the attack.

Baby breaks into the middle of it all.

With a giggle, the round hands stretch out.

The ends turn into gun barrels and an onslaught of bullets fire toward Eisen Lier.

Ding Ding!

Bullets stopped by thick gauntlets.

Baby confirms the uselessness of the attack, shifting his aim. But before another attack can be tried, Eisen Lier swings his particle sword.

A streak left in the air following the sword’s path.

[Oh.]

But Baby rolls up his body to evade the attack, retreating outside Eisen Lier’s reach.

Next is Guy stepping up.

A huge hammer-like fist is lifted high and then brought down.

A primal but effective movement that best utilizes Guy’s size and mass.

[Hmm!]

Eisen Lier realizes its efficiency and pulls his greatsword close to him, swinging it with all his strength.

Ka-gang!!

Guy’s arm is pushed back upon colliding in mid-air.

Eisen Lier then aims a current-infused spear from another arm toward the off-balance Guy.

At that moment, a shadow emerges from Guy’s waist.

The shadow leaps high up, spinning in mid-air gaining centrifugal force, then launches a kick.

[Impressive indeed.]

With a swing, Eisen Lier levels his spear to block the attack.

In the meantime, Baby and Chancellor close in on him.

A seamless combination of attacks.

“Hmm.”

But despite the attacks from all sides, Eisen Lier remains without any noticeable damage.

This was unavoidable as Chancellor initially had a disadvantage, which is now balanced out with these three, making it an even battle. However, a decisive blow is needed to knock him down.

“The tank’s cannon doesn’t work, so something stronger….”

In fact, if the Colossus could be summoned, its overwhelming mass might offer some solution, but this room is too small for it.

Robotic weapons may be better when bigger and more magnificent, but it’s not always advantageous to be huge.

Though regrettable, he decides to discard the option of using the Colossus, when a memory of a game with friends comes up.

A MORPG game where you explore dungeons and level up your character.

Among the skills in the game, one skill flashes in his mind.

“Huh? Wait. What if—”

A skill that couldn’t be used in AOE.

But the rules here aren’t exactly tailored to AOE.

So, AOE’s impossibility doesn’t mean it’s not possible here.

Could it work?

Partially summoning a summoned being for use.

The clash of metal sounds off in his ears.

[Their combination attacks are flawless, however… ]

In the midst of this, it seems he’s figured out the pattern of four different attacks and appears more relaxed than before.

No time.

“Phew.”

He settles his breath and focuses.

“Summon Humanoid Marionette.”

Before summoning the Colossus, he starts with testing using Marionettes.

Unlike before, he carefully adjusts the mana while visualizing a specific form in his mind.

– Warning, the mana required to maintain the summoned being is insufficient, and the summoning of Marionettes will be canceled.

The warning echoes in his mind as the Marionettes appear in a somewhat awkward form and disappear.

The first attempt fails.

But he doesn’t stop, continuing to try.

Two, three, four, five.

The vague shape gradually gains definition, with specific parts of the Marionette coming into focus.

Six, seven, eight, nine.

And finally, the tenth attempt.

Before him stands a Marionette mostly composed of mana, but with an actual physical right hand.

“Done!”

The brief moment of achievement fades.

– Warning, the mana required to maintain the summoned being is insufficient, and the summoning of Marionettes will be canceled…

As the Marionette disappears with the warning.

But this attempt is enough.

Just landing a hit on him right after summoning should be enough.

While contemplating this, he suddenly stands up.

Eisen Lier charges toward him.

[Adversary! You are plotting something again!!]

As he shouts and charges forward, Baby and Girl unleash their attacks on him, but Eisen Lier doesn’t even glance at them.

Easily evading or taking the incoming attacks with his body, he accelerates even faster.

Guy steps forward and attempts to block the path with his arm, but Eisen Lier uses it as a launching pad to leap into the air.

“Edu, dodge!”

Chancellor urgently shouts and rushes towards him.

But there’s no space to dodge.

[You let your guard down! I shall take your life!!]

The greatsword raised high.

Time seems to slow down, and the enormous blade approaches.

The rapidly closing distance.

As he tries to move his legs, they feel rooted to the ground, not responding.

‘A.’

He’s going to die.

He shut his eyes tightly, as it’s now inevitable.

At that moment,

“Haaah!!”

A friend’s voice is heard.

Kaaang!!

[What?!]

A startled Eisen Lier’s voice filled with surprise.

As he slightly opens his closed eyes, he feels a small, soft warmth on his cheek.

“Ta!”

“Seoli? Then—”

He opens his eyes and tilts his head.

“Edu, are you alright?”

She stands tall before him, protecting the spot.

“Nisia…!”

“Haaaaaa!”

Again, the shout of battle cry.

Responding to the sound, Eisen Lier reacts and a red streak rapidly strikes his side.

Kaaang!!

[Urgh!]

Eisen Lier’s body is forcibly pushed back despite blocking the attack with his greatsword.

After delivering a blow, Freya wipes her hands and voices her challenge.

“Punk, what have you been trying to do to Edu!”

“Freya!”

“Good, Edu, are you injured?”

“Thanks to you! Please hold him off for a moment!”

“Alright, got it!”

She immediately rushes forward upon his request.

“I’ll join in as well!”

Freya followed by Chancellor, and then the three summoned beings advancing towards Eisen Lier.

“Edu, I’ll keep watch on you.”

Nisia’s warm words.

“…Yes!”

As he nods and focuses.

What’s needed is the Colossus’ arm.

Boldly discarding the rest, he delicately manipulates the mana within him.

Mana spreading outwards around him.

He summons the name of the slumbering giant.

“Armor Summon! Colossus!!”

Mana sphere appearing in mid-air.

The spread mana quickly forms the shape of a giant, but only the right arm takes its form.

The giant’s fist retracted behind him.

“Everyone, get out of the way!!”

As he raises his voice, all move from their positions and Eisen Lier looks at him.

“Smash! Colossus Punch!!!”

The arm of the giant launched towards him.

[So, this was your plan.]

Gathering all his weapons before himself, Eisen Lier outputs increased power while spitting fire.

The giant’s arm and the Iron Knight collide.

The immense mass transforms into brutal violence, the primal force splitting apart the knight’s armor and weapons.

Finally, the giant’s fist makes contact with the ironclad knight’s body.

[Impressive!!]

Huge Explosion!!!!