Chapter Nineteen: Triple Kill

{Singularity Mini Cannon

Classification: Experimental Gravitic Weapon System.

Details: A Singulite-powered weapon that compresses volatile Particles into unstable matter. After launch, the mass implodes beyond ten metres, dispersing superheated particles capable of melting flesh and damaging armour.}

Valen stood there in dumbfounded amazement as he checked the mini cannon’s details over and over again.

He just couldn’t believe that the system had been so good to him as to install such a powerful cannon into his specialised Power Suit.

When he first read its details, he thought it was nothing special. After using it, however, he realised just how devastating it truly was.

His earlier belief that the 20%-charged Singularity Reactor could fire the mini cannon thrice was truly laughable. That one attack had drained the full 20% of the Reactor’s energy.

But it was certainly worth it. It was just that he hadn’t been too far from the centre of the explosion and so a large part of his Lv. 5 Power Suit got deformed by the blast.

Needless to say, the three Level 10 Centipedes had been blown apart. They had first received the full attack of the lady’s level 10 C-Rank left arm cannon, leaving them incredibly weak. Then they experienced his attack which was capable of melting flesh and damaging armour.

The system notifications came just in time.

---

System: [You have slain a Level 10, normal class Ironfang Centipede. Beast’s level is higher than yours by 8.99%, points and Exp gained are greatly increased.]

[You have received 2,320 points and 2,700 Exp]

[No loot gained.]

[You have slain a Level 10, normal class Ironfang Centipede. Beast’s level is higher than yours by 8.99%, points and Exp gained are greatly increased.]

[You have received 2,320 points and 2,700 Exp]

[Rewards: 5 purple coins, and 1 Medical Nanokit.]

[You have slain a Level 10, normal class Ironfang Centipede. Beast’s level is higher than yours by 8.99%, points and Exp gained are greatly increased.]

[You have received 2,320 points and 2,700 Exp]

[Reward: Lv. 10 Common-Rank MK-11 Sniper Rifle.]

[Congratulations! Your Silver Watch has levelled up. Upgrading system model.

Current Level: 2]

[New features have been unlocked. User is advised to look through them]

---

’So many points!’ Valen’s heartbeat sped up.

He wasn’t overly surprised by the low rewards of killing the Level 10 Ironfang Centipedes. From level 10 upwards, the rewards would get less and less with every kill.

Only the points and Exp would remain consistent. The rewards system was, after all, established to cater to new Evolvers.

Valen suppressed the joy in his heart as he shifted his attention ahead.

’Sure enough, she survived,’ he thought as he observed the lady in the Blue Power Suit.

She hovered in the air with some part of her Power Suit damaged. She had flown higher just in time to evade his mini cannon. Still, the deformity wasn’t as severe as Valen’s own. After all, she was clad in what Valen suspected to be a Lv. 10 C-Rank Power Suit.

This made Valen’s expression turn grim behind the mask. Even so, he didn’t show it as he casually walked forward.

His steps were light and slow as he advanced. It was not because he wanted to act cool, but, well, he just didn’t have sufficient strength left.

The adrenaline rush of the previous events had caused quite the strain on his already fragile body.

As he approached, the lady in the sky subconsciously retreated.

He didn’t so much as spare the lady a second glance as he bent down to pick up three black rocks from the ground.

Although he acted indifferent so the lady would remain cautious of him, Valen was still on full alert, internally praying that she wouldn’t attack while remaining wary.

He finally recalled where he had heard of these Ironfang Centipedes. In his three years of high school, he had been taught about these species.

The reason why they were important was because of a special black rock on their carapaces. It was one of the rare materials used in stabilising wormholes.

Although Valen didn’t need it as he did not even know the refinement method, he could still sell it to the system for points, or head to the Evolvers Association to exchange it for weapons or equipment he currently needed.

The black rocks were also useful for research purposes. The carcasses of monsters would turn black and useless whenever slain, yet the black rock or other kinds of special materials on some beasts remained untainted.

However, these special materials would still have to undergo a series of scraping, boiling, or washing to make the material thoroughly cleaned of blood and decaying matter. This was just how terrifying creatures from the abyss were.

Only Evolution Beasts were outside this rule. They were beasts that hadn’t evolved, but possessed an enormous amount of trophic within their flesh. Eating them could enhance one’s level.

"Return it," a calm voice from ahead drew Valen’s attention just as he tucked the three black rocks into the brown pouch hanging from his suit’s waist.

A short distance away stood the man clad in Blood Diamond Armour. By now, he had dealt with the Level 10 Feral Ironfang Centipede and had retrieved its black rock which was a sizeable chunk larger than Valen’s own.

Valen regarded him unwaveringly as he said: "Sorry, it’s not for sale."

The mech pilots who watched from the distance gaped at Valen’s response to the man. Although they felt greatly frustrated about the recent happenings, especially as it was all orchestrated by the man to lure out the Ironfang Centipedes, they still didn’t dare voice their resentment.

Yet Valen straight up rejected his command. It was indeed unfair of the man to ask for Valen’s spoils as they rightfully belonged to him, but... was such a man — who had gone so far just for four Level 10 Centipedes — truly reasonable?

Valen’s teammates were also surprised by his response. Didn’t Valen understand that death was certain? Was it worth it to die over mere Level 10 materials?

With the talent Valen had displayed, reaching Level 10 should be a breeze for him, so why was he so eager to go die?

Tristan placed a hand behind his back, tightly gripping onto a black dagger. His gaze was sharp as he prepared to dash out at any moment. Valen had saved him once, and he wasn’t one to avoid repaying favours.

Edgar shook his head while muttering: "Humans die for wealth, birds for food. Sadly, I wouldn’t be joining you on your righteous endeavour, for I have something more ’important’ to do."

Casting a final glance at Valen and the man, Edgar shifted his gaze to the spots on the ground where the Ironfang Centipedes had burst from.

Then, he smiled sinisterly behind his visor as he subtly began to retreat. If anyone paid attention, they would realise that it was towards one of those spots.

Contrary to everyone’s thoughts, Valen wasn’t acting on impulse. Indeed, he was the type that would die for his treasures, but Level 10 materials certainly didn’t fall into this category.

His main reason for his confidence was certainly way more than the deterrence effect of his now exhausted Singularity Mini Cannon.

The man in the Blood Diamond Power Suit didn’t say anything else, simply pointing out a finger.

"Brother, be careful. He has a very weird, but powerful cannon." The lady spoke for the first time, her soft voice drifting across the area as she flew to the side of her brother.

The man shook his head and said in a cold tone: "It’s no cause for worry. My absolute bronze field has already depleted a majority of his suit’s energy. That attack just now must have sapped all he has left. Even if he could somehow use it once more, I’m at a distance where it would have minimal effect."

The lady didn’t speak anymore, simply nodding her head. It was clear she believed whatever her brother said.

Valen’s expression turned slightly tense behind the mask.

’Why aren’t you here already? Come on, be faster!’

The bronze throne in the sky shimmered with bronze light as it charged energy. Just as it was about to fire, the man in the Blood Diamond Power Suit stared at the horizon and hurriedly waved his hands.

The glowing bronze throne that had just readied itself to blast out a beam stopped and descended before the man.

He picked up his cloak from the ground and spoke to his sister: "We can’t remain here any longer. We should leave."

The lady nodded as she, too, observed the horizon.

They both hurriedly retreated beside the wormhole. The cloaked man eyed Valen indifferently.

"I’ll remember your face."

Then, he pulled out the white gems from the two gates that stabilised the wormhole and held his sister close.

His bronze throne also grew larger and transformed into an iron pod, swallowing them both before diving into the dissipating wormhole at a speed akin to light.

It all sounded exaggeratedly long on paper, but everything happened within a few seconds.

The next moment, the man and his sister were gone. The wormhole also collapsed and disappeared, the distorted surroundings returning to normal.

The Absolute Bronze Field also disappeared, but the devoured energy hadn’t returned, so its disappearance made no difference to the overall scenario.

Valen was thoroughly drained of strength. Hunger and thirst ravaged his insides as he watched the surrounding Amberfiends roar and charge over with bloodthirsty gazes.

However, before they could reach the Evolvers, a thick red beam descended from the sky, obliterating all Amberfiends in its path.

Everyone raised their heads as a large air ship descended before them.

The reinforcements had arrived!

******

Author’s Note: I hope you’ve been enjoying the novel so far. This is actually my first time writing a raiding arc, so please forgive the many inconsistencies. I’ll be reading your comments and will constantly improve my writing until the day I can write such an arc with fewer Chapters, haha.

Next up is the arc in which Valen enters the Astral Veil, facing dangers while also gaining opportunities. I know that, so far, he hasn’t used his Silver King’s Legacy very much, which has caused some mild dissatisfaction among readers.

I assure you that the upcoming plotlines will mostly revolve around the Silver King’s Legacy. I hope you continue to support this story with gifts, Power Stones, and Golden Tickets. Every one counts, and I’m grateful for your support of my book. This has been quite a lengthy note, I’d say. But cheers to the future!