Chereads / SPECIAL STAR / Chapter 44 - FURTHER INTO THE BATTLE

Chapter 44 - FURTHER INTO THE BATTLE

Megan, Kiren, and Mikey attacks the Crab monster from various angles, employing their firearms and weapons to create minor cracks in the Crab's armor. Responding quickly, the Crab unleashes a barrage of spikes from its body. Kiren promptly summons his shield, deflecting the projectiles, while Mikey narrowly evades the incoming spikes. At the same time, Megan executes a swift upward kick, utilizing her magnetic boots to repel the spikes back toward the Crab. Observing the emerging cracks in the Crab's armor begin to mend, Megan emphasizes that they need to attack faster. Recognizing the need for speed, Mikey stresses the importance of landing multiple strikes to break the Crab's armor before it can counterattack and heal its armor. Kiren's attention is drawn to the glowing spikes scattered throughout the lobby. Urgently, he alerts everyone to be cautious as the spikes begin emitting mini lasers. Megan leaps upward, finding refuge on the chandelier. Meanwhile, Kiren employs his shield to intercept most of the lasers, but a few manage to cut his back.

Mikey, wielding his sword, expertly maneuvers at lightning speed, deflecting each laser with incredible precision. To Megan's surprise, she observes an enchantment imbuing Mikey's sword with magic, revealing his newfound ability. As the magic infuses Mikey's body, a vibrant magic aura envelops him, and he expresses the surge in his speed due to this newfound power. Witnessing Mikey's accelerated movements, he swiftly strikes the Crab's armor more than 50 times before the creature can retaliate with its claws. Mikey skillfully evades the Crab's counterattack, swiftly carving into its armor multiple times before it can regenerate. Simultaneously, Megan hurls her staff, which splits into two parts, repeatedly striking the Crab's armor with force. Utilizing the ceiling with her feet, she rips the chandelier off and hits the Crab monster with it, shattering glass in all directions. In a coordinated assault, Kiren rushes forward, wielding his hammer, delivering a forceful upward blow to the Crab's face, launching it airborne and spinning. Taking advantage of the moment, Megan's staff emits electricity, immobilizing the Crab in a electrical shock.

Mikey drives his magical sword into the floor, illuminating the scattered glass shards across the floor with a mystical glow. Infused with magic, the glass shards rocket off the ground, embedding themselves into the Crab's armor. Recognizing the armor's vulnerability, Kiren prepares his next attack, sensing that the Crab's defenses are on the brink of collapse. Suddenly, a massive Panther monster bursts through the lobby wall, forcefully knocking the Crab monster aside. It exhales dark flames, engulfing the entire lobby. Seeking shelter, Mikey and Megan take cover behind Kiren, who shields them from the fiery onslaught. Seizing the opportunity, Megan employs her magic, propelling her staff toward the panther, striking its chin and redirecting its flames toward the ceiling.

Acting swiftly, Megan charges at the panther, utilizing magnetic forces from her boots to push the creature out into the backyard. The force of her action sends her flying backward, landing on Kiren's shield. Determined and fueled by anger, she declares her intent to face Jarvis alone. Sensing her resolve, Kiren and Mikey witness the determination in her eyes as she uses her magnetic boots to launch herself off Kiren's shield, soaring out into the backyard. They then detect movement, observing the scorched Crab monster shaking off the flames from its body. Preparing for another battle, they brace themselves, but suddenly, the blazing ceiling collapses into the lobby, forcing them to retreat a bit. Amidst the chaos, Kiren spots Volk descending from the burning ceiling, landing atop the Crab monster.

Volk asserts that while facing a mindless creature might be manageable, dealing with a powerful rider and a well-trained beast presents a greater challenge. Placing his hand on the Crab's back, he channels red magic from his palm into the creature, causing numerous large red veins to spread across its body. Volk explains that he was once a man devoid of magic, but his son Henry granted him the ability to control any mount creature. Ready to commence round two, he draws his chainsaw sword, its roaring sound echoing loudly amid the flames that burn brightly around them. Mikey alerts Kiren to prepare, emphasizing that this battle will be their hardest fight. Kiren, filled with emotion, declares his determination to avenge Ragnar.

During the main battle, Rune cuts off many riders from their mounts, aided by Simbad who guards his rear. Stella utilizes her weaponized arm to target and shoot down numerous riders. Agustin deftly avoids mounted attackers, hurling his explosive daggers across the battlefield. Using his lion-like tail, he topples a rider from their mount. Meanwhile, Jean takes cover behind a battle bus at Mai's direction, scanning the area for targets. Spotting a couple of riders reloading behind trees, Jean takes aim with his assault rifle and eliminates a Rider from his hiding spot. Suddenly, Agustin catches sight of Henry, his fury evident as he morphs his feet and arms into lion paws. Charging on all fours toward Henry, he bellows his name aloud.

Henry announces that he's kept this creature hidden away, enduring his experiments for a long time. With a flick of his finger, a humanoid Rabbit monster emerges from the mansion, bounding on its two legs as it leaps among the trees and joins the fray. The Rabbit delivers a lightning-fast barrage of kicks, striking Agustin's body 20 times in quick succession, sending him hurtling into a nearby tree. Using his lion-like paws, Agustin manages to catch himself. Agustin engages in a rapid exchange of paw strikes with the Rabbit, and Stella intervenes by leaping in and firing her weapon arm. The Rabbit skillfully evades the bullets and manages to kick Agustin away. Stella's weapon arm transforms into a blade as she attempts a downward slash strike at the Rabbit, who deftly dodges and retaliates with multiple kicks. Although Stella defends with her weapon arm, a few strikes land on her body and head, causing her to collide into a nearby tree and coughs up some blood. As the Rabbit prepares for another kick, Agustin steps in, intercepting the attack, and the skirmish between them continues amidst the island's forest.

Henry observes Rune and Simbad skillfully dispatching numerous riders and then orders Luka to enter the fray. Stepping onto the battlefield, Luka draws his sword, and the orb at its hilt gleams brightly. When Ezzy commands her men to shoot at Luka, the orb on his sword emits an even brighter light, creating a magical dome that shields him from all the bullets. Declaring his intent to face Rune and Simbad without any interruptions, Luka's legs transform into those of a horse. He leaps out of the magic dome, delivering powerful kicks that send both Rune and Simbad flying back to the road between the lakes. Landing in front of them, Luka stands poised. Ezzy is on the verge of directing her army to aid Rune and Simbad, but Mai communicates with her through her earpiece, advising Ezzy to focus on the main battle to avoid getting trapped from the enemy's main forces.

Ezzy shifts her attention back to the main battle, urging Jean to finally seek his revenge. Hearing her words, Jean's thoughts dwell on Kayla's death, fueling his fury as flames of anger ignite in his eyes. When Jean notices Henry, Mai intervenes through his earpiece, cautioning him against losing control and warning of the potential danger he can cause to everyone. Ignoring Mai's warning, Ezzy insists they have no other option, recognizing that their strongest warriors are occupied in other battles and that the riders are too strong and that they'll eventually win the main battle. Jean crushes the earpiece and charges forward, narrowly evading the barrage of bullets fired by the riders.

In response to Henry's command, his remaining army to join battle, and the 50 Riders charge into battle on top of their monsters. Jean exhausts his assault rifle's bullets and swiftly switches to his pistol and katana. He takes down several riders with precise shots and slashes. Despite dodging multiple attacks from the charging riders, Jean fights back, surprising Ezzy with his impressive combat skills. Reflecting on how well Jean is handling the situation, Ezzy silently acknowledges Simbad's effective teachings. With assistance from Ezzy's men, Jean continues to confront the rest of the riders in the battle. 

Close by, Xai emerges from the concealed door alongside the remaining slaves and maids. Using his earpiece, Xai communicates with Mai, who monitors the battles from an armored van equipped with multiple screens. Spotting Xai's wave on one of the screens, Mai alerts her father, Rex, signaling that it's his moment to shine. In response, Rex emits a resounding hyper roar. Suddenly, Robo Mall emerges from the nearby forest, leaping into the lake. Extending its robotic arm toward Xai and the group, they clamber onto the arm. Arriving at a door, Xai opens it, ushering everyone inside. Meanwhile, Henry notices the colossal robot and remarks on the long-awaited arrival of their significant robot. His body begins to tremble as over a million small rats pour out from Henry's body, organizing swiftly to form a worm-like structure. The giant rat worm swiftly advances toward Robo Mall. Ember, the last person about to enter the door, is struck by the giant rat worm's collision with Robo Mall, causing her to tumble away. As Xai seals the door shut, he lunges for Ember, catching her mid-fall, and they both plummet into the lake as Robo Mall struggles against the rat worm. Rex alerts that some of the smaller rats are managing to breach the mall's defenses.

Rex activates the autopilot function and enters his robotic suit, descending quickly to the lower levels. Identifying several rats, he targets them with his laser beams. Upon reaching the mall's lobby, Rex observes people fleeing from the rats while a couple of soldiers attempt to fend them off with their bullets. A disturbing moment occurs when some rats infiltrate a soldier's clothing and consume him from within. Responding swiftly, Rex utilizes his magic to project holograms of the slaves and maids throughout the mall, causing confusion among the rats for a moment. However, the rats use their keen sense of smell to detect the scent of blood and sweat, directing them unerringly. Rushing to defend the group, Rex confronts hundreds of rats within the walls as Robo Mall continues its battle against the rat worm outside.

Meanwhile, at the island's front gates, lightning explosions scatter across the vicinity. Michael finds himself struggling in his battle against Rudda, who's proving to be overwhelmingly powerful. Rudda employs a combination of needle and scissor blade attacks in a series that overwhelms Michael's defenses. Nakao observes the intensity of Michael's struggle, noticing the fight encroaching dangerously close to the location to where the rest of the set explosions are at. Via her earpiece, Mai communicates that she's setting up a trap for Rudda and with Nakao being the only one capable of assisting. Mai directs Nakao to do everything possible to lure Rudda to the predetermined trap location. Nakao acknowledges the plan and pledges to give her best effort.

Michael's fear intensifies as the battle escalates and his uncertainty about defeating Rudda grows. He finds himself ensnared by spinning needle blades, gradually fracturing his body armor. Rudda descends upon him, relentlessly striking his chest armor with her scissor blades, leaving Michael helpless in the face of her determination to end him. Suddenly, an armored van crashes into Rudda, whisking her away, and Michael watches as Nakao emerges as the van's driver. Nakao roars, accelerating the van toward the designated trap spot as directed by Mai through her earpiece. Mai instructs Nakao to jump out, and Nakao leaps from the van just before it collides with a tree rigged with explosions. Mai triggers the detonation, resulting in a massive explosion that sends a towering column of smoke billowing into the sky.

Amidst the ongoing battle, Ezzy observes Robo Mall engaged in combat with the Rat Worm. She queries Mai through her earpiece about the status of the slaves and maids, seeking confirmation that they're all out of the mansion. Mai confirms their evacuation, but notes that Kiren, Mikey, and Megan are still on the island. Ezzy instructs Mai to relay a retreat order to them, emphasizing the plan to trigger the remaining explosions to eliminate the riders. However, Mai reveals her inability to reach Megan due to the lack of an earpiece, and the others aren't heeding her instructions. After a brief pause, Ezzy commands her men to fall back. The soldiers embark into battle buses and vans, driving back toward the front gates. Ezzy observes Jean's valiant fight against the remaining Riders, expresses regret, and then boards a van to return to the road. 

In a fierce swordfight, Rune and Simbad clash blades with Luka as the convoy of battle buses and vans rushes past them. Luka remarks that both Rune and Simbad possess latent magical abilities they aren't tapping into. Simbad responds, explaining that it's not a matter of choice but an inability to access those hidden powers. Determined, Luka asserts that he'll be the catalyst to awaken their dormant magic. As Rune and Luka's weapons collide, the ground quakes under their force. Overpowered, Rune suffers a slash across his chest, crashing heavily to the ground.

Simbad, utilizing what little magic he possesses, manipulates small rocks in their vicinity. He hurls these rocks at Luka, who effortlessly shatters them with a swing of his blade. Seizing an opportunity, Simbad lunges with a katana strike, but Luka evades, inflicting a deep wound on Simbad's side, causing blood to flow profusely. Observing Simbad's predicament, Luka remarks that Simbad has fallen too far to recover his magic prowess, but contrasting to Rune, he's much closer to awakening his latent abilities. Slowly rising to his feet, Rune calls out to Simbad but he doesn't respond.

Rune's anger intensifies, causing him to tighten his grip on his weapon until blood drips from his hand. His magic begins to emanate from his body, flowing into his weapon. A sudden flashback to his past, witnessing the loss of the significant women in his life triggers a resolve within him never to experience that pain again. With determination, he swings his blade, releasing an energy slash wave. Luka uses his sword to block Rune's attack and laughs with excitement as the energy wave explodes. Rushing to Simbad, who opens his eyes, Rune inquires if he has managed to defeat Luka. Upon receiving a nod from Rune, Simbad explains that he hesitated to respond when Rune called out to him because he was afraid Luka might strike again. Smiling despite the blood from his mouth, Simbad's respond prompts Rune to shake his head in disbelief.

As the smoke dissipates, Luka emerges riding a monstrous horse, prompting Rune to stand up, preparing for another round. Meanwhile, Ezzy is behind the wheel when she notices Xai struggling to swim while carrying Ember. She halts the van and leaps into the water to assist them, pulling them to safety and embracing her mother. Coughing up water, Xai witnesses Rune and Simbad colliding into the van, causing it to crumple. With concern, Xai rushes to aid Rune and Simbad, while Ezzy, wielding her dual pistols, faces Luka riding his horse toward them. Rune and Simbad coughs up blood as Ezzy instructs her mother to flee as she opens fire at Luka.