Please support me on Patreon, where you can read a bunch of extra chapters, not just for this novel, but for all the novels I'm working on. I upload at least 2 times daily for each novel.
Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff
******
A refreshing sensation flooded Bochang's mind, instantly invigorating his entire being.
The boost to his mental energy was evident; he felt his Invisible Hand strengthen significantly, even allowing him to split it into a fourth or possibly a fifth hand.
Cocolia had completely lost any ability to resist.
Although Bochang's punch didn't fully strip her soul, it entirely removed the influence of Stellaron from her body.
Even her once eerie purple eyes reverted back to gray.
Perhaps Stellaron itself possesses soul energy, and quite powerful at that.
Without dispelling Stellaron's effects, Bochang would have been unable to affect this Great Guardian of Belobog.
Cocolia, utterly defeated and hopeless, had lost everything.
Her once-prided strength, under Bochang's relentless assault...
proved utterly useless.
It only resulted in a brutal beating.
The blonde big sister knelt on the ground, her hair disheveled and clothes torn, as if she had just endured severe abuse, marked by numerous bruises across her body.
"Kill me... Kill me... Kill me..." Cocolia muttered incessantly.
Uncertain of what to do, Bochang reached out, grasping the incoming Vow Spear and pointing it at the Great Guardian.
The sharp spear tip glinted menacingly.
Not long ago...
The clouds dispersed by Bochang's cannon blast had yet to reform, allowing golden sunlight to pour through, casting a warm glow over everyone present.
Serval approached, glanced at her former close friend, and pleaded, "Please, Bochang... don't kill her. Cocolia now...now surely realizes her mistakes."
"Boss? When did you arrive?" Bochang turned, slightly taken aback but unconcerned about any sudden move from Cocolia.
His Invisible Hand still tightly gripped her, with no intention of letting go.
"I've been here since before you started beating Cocolia." Serval looked at Bochang; despite the black bear mask, his distinctive attire was unmistakable.
As she gazed at this familiar figure, it felt like a lifetime had passed since their last encounter. Initially, she thought there were many things she wanted to say, but upon seeing Bochang, all words escaped her.
Bronya placed one hand over her heart and slightly bowed, saying, "Honored guests from afar, the Architects will willingly surrender Stellaron with both hands, only hoping you would spare my mother..."
Bochang scratched his head, instinctively glancing at Dan Heng, March 7th, and Stelle.
The stoic little azure dragon crossed his arms, stating, "Since you defeated the enemy, make your own decision."
March 7th and Stelle nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Bochang lowered his Vow Spear and declared, "As long as you don't interfere with our recovery of Stellaron, I have no desire to create unnecessary trouble for myself."
Bochang decided against delivering a fatal blow to Cocolia.
It was clear...
Both Serval and Bronya did not wish for Cocolia's death.
Killing this Great Guardian would have brought no benefit to Bochang. With both Bronya and Serval pleading for mercy, continuing the attack...
Could potentially evoke their disdain, making it simply not worth the risk.
"Thank you." Bronya bowed her head once more.
March 7th spread his hands and said, "This Trailblazer journey can be considered successful, although... Bochang, how exactly did you manage to restore someone tainted by Stellaron back to normal? It's truly unprecedented."
Dan Heng nodded in agreement.
Whenever encountering enemies assimilated by Stellaron before, the only option had been to kill them. Never had anyone like Bochang come along, completely purging the Stellaron's influence to revert individuals back to their original state.
Bochang pondered for a moment and replied, "I'm not sure. I just felt a strange surge of power within me."
"You wouldn't happen to be some hidden super powerhouse, would you?" March 7th walked up to Bochang, nudging him playfully with his elbow.
Witnessing Bochang obliterate the Creation Engine with a single blast and subsequently restore Cocolia to her original state by administering another beating left no room for doubt.
"March, I've told you not to pry into passengers'..." Dan Heng gently reminded her.
The pink-haired girl helplessly spread her hands and said, "Dan Heng-sensei, I know, but I'm just curious. Asking doesn't break any rules."
Bochang merely smiled without responding.
Serval gazed at the black-haired youth with mixed emotions.
Apart from the incident involving Cocolia, she realized that finding common ground or striking up a conversation with him seemed impossible, leaving her feeling somewhat disheartened.
Cocolia continued speaking weakly.
"Gurgle... Kill me... Just end it..."
Recalling all her past actions, this Great Guardian felt utterly humiliated.
Dragging out her pitiful existence seemed less desirable than the release of death.
[Dating Options activated.]
[Option 1: With one hand on your hip, say, "Want to die? Not so easily. If you truly believe you've done wrong, then make amends for your sins properly..." - Completion Reward: Random item, ranging from a matchstick to a star destroyer. Note: These items will...]
[Option 2: Pick up your spear, thrust it forcefully, and say, "Then go ahead and die." Completion Reward: Significantly increased likelihood of tripping over nothing.]
[Option 3: Adopt a nonchalant expression and state, "The fact that you're still alive is entirely thanks to Bronya and Serval. If not for their sake... you would already be dead. So, properly thank them instead. Stop fixating on dying—it's quite tiresome." Completion Reward: Serval joins Astral Express.]
Seeing the option for Serval to join Astral Express, Bochang was startled.
« Get on board! Must get her on board! »
« Option 3! »
Adopting a nonchalant expression, Bochang said, "The reason you're still alive is entirely due to Bronya and Serval. If not for their sake... you would have been dead by now. Go ahead and properly thank them instead. Stop obsessing over death—it's quite annoying."
Kneeling on the ground, Cocolia clenched her teeth, hands forming fists, feeling somewhat humiliated.
As the Great Guardian, when had she ever endured such indignity?
Yet strangely, this humiliation filled her with an inexplicable excitement, as if flipping a peculiar switch within her.
"This feeling..." Cocolia was aware of the three lingering hands on her body, and her breaths became heavier. With slight movements, she murmured, "It must... It must be these invisible hands, his mischief at work... It has to be him!"
Just as Bochang finished speaking,
Serval's heart trembled. Her gaze darted around, and her hands involuntarily clenched into fists, seemingly unfazed even as her black nails dug into her palms. She whispered, "Because of my face..."
After contemplating for a moment...
Serval gathered her courage and asked, "Um... Bochang, who exactly are you all? Are you here for the Stellaron? What is Stellaron, anyway? And why are you fighting against Cocolia?"