Mike stood before the pile of black iron, his mind a whirlwind of ideas. The gauntlet was powerful, but it wasn't enough. Not for the path he was walking. He needed something more—a full set of armor. And not just any armor, but something that would grow with him, something that could withstand and even challenge the heavens themselves.
His eyes gleamed with feverish excitement. "This armor… It'll be the greatest creation of my life."
Without wasting a second, he conjured the chaotic fire once again, the silver flames flaring to life in his palms. The air around him trembled as the fire surged, and the black iron began to melt, dripping into a shimmering pool of liquid. He stared at the molten metal, grinning to himself.
But it wasn't enough. He needed more. Much more.
He dragged in pile after pile of black iron, nearly half a ton in total, and melted it all down. The liquid metal hovered in the air, swirling and pulsing as if alive, held aloft by Mike's chaotic energy. "More," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. "It needs more."
The armor began to take shape. First, the chest plate—a broad, imposing piece designed to protect him from the front. But Mike wasn't satisfied with just strength; he needed versatility. He started engraving defensive formations into the metal, layer after layer. The energy-amplifying formation came next, followed by barrier formations, and then more intricate, experimental runes that would absorb and redirect enemy attacks.
"It's not enough. Not nearly enough," he muttered as his hands moved faster, his eyes wild with obsession.
He began carving runes into the metal, not just any runes, but the ones that had been etched onto his internal organs during his early cultivation. These runes, fused with his very being, had become a part of him. As he engraved them, the metal vibrated violently, reacting to the raw, chaotic energy. The armor began to hum with life, like a beating heart.
"More!" Mike's voice cracked as he kept adding rune after rune, the lines becoming more intricate, more alive. The dark iron glowed with an unholy light, shifting between deep black and silver as it absorbed the power of the runes.
Next came the shoulder guards—massive and imposing, shaped like jagged spikes. He engraved them with defensive runes, layering multiple formations on top of one another. The shoulder guards weren't just for protection; they would absorb attacks and unleash the stored energy when triggered. Each stroke of his hand added a new level of complexity, pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
The arm guards followed, wrapping around his arms like coiling serpents, the runes running down their length, glowing faintly. The leg guards were equally complex, covered in defensive formations that would allow him to block and deflect any blow. On the boots, he added a speed formation, one that would allow him to move with unnatural quickness.
But when he reached the helmet, his madness truly began to take hold. He shaped it to cover his entire head, leaving only his eyes exposed. The black iron wrapped around his skull, fitting perfectly, with two jagged horns extending from the top. He grinned maniacally as he carved a penetration formation into the horns, making them as deadly as spears.
Blood absorption formations followed, designed to drain the life from his enemies and feed it into his own chaotic energy. His hands moved faster and faster, adding more runes and formations than necessary. The silver runes glowed fiercely, even in the shadows of the cave, giving the helmet an eerie, otherworldly appearance. The only part of his face visible would be his silver-glowing eyes, staring coldly from behind the mask.
"More… I need more," Mike muttered, laughing softly to himself. His madness grew with each rune he carved, his mind racing, unable to stop. He added a stealth formation to the armor's core, allowing him to disappear from sight at will. The chest plate, arm guards, leg guards, and helmet were now covered in a web of interlocking runes, each one feeding into the next.
He had gone far beyond simple formations. He had engraved the very essence of chaos into the armor. Runes layered upon runes, like a labyrinth of energy that would protect him, amplify his power, and devastate his enemies.
But it wasn't enough.
Mike stared at the gauntlet on his right hand. The Abyssal Gauntlet had fused with his blood and chaotic energy during its creation, becoming a part of him. A realization struck him—what if he could do the same with the armor?
He glanced at the silver blood pulsing beneath his skin. "If the gauntlet can bind to me, why can't the armor?" he mused.
Without hesitation, Mike bit into his finger, letting silver droplets fall onto the armor. The reaction was immediate.
The armor flared to life. The runes lit up like stars, burning with chaotic energy. The molten iron shuddered, as if alive, and began absorbing the blood greedily.
Mike's eyes widened, a crazed grin splitting his face. "Yes… Take it! Take it all!"
He didn't stop with just a few drops. He pressed his bleeding hand against the chest plate, letting the armor drink deeply from his blood. The runes began to change, becoming more intricate, more alive, as they fused with his very essence. The armor was no longer just metal—it was a part of him, bound to him by blood and chaos.
The Abyssal Gauntlet responded, its own runes flaring as it merged with the newly forged armor. A surge of energy coursed through Mike's body, and he felt the connection solidify. The armor was now linked to the gauntlet, sharing its abilities, amplifying his power even further.
The cave trembled violently, and Mike looked up, his grin faltering. Dark clouds were gathering in the sky once again, swirling with a menacing force. Blood-red lightning flickered within the clouds.
"Are you kidding me? Again?!"
The heavens roared, answering his challenge. The first bolt of lightning struck the armor, but instead of destroying it, the armor absorbed the energy. The runes flared even brighter, feeding on the chaotic power. The black iron pulsed with life, growing stronger with each strike of lightning.
Mike laughed hysterically, his arms raised to the sky. "You think you can stop me? I am chaos!"
Another bolt of red lightning crashed down, this one stronger than before, but the armor took it in, absorbing the raw energy. The blood inside the runes seemed to react, fusing even deeper with the armor's core. The horns on the helmet gleamed as the energy surged through them, ready to tear through the skies.
Then came the final bolt—a massive, crimson lightning strike that tore through the heavens. It was filled with pure killing intent, as if the very heavens sought to erase Mike's creation from existence. But the armor fought back. The horns on the helmet extended, glowing with a blinding light, and pierced the bolt, cutting through the energy like a blade through flesh.
The sky screamed as the tribulation broke apart, the dark clouds dissipating into nothingness. Mike stood in the center of the chaos, his armor shining with a dark, ethereal light. The molten iron had solidified into a perfect suit of black armor, fused with his blood, the Abyssal Gauntlet, and chaotic energy. The chest plate, arm guards, leg guards, and helmet were covered in intricate, glowing runes, each one pulsing with life.
His breathing was ragged, but his grin never faded. "What have I created?" he whispered, staring at the armor that was now a part of him.
The armor had fused with his very essence, bonded by blood and chaos. It wasn't just protection—it was alive, growing stronger with each passing moment. Mike could feel it feeding on his energy, amplifying his power, and responding to his will. The blades of the gauntlet retracted, hidden beneath the armor, ready to strike at a moment's notice. The stealth formation hummed quietly, waiting to be activated. The speed formation on the boots thrummed with latent power.
The horns of the helmet gleamed, their penetration and blood absorption formations waiting for their first test in battle. Mike ran his hand along the chest plate, admiring the silvery patterns and chaotic runes that crisscrossed the black iron.
"This… this is the Abyssal Armor," he whispered, feeling the power coursing through him. "And it's only the beginning."
Mike stood in the depths of the cave, clad in his newly forged armor. Each piece fit perfectly, feeling like a second skin as he moved. The black iron gleamed with a dark, ethereal light, and the intricate runes pulsed softly, echoing his chaotic energy. He flexed his fingers, testing the gauntlets, the retractable blades hidden beneath the surface.
The weight of the armor was considerable, but Mike's body was strong, and he felt the armor's mass distribute evenly across his form. As he began to move, he could sense how the armor's weight impacted his agility. He practiced basic movements, from swift jabs to spinning kicks, adapting to the armor's feel.
The boots, equipped with the speed formation, made him feel lighter with each step. As he sprinted, the formation activated, amplifying his speed. He tested different speeds, starting from a brisk jog to a full sprint. With each burst, the armor seemed to adapt, its formations working in harmony with his movements. His stride lengthened, and he could feel the boost in speed like a sudden rush of wind.
Next, he activated the stealth formation. The armor's surface shimmered and faded, blending with the shadows of the cave. Mike practiced vanishing and reappearing at will, the stealth formation working flawlessly. He moved silently through the cave, the armor's camouflage blending seamlessly with the surroundings. He practiced appearing and disappearing, ensuring that the formation's effectiveness remained consistent even under different lighting conditions.
Mike turned his attention to the helmet, particularly the horns. He concentrated on the penetration formation and blood absorption formations embedded within. He summoned chaotic energy into the horns and visualized the power concentrating at the tips. With a surge of energy, he struck a nearby stone wall, the horns glowing fiercely. The impact was devastating, and the wall cracked under the force.
He felt a surge of satisfaction as the formation worked perfectly, the horns tearing through the stone with ease. He then focused on the blood absorption formation, channeling energy into it. The armor absorbed the chaotic energy with a hum, the formation pulsing with a dark, eerie light. He tested the absorption by striking a few targets, feeling the energy flowing back into him, enhancing his strength and vitality.
The helmet's defensive formations were equally impressive. Mike had designed them to withstand powerful attacks. He set up a series of practice targets and began a rigorous training session. He used his full strength to strike at various angles, feeling the armor absorb and deflect the impacts. The formations held firm, and he could feel the defensive formations dispersing the energy of each blow, protecting him from harm.
He practiced with the gauntlets, testing their retractable blades. He combined his movements with the chaotic killing art, integrating the claw-like blades into his strikes. Each slash and thrust was precise, the blades slicing through the air with a deadly edge. The more he trained, the more intuitive the movements became, and he marveled at how seamlessly the gauntlets blended with his fighting style.
Sweat trickled down his brow as he continued his training, the armor adapting to his every move. The chaotic energy flowing through the formations seemed to synchronize perfectly with his own, amplifying his abilities. He practiced for hours, pushing his limits, feeling the armor growing more responsive and efficient with each passing moment.
The armor's ability to grow with him became evident as he continued to refine his techniques. The formations integrated into the armor responded to his energy, amplifying his strength, speed, and stealth. Mike felt an unparalleled sense of connection with his creation, as if the armor was an extension of his own body.
With each training session, he could feel his mastery over the armor deepening. The helmet, gauntlets, and all the pieces of the armor became more than just protective gear; they were tools of immense power, perfectly attuned to his chaotic energy.
Mike finished his training session, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. He examined the armor, admiring how the silver runes glowed softly beneath the black surface. The helmet's horns, the stealth formation, and the speed-enhancing boots all worked flawlessly, making him feel invincible.
"This armor," he said, his voice filled with awe, "is more than just a creation. It's a part of me now. And together, we're unstoppable."
He placed the remaining iron into his space ring, ready for his next project. The cave's shadows lengthened as he continued to practice, the armor's power and his own strength intertwining seamlessly.
...
The cave's entrance yawned before Mike, a narrow slit that led to the vast expanse of the world outside. With a deep breath, he activated his Stealth Formation. His body shimmered briefly, and then he was cloaked in an almost imperceptible shimmer of chaotic energy. The armor's dark, polished surface seemed to merge with the shadows, making him nearly invisible against the dense forest backdrop.
Mike took his first steps cautiously, feeling the weight of the full set of armor. The metal felt like a second skin, each piece moving with him as though it were part of his own body. He tested the Speed Formation in his boots, his movements becoming swift and fluid, almost effortless. He darted silently through the undergrowth, his footsteps muffled by the forest floor's thick layer of fallen leaves and moss.
The forest was alive with the sounds of creatures. As Mike ventured further, he used his Eyes of Chaos to scan the surroundings. The canopy above was dense, filtering the sunlight into dappled patches that danced across the forest floor. Tall trees with gnarled branches stood like ancient sentinels, their roots twisting through the soil like veins. The air was thick with the scent of earth and decaying foliage, a sharp contrast to the sterile environment of his cave.
His Eyes of Chaos revealed the presence of several beasts scattered throughout the forest. Some were small, scurrying about in the underbrush, their energy levels insignificant in comparison to what Mike had encountered before. These beasts were of lower realms, their energy a mere flicker in the grand scheme of the forest's ecosystem.
However, as Mike delved deeper, the energy readings grew more intense. He encountered beasts whose realms were concealed from him, their energy so overwhelming that he felt a pressure in his chest, like the weight of a thousand tons pressing down on him. It was an unsettling sensation, almost suffocating. He could only make out their presence through the chaotic energy radiating from them. These were creatures of immense power, beyond his current comprehension.
"These beasts... they're on a different level entirely," Mike thought, his breath quickening. "I can't even see their realms. Just feeling their energy is enough to make me want to retreat. But the armor... it's holding up."
His heart raced with both fear and excitement. Despite the danger, his new armor's Stealth Formation kept him hidden from these formidable entities. The sensation of being undetectable, of moving silently and unseen, gave him a sense of security.
After cautiously navigating through the oppressive forest, Mike stumbled upon a clearing. He paused, his Eyes of Chaos scanning the area. There, nestled among the trees, was the Black Panther that had terrorized him before. The beast lay curled up, its glossy black fur blending seamlessly with the shadows of the underbrush.
His heart pounded in his chest as he looked at the sleeping panther. The last time he had encountered this beast, he had barely escaped with his life. He remembered the sight of the panther tearing through the dead wolf's body, its fangs and claws a blur of viciousness. The terror from that encounter was fresh in his mind.
"Sixth Rank Earthly Beast," Mike mused, his voice barely a whisper. "I can see its realm clearly now. It's just as powerful as I feared."
A shiver ran down his spine, but his resolve quickly solidified. "But this time... this time, it will be different. I've got the armor. I've got the strength."
Mike's eyes gleamed with a mix of fear and determination. His thoughts raced, recalling the raw power of the armor and the new techniques he had developed. He had been preparing for a challenge like this, and now was the moment to test his creation.
He approached slowly, careful not to make any noise. The Stealth Formation made it nearly impossible for him to be detected. The Black Panther remained oblivious to his presence, its breathing deep and steady. The ground beneath Mike's boots was soft and yielding, with every step requiring meticulous control to avoid snapping twigs or rustling leaves.
Mike took a deep breath and tested the Speed Formation again, moving closer to the panther. He felt the power surge through him, propelling him forward with a grace that belied his armor's weight. His heart raced with excitement. "If I can take down this beast, it will be a huge victory. Not only will it prove the effectiveness of the armor, but it will also mean I can finally eat meat again. I've been craving it since I got here."
He took a moment to appreciate his surroundings. The forest was a maze of shadows and light, with the thick canopy above creating a patchwork of darkness. The air was filled with the sounds of distant rustling, the occasional call of a bird, and the soft murmur of a nearby stream. The tranquility of the clearing contrasted sharply with the anticipation that thrummed within him.
As he drew closer to the Black Panther, he couldn't help but marvel at his armor. The silver runes glowed faintly, absorbing the ambient chaotic energy, and the helmet's horns, now retracted, seemed to pulse with latent power. "This armor... it's amazing," Mike thought, his confidence growing. "It's more than just protection; it's a part of me now."
He carefully moved into position, planning his approach. His mind raced through the strategies he had developed, considering how best to utilize the armor's formations. "I need to be smart about this. I can't afford to underestimate it, even if I'm confident in my abilities."
Mike's excitement grew as he prepared to make his move. His heart was a drumbeat of anticipation, every sense heightened. The panther's presence was a reminder of his progress, of the dangers he had faced and overcome. As he crouched in the shadows, ready to strike, a fierce grin spread across his face.
"This is it," he thought, his eyes fixed on the slumbering beast. "Let's see what this armor can really do."
With that, he took a deep breath, his excitement and nervousness swirling in a heady mix. The chapter ended with Mike poised on the brink of action, his new armor gleaming in the dappled light of the forest, ready to face his first real test.