Artis's stomach lurched as he plummeted downward, the wind rushing past him. The walls of the crater blurred into a mess of fire and smoke. He gritted his teeth, his arms shielding his face from the debris falling alongside him.
Then, with a bone-jarring thud, he landed hard on a slanted metal surface, skidding down before crashing onto solid ground.
Pain shot through his body, but he forced himself to his feet. His vision swam, his legs shaking beneath him. The lower level was even worse, with metal beams twisted and groaning under the fire above strain, and the air was thick with smoke and ash.
"Alice!" he shouted, his voice hoarse. "Alice, where are you?!"
Rumble! Rumble!
Hearing his shouts, the floor he was on started to tremble again, as the 2 metallic beasts appeared out of thin air before him and blocked his way forward and backward.
The metallic beasts materialized in a blur of shifting shadows and grinding metal, their glowing red eyes locking onto Artis. Their coiled tentacles writhed, dripping with an oily substance that hissed and sizzled when it hit the ground.
"Shit!" cursed Artis as he took out the metal rod to point at the metallic beasts.
The beasts lunged without warning, their tentacles snapping toward him like whips. Artis barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side as one tentacle smashed into the ground where he had just stood, sending shards of metal flying.
The second beast closed in from behind. Artis twisted, raising the rod instinctively to block its strike, but the force of the impact sent him sprawling. His back hit the crater wall, the jagged surface tearing through his shirt and scraping his skin.
Pain shot through his body. He gasped, clutching his side, but the beasts weren't giving him any time to recover. A tentacle lashed out again, grazing his leg and knocking him off balance.
As the creature approached him, Artis twisted his body and with all his might, swing the rod towards its metallic face.
The creature recoiled, its metallic form denting under the force of Artis's attack. But it quickly recovered, its tentacles lashing out with renewed aggression.
Artis dodged and weaved, narrowly avoiding the deadly strikes as he continued to press his assault.
"Select skill- Magician!"
The rod sparked to life, flames flickering along its surface. Artis swung it in an arc, creating a fiery barrier that forced the beasts to pause for a moment. The heat from the flames licked at his skin, but he didn't care. This was his chance.
Taking the opportunity, He swung the rod with all his might, aiming for the creature's head, but it dodged at the last second. The flames seared across its shoulder instead, leaving a molten scar on its metallic body.
The beast let out a mechanical screech and retaliated, its tentacle snapping toward Artis's midsection. He ducked just in time, as the attack passed inches over his head and slammed into the wall behind him. The impact shook the ground, and debris rained down.
"Select Skill- Eye Of The Psychos"
As the purple aura created a range within the area, Artis controlled the fallen debris, his head aching with pain and threw it towards the metallic beasts. The mechanical beast struck the debris with its tentacles but it wasn't enough as Artis continued its assault using other materials like stones, and rods as he continued to move his hands, blood streaming from his nose, until the beast was fully focused on the incoming attacks.
The first beast screeched as a metal rod slammed into its exposed wiring, sparks erupting from the wound. The second beast lunged at him, but Artis sidestepped, sending a barrage of jagged stones crashing into its side. The strain of using [Eye of the Psychos] was unbearable now, his head felt like it was splitting open, and blood dripped steadily from his nose.
The second beast staggered under the relentless assault, its tentacles moving sluggishly now, sparks flying from damaged joints. Artis seized the moment. With a burst of speed fueled by adrenaline, he closed the distance, grabbing the creature's head with both hands. The metal was scalding hot, burning his palms, but he didn't care. Gritting his teeth, he pulled with all his might.
"Break, damn it!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the smoky cavern.
The beast's head resisted at first, the metallic joints groaning in protest, but Artis refused to let go. The veins in his arms bulged as he poured every ounce of his strength into the effort. Finally, with a sickening crack, the head tore free, wires snapping and sparks showering down like fireworks.
Artis dropped to his knees, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. His vision blurred, the purple aura of his skill fading as his body finally gave in to the exhaustion. Blood dripped from his nose and onto the scorched ground, mixing with the soot and ash.
The fiery rod in his hand, overcharged from the battle, cracked audibly before breaking apart in a burst of glowing embers. The pieces fell to the ground, sizzling as they cooled. Artis stared at the broken remains, his lips curling into a weak, bitter smile.
"...Of course..." he muttered, his voice barely audible. "Figures it wouldn't last."
Throwing the rod away, Artis started running again observing the damage and the floor he was in.
'The engine room is supposed to be at at the rear end of the first deck. Judging from the fall I took, I am pretty sure I am on the third floor. I can't tell where I am currently but I pray that nothing happened to Alice. Please be safe...'
Artis continued to run downstairs avoiding all the dangers as he reached the second floor that had partially flooded.
He carefully navigated through the rising water and broken ship sections, keeping his eyes open for any threats. The metallic beasts were dangerous, and there could still be more lurking around, especially with the ship's state of disrepair.
His mind raced as he considered the possibility that Alice may have already escaped, but he couldn't let go of the nagging fear that she might still be in danger.
Artis's instincts were on high alert as he made his way through the corridors. He used his [Magician] skill to create light, illuminating the dark and flooded areas.
Finally, he reached the lower deck where the engine room was located. His heart raced with anticipation and anxiety as he approached the area. The door to the engine room was blocked by debris, but Artis used his strength to clear the path.
"ALICE!" Artis shouted, entering the room.
The engine room was flooding slightly, with lights flickering in and out, zaps going out everywhere as Artis struggled to figure out where to go next.
Crash!
Suddenly, Artis felt an uneasy amount of fear and pressure in his body as he remained frozen where he stood not able to even move his finger.
'Wh-What? Why am I not able to move? Why am I so scared all of a sudden... Why the hell do I want to run away?' thought Artis as he gritted his teeth in frustration, still not able to move his body.
[Passive Skill [Calm Mind] is active]
"Move.....Move....MOVE!!" screamed Artis as he used [Magician] and stabbed his fingers making them bleed a little snapping out of his fear.
"Huff...Huff..." On his knees and struggling to stand up, he looked ahead with determination.
Standing up, he took one step forward, pain evident in his eyes.
As the faint blue aura surrounded his body, he jumped forward and entered the deep part of the engine room.
The entire room was filled with metallic bodies lying on the ground not moving, brightness illuminating the entire room, no signs of flood in the room as a lady with red hair wearing a red gauntlet surrounded by 2 white wolf-like creatures protecting her in a veil as the lady was busy fixing the wires in one of the machines.
"Alice?" Artis called out, his voice cracking.
The wolves snapped their heads toward him, their piercing eyes locking onto his figure. Alice spun around, her face a mixture of shock and relief.
Alice gasped, looking behind with a shocked face as she responded.
"Artis? But how...You're not supposed to be here...You're supposed to be..."
Before she could finish, Artis leaped forward, wrapping her in a tight embrace. His body trembled as he buried his face in her shoulder, his voice breaking. "You're safe... I was so scared, Alice. You weren't at the hall, and I thought—"
For a moment, Alice faltered, her arms wrapping around him instinctively. The protective veil dissipated as her guard dropped. "I... I'm okay, Artis. I'm okay."
Artis pulled back, gripping her shoulders firmly. "We have to get out of here. I don't care how—we'll find a way! Come on!" He grabbed her hand, ready to run.
Alice, noticing that stopped in her tracks as Artis looked back in shock.
"What in the world are you doing Alice? We've to run dammit!"
Alice stood still not responding to Artis at all as the wolves roamed around them creating a misty veil again.
She looked at Artis with a sad grin and said, "I'm sorry Artis, but I really can't."
"A nice little reunion," a voice interrupted, cold and mocking. "Too bad it's about to end."
A voice echoed throughout the room as the wolves stood up growling upwards. The entire room started to shake and Artis felt the unexplainable fear surging inside his body again.
Inside the room, appeared a machine floating in the air having intricate patterns over it on top of it, stood a woman with short purple hair, wearing a black suit, eyes covered with sunglasses, and hands in her pockets as she continued to speak.
"Who're you? Are you the one responsible for this mess!?" asked Alice in a threatening tone.
"Oh? So it seems there is someone who can withstand [Dominating Fear]. Too bad, I can't say the same for your brother over there, Alice Janes!"
Artis's knees nearly buckled as the oppressive aura intensified, but he clenched his fists, refusing to show weakness.
Alice's expression was one of surprise as she looked at the woman. Artis squeezed her hand tighter, knowing they needed to be ready for whatever was about to happen.
"You know me? Who are you?"
"Who I am doesn't matter," the woman said, her tone icy. "What matters is that you're coming with me. Both of you, actually. But if you want to resist..." She tilted her head, a smile spreading across her face. "I'll make it hurt."
Without warning, a sleek gun materialized in her hand. A single shot rang out, grazing Alice's shoulder. Alice stumbled, clutching the wound as her legs gave out.
"Alice!" Artis yelled, catching her before she hit the ground. She didn't scream, but the pain was clear in her trembling body.
"A paralyzing bullet," the woman said, inspecting her nails nonchalantly. "Don't worry, it won't kill her. Yet."
As she pressed a button on the machine, dozens of metallic creatures materialized, surrounding them in an unyielding circle. Their glowing eyes burned like crimson flames, and their tentacles writhed in anticipation.
Alice gritted her teeth, her hand trembling as she reached for Artis. "Listen to me," she whispered, her voice low but firm. "I have a plan. When I give the signal, you run. Don't stop. Just go."